:MINUTES BUSINESS MEETING Great Plains Agricultural Council
June 8, 1994 Bismarck, North Dakota
1. The meeting was called to order by the Chair Darnell Lundstrom.
2. Minutes to the Business Meeting of June 8, 1993 were approved as distributed. 3. Lundstrom reported on several actions taken by the Executive Committee.
a. Upon recommendation from the Crops and Soils Committee, the Leafy Spurge Task Force was re-chartered to pursue a new set of objectives relative to implementation of a successful biological control program. H. Roald Lund(ND) will serve as Administrative Advisor.
b. Upon recommendation from the Range and Livestock Committee, a task force on the Role of Livestock in Sustainable Agricultural Systems of the Great Plains was established. Darnell Lundstrom(ND) will serve as Administrative Advisor.
c. Upon recommendation from the Forestry Committee a task force was
established to study the Feasibility and Approach to Inventory and Economic Evaluation of the Agroforestry Resources of the Great Plains. Bill
Rietveld(FS) will serve as Administrative Advisor.
d. The Executive Committee modified a recommendation from the Range and Livestock Committee to form an At-Large Task Force to (a) monitor the development of and seek evaluation of pending federal agricultural, resource and environmental legislation on the Great Plains and (b) recommend a process by which ongoing analyses of such policies can be accomplished from the perspective of the Great Plains.
4. Lundstrom discussed the recommendations from the Executive Committee Task Force to evaluate the operations of and member satisfaction with the GPAC. Dudley
Smith(TX), who served on the task force gave a brief statement of their procedure and stated that they received a positive response from the membership regarding the GPAC operations. Three policy changes recommended by the task force or which were developed in response to discussing task force recommendations were
recommended to the GPAC membership:
a. Terms of GPAC Executive Committee members. It was moved that the terms of Executive Committee Members be increased from two years to three years. This change makes the terms of Executive Committee members the same as those of Officers and will enhance continuity and effectiveness of GPAC Executive Committee members. Motion was passed.
b. Sunset provisions for Standing Committees. It was moved that the Executive Committee proceed to implement a policy to review standing committees every five years. The Executive Committee will proceed to develop a review
procedure and conduct a pilot test. The recommended procedure will then be presented to the GPAC membership for approval before the policy is
c. A GPAC contingency fund. It was moved that the GPAC establish a
contingency fund. The contingency fund will be used to (a) meet the start-up costs of task forces and standing committees planning conferences, workshops or symposia, (b) meet deficits encountered when conducting conferences, workshops and symposia, and (c) meet operating deficits resulting from unexpected loss of financial support from member agencies. The contingency fund will be established by imposing a $10.00 per registrant surcharge on the registration fee of the GPAC Annual Meeting, and on all conferences,
workshops and symposia sponsored by the GPAC and its committees and Task Forces (excluding annual meetings of Standing Committees). The surcharge will take effect January 1, 1995 and apply to all meetings for which a registration fee has not been set. The motion was passed.
Subsequent discussion directed the Executive Committee to develop a specific amount to be held in this contingency fund. After that amount is reached, the surcharge should be eliminated or reduced to maintain that amount. The Executive Committee should decide on the amount required and so inform the GPAC membership.
5. Status of membership. Lundstrom reported on responses he received from the GPAC membership regarding their continued commitment to the GPAC, specifically for FY 1995. Each of the member universities expressed plans for continued support; some included statements of conditions. Of the Federal agency members, statements of intent for continued support were received from: ARS, APHIS, and the ES. The CSRS and the SCS indicated they are not able to make commitments at this time. No report had been received from the AMS. The FS reported that they remain troubled by the language of P.L. 102-393.
Texas Tech University was welcomed as a new university member.
Negotiations with the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, National Biological Survey and the U.S. Geological Survey were reported upon.
The GPAC membership was also informed that no response for joining was received from invitations extended to the State Department's of Agriculture and State Foresters. Only two State Departments of Agriculture responded to the inquiry; both responses were negative.
6. Transition membership. It was moved that a Transition Membership in the GPAC be extended to the Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation. The Transition Membership would be for a period of two years and will carry no voting privileges. Transition members will be assessed dues at one half of the rate paid by member USDA agencies. The motion was passed. The Executive Director will proceed to extend this offer to the BLM and BOR, beginning with FY1995.
7. Commitment to the Executive Director. In response to the commitments for financial support which is used to meet the Executive Directors salary, the Executive
Committee reduced its financial commitment to the Executive Director. It was
announced to the GPAC membership that the Executive Director will be reduced from a 3/4-time to a 1/2-time position. To adjust the work load, the Executive Director and his secretary will be less involved in planning and implementing the annual
meeting and in compiling the proceedings. The Executive Director will use his discretion to reduce travel to Task Force and Standing Committee meetings. 8. Lundstrom announced the Standing Committee Council Liaison, Council
Representative and Administrative Advisor appointments. They are: James Welsh(ARS)~ Council Liaison, Crops and Soils Committee Dudley Smith(TX), Council Liaison, Economics Committee
Kevin Walker(APHIS), Council Representative, Economics Committee
James Habiger(SCS), Council Representative, Range and Livestock Committee Ronald Moreland(SCS), Council Representative, Water Committee
Richard Curnow(APHIS), Council Liaison, Wildlife Committee
Fred Woods(ES), Administrative Advisor, Government Expenditures Task Force
9. The Executive Director was recognized to present his report. That report is appended to these minutes.
10. Frank Dickson was recognized to report from the Nominating Committee. Others serving on the Nominating Committee were Darrell Nelson and Darnell Lundstrom. Dickson placed in nomination the following individuals:
Helen McHugh(CO) Chairperson-Elect
Ronnie Clark(SCS) Executive Committee member Daryl Buchholz(KS) Executive Committee member
Walter Woods(CSRS) Executive Committee member, unexpired term of Milton Ericksen
All nominees were accepted by acclamation.
11. Chairperson Darnell Lundstrom ended his term as chair of the GPAC Executive Committee by passing the gavel to Lynn Robbins.
12. Robbins recognized Mylo Hellickson, Chairman of the Resolutions Committee for its report. Serving with Mylo was Bill Rietveld. The resolutions offered were approved by acclamation. The Resolutions were to:
WHEREAS,
WHEREAS,
WHEREAS,
GREAT PLAINS AGRICULTURAL COUNCIL Resolution re: Completed Task Forces
the purpose of GPAC is to provide an organization for effective cooperation and coordination in responding to current and emerging issues of importance to Great Plains agriculture and natural resources; and
task forces are a key mechanism the Council utilizes to involve its federal and state member agencies to promote cooperation and idea exchange in assessing agricultural and natural resource problems; and GPAC's task forces have been instrumental in defining problems, assembling state-of-the-art knowledge, evaluating alternative actions, recommending needs and actions, and heightening awareness; which has led to the development of improved management methods and policies; and
WHEREAS,
RESOLVED,
the accomplishments and success of the Council would not be possible without the commitment and dedication of its task force members and the high quality products they provide; NOW THEREFORE BE IT that the members of the Great Plains Agricultural Council here assembled at its 1994 meeting in Bismarck, North Dakota, express appreciation to the recently completed task forces on:
Sustainable Agriculture Leafy Spurge
Biological Control of Tree Pests
Endangered Species and Pesticide Protection Russian Wheat Aphid
Management of Riparian Areas Future Use of CRP Lands
and acknowledge their outstanding contributions to GPAC and the improvement of Great Plains agriculture and natural resources management; and BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution will be recorded in the proceedings of this meeting.
