Extension Program Council
September 12, 2005
9:00 am - 11:00 am
PRESENT: Maxine Nordick, Dean Aakre, Duane Berglund, Rachelle Vettern, George Flaskerud, Jim Deal, Jane Edwards, Mike Hanson, Margaret Tweten, Gerald Sturn, Brad Cogdill, Becky Koch, Duane Hauck and Roger Haugen
Duane Hauck opened the meeting with an extension update. He reinforced the value of the state Plans of Work. He has extensively used the major program area sheet that was developed by the team chairs when he is educating people on the nature of the work of the extension service. He wanted to also to encourage team chairs to prioritize the program components. He wanted thought to be given to highlight the outcome of their program components and to change program components if a program was no longer important or necessary. This depends on the team chair’s leadership.
This will become even more important as we start to develop the federal Plan of Work.
Next, he discussed SBARE and how the membership is almost entirely new. Next June the last original member will be leaving. Jerry Effertz, the new chair, wants a quick overview of specific areas. Duane wants to suggest that each team showcase their area to present at a SBARE meeting. He says it should be a quick high-charging presentation. Agribusiness would probably be the first area to showcase. What he suggests is a quick overview of the program area and then highlight a specific program. Each program area would take turns presenting at SBARE’s meeting.
University Extension was the next topic for Duane’s update. He feels we need to make a better connection with other colleges at NDSU. This should be at a Specialist and Scientist level. We should have a state specialist meeting soon. Some budget funds are earmarked for this purpose. College of Humanities and Arts is working together with Community Vitality.
Next, the merger between Ag Comm and ITS was reviewed. Desktop support will be more blended and ITS is making an effort to understand ag. ITS liaison project is being started in which they are determining individuals with interest in technology. Duane will resend email message to program council with details. Basically it is if you know of someone who is interested in technology you should forward their name to ITS.
Centers of Excellence was the next topic which Duane addressed. The beef center is moving forward with the possibility of a private party being involved such as American Bison Cooperative.
It was questioned whether the Ag Comm/ITS merger would affect any charges. Duane indicated that it would not. Video conferencing charges was also brought up, but that also will not be affected.
Roger, then distributed copies of two logic models which were part of the state Plan of Work and it was discussed how the two teams this year submitted this plans in this format. Duane Berglund then brought up that his area did have too many components and they would be taking a look at them when they were completing their plan of work for the upcoming year.
George Flaskerud passed out the fall conference agenda and went over it with the group.
Becky Koch informed us on the progress of eXtension. A brochure and letter will be coming. Basically what it consists of is a web portal of a combination of interests across the country. She has seen a demonstration.
One aspect of this will be FAQs initiative. All extension educators and directors will be asked to provide 5-10 FAQs (along with their answers) and they will be compiled. It is strongly encouraged to have their staff participate in filling out the questionnaire. It is due October 31. Smith-Lever will be providing 1% of the cost.
TEAM REPORTS:
Rachelle provided Community Capitals handout prepared by NCRCRD. The Horizons grant is wrapping up and the NW Foundation is looking at other areas. Lynette Flage is working with them. Watford City is part of a pilot program. Kathy Tweeten is working on certification for festival and event management. Conference on Rural America is November 10 in Minot. In December there is a conference pertaining to evaluation.
Duane Berglund mentioned the conferences that were held the past summer—June 23 in Carrington for Crop Pesticide and July 6-7 the no-till conference. They had 75 individuals the first day and about 45-60 the second day.
September 20-21 marks the state and area specialist fall meeting. They will discuss what programs are coming up this winter and how the programs went the past summer. They will also discuss the new state POW for 2006-07. Next week there is a biotech conference on September 21 and 22. Right now 91 are enrolled. It was asked that agents be reminded of the September 15 deadline as only seven agents have signed up so far. There are 19 international individuals who have signed up.
He also provided the group 2005-2006 events and dates.
Dave Franzen indicated that the increased fuel and fertilizer costs will definitely be a source of concern in the months ahead.
George Flaskerud told the group that 2006 costs are a major issue. The focus is on “break-even”. He provided the group with a list of the upcoming Outlook Conferences and Income Tax Management conferences.
Debb Pankow was not present at the meeting, but provided a handout outlining by unit what programs they are working on. One new program is being planned for the Winter of 2006 - “Legally Secure Your Financial Future: Organize, Communicate, Prepare. Agents are anticipating questions regarding budgeting/making ends meet/handling fuel bills this winter. The Financial Security for All application was submitted September 8.
Dean and Maxine then reported on the 4-H program. Their plan of work and the three program components were outlined.
The archery program is present at 14 schools. There was a training for teachers, extension staff and volunteers in June. Twelve received Level 1 certification and 5 received Level II. Joe will be conducting a one-day Level 1 certification training in Sept.
We are the only state coordinating archery in the schools through the Extension Service. In other states it is ran through the Game & Fish dept.
Each school participating in the program received $2,600, but was required to have a $700 local contribution. The goal for next year is to expand the program to 25-30 schools.
The Sheyenne Archers 4-H Exhibition team is the first of its kind in the nation. The purpose of the group is to promote 4-H and archery as a life sport. The members of the group are from Cass and Clay counties.
Joe C. will be meeting the end of this month with the North Dakota parks in Bismarck to discuss 4-H snowmobiling project. They will be looking at the program that Washington state has developed.
The North Central Volunteer forum will be held November 10-13 in Rapid City. Twenty-six volunteers from ND will be attending.
Wonderwise Science training was held this summer. The program featured women as scientists in nine different areas.
Merry Green and Gayle Gette developed three quilt trunks from sewing machines donated through a grant by All Brands, Inc. North Dakota received 15 sewing machines for the quilting project.
Land and Homesite judging was held in Dickinson on August 4.
Dairy judging was held at the NDSU campus this summer.
State fair checks were sent to counties last week. Total exhibits were 11,561 with an additional 222 youth participating in consumer choices and horse judging.
The state range judging contest will be held September 23-24 in Washburn 4-H camp.
Jane Edwards provided the group with a handout on some of the things happening in her program..including:
Healthy Weight
Agriculture to Health (including a lesson on health benefits of healthy oils)
Diabetes Education
Sports Nutrition
Colorectal Cancer prevention/screening education
Roger concluded the meeting with some of the changes that will be taking place with the new federal POW. The biggest change is that it will be around our programs...not the five goals. He will learn more about the changes when he travels to Nebraska City in October for a meeting pertaining to this.
Next meeting is November 8 in the University Chambers.
Adjourned....Melanie Ziegler