State Board of Agricultural Research and Education
Minutes – June 29, 2009
Williston Research Extension Center

The State Board of Agricultural Research and Education met in the Ernie French Center at the Williston Research Extension Center, Williston ND on June 29, 2009 beginning at 10 a.m. Members present were Robert Bahm, John Bollingberg, Tom Borgen, Jerry Effertz, Carol Goodman, Ken Grafton, Duane Hauck, Rodney Howe, Doyle Johannes, James Kerzman,  Paul Langseth, and Larry Lee. 

Chair Jerry Effertz called the meeting to order and introduced Senator Jerry Klein, who will replace Senator Randy Christmann on SBARE effective July 1.  All present introduced themselves.

Chairman Effertz thanked the Williston area representatives for their hospitality and noted the word “collaboration” often came to mind as SBARE toured and reviewed the area projects and programs.

With no changes to the minutes of the April 27 SBARE meeting, they were approved as distributed.

Duane Hauck gave an update on Extension. He mentioned that Roger Haugen is retiring, a new 4-H specialist has been hired and there are a number of interns serving at county Extension offices. He shared the results of a survey conducted to determine public awareness of Extension.

Ken Grafton gave the following ND Agricultural Experiment Station update: The search for a new head of the Plant Sciences Department is continuing, the Agribusiness and Applied Economics Department is moving to the downtown campus, the greenhouse and beef research center projects are underway.  Grafton added that the last legislative session provided funding for capital improvement projects at several of the Research Extension Centers.

Old Business:
Jerry Effertz shared talked about a community event held in Langdon on June 17 noting the event included a visit from President Chapman and members of his council, along with a celebration of the 100^th anniversary of the Langdon Research Extension Center.  Effertz added that the Hettinger Research Extension Center will host their annual field day, as well as their centennial, on July 7, 2009.

New Business:
Former SBARE member, Maynard Helgaas, has asked SBARE to provide a letter of support, to be included with an application for a Department of Energy Grant to fund non-food sugar beet research.

Jerry Effertz stated that SBARE is to appoint a member to the Grape and Wine Board.  Lorna Bradbury, horticulturalist at the Williston Research Extension Center, gave a report on current research being conducted with grapes.  Effertz stated that the legislature added $250,000 to the Agricultural Experiment Station budget for the grape/wine initiative.  Following discussion, Rodney Howe made a motion, which was seconded by John Bollingberg, that Jerry Effertz (or his designee) serve as the SBARE representative to the Grape and Wine Board.   The motion passed.

Rodney Howe reported on discussions/recommendations from the SBARE Planning Committee as follows:

• Recommendation for the SBARE Board to periodically review the proposed SBARE Role Statement, which he distributed.
• The planning committee noted that NDAWN was not funded in the last legislative session even though it is used on a daily basis by many North Dakotans and several other agencies.  The committee would like to pursue more permanent funding for NDAWN and also recommend that NDAWN be permanently funded.
• Can we continue to be innovative in our vision and implementation of programs?
• Can we enhance our communication with the NDSU Development Foundation?
• Can we continue to try to locate Extension personnel in a manner in which they will have direct contact with producers?
• Can we attempt to work with groups that are opposed to current agricultural practices?
• Can we review our current agriculture research and Extension programs to make the most efficient use of funds, as well as look for any weaknesses in the system?
• In terms of participation and effectiveness, where is the 4-H program now and where is it going?
• Can we continue to collaborate with other state agencies and enhance that collaboration?
• Can we enhance the very positive legislative relationship?
• Can we develop a greater awareness and closer ties with local producers and entities?

The next board meeting is set for July 20 at the Carrington Research Extension Center.

The meeting adjourned at 12 noon.

Recorded by Rodney Howe and Gordon Bradbury