Bismarck, North Dakota June 8. 1994
OREA T PLAINS AGRICULTURAL COUNCIL Resolution re: Outgoing member of the Executive Committee
WHEREAS, Milton Ericksen, Agency Staff A alysis Coordinator, Economic Research Service, USDA, is completing service on the Executive Committee of the Great Plains Agricultural Council; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Ericksen has devoted many hours of excellent and devoted service to the Council chairman and past- chairman; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Ericksen has brought insight and commitment to these leadership roles; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Great Plains Agricultural Council express its appreciation to Milton Ericksen for his various leadership roles; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be provided Dr. Ericksen and a copy
recorded in the proceedings of this meeting. Bismarck, North Dakota
June 8, 1994
GREAT PLAINS AGRICULTURAL COUNCIL Resolution re: Outgoing member of the Executive Committee
WHEREAS, Mylo A. Hellickson, Director of the South Dakota Cooperative Extension Service is completing extended service on the Executive Committee of the Great Plains Agricultural Council; and
WHEREAS,
WHEREAS, RESOLVED,
Dr. Hellickson has devoted many hours of service to the Council in his various roles and during the past three years as chairman-elect, chairman and past-chairman; and
Dr. Hellickson has brought insight and commitment to these leadership roles; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT
that the Great Plains Agricultural Council express its appreciation to Mylo A. Hellickson for his various leadership roles; and BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be provided Dr. Hellickson and a copy recorded in the proceedings of this meeting and a copy forwarded to Dr. David Bryant.
Bismarck, North Dakota June 8, 1994
GREAT PLAINS AGRICULTURAL COUNCIL Resolution re: Outgoing member of the Executive Committee
WHEREAS, Richard Wootton, Director of the Kansas Cooperative Extension
Service, is completing service on the Executive Committee of the Great Plains Agricultural Council; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Wootton has devoted many hours of excellent and devoted service to the Council chairman and past-chairman; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Wootton has brought insight and commitment to these leadership roles; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Great Plains Agricultural Council express its appreciation to Richard Wootton for his various leadership roles; and BE IT
FURTHER
RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be provided Dr. Wootton and a copy recorded in the proceedings of this meeting.
Bismarck, North Dakota June 8, 1994
GREAT PLAINS AGRICULTURAL COUNCIL Resolution re: Outgoing member of the Executive Committee
WHEREAS, Tom Army, Area Director for the Northern Great Plains, ARS-USDA is completing extended service on the Executive Committee of the Great Plains Agricultural Council; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Army has devoted many hours of excellent and devoted service to the Council in his various roles during the past three years
WHEREAS, Dr. Army has brought insight and commitment to these leadership roles; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Great Plains Agricultural Council express its appreciation to Tom Army for his excellent and insightful leadership; and BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be provided Dr. Army and a copy recorded in the proceedings of this meeting.
Bisma:-ck, North Dakota June 8, 1994
GREAT PLAINS AGRICULTURAL COUNCIL Resolution re: Dr. S. Lee Gray
WHEREAS, S. Lee Gray serves as Chairman of the Colorado State University Department of Agriculture and Resource Economics that is the host department for the Great Plains Agricultural Council; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Gray has been a strong proponent and advocate for the Great Plains Agricultural Council; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Gray has provided excellent administrative support for the Great Plains Agricultural Council and the Executive Director of the Great Plains Agricultural Council in coordinating his council and
departmental responsibilities; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Gray provided funding support to help maintain the operation and vitality of the Great Plains Agricultural Council during 1993-94; Now, THEREFORE BE IT,
RESOLVED, that the Great Plains Agricultural Council express its sincere
appreciation to Dr. S. Lee Gray for his outstanding support and that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Dr. Gray and a copy be recorded in the proceedings of this meeting.
Bisma:-ck, North Dakota June 8, 1994
WHEREAS,
WHEREAS,
WHEREAS,
GREAT PLAINS AGRICULTURAL COUNCIL Resolution re: North Dakota Hospitality
the excellent arrangements for the 1994 Annual Meeting of the Great Plains Agricultural Council held at Bismarck, North Dakota, were planned and carried out by Dr. Darnell Lundstrom and Mrs. Char Goodyear of North Dakota State University at Fargo, and,
everyone thoroughly enjoyed the congenial atmosphere, the warm hospitality, the productive meeting with excellent
accommodations; and,
Arlene Deutscher arranged and coordinated the Spouses' Tour to the North Dakota Heritage Center and the State Capitol, NOW
THEREFOR BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Great Plains Agricultural Council express its sincere
appreciation to North Dakota State University and that copies of this resolution be sent to Dr. Lundstrom, Mrs. Goodyear, Mrs. Deutscher and that a copy be recorded in the proceedings of this meeting.
Bismarck, North Dakota June 8, 1994
GREAT PLAINS AGRICULTURAL COUNCIL Resolution re: Chairman
WHEREAS, Darnell Lundstrom, Ag & Ntl. Resources Program Leader of the North Dakota Cooperative Extension Service, has provided excellent
leadership in the course of the 1993-94 year as chairman of the Great Plains Agricultural Council; and
WHEREAS, in addition to his significant time commitments and effective leadership during this year, he has been a model host for this 1994 annual meeting of the Council; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Lundstrom was responsible for planning and implementing an instructive and challenging program for the 1993 annual meeting held in Rapid City, South Dakota; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED, that the members of the Great Plains Agricultural Council here assembled at its 1994 meeting in Bismarck, North Dakota, express appreciation to Darnell Lundstrom for his singular contributions to the betterment of the organization; and BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be sent to Dr. Lundstrom, and a copy to Mr. Bob Christman, Acting Dean, North Dakota Cooperative Extension Service, North Dakota State University, and a copy recorded in the proceedings of this meeting.
Bismarck, North Dakota June 8, 1994
14. Chairperson Robbins announced that the 1995 Annual Meeting will be held in Albuquerque, June 6-8. The venue will be the Holiday Inn Pyramid.
15. Chairperson Elect Helen McHugh was recognized. She extended an invitation on behalf of Kirvin Knox, Associate Academic Vice President for Agriculture and Public Service, Colorado State University to hold the 1996 annual meeting of the GPAC on June 4-6, 1996 in Fort Collins. The invitation was accepted by consent.
