Annual/Termination Reports:

[05/04/2009] [07/16/2010] [07/19/2011] [07/20/2012] [04/15/2013]

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Participants

Brief Summary of Minutes

The first annual committee meeting of SERA39 was held on February 1, 2009 (2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.) in Atlanta, Georgia at the Westin Peachtree Plaza Tower, Room 1205.

The organizational meeting proceeding with officer elections. Bradley Lubben of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln was elected Chair and Amanda Ziehl Smith of the University of Georgia was elected Secretary. The position of Chair-Elect was deferred to the next meeting scheduled for April 6, 2009 via teleconference. The committee advisors as of the February 1 meeting were Lisa Collins of the University of Kentucky for the Research Directors, Roland Smith of Texas A&M University for the Extension Directors, and Maurice Dorsey for USDA-CSREES.

The meeting continued with discussion on committee goals and priorities. The discussion focused on four key points: 1) establish an ongoing presence (e.g. eXtension Community of Practice), 2) understand the process of public policy issues education, 3) understand the issues, and 4) prioritize activities.

Accomplishments

Publications

Impact Statements

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Participants

Amanda Smith, University of Georgia; Larry Sanders, Oklahoma State University; Tony Windham, University of Arkansas; Mark Edelman, Iowa State University; Lisa Collins, University of Kentucky; Steve Smutko, University of Wyoming; Bradley Lubben, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; James Novak, Auburn University; Steven Klose, Texas A&M University; Jody Campiche, Oklahoma State University; Vivian Carro, University of Puerto Rico; Mike Dicks, Oklahoma State University; Carl Zulauf, Ohio State University; Nathan Smith, University of Georgia

Brief Summary of Minutes

The second annual meeting of SERA39 was held on February 7, 2010 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. EST in the Marathon Room at the Wyndham Orlando Resort Hotel, Orlando, Florida.

The current slate of leaders was approved to continue in their present role for the coming year, including Brad Lubben, Chair; Steven Klose, Vice-Chair; and Amanda Smith, Secretary. The committee advisors continue with Lisa Collins of the University of Kentucky for the Research Directors, Tony Wyndham of the University of Arkansas for the Extension Directors, and Maurice Dorsey for USDA-CSREES/NIFA.

The committee focused its discussion on ongoing activities:

A public policy issues survey was developed and refined by the committee and was due to be disseminated throughout the land grant system in April. A Community Vitality Center grant for $5000 was secured by the committee through a proposal initiated by Mark Edelman, Iowa State University. The grant will help fund committee work on rural policy issues. Farm bill education will be a major thrust for the committee in the coming year, starting with an invited paper session organized by committee members for the SAEA Annual Meeting held concurrently with the SERA39 Annual Meeting (the specific session was held on February 9).

Accomplishments

Public Policy Issues Education Survey - A survey of researchers and educators throughout the land grant system was created and distributed online from late April to late July, 2010. The results will be summarized, reported in late 2010, and incorporated into committee programming efforts in the coming year(s).<br /> <br /> Community Vitality Center Grant - A proposal for committee programming support was submitted to the Community Vitality Center at Iowa State University through the leadership of Mark Edelman. The grant of $5000 was awarded to the committee in January, 2010 and will support committee work focused on rural policy issues in the coming year.<br /> <br /> 2012 Farm Bill Education - The committee submitted a proposal to the Farm Foundation and was awarded a $10,000 planning grant for a steering committee to implement the 2012 Farm Bill Education Project. The steering committee's initial meeting is July 26, during the AAEA Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado.<br /> <br /> Farm Bill Education - Members of the committee, under the organization of Mike Dicks, contributed to an invited paper session at the SAEA Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida on February 9.

