Extension Program Council

December 14, 2004

9:00 am - 11:00 am

PRESENT:   Duane Hauck, Dean Aakre, Debb Pankow, Sean Brotherson, Becky Koch, Roger Haugen, Karen Zotz, Margaret Tweten, Jackie Buckley, Karl Hoppe, Gerald Sturn, Kathy Tweeten, Dave Franzen, Bradley Cogdill, Jay Fisher, Rachelle Vettern, Jane Edwards, Mike Hanson and Maxine Nordick.

Duane Hauck gave an update from the SBARE meeting that was being held today.   A review of the governor’s budget for agriculture was very positive.   All state agencies have a hold even budget which has only happened a couple of times in the past 10 years.   Salary package of 4% this year and 3% the following year.   Also a beef initiative for $301,000.   Capital improvements included the new green house complex which is a $20 million project, starting out with a $9 million first phase.

For the legislative session preparation all team chairs are being asked to compile information describing the critical issues in their program area.   Just a snapshot of an impact statement over the last biennium is what is needed.   The eight program sheets developed the past year by team chairs have proven to be very valuable.   Select 3-4 of the highest impact program areas.   Forty words or less is suggested for each impact.    Duane and Ken are meeting on December 21 to talk about what should go in impact book.  First hearing is January 19.   It was discussed that these should be sent electronically to Roger or Karen and it was emphasized that they should be kept short.  They should be sent no later than the first week of January....preferably sooner.   Roger and Karen will be contacting the chairs.   The 2004 Annual Highlights was distributed.

Duane mentioned that Roger Johnson will be joining ELT at 1:00 about collaboritive work.    SBARE will be tour the green house complex today.

 Duane also indicated he would welcome digital pictures to go with impact stories for PowerPoint presentations to the legislature later on. 

Karen next shared some slides on CSREES Strategic Plan for FY 2004-2009.  The first one stating the vision, mission and functions.  The next topic involved the five strategic goals.    Karen formed five groups and provided each group with a folder with one of the goals.   Each group was told to look at goal, performance criteria and objective and decide if objectives pertain to North Dakota and what agencies need to be partners.

Each group shared their thoughts after about 20 minutes of discussion between the members.  Some of the comments consisted of the fact that all programs seem to fit into each goal.   It was noted the CREES was stressing the evalulation component and increase global awareness.   It was also discussed the possibility of non-food agricultural programs and also the social impacts that come up with different areas.   Department Chairs need to be aware of these goals and they should be encouraged to attend the next Program Council meeting on February 24.

Reporting against federal dollars is difficult.   All goals cross all program area.   One idea was to form advisory groups based on the goals and help bring together partners.

No guidelines yet from CREES on the federal report which is due in March.   As soon as Karen and Roger receive this information it will be sent out electronically.   Once again they will be working with Ag Comm.

Dean Aakre next shared the Enrollment Statistic report for 4-H Youth.   It was mentioned that the staff is confused on what needs to be reported.      It should report how many youth participate and where they come from.   They are using the Blue Ribbon to compile this date, but there are many holes in the program.   Their use of this program needs to be revisited.   It did show a slight increase in enrollment although a decrease in the number of clubs by five.   REMINDER:   Specialists doing programs should send a report to the counties informing them of participants from their respective counties.   Duane will also be using this report at the legislature.

Karen next discussed the P.I.E. training in Nebraska City the first part of December.  There were nine participants (Sean Brotherson, Karen Zotz, Roger Haugen, Terry Lykken, Jane Edwards, Sue Fagerholt, Mike Rose, Jodi Bruns and Peggy Anderson ).   Some of these participants feel comfortable in this role and some do not yet.  Conflict resolution and facilitation are two main areas.   ELT will be discussing these individual resources to other counties.   They will NOT provide formal trainings for agents and specialists.   It was brought up that a trained individual could go to counties and be the facilitator and coach in areas they are not involved in because they would not be biased.   You cannot be both a facilitator and an advocate...you must be neutral.

Kathy Tweeten discussed some in-depth training in her area (CRED) which includes facilitiation.   This training will take place on Feburary 2-3 in Carrington REC.

New agents need to know when they should or should not become involved in matters.   It was also discussed that this might be part of new staff orientation.

Team reports:

Maxine – The POW was sent out to each county with timeline on requested feedback by February 28.   They are meeting at the Group Decision Center this afternoon to discuss some of the issues.

Rachelle – Discussed the Appreciated Training and questions for agents to use.   Provided a handout on this.

Debb – Discussed one of her programs Financial Security in Later Life and talked how the USDA is providing some money to upload some programs on E-Extension.

Dave Franzen – North Dakota is host for 4-State Cropping meeting and it is being called “Northern Plains”.  It will be held in March and the first day will provide all agents with update sessions since there is no spring conference this year.

Sean – Not much to report.   Busy planning some training sessions.

Jane – Discussed the Community Health assessment partnering with Extension with 16 agents.  Beneficial because of the baseline data for evaluation purposes.

Diabetes education is something she is also preparing for although there is some controversy between agents on this topic.   Dakota Medical Foundation has a grant Jane is working on comprising of Walsh, Richland, Foster and Grand Forks counties.   There is a program on May 4-5 called “Dining with Diabetes” which is a basic nutrition education.

NEXT MEETING:    February 24 in University Chambers

Adjourned,

Melanie Ziegler