16. A question was raised from the floor regarding one of the recommendations from the task force reviewing the operations of the GPAC. The task force recommended that the GPAC evaluate whether or not to continue to publish a proceedings from its annual meeting. The discussion was strongly in favor of continuing to publish the proceedings in as timely a manner as possible.
17. The eetingadjourned.
MINUTES
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING Great Plains Agricultural Council
October 18, 1994 Denver, CO
Attending: Daryl Buchholz, Darnell Lundstrom, Helen McHugh, Lynn Robbins, Walter Woods
1. The meeting was called to order at 9: 10 A.M. by Chairman Robbins.
2. Minutes to the Executive Committee meeting of June 6-7, 1994 were approved as distributed.
3. Status of membership. Robbins and Skold made follow-up contacts with federal agencies which had not made commitment for financial support to the GPAC in respo se to the inquiry made by Darnell Lundstrom during the spring of 1994.
Robbi s reported that Bill Reitveld indicated that the Forest Service does not have plans to provide support in FY1995. The Forest Service remains concerned about the implications of P.L. 102-393 and internally, the FS has unresolved issues about which administrative unit should provide support to the GPAC.
Support from the CSRS for FY 1995 is still pending a decision by John Patrick Jordan, Administrator of the agency. It was decided the Executive Committee should
encourage selected Experiment Station Director's to contact Jordan.
Skold reported that the Agricultural Marketing Service will no longer be a member of the GPAC. He distributed a letter from Kenneth Clayton, Deputy Administrator of that agency which stated their intentions.
Based on information Skold received from Ronnie Clark regarding con6nued support from the SCS, Clark stated that the SCS will continue to support the GPAC. Consequently, committed support to the GPAC for FY1995 is from the ARS, APHIS, ES, SCS and the Transition Memberships of the two USDI agencies, the BLM and BOR. Support from the CSRS is pending.
4. Policy toward uncommitted members. The Executive Committee observed that the GPAC Bylaws require members to be financially supportive. (a) By motion, it was decided that for those agencies which have not indicated continued financial support by December 31, 1994: (i) the agencies would be dropped from GPAC membership, (ii) individuals from those agencies would no longer be members of GPAC standing ~ommittees and task forces, or be eligible to hold elected or appointed positions in the GPAC. Further, (iii) different registration fees should be imposed for GPAC
members and non-members at GPAC annual meetings.
(b) Further, after agencies which have not pledged continued financial support have been notified, a GPAC "summit meeting" should be initiated. The summit meeting would involve the responsible decision maker from each GPAC member agency. The meeting would seek continued commitment to the GPAC by signing a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or reaching a decision that the GPAC will not continue.
The summit meeting would be a one-day meeting called far enough in advance so it can be fit into schedules of the required participants. It would involve a briefing
n how the GPAC operates, what it has accomplished and benefits it provides to member agencies and institutions. The summit meeting will be initiated by a GPAC
Executive Committee Chairman with a conference telephone call involving each LGU Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Director and the Dean of Texas Tech. During that conference call, a briefing about the necessity for the summit would occur. Commitments would be sought from conference call participants to sign a letter of support for the summit meeting. In this way, leadership for the summit meeting would come from the states. For new university administrators who may not yet be familiar with the GPAC, briefings about the GPAC will be made, prior to the conference call, by individuals on those campuses who are familiar with the
organization.
5. Agency to handle the Cooperative Agreement. Because the ERS is no longer a member of the GPAC, another agency must be identified to handle the GPAC Cooperative Agreement with Colorado State University. It was suggested that the new agency combining the CSRS and ES (the Cooperative State Research, Extension and Education Service (CSREES)) would be the logical agency to handle the
Cooperative Agreement. If that cannot be worked out, setting up a Cooperative Agreement with the ARS will be pursued.
6. Progress toward new agency members. Skold reported that he is maintaining contacts with the National Biological Survey. Upon advise from NBS personnel, he is waiting appointment of the regional director for the area encompassing the Great Plains. Contacts are also being maintained with the U.S. Geological Survey.
Discussion about other USDA agency members also occurred. It was suggested that the new Farm Service Agency and the Rural Development Administration be contacted. Walt Woods and Melvin Skold will initiate these contacts at an opportune time.
It was decided that active pursuit of new agency members should await the results of the GPAC summit meeting. Until more is known about the future of the GPAC, recruitment of new members should be put on hold.
7. Endangered Species Task Force report. After reviewing the report, the Executive Committee expressed some reservations about approving the report without some modification by the task force. Concerns were primarily expressed about Section B. Sustaining Agriculture and Endangered Species. The concerns were: (a) The task force as applied a rather narrow concept of sustainable agriculture, particularly with reference to chemical and fossil fuel use practices. (b) The basis for the statement that " ... economic incentives to reduce 'fear of failure', conflicting agendas in farm programs and commodity groups, ... " was questioned. (c) The Executive Committee found that the first two recommendations that "Congress should ... " were beyond the possibility for the GPAC to achieve. (d) The fourth recommendation which asserts that the EPA and USFWS are lead agencies to develop sustainable agricultural practices was also questioned.
Other comments are to be sent to Skold by November 15, 1994. At that time Skold will inform the task force of the Executive Committee's concerns. After the task force has revised its report, Skold was given authority to approve the task force report on behalf of the Executive Committee.
8. Review of Standing Committees. The statement prepared by Skold and distributed to Ron Clark and Richard Wootton was discussed. In the discussion it was suggested that the review should ask standing committees to look toward the future as well as considering past accomplishments of the standing committee under review. The statement will be modified so that item four will be titled Accomplishments and an item five will be added, termed Future Plans, while subsequent items will be
renumbered accordingly. The statement describing the review will be distributed to the review committee and the standing committee being reviewed. This will provide the standing committee with the rationale for the review and a reminder to the standing committee of GPAC expectations from standing committees (from the Bylaws).
The recommended composition of the review committee was adopted; the committee will include one university administrator, one federal agency administrator,
and an active member of another standing committee. The Crops and Soils Committee will be subjected to a pilot, no consequence, review. Darrell Nelson(NE) will be asked to chair the review which is to be completed prior to the June, 1995 meeting of the Executive Committee. A USDA professional and a member of one of the other standing committees will be recruited to serve on the review committee. Skold will notify the Crops and Soils
Committee of the review plans and their need to include a discussion of their future plans on the agenda for their 1995 meeting.
As the result of the review, the review committee could recommend that the standing committee be reviewed again in less than five years. The pilot review committee will be charged to critique the review process as well as providing a pilot review.
The results of these discussions were passed by motion.
9. Status of task forces. Skold reported that he had received a number of copies of letters of appointment to the Agroforestry Inventory and Valuation Task Force. Discussion focused on who might replace Bill Rietveld as Administrative Adviser if the Forest Service does not support the GPAC in FY1995.
Darnell Lundstrom stated that he plans to soon distribute the letter soliciting nominations to the Sustainable Animal Systems Task Force. Mention was made of a
Western Region Extension activity on sustainable livestock systems. The need for GPAC task force to coordinate with this effort will be explored.
