SERA39: Public Policy Issues Education
(Multistate Research Coordinating Committee and Information Exchange Group)
Status: Inactive/Terminating
SERA39: Public Policy Issues Education
Duration: 10/01/2013 to 09/30/2018
Administrative Advisor(s):
NIFA Reps:
Non-Technical Summary
Statement of Issues and Justification
The Public Policy Issues Education (PPIE) SERA was created to provide an organized framework for facilitating public policy education coordination regionally and nationally through a structure for regular information exchange and professional development for Land Grant University research and Extension professionals and faculty. Statement of needs and justification are provided as follows:
For more than 50 years, the Farm Foundation, through its sponsorship of the National Public Policy Education Committee (NPPEC) conferences and activities, facilitated public policy education materials development and delivery through faculty at land grant universities. However, reductions in Extension staffing and budgets, as well as changes in the nature of public policy issues in agriculture, natural resources, community development, and the food system necessitate a new approach for coordination. The Farm Foundation is diversifying its financial and leadership support and the NPPEC has been disbanded. Thus, in this new vacuum, national or regional public policy education objectives are not being addressed in any coordinated or synergistic way.
The Southern SERA-PPIE was formed to fill the void left by the disbanding of the NPPEC. SERA039 will provide leadership and facilitate public policy education materials development and delivery of programs through faculty participation. SERA039 will provide a framework around which PPIE can be organized to work efficiently and effectively to enhance the delivery of relevant policy education to targeted audiences. Since public policy issues occur at the state and national level, multi-state collaboration is needed to address the global issues plus allow the leveraging of analysis and education programming efforts to compensate for the fact that fewer policy educators exist now than in the past to get this job done. Support of the Southern Extension and Experiment Station Directors is critical to making this happen.
Education programs and economic analyses that address critical public policy issues faced by various stakeholder groups are needed to support informed decisions. The PPIE SERA would address the grand challenges outlined in the Science Roadmap for Food and Agriculture by supporting multiple SAAESD priority areas. Those are:
Grand Challenges related to Food and Human Health- Issues related to food safety would be addressed by the PPIE SERA. Regional priority areas included in this area could be education and analysis on issues such as inspection regulations and international policy and trade concerns. Public policy concerns related to this challenge could center on food choices for optimum nutrition and individual health and interrelationships of food animal health and human health. Diet choices of children in schools is of concern as well as how food animals are handled which could impact human health.
Grand Challenges related to Economic Growth and Job Creation- PPIE SERA would support regional priorities of competitiveness in international markets and public policy and economics of agricultural production systems. Farm Bill education and producer participation alternatives would be a key example in this area. Members of the SERA on PPIE would have major interest in economic and policy analysis of agricultural industrialization; rural community development and revitalizing rural economies; risk management and assessment in agricultural systems as it relates to policy; and agriculture-related social and consumer concerns. Right now, for example, the food vs. fuel debate is a high-profile policy issue related to this challenge.
Grand Challenges related to Sustainable Environmental and Natural Resources- The PPIE SERA would significantly support the regional priorities of air, soil and water resources conservation and enhancement; multiple uses of agricultural lands; and environmental policy and regulations. Education and analysis on natural resource policy alternatives and consequences could be a major contribution of the SERA.
Other anticipated benefits and products to be developed from this PPIE SERA project include:
* Improvements in the capacity of educators to utilize the proven alternatives/consequences approach to public policy education programs and analyses.
* Development of new methodological frameworks for analysis and discussion. As appropriate, pursue opportunities to publish articles and enhance expertise and provide other scholarship opportunities for professionals.
* Initiating and coordinating conferences, programs and printed materials for professional development and networking opportunities for faculty and stakeholders and for education delivery to stakeholders.
In addition to Land Grant faculty and professionals, stakeholders include non-Land Grant faculty, related professional associations and agribusiness, rural development centers, community leadership organizations, landowners, and producers. Researchers, Extension educators, county partners, local, state and national governments, elected officials, NGOs and community leadership organizations will all benefit from a concerted PPIE coordination effort.
Objectives
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1. Provide opportunities for exchange of information, professional development, recognition and activity coordination for Land Grant Extension personnel and others engaged in public policy issues education.