Publications

Barnaby, G.A. Should Basic Underwriting Rules be Applied to ACRE and SURE? Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics 42,3(August 2010) (In Press).<br /> <br /> Campiche, J. and W. Harris. Lessons Learned in the Southern Region after the First Year of Implementation of the New Commodity Programs. Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics, 42,3(August 2010) (In Press).<br /> <br /> Dicks, M., Organizer. What Have We Learned from the New Suite of Risk Management Programs of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008? Invited Paper Session, Southern Agricultural Economics Association Annual Meeting. Orlando, Florida, February 9, 2010.<br /> <br /> Lubben, B.D. and J.L. Novak. 2010. "Discussion: What Have We Learned from the New Suite of Risk Management Programs of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008?" Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics 42,3(August 2010) (In Press).<br /> <br /> Zulauf, C., G. Schnitkey, and M. Langemeier. ACRE, Crop Insurance, and SURE: Interactions and Overlap for U.S. Midwest Crops. Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics 42,3(August 2010) (In Press).<br />

Impact Statements

1. An invited paper session on the 2008 Farm Bill safety net programs addressed the need for understanding and analysis of public policy in agriculture (SERA39 Goal 1). A total of 20 land grant faculty and researchers participated directly in the session. Many more will gain insight from the presentations and discussion published in the Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics.

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Report Information

Participants

Amanda Smith, University of Georgia
Larry Sanders, Oklahoma State University
Lesley Oliver, University of Kentucky
Bradley Lubben, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
James Novak, Auburn University
Steven Klose, Texas A&M University
Vivian Carro, University of Puerto Rico
Nathan Smith, University of Georgia
Matthew Padgett, Oklahoma State University
Mickey Paggi, California State University-Fresno
Bo Beaulieu, Southern Regional Development Center
Jose Pena, Texas A&M University
Carlos Garcia-Jimenez, Louisiana State University

Brief Summary of Minutes

The annual meeting of SERA 39 was held on February 6, 2011 at the Omni Marina Hotel in Corpus Christi, Texas. Reports from committee leaders and advisors were made following attendee introductions. Steven Klose was introduced as the Chair-Elect and will be taking over for brad Lubben at the next meeting. Lesley Oliver was introduced as the new replacement for Lisa Collins as administrative advisor from the research directors. Following a symposium covering topics in Public Policy Issues Education, old and new business was discussed and members reported on their activities. Discussions covered the initial analysis of the public policy issues survey results, a mini grant from the Community Vitality Center, ongoing efforts to plan for coordinated 2012 Farm Bill Education, the election of new officers, reports from members on their ongoing activities, and resolutions passed by SERA 39. A report summarizing results of the public policy issues survey is included in the attached detailed minutes.

Accomplishments

The 2011 SERA39 annual meeting was held in conjunction with the Southern Agricultural Economics Association Meetings in Corpus Christi, TX on February 6, 2011. Accomplishments for the year include three presented papers shared at the annual meeting, with topics including: 2012 farm bill politics, an update on ACRE decisions, and water policy/conservation. Also completed by a team of SERA39 participants was a summary analysis of the public policy issues survey conducted the previous year among agricultural policy research and education professionals. Accomplishments for the year also included the coordination of a farm policy outlook session at the Agricultural & Applied Economics Association 2010 annual meeting in Denver, CO. Finally, the group collaborated with congressional agricultural committee staff, ERS-USDA, Farm Foundation, and other stakeholders to prepare and plan significant farm bill education activities revolving around the debate and passage of the next farm bill.

Publications

Padgett, M., D.C. Adams, and L. D. Sanders. Water use and conservation preferences by residential users in Oklahoma: A case study in water management alternatives & consequences. Paper presented at the Public Policy Issues Education Annual Meeting. Corpus Christi, Texas, February 6, 2011.<br /> <br /> <br /> Sanders, L.D., J.L. Novak. Economy, politics and the next Farm Bill. Paper presented at the Public Policy Issues Education Annual Meeting. Corpus Christi, Texas, February 6, 2011.<br /> <br /> <br /> Shurley, D., N.B. Smith, W. Harris, and A. Smith. Should southern growers revisit the ACRE decision? A Georgia example. Paper presented at the Public Policy Issues Education Annual Meeting. Corpus Christi, Texas, February 6, 2011.<br />

Impact Statements

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Report Information

Participants

Steven Klose, Texas A&M University;
Amanda Smith, University of Georgia;
Tonya Borisova, University of Florida;
Jody Campiche, Oklahoma State University;
Vivian Carro, University of Puerto Rico;
Maurice Dorsey, USDA-NIFA;
James Jansen, University of Nebraska-Lincoln;
Ron Knutson, Texas A&M University;
Bradley Lubben, University of Nebraska-Lincoln;
James Novak, Auburn University;
Lesley Oliver, University of Kentucky;
Joe Outlaw, Texas A&M University;
Nathan Smith, University of Georgia

Brief Summary of Minutes

The annual meeting of SERA 39 was held on February 5, 2012 at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel in Birmingham, Alabama. Reports from committee leaders and advisors were made following attendee introductions. Old and new business was discussed before presentations overviewing public policy education programs at several of the member institutions. Discussion focused primarily on the upcoming pre-conference session on Public Policy Education at the 2012 Agricultural & Applied Economics Association national meetings in Seattle. Additional potential outputs from the Committee, including publications and other educational materials, were also discussed. An agenda for the pre-conference is included in the attached detailed minutes.