After discussing the Policy Evaluation and Monitoring Task Force, it was decided to wait with implementing this task force until after the 1995 annual meeting.
It was expressed that the task force needed a rather specific charge and that charge could best be developed after discussion of some policy issues at the annual meeting. It was also suggested that some of the policy-related topics to be covered at the 1995 annual meeting could include discussions of the need for and how to accomplish policy analysis from the perspective of the Great Plains region.
Skold reported that he had not been able to contact Roald Lund about the
status of forming a new Leafy Spruge Task Force. Lundstrom will follow up with Lund.
10. Administrative appointments to standing committees. Skold reported that Dudley Smith observed that a Council Representative to the Forestry Committee had not been appointed. He volunteered for reappointment to that position if that was the wish of
the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee accepted his willingness to serve.
Helen McHugh will serve a one-year term as Council Representative to the Wildlife Committee.
11. Financial report from the 1994 annual meeting. The financial report detailing most expenses was presented. Subsequent to the meeting, other relevant expenses have been determined. Discussion occurred as to how we can keep the surpluses generated to be used against contingencies. It was decided to maintain as many funds as
possible in a GPAC interest bearing account. The financial statement from the 1994 meet is:
Financial Report 1994 Annual Meeting Great Plains Agricultural Council
Bismarck, ND Income
Regist ation and meals SCS lunches
Darnell Lundstrom
Interdepartmental Billings Purchase Orders billed (3)
Expenses
Mike Warner - speaker Allen Wyse reimbursement
Fort Abraham Lincoln - tour Seven Seas - Pitchfork Fondue Seven Seas - beverages
pop and ice
Holiday Inn - Bismarck (lunch & breaks)
Bismarck Mandan Convention & Visitors Bureau - buses Postage (Ap ·1, May & June)
Miscellaneous expenses - supplies
Expenses, Executive Director's Office: Annual meeting brochures
Travel to annual meeting Proceedings Total Income Total Expenses NET $ 4,725.00 73.20 130.00 200.00 300.00 $ 5,428.20 $ 87.20 30.00 72.00 1,004.67 115.00 15.00 880.00 480.00 17.28 25.11 $ 2,726.26 $ 244.80 371.56 1,734.45 $ 375.45 A question was raised about the need for an annual financial audit of the various GPAC accounts. It was decided at that annual audit will occur beginning with the fall, 1995 meeting of the Executive Committee. Skold will prepare for the audit and the audit will be performed by GPAC Executive Committee members. 12. Plans for the 1995 annual meeting. Helen McHugh discussed her thoughts about
program alternatives for the 1995 annual meeting. She indicated that apart from papers reporting on the results of the Residue Management and Confined Livestock and Water Quality Task Forces, she is planning to have agricultural, resource and
environmental policies discussed. Ideas for speakers for several topics were offered. It was decided that on Wednesday, June 7, the program will end in time for a
3:30 P.M. departure for a field trip prior to the evening social event. 13. An Executive Session of the Executive Committee was held to evaluate the
performance of the Executive Director. 14. The meeting adjourned at 3:45 P.M.
ANNUAL MEETING
GPAC
CROPS AND SOILS
COMMITTEE
APRIL 2-3, 1995
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI
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SUNDAY, APRIL 2
GPAC CROPS AND SOII..S COMMITTEE MEETING APRIL 2-3, 1995
HOLIDAY INN/AIRPORT- KANSAS CTIY, MO AGENDA
l:00p Introduction(s)
1: 10 Minutes and Agenda Discussion
I: 15 GP AC Overview and Long-Range Outlook - M. Skold, Executive Director 1 :45 Agency Reports
ARS, NRCS, FSA, CES, EPA, RECD, APIIlS, BLM, BOR, FWS (others) 2: 15 State Reports
TX, OK, NM, KS, CO, NE, SD, ND, WY, MT (others) 3:00 Break (coffee, lemonade, cookies)
3:15 Task Force Updates Leafy Spurge - M. Skold
-Cereal Aphid Complex Management - Consideration by committee Task Forces at Large - M. Skold
5:00 Adjourn MONDAY, APRIL 3
8:00a Discussion of issues facing Great Plains Agriculture - Set Priorities Who are we? Why are we here? Have we been effective?
9:45 Break (coffee)
10:00 Joint session with Economics Committee Westerman/Sanders .:. Moderators
"1995 Farm Bill -- Update on Debate & Likely Commodity Options" - R. Knutson I 0:40 "CRP --Review & Likely Options" - M. Dicks
11:20 "Open Discussion & Ideas for Joint Work" 12:00 Working Lunch (catered by hotel)
1 :00 End Joint Session with Agricultural Economics Committee Continue Crops and Soils Committee Meeting
1:05 GPAC Review - Dr. Darrell Nelson
I: 15 Future Plans of the Crops and Soils Committee Which direction do we go?
2:30 Election of Officers and Wrap-Up 3:00 Adjourn
Minutes of the
Great Plains Agricultural Council
Crop and Soils Committee
Annual Meeting -April 2-3, 1995
Holiday Inn/Airport - Kansas City, MO
Persons
in
Attenda.nce
Robert L. Westerman (Oklahoma State University) James L. Helm (North Dakota State University) Gerry L. Posler (Kansas State University) Dick L. Auld (Texas Tech University) Steve Williams (University of Wyoming) Dale Reeves (South Dakota State University) George Ham (Kansas State University) Ken Barbarick (Colorado State University) P. Stephen Baenziger (University of Nebraska) James Welch (USDA/ARS, Ft. Collins, Colorado) Ron Clark (USDA/NRCS, Bismarck, North Dakota) James F. Power (USDA/ARS, Lincoln, Nebraska) Darrell Nelson (University of Nebraska)
Tom Dodds (South Dakota State University)
Melvin D. Skold (GPAC/DARE, Colorado State University)
Chairman Robert Westerman called the m~eting to order at 1: 00 PM April 2nd and introductions followed his welcome. Those who indicated they were unable to attend were noted and the agenda modified to reflect a lack of their reports.
Minutes from the 1994 annual meeting were mailed to all members. Dick Auld moved their approval with Gerry Posler seconding. All voted aye.
Executive Director's Report
Mel Skold reported on the latest activities of the Council as well as reporting on the various Task Forces in operation. A special notice was given to the review process of our committee being conducted by D. Nelson, T. Dodds and A. Halverson.
The problems our federal partners are having budget wise was noted and its effect on the future of our committee discussed. It is expected that additional information will be available after the council's annual meeting in June. The question of a reduced GPAC for a few years, a change in organizational structure with same focus and the phase out of GPAC was discussed.
A working resolution committee of J. Power, G. Posler and S. Baenziger was appointed by Chairman Westerman.
