Fall Meeting Minutes

October 22, 2008

Members Present: Nathan Winter, Dan Martens, Randy Pepin, Wayne Schoper, Tim Dolan, Jim Salfer, Brad Carlson, Bob Mugaas, Liz Stahl, Ray Bisek, Jerry Tesmer, Neil Broadwater, Ryan Miller, Lisa Behnken, Krishona Martinson, Tim Arlt, Gary Hachfeld, Dave Bau, Randy Nelson, Chuck Schwartau, Carl Hoffman, Jim Kurtz, Derek Crompton, Diane Stouffer Guest: Greg Cuomo Meeting was called to order by President Schoper at 7:20 a.m. Guest Greg Cuomo was introduced. Nathan Winter discussed the MAEAP Association and reinforced that it’s $100 to join with $50 for our MN association and $50 for the NACAA dues. Dr. Greg Cuomo discussed a few thoughts about EFANS and how Agriculture & Natural Resources will work together. • Energy, Food, Safe Food & Water Quality are our important topics • Surveys, RFPs, RFIs will provide information about the strengths & skills of the EFANS group • State funding is flat now—we can make ourselves the place where the legislature comes for information • Federal funding- going from line-item to competitive grants funding—currently MN has 3 IPM folks on federal dollars • How do we make MN the specialist—the ‘go-to’ place---in certain in certain topics? How do we form our competitive niches? It is critical to partner with other states on topics and research Minutes- 2008 Annual Mtg minutes were distributed. Jerry moved/Nathan seconded motion to approve the minutes. Motion passed unanimously. Financial Report- Nathan discussed the financial report & proposed ’08-’09 budget. He also discussed specific items of income & expenses. Brad reminded that the group voted several years ago to discontinue the $100 reimbursement of committee chairs. Seasoned MAEAP members agreed. Brad moved/Tim seconded acceptance of the treasurer’s report. Motion passed unanimously. Foundation Report- Bob Mugaas and Dan Martens. Bob reported that he’d met with folks at the CFANS development office to get help with our scholarship. Our money can be put into a “quasi-endowment” whereby the funds are housed with the development office but we can get at it if we need to. Our total as of 10/13/08 is $80,228.72 with our available balance being $13,357.73 and a principle of $66,870.99. $5000.00 of our available balance is earmarked to cover previous obligations. Annually we provide $2000.00 to scholarship recipients, divided amongst two or three winners. Our scholarship is called “County Ag Educator Fund”, the group chose to keep that name. Discussion about whether to keep $8000 in the available balance ensued. To have an endowment within the CFANS development office, we need to have a purpose statement: “To support professional improvement education of MAEAP members and to support CFANS student scholarships.” This year’s winners are: 1) Stephanie Testori, a senior in Environmental Horticulture from Connecticut 1

who wants to be an international organic inspector, and 2) Sarah Niquist, also an Environmental Horticulture student who wants to work in the floriculture field. Both recipients have written thank-you letters to us already to accept the scholarships. Scholarship winners are selected by the CFANS scholarship committee based on criteria supplied by us. Neil asked if we ought to be giving more scholarships. Bob answered that the development office suggested that we give $3000 instead of $2000 just to offer more dollars to the students. Brad C. suggested that we use some of the available balance to send two folks to PILD instead of one. The Board will take that under advisement. Print Report—Nathan. We have 469 prints and one proof print. Friend of Ag Award---Mark Klaphake has already accepted the Friend of Ag Award. NACAA Committees: Chuck reminded us that we need to update our committees. NACAA National Mtg: Ray reminded us to get posters ready for Portland. Bob mentioned that A&R is a good way to meet our promotion requirement. MAEE Committees: Nathan mentioned that there are some openings. Wayne appointed the following: Ryan Miller replace Dave Nicolei on the legislative committee, and Liz Stahl will replace Tim Dolan on the A&R committee. Brazil Trip: Wayne mentioned that $15,000 has been applied for to supplement the costs for everyone attending. NACAA 2008 Meeting: Liz Stahl was honored with an AA, and Brad Carlson was awarded a DSA. 2009 DSA Discussion: The DSA nomination is due Feb 15th. Dave Bau was suggested for our DSA. 2009 MAEAP Summer Meeting: Tim Dolan is in charge. Suggestions included Duluth, International Falls, Lake of the Woods, or a Metro Tour. Email Tim any ideas you have. 2009 AMPIC: Chuck reported that it will be held September 20-24 in Portland, Oregon. He mentioned that the final banquet is on Wednesday, and the tours will be on Thursday. Nathan has been investigating the possibilities of a road trip or train to Portland. A train would cost $245 for a seat or $400 for a bed. Ryan suggested an early tour to see some western agronomy. Tim Arlt will provide a suite at NACAA if we get a big group to attend like in 2008 in North Carolina. Brad C will turn 40 on Tuesday of NACAA ’09. In 2009 we can only submit in one category of the Search for Excellence. Other National Meetings: JCEP will be Feb 18-20 in San Diego –Nathan will represent us. PILD will be April 27-29—Tim Dolan will represent us. New officers were acknowledged: President: Nathan Winter Incoming President: Tim Dolan Director: Bob Mugaas Secretary: Betsy Weiland Past President: Wayne Schoper Ray moved, Liz seconded adjournment. Motion passed unanimously. 2