By Linda Engelken Fischer
Russ Euken, President, called the fall meeting of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents to order at 1:00 PM in the Ensminger Room of Kildee Hall. The Iowa Beef Industry Council provided lunch.
Jim Johnson addressed the group and said the Agriculture Extension Administration is interested in working with our group on holding joint inservices. They also support our efforts to bid on hosting the National meeting in 2007. In addition, Jim noted that the Value Added Agriculture department is working on developing the Ag Marketing Resource Center. ISU is taking the lead on designing the website. This will be a multi-year effort and staff may be asked to assist with the project.
Linda Fischer presented the minutes of the spring 2001 meeting. Kelvin Leibold moved to approve the minutes. Seconded by Gary Guge. Motion carried.
Linda presented the treasurer's report. Our ending balance, not including AM/PIC support was $3373.54. Neil Wubben moved to accept the report. Seconded by Dale Thorsen. Motion carried. The proposed budget for 2001-2002 was then presented. Rich Wrage moved to accept the budget. Seconded by Bob Dodds. Motion carried.
Discussion was conducted regarding the unspent $250 for Achievement Award winner. The award money could be divided between our national and regional winners in the communications contests. John Creswell was national winner and Chris Nelson was a regional winner in their respective categories. Dennis DeWitt moved to split the award, $150 to Creswell and $100 to Nelson. Seconded by Ronnie Mitchell. Jerry Chizek moved to amend the motion that each receives $125. Roger Musselman seconded. A vote on the amendment passed. A vote of the motion as amended also carried.
The spring raffle fundraiser was discussed. Income tapered off last year. Joel DeJong has agreed to continue organizing the raffle, but members need to help recruit prizes. Discussion was held about having a member from each area serve as a district chair and challenge each area for donations. Kelvin Leibold moved that each area elect a district chair person who would organize both raffle donations and act as membership chair, recruiting new ag staff in their area. Seconded by Dan Burkhart. Motion carried.
Membership reports were given by area. New Ag staff are as follows:
Northwest: Al Grigg, Todd Vagts, Terry Janssen, Tom Olsen, Carol Heaverlo and Pete Olson.
Northeast: William Arndorfer, Timothy Seabrooke, Darrin Siefken,
Southeast: No new staff
Southwest: No new staff
Central: No new staff and 2 open positions.
We discussed recruiting retirees for life memberships. The life member fee will increase from $35 to $50 after January 1st. A list of life members can be found at the Iowa NACAA web page: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Pages/nacaa/
Linda Fischer reported on the National Meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico and commented on the opportunities for Ag staff and the wonderful activities for family members, including her children.
Ronnie Mitchell reported on his participation in the National meeting Value Added Agriculture preconference tour. Ronnie also was selected to attend the RISE, Responsible Industry for Sound Environment national tour. Twenty-five agents were selected from around the country to attend the tour in the Northeast. The conference focused on Integrated Pest Management, research efforts on tick borne diseases and plant varieties. Next year the tour will be in the South, including Florida, Atlanta, and Charleston areas. Members can apply through their horticulture committee chair. For Iowa, that is Larry Loenser in Black Hawk County.
Roger Musselman also attended the national meeting and commented on what Vermont was doing to cut back on staff in the state.
Dan Burkhart, Northcentral Regional Vice Chair reported on National meeting and Association details. Life member dues increase after January 2002. There is an incentive for life members to donate $50 to the scholarship fund and receive the magazine and an invitation to the national meeting. For a $1000 donation they will receive a free registration to the national meeting.
Dues for members increased from $25 to $40. To reduce costs of the County Agent Magazine, the association may put ads in the magazine. The national board is committed to maintaining and balancing the budget. A dues increase was voted in at the national meeting because of shortfalls in Ag company sponsorships due to company mergers. AT&T has recently announced that they will not be sponsoring the communications award program with current employee layoffs.
Dan also reviewed the new structure for committees. The 2005 National meeting will be in Buffalo, New York.
In other business, Russ discussed some extra funds in ISUCEP and the possibility of using these for national meeting support for staff.
Changing the name of our state association to a more recognizable name was also discussed. Illinois' association is called: Illinois Extension Agriculture Agents Association. The name change was tabled for a future meeting.
The State NACAA tour for next summer was discussed. Dan Burkhart recommended the Professional Improvement Council members meet and decide ideas for next summer. Committee members are: Agronomy - John Holmes, Animal Science - David Stender, Ag Economics - Kelvin Liebold, and Horticulture - Larry Loenser.
Russ Euken reported on the Public Issues Leadership Development (PILD) conference in Washington, D. C. He said it was a positive experience and a great opportunity to meet with representatives.
The Wisconsin Meeting Support from Iowa for the Tuesday evening meal was discussed. Lynch Livestock will do the grilling. We need 1000 pounds of pork or beef. Iowa Select committed to $250 donation. The Committee needs to schedule a meeting to finalize plans for the meal. Committee members are: Kelvin Leibold, Ronnie Mitchell, Larry Tranel, Pat Derdzinski, Jerry Chizek, Heidi Carter, Russ Euken, and Linda Fischer.
The bid for hosting the 2007 national meeting was discussed. Patrick Derdzinski moved to proceed with a bid at Wisconsin in 2003. Ronnie Mitchell seconded. Motion was defeated by a hand vote of 14 to 10.
Linda thanked outgoing president Russ Euken for his leadership as chair this past year.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:30 PM.