Agency Reporls
(Complete reports are attached.)USDA/ ARS:
James PowerDownsizing continues as in many federal organizations. Proposed budgets are flat to talk of reductions. Research sites at Sidney, MT, El Reno, OK and the sugarbeet work at Ft. Collins, CO are to be closed down. Emphasis will continue to be put on improving soil water and air quality. More research in the area of site specific farming is coming. A comprehensive crop management model GPF ARM from that research will be applicable to the Great Plains area.
USDA/NRCS:
Ron ClarkReorganization is underway. Plan calls for: (1) increase the percentage of staff at field level, (2) delegate operational functions to the lowest level, (3) reduce headquarters staff by 50 % , ( 4) consolidate administrative functions, and (5) locate technical support functions closer to where programs are being carried out. The Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) will be increasing in 95-96. Both in total dollars as well as states participating and acres enrolled. The National Appeals Division is now a separate agency in USDA. This reduces a possible conflict when an agency could rule on its own cases. NAD will become more formal and hopefully more timely.
State Reporls
(Complete reports are attached.)Texas Tech:
Dick AuldThe teaching and research programs are running smoothly. Undergraduate numbers continue high and faculty numbers are a concern when senior faculty retire or leave. Several faculty have joint appointments with the Texas A&M Experiment Station and these joint programs are fine examples of cooperation. Likewise, several USDA/ ARS scientists are adjunct faculty at Texas Tech and are actively involved in graduate student training.
Oklahoma:
Robert WestermanLots of activity and progress. New varieties released, papers published and students graduated. A modest pay increase this year was appreciated. Funding remains tight, but two new faculty were hired: Dr. L. Redmon in forage area and Dr. J. Hattey as a soils teacher. Two high priority positions identified for next hires are in soil microbiology and extension weed science.
Kansas:
Gerry FoslerThrockmorton Hall was dedicated on October 14, 1994. This 255,000 square foot complex is the new jewel of our campus. Programs are moving along, varieties released, staff retiring, new staff hired, papers presented, awards won, etc. Our new Soybean Variety Release Board arxl its marketing groups are working well and are being studied by other states as a new working model. While it looks like a complicated system, in practice is working smoothly.
Colorado:
Ken BarbarickDepartment name changed from Agronomy to Soil & Crop Sciences. Faculty performance and results remain high. New varieties, cropping systems recommendation, waste management (biosolids) evaluation and water quality are major areas of research activity.
Teaching and service areas are also rolling along. DTN (a satellite delivery system) is being used by our Extension group.
Nebraska:
Steve BaenzigerThe department continues to improve its facilities: laboratory renovation, multimedia classrooms, greenhouses, distance learning, use of world wide web (WWW), nutrient and agricultural chemical analytical labs, etc. Outreach activities to cities and towns are also expanding. A new strategic plan is developing and is set up to cover two legislative budget cycles for continuity. Retirement and hiring goes on. A new department head should be in place on July 1, 1995.
South Dakota:
Dale ReevesDr. Fred Cholick moved from department chair to director of the Experiment Station. His and a couple other positions are vacant and hope is to fill soon. Budgets are tight and salary advancement has been minimal. Undergraduate enrollment continues to climb. This is a hardship as faculty increases aren't proportional. All state schools are asked to reduce enrollment. Crops state wide were good in 1994 and it has been a wet winter.
North Dakota:
James HelmDr. Tom Plough hired as new president, Dr. Robert Todd hired as director of Agricultural Experiment Station, Dr. Sharon Anderson hired as director of Extension, examples
of the new management team coming to NDSU. Department of Plant Sciences new name for the merged Crop & Weed Sciences and Horticulture & Forestry departments. Now largest department in the university and larger than some colleges. The Soil Science department has lost about half of its faculty in the past six years and is having difficulty replacing them. Overall, faculty output remains high as evidenced by varieties released, papers given, articles published, etc. NDA WN, an extensive automated weather network, is operational and well received. Undergraduate numbers increasing and graduate student numbers decreasing.
Wyoming:
Stephen WilliamsWyoming is a state with extensive agriculture. More, much more, sagebrush acres than crop land. How to use our land in an ecological and economical sound manner is our task. As faculty retire, resign, etc., their replacement is not keeping up. That and university wide reallocation programs are forcing changes in our department. This will result in a down-sized agricultural program. The cost to a student to go to school at Wyoming is still less than our neighboring states making us one of the low cost schools in the nation.
Task Force Updates
Integrated Management of the Cereal Aphid Complex in the Great
Plains
(Proposal)A request to establish this Task Force submitted by David Legg of Wyoming. After much discussion it was moved by G. Fosler and seconded by J. Power to recommend to the Executive Committee that this aphid task force be approved for a maximum three year period. This motion was friendly amended to be for a one year period more or less to cover the workshop outlined in the proposal. Motion carried.
Leafy Spurge
No formal report. Dr. Charles Quimby at Montana will replace H.R. Lund as advisor.
Conservation Tillage
While no longer active, money from the sale of proceedings of the last workshop continue to accumulate in our bank acount ($842.00).
Other task forces are operational under other committees and their activity continues strong as reported by Mel Skold.
Joint Session on CRP
Land
Crop
& Soils Committee - Economics Committee
The Economic Committee was introduced and they presented a program on where we are, where we may go and who are the major players. Dr. Ronald Knutson of Texas A&M started the program with a rundown of the players. Dr. Mike Monson of University of Missouri continued with various proposals in discussion stages and their potential cost and environmental benefits. What impact the use of an Environmental Benefit Index (EBI) on all contracts may have. The difference a few words can make, i.e., keeping one-half of CRP acres vs. keeping one-half of CRP contracts. A great educational opportunity is identified and awaits implementation as some form of CRP probably will continue.
A joint luncheon followed with good interaction between committee members. It was said by many that more joint committee meetings should be attempted.
Discussion of Issues Facing Great Plains Agriculture
A period of discussion on current issues followed. After several rounds of comments the following issue areas were identified. A brief write-up of each is attached. These four areas are this committee's recommendations for future task forces. They may be formed under this committeee, under other committees or could be at-large task forces.
1. NAFTA or GATT. "Impact of Internationalization of Trade on Great Plains Soil and Crop Resources. "
2. Regionalization of program. "Regionalization of Agriculture: Public Sector Programs. "
3. Wetlands. "."
4. Industrialization of agriculture. ,, ,,
Crops
&:Soils Committee
Review
Dr. Darrell Nelson met with the group and solicited input from us on the value of our committee and ·ts work. He was the only member of the review committee who could attend today as r. Todd, who was with us yesterday, is meeting with the Economic Committee today.
He indicated a significant effort will be expended to provide the Executive Committee a full and detailed report.
Resolution Committee Report
No formal resolution on the future of GPAC was developed. A continued organization of some type was considered necessary, but the Executive Council must develop a plan for the future. If no GPAC in future, the Crop & Soil Committee function will need to be developed within some other framework.
Election of Officers - 1996
Steve Baenziger moved and Gerry Fosler seconded to elect James Helm - President and Dick Ault - Secretary for 1996. Motion carried.