Accomplishments

The 2012 SERA 39 annual meeting was held in conjunction with the Southern Agricultural Economics Association Meetings in Birmingham, AL. Accomplishments for the year include three presented papers shared at the annual meeting, with topics including updates on the 2012 Farm Bill negotiations, their implications for producers and public policy educators, and animal welfare policy awareness and education. Accomplishments for the year also include the co-sponsorship of an upcoming pre-conference session on Public Policy Education at the Agricultural & Applied Economics Association 2012 annual meeting to be held in August of 2012.

Publications

Lubben, B. Animal welfare and public policy education. Presented at the Public Policy Issues Education Annual Meeting. Birmingham, Alabama, February 5, 2012.<br /> <br /> Campiche, J., J. Novak and L. Sanders. Update on the 2012 Farm Bill. Presented at the Public Policy Issues Education Annual Meeting. Birmingham, Alabama, February 5, 2012.<br /> <br /> Outlaw J. 2012 The end of one size fits all ag policy. Presented at the Public Policy Issues Education Annual Meeting. Birmingham, Alabama, February 5, 2012.<br />

Impact Statements

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Report Information

Participants

Steven Klose, Texas A&M University;

Amanda Smith, University of Georgia;

Tonya Borisova, University of Florida;

Jody Campiche, Oklahoma State University;

Vivian Carro, University of Puerto Rico;

Bradley Lubben, University of Nebraska-Lincoln;

James Novak, Auburn University;

Lesley Oliver, University of Kentucky;

Larry Sanders, Oklahoma State University

Brief Summary of Minutes

The annual meeting of SERA 39 was held on February 3, 2013 at the Wyndham Orlando Resort Hotel in Orlando Florida. Reports from committee leaders and advisors were made following attendee introductions. Old and new business, including election of new leadership, was discussed before presentations covering issues related to the unique federal budget situation faced in 2013. Discussion of upcoming plans for Farm Bill education focused on a collaboration between SERA 39, Extension Risk Management Education program, and the Farm Foundation to conduct a national train-the-trainer conference related to Farm Bill education. Complete minutes are included in the attachment.

Accomplishments

A workshop entitled Public Policy Education was conducted on August 11, 2012 in conjunction with the Agricultural & Applied Economics Association 2012 annual meeting and co-sponsored by SERA 39. This workshop explored the process for objectively addressing public policy issues utilizing the time-tested options and consequences approach. The policy education process was explained and applied to examples of key policy issues that policy educators, teachers of policy courses, and policy researchers might be expected to address. Approximately 30 people attended the workshop. The workshop description and agenda are included in the attachments.<br /> <br /> Plans for Farm Bill education programs to be conducted later this year in collaboration with the Extension Risk Management Education program and Farm Foundation are detailed in the meeting minutes.

Publications

Novak, J., L. Sanders and J. Pease. 2013 Budget Issues and Farm Bill Education. Presented at the Public Policy Issues Education Annual Meeting. Orlando, Florida, February 3, 2013.<br /> <br /> Sanders, L., J. Novak and J. Pease. Doomsday and Catastrophe Economics: Crafting Policy for Cliff-Hangers. Presented at the Public Policy Issues Education Annual Meeting. Orlando, Florida, February 3, 2013.

Impact Statements

1. In the absence of the National Public Policy Education Committee (NPPEC), there is an increasing number of people responsible for public policy education without the benefit of historical lessons learned in the policy education process. As a result, there is more advocacy and less use of the options and consequences approach. Participants learned how public policy education can be used to address a variety of issues and were provided with tools and strategies that can be adapted for educating audiences about policy issues without advocating a particular policy decision over another.

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