1996 meeting will be in Kansas City area in the first part of April. Dates and location to be developed by J. Helm with assistance offered by G. Fosler.
Meeting adjourned at 3:00 PM, April 3, 1995. President Robert Westerman thanked everyone for their attendance and input.
Dr. Dale E. Reeves, Head Department of Plant Sciences South Dakota State university
Box 2207-A
Brookings, SD 57007-1096
Dr. Melvin D. Skold, Exec. Dir. Great Plains Agricultural Council Dept. of Ag. & Res~urce Mgmt. Colorado State University Ft. Collins, CO 80523
Dr. LeRoy A. Daugherty, Head Dept. of Agronomy & Honiculture Box 30003, Dept. 3Q
New Mexico State University Las Cruces, NM 88003 Dr. Steven Williams University of Wyoming University Station Laramie, WY 8207 -3354 Dr. George E. Ham
Associate Dean/ Associate Director Agricultural Experiment Station Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS 66506
Dr. Dick L. Auld, Head Dept. of Plant & Seil Science Box 42122
Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX 79409-2122
Dr. Jim Bushnell
National Program Leader-Agronomy USDA/Extension Service
3851 South Building
Washington, DC 20250-0900
Dr. Jim Dunn Groundwater Branch
Environmental Protection Agency 999 18th Street Suite 500 Denver, CO 80202-2405
Dr. Gerry L. Posler, Head Department of Agronomy Kansas State University Manhattan, KS 66506-5501
Dr. Darrell W. Nelson, Dean Agricultural Research Division University of Nebraska
Lincoln, NE 68583-0704
Dr. Billy L. Harris
Department of Soil & Crop Sciences Texas A & M University
Room 348
College Station, TX 77843-2474
Dr. P. Stephen Baenziger, Head Department of Agronomy 279D Plant Sciences University of Nebraska Lincoln, NE 68583-0915 Dr. James F. Power USDA/ARS NPA 122 Keim Hall University of Nebraska Lincoln, NE 68583 Dr. David E. Legg
Dept. of Plant, Soil & Insect Science University of Wyoming
Laramie, WY 82070
Dr. Ronnie Clark State Conservationist
Natural Resource Conserv. Service PO Box 1458
Bismarck, ND 58502
Dr. John Price
Rural Economic Comm. Development USDA-FmHA, Rm 176 Federal Bldg.
444 SE Quincy Street Topeka, KS 77783
Dr. Robert L. Westerman, Head Department of Agronomy Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OK 74074
Dr. P. C. Quimby USDA/ARS/NPA Culbertson Hall
Montana State University Bozeman, MT 59717-0056
Dr. James L. Helm
Department of Plant Sciences North Dakota State University Fargo, ND 58105-5150
Dr. Lee E. Sommers, Head
Department of Soil & Crop Science Colorado State University
Ft. Collins, CO 80523
Dr. James R. Welsh USDA/ARS
Natural Resources Research Center 1701 Center A venue
Ft. Collins, CO 80526
Dr. John L. McLeod
Associate Regional Director SCR USDA APHIS PPQ
3305 Boca Chica Boulevard #360 Brownsville, TX 78521-4065
Dr. James McMullen Farm Service Agency ASCS-USDA
PO Box 2415
Great Plains Agricultural Council Crops and Soils Committee
Annual Report 1994-95
L Activities and Accomplishments 1994-95
The annual meeting of the GPAC Crops and Soils Committee was held April 2-3, 1995
at the Airport Holiday Inn in Kansas City, Missouri. Thirteen members were in
attendance, including the Executive .Director, Council Liaison, and Council Representative. Dr. Melvin Skold reported on the latest activities of the Council and
provided an overview and long-range outlook for GP AC. Considerable discussion was devoted to the failing membership from federal and state agenc;es due to budgetary problems. Everyone in attendance agreed that the Crops and Soils Committee of GP AC provided an extremely important avenue to discuss problems affecting Great
Plains agriculture and noted that regional boundaries in their present structure do not provide significant focus to this significant land resource area. A working resolution
committee consisting of Drs. Jim Power, Geny Posler and Steve Baenziger was appointed by Chairman, Dr. Westerman. The resolution committee was charged with
providing recommendations regarding reduced activity in GP AC due to budgetary problems and/or a change in organizational structure with the same focus to allow the opportunity for continued meetings to discuss significant problems affecting the Great
Plains. The Resolution Committee met and discussed the issues. No formal resolution was passed by the Crops and Soils Committee but spirited discussions among the group voiced the need to continue functioning within some framework.
Oral and written reports were provided by representatives from participating state and federal agencies. State reports were given by Texas Tech, Oklahoma State University, Kansas State University, Colorado State University, University of Nebraska, South Dakota State University, North Dakota State University, and University of Wyoming.
Federal agency reports were given by USDA/ARS and USDAINRCS.
A special notice was given to the no-consequence review process of the Crops and Soils Committee being conducted by Drs. Darrell Nelson, Tom Dodd and Ardel Halverson. Both Drs. Nelson and Dodd attended portions of the meeting. Dr. Nelson
met with the committee and solicited input from the group.
The Crops and Soils Committee met jointly with the Economics Committee to discuss central issues facing CRP and the 1995 Farm Bill. Presentations were made to the joint committees by Drs. Ronald Kn tson and Mike Monson. The meeting was followed by a joint luncheon to allow continued discussion. This was the first time the Crops and Soils Committee had attempted to meet with another committee and the interaction and
the outcome was very favorable for both groups. The suggestion was made to attempt to meet jointly with another GP AC committee next year.
The committee approved the revision of the proposal to establish a task force to study "Integrated Management of the Cereal Aphid Complex in the Great Plains" for a new three year period. After lengthy discussion, the motion was amended to allow the task force to operate one year more or less to cover the workshop outlined in the proposal. The committee agreed to recommend establishment of the task force to the Executive Committee. Discussions regarding future issues facing the Great Plains centered around NAFTA and GATT, "Impact of Internationalization of Trade on Great Plains Soil and Crop Resources", reorganization of programs "Regionalization of Agriculture:
Public Sector Programs", wetlands and industrialization of agriculture.
The committee provides the continuing following issues as dominant concerns in the Great Plains relative to crops and soils:
♦ Production Systems/Sustainable Agriculture ♦ Water Quality
♦ Water Conservation ♦ Pest Management
♦ Organic Waste Management to include MSW, Processing Wastes and Sewage Sludge
♦ Alternative-Crops/Alternative Crop UsesNalue Added Products ♦ Government Programs and Policy, NAFTA and GATT
♦ Wetlands
♦ CRP and the 1995 Farm Bill ♦ Food Quality and Safety
♦ Soil Quality Enhancement and Land Use
♦ Water Transfer, Ownership and Property Rights of Natural Resources
♦ Conversion oflrrigated Land to Dryland ♦ Global Climate Change
II. Activities planned for 1995-96
The next annual meeting will be in Kansas City, Missouri in early April. Dr. James Helm will make the arrangements with the assistance of Dr. Gerry Posler.
ill. Officers for 1995-96
Dr. James Helm, North Dakota State University, was elected Chairman of the Crops and Soils committee. Dr. Dick Auld, Texas Tech University was elected Secretary.
IV. Task Force Activities
Recommendation to the Executive Committee to consider establishment of a new task force entitled "Integrated Management of the Cereal Aphid Complex in the Great Plains".
No fonnal report was given for the "Leafy Spurge" task force.
REPORT TO GREAT PLAINS AGRICULTURAL COUNCIL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CROPS AND SOILS COMMITTEE
JUNE 6, 1995
The 1994-95 Annual Report for the Crops and Soils Committee and the minutes from the 1995 meeting of the Crops and Soils Committee are enclosed for your information. The excellent attendance at the annual meeting of the Crops and Soils Meeting in Kansas City, Misso~ri documents the interest in this committee. The group is active and we had lively discussion. Several members of the group feel that they have more in common with this group than with the heads group in their regional association. The Crops and Soils Committee plans to meet" in Kansas City, Missouri in early April, 1996.
In the event that GPAC is reduced in scope and activities or is disco~tinued, the Crops and Soils Committee would like to continue to meet. I would be willing to work with my counterparts from the University of Nebraska, South Dakota State University, North Dakota State University and Colorado State University to develop a North Central or Western Regional Research Committee to provide a mechanism for the crops and soils department heads of the Great Plains region to continue to meet.
Also, I would be willing to take the lead on a similar arrangement for the Leafy Spurge Committee and the Production/Policy Committee.
G~~L
Council RepresentativeMEMORANDUM to:
from: subject:
GREAT PLAIJ'\S AGRICULTURAL COUNCIL
GPAC Correspondents
./'V/j
Helen F. McHugh, Program C h a i ~ . ; ? ~ ~ 1995 Annual Meeting -- Preregistration and Reserv:tz-~
April 26, 1995
Our hosts at New Mexico State University are putting the finishing touches on arrangements for the 1995 annual meeting of the Great Plains Agricultural Council to be held in Albuquerque, June 6-8,
1995. Now we ask for your help. Please assist them by preregistering for the meeting since information is needed in advance about numbers for special events, etc.
A preliminary copy of the program is enclosed. We are pleased to have secured individuals both within and outslde the Council to address issues of import to the Great Plains. Several task forces of the Council have accomplished some outstanding work that will be shared in the course of the program.
Others with special insights about the region will share their perspectives with us. We urge each agency and institution to have representatives present for the business meeting which will be held on Wednesday afternoon, June 7.
For Hotel reservations: Holiday Inn Pyramid
5151 San Francisco Road NE Albuquerque, NM 87109-4641 Telephone: (505) 821-3333 Rate: $65.00/night for single; plus
$10.00 for each additional person
Hotel reservations must be completed by Monday1 May 15, 1995; indicate that you are attending the GPAC Annual Meeting.
For Meeting Preregistration:
Complete the enclosed form and send with your check (made payable to: NMSU/GPAC) by May 15 to: Barbara Winn
NMSU/GPAC
P.O. Box 30003, Dept. 3AG Las Cruces, NM 88003
(A $15.00 late fee will be assessed for registrations after May 15) Note two suggestions about attire:
a. informal attire is urged for the entire meeting
b. a jacket is recommended for the the visit to Sandia Peak
Preliminary Program
1995 ~ual Meeting
EfEAT PLAII\S ~IGLTl.RPL CXJ..N::IL
l--bliday Inn Pyramid Alt:uquerque, New Mexico
June 5-8, 1995
A-lnual Meeting Theme: ~ ID.LTl.RPL PND ~Tl.RPL FESCU:U: PCLICIES and the EfEAT PLAII\S
Monday, June 5
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday morning, June 6
B:00 a.m. to 12 noon
8:00 a.m. to 12 noon .:..0:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday afternoon, June 6
1:15 p.m -- 1:~,0 p.m. 1:30 p.m. -- 2:15 p.m. 2:15 p.m. -- 3:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 4:15 p.m. L:15 p.m. -- 4:50 p.m.
GPAC Executive Committee f"leeting f\fRCS/GPCP Managers Meeting
GPAC Executive Committee Meeting NRCS/GPCP Managers Meeting
GPAC Annual Meeting Registration
Introductory remarks -- Lynn W. Robbins,
GPAC Chair, New !"lexico State University Welcome -- The 1-cnorable Bruce King, farmer, rar,cher and former Governor of [\Jew Mexico Reshaping the Rural Heartland: Economic and Social Forces in the Great Plains.
Mark Drabenstott, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City
The 1995 Farm Bill: Issues, Options and Trade-offs. Stanley R. Jotnsai, Director, Center for Agricultural and Rural Development,
Iowa State l..hiversity Refreshment Break
Agriculture, the Environment and Farm Legis-lation. A-ldrE'W Manale (economist·with EPA currently detailed to Senator Kent Conrad) Private Revenue Insurance Alternatives.
Page 2 -- Preliminary Program, 1995 Annual Meeting, GPAC
Wednesday, June 7
8:30 a.rn. -- 9:05 a.m. 9:05 a.m. -- 9:40 a.m. 9:40 a.m. 10:10 a.m. 10:10 a.m. -- 10:45 a.m. 10:45 a.m. -- 11:20 a.m. 11:30 a.m. -- 1:00 p.m. i :15 p.m. 3: 15 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 9:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 8
8:30 a.m. 9:05 a.m. 9:05 a.m. -- 9:40 a.m. 9:40 a.m. 10:10 a.m. 10:10 a.m. -- 10:45 a.m. 10:45 a.m. -- 11:20 a.m. 11:20 a.m. -- 11:45 a.m.
Transportation Challenges in the Great Plains.
Frank Dooley NDSU (or Steve Fuller Texas A&M) Social Service Delivery in the Great Plains.
Rich Rath;)e, North Dakota State U iversity Refreshrrent Break
Training the Work Force: Issues and Policies.
A,thony Redwood, University of Kansas
Policy Alternatives for Business Development in the Great Plains. Dennis U. Fisher, Texas A & M University
Lunchecn -- Lynn W. Robbins, presiding Speaker: Lo,,ell Catlett, futurist and agri-cultural economist. Presentation of GPAC
Award for Outstanding Service.
Annual Business Meeting of the Great Plains Agricultural Council -- Lynn W. Robbins, Chair Depart for tour of Albuquerque environmental program, followed by Southwestern cuisine; tram ride to Sandia Peak following dinner.
Return to hotel
Commodity Programs and Cropping Systems: Is Radical or Marginal Change Needed. Tom Dobbs,
South Dakota State University
Residue Management and Soil Conservation in the Great Plains. Wayne Keeling, Texas A & M
University, Lubbock, TX Refreshment Break
Confined Animal Production and Water Quality.
Jack Nienaber, USDA/ARS, Clay Center, Neb.
Competing Water Needs: Agriculture,
Municipal/ Industrial, and the Environment.
Neil Stessman, Bureau of Reclamation, Billings, MT.
LUNCHEON
SPECIAL EVENTS 1995 Annual Meeting Great Plains Agricultural Council
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Wednesday, June 7 - 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
In addition to presenting the Council's award for distinguished service to the GPAC at the luncheon, we will be privileged to hear Dr. Lowell Catlett. Dr. Catlett is a futurist, an agricultural economst at New Mexico State University, and much in demand as a speaker. He has
appeared before the National Governors Conference, the White House, and many of the Fortune 500 companies.
TOUR and DINNER
Wednesday, June 7 - 3:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Tour of a City of Albuquerque facility where the city and Cooperative Extension are collaborating on environmental Issues. Dinner featuring Southwestern cuisine; a tram ride to Sandia Peak and a brief nature walk.
The City of Albuquerque Southside Water Reclamation Plant processes over 50 million gallons of mixed residential and industrial waste water daily, resulting in the daily
production of approximately 25 dry tons of biosolids (sludge). In 1992, the City dedicated a new state-of-the-art municipal composting facility, combining biosolids with shredded yard wastes to form compost. Diverting biosolids and yard wastes from the local landfill not only reduces the overall solid waste stream, but the compost that results can be applied to parks, cropland and other areas as a soil conditioner and source of nutrients for plant growth. New Mexico Cooperative Extension has been a collaborator in this
endeavor.
The group will then go to Garduflos for a Southwestern dinner. After dinner, the group will take a tram ride to Sandia Peak which will include a brief nature walk. We expect to return to the hotel about 9:30 p.m.
EVENTS FOR SPOUSES/GUESTS - (See registration form)
a. Tuesday, June 6--1 :30 to 5 :30 p.m. Shopping
b. Wednesday, June 7--9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Operating Expenses
Great Plains Agricultural Council
May 1, 1994 - April 30, 1995
Preliminary
Secretary salary and benefits Workstudy
Travel Postage Telephone
Printing and duplication Supplies and materials
Equipment purchase and repair Executive Director's salary
TOTAL Budgeted $10,380 500 3,000 2,000 325 2,750 300 50 9,313 $28,618 Expended $10,515 448 4,824 1,732 275 5,125· 298 0 0 $23,217
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os
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GR.EAT PLAINS AGRICULTURAL COUNCIL --ECONOMICS COMMITTEE
ANNUAL REPORT APR 94-APR 95
I. ACTIVTI1ES/ ACCOMPLISHMENTS, 1994-95
A.
1995 Meeting
The Great Plains Economics Committee (GPEC) held its annual meeting in Kansas City,
MO,
3-4 April95.
The meetingwas
both a joint meeting with the Great Plains Crops/Soils Committee and a separate session for GPEC. GPEC members attending represented Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Wyoming, NRCS, CSREES and Farm Foundation. GPACwas
represented by the executive director.The joint program included an update on the 1995 Farm Bill (R. Knutson, TAMU),
likely options on the CRP (M. Monson, UM), and open Discussion and ideas for joint work. The separate GPEC meeting program included "New Ag Policies for a New World Market" (A. Barkema, Kansas City Fed), "IRM as an Example of New Approaches to Technology Management" (H. Hughes, : NDSU), "Focus on Industrialization: The Hoi Industry & Other Cases" (M, Strange, Center for Rural Affairs, & W. Snyder, Farmland Industries), "Industrialization of Ag & Managing Chan&e in Ag" (L. Sanders, 0SU), "Alternative Cropping Systems in Kansas11
(J. Williams, KSU), "Trap-Crop Control of Cyst Nematodes in Sugar Beets" (J. Jacobs,
UW), "Alternative Farming Practices & Systems to Reduce Nitrate Contamination
i
n
Groundwater" (T. Dobbs, SDSU). Committee members al~o shared activities and programs in respective states.
II. ACTIVITIES PLANNED FOR 1995-96
A. Managing Change
in
Great Plains AgricultureThe
committee agreed toinventory
the members fori.
nnovative
research and extension programs that are in use or planned that assist producers, agribusjnesses and rural communities in the Great Plains manage significant change resulting from such forces as globalization, industriali2ation, reduced government support,etc. The inventory will include a synopsis of the programs and coordinators or contacts. This information will be distributed in the committee to encourage sharing of
lessons
learned and success stories in working with our various publics. Emeliing issues that have e.conomic relevance to the Great Plains include policy implications of government's declining role in ag, NAFTA/GATI impacts, regional approaches to resource management, changing economy &technologies, Northern Plains whe.at-fallow systems, and mixed crop-livestock systems.
05/04/95 15:20 FAX 405 744 8210 AgEcon OSU
II. ( continued)
B. Joint Meeting with GPAC Range Committee 1996
A committee representative met with the GPAC Range Committee March 1995 to plan a joint meetini for 1996. The range committee was favorable on the recommendation. Details will be worked out by the executive committee for a 1~2 Apr '96 meeting in Rapid City focusing on "sustainable agriculture", and
selecte.d Canadians will be invited. ·
C. Monitor 1995 Fann Bill Process
The committee continues to monitor the farm bill and CRP debate and legislation, focusing on areas that significantly impact the Great Plains. The process will
continue to be monitored.
D. RECOMMENDATIONS TO GPAC for 199.5-96
1. Extend the work of the Government Expenditures Task Force and IRM Task Force to enable the publication and distribution and development of
extension programs based on the materials.
2. Maintain the GP AC mission and landgrant role in focusing on the Great
Plains,
with continuation of the executive director to coordinate efforts effectively. If the the GP AC agrees to continue, the committee will begin preparation for review when scheduled. A variety of issues and activities require instirutional cooperation, as suggested by past actions,evolving government support, industrialization, downsizing of universities
and the possibilities of sharing resources for specialists, ph.d. programs,
experiment
stations,
etc.3. The committee supports the continuation of the GPAC & its current committee structure pending the review process. · The committee is open to different models for the committees, including
the
status quo, a systems approach with inteantion of various disciplipes structured aroWldproblems or issues as needed, or a regional committee structure that makes the plains a new region, sanctioned by th~ federal level.
ill. OFFICERS 1995-96
Chair Vice-chair
S
ecretary
Tom Dobbs, South Dakota St.ate University Norm Dalsted, Colorado State University David
Langemeier,
NRCS-USDA05/04/95 15:20 FAX 405 744 8210 AgEcon OSU
IV. TASK FORCE ACTIVITIES
A,
Government
Expenditures Task ForceThe Government Expenditures Task Force has prepared a set of papers, but
distribution is being held up by funding problems. Plans for a governors'
conference have been stalled for the same reason, and will likely not go forward. The project will be terminated this
year
after the task force distributes materials.B. Integrated Resource Management Task Force
The task force has 27 papers in final form. Task Force members will finalize
completion of the papers this summer for publication an9 distribution.