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2. Strengthen multi-state partnerships and professional association collaborations among faculty having responsibilities in public policy education with the goal of increasing relevant PPIE education in the southern region and nationwide.
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3. Develop public policy issues education curricula and training activities in a variety of venues and formats, and with a variety of audiences, utilizing the proven alternatives/consequences approach to policy education.
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4. Advance scholarship in public policy issues education and analysis through peer-reviewed educational materials and products.
Procedures and Activities
Objective 1:
A. The PPIE SERA will build a framework for engaging the faculty of the Land Grant University system and others in the public policy issues education process thereby facilitating the exchange of information and collaboration on relevant issues identified by the SERA membership.
B. Using current events, provide opportunities for professional development and coordination around complex public policy issues using the approaches of unbiased presentations of relevant policy alternatives and their consequences plus conflict resolution strategies.
Objective 2:
A. The PPIE SERA will foster collaborations and partnerships among interested SERA members for joint learning, objective analysis, and dissemination of public policy issue educational materials to audiences in the region and nationally.
B. The leadership of the PPIE SERA will facilitate communications through a listserv and develop a a PPIE web site for announcing activities, exchanging information and publications, and for coordination of multi-state projects and professional development activities.
Objective 3:
A. In order to complement information exchange and coordination, the PPIE SERA will seek opportunities and fund to develop curricula on selected public policy issue topics and provide these educational materials encompassing the public policy education process to others who can adapt them for use in their respective states.
B. The PPIE-SERA annual meetings will be utilized to identify, share and plan for delivery of new curricula to targeted audiences in order to increase their knowledge of public policy issues, options, and consequences.
Objective 4:
A. In order to advance scholarship in PPIE, the SERA annual meetings will provide professional development opportunities through the sharing of technical papers on public policy issue analysis and education methodology.
B. The PPIE SERA will pursue improved evaluation methodology and common procedures for estimating public policy impacts or consequences from policy options.
Expected Outcomes and Impacts
- " Coordination of research and extension programming related to public policy issues education among Land Grant University professionals
- " Exchange of concepts and information related to the options/consequences process of public issues education.
- " Review and publication of multi-state curricula and professional papers related to public issues education.
- " Implementation of educational programs in respective states on relevant policy issues as a result of the SERA.
- " A website developed and in operation for dissemination of education products to faculty and target audiences, plus a mechanism to provide awareness of SERA activities to its membership.
Projected Participation
View Appendix E: ParticipationEducational Plan
A. Hold an annual meeting of the PPIE SERA for professional development activities, information exchange, and to identify national or regional needs in public policy issues education.
B. Issue a call to SERA members and others for proposed presentations and publications relating to Public Policy Issues Education to be shared at the annual meeting each year.
C. Develop sub-committees, as needed, for the coordination, planning and development of education curricula, training materials, and publications necessary to conduct Public Policy Issues Education with stakeholder groups on relevant issues.
D. Provide education programs to increase the knowledge of the public and other stakeholders relative to emerging Public Policy Issues. (An example would include coordinated education programs on provisions and implications of the 2013 Farm Bill.)
E. Strong efforts will be made to invite and to recruit members for the PPIE SERA from 1890 and 1994 land grant universities plus those from Hispanic Serving institutions.
Groups invited to participate in the PPIE SERA will include those with responsibilities in public policy issue education and have internal or external linkages related to agriculture, rural families, and rural communities. These could include:
1. Extension and research economists within the 1862, 1890, and 1994 Land Grant universities plus Hispanic Serving Institutions.
2. Family Life Extension specialists and researchers within the Land Grant system.
3. Community Development Extension specialists and researchers within the Land Grant system.
4. Other researchers, teachers and Extension faculty within the Land Grant University system who have a public policy issues related interest or assignment.
5. County or Multi-county Extension agents/specialists.
6. CSREES/USDA Economics and Community Systems Unit.
7. Representatives from the Farm Foundation.
8. Leadership from Regional Rural Development Centers.
9. Members of non-governmental organizations, state and local government, and others who have an interest in non-advocacy public policy issues education related to agriculture, agribusiness, natural resources, rural families, and/or rural communities.
Organization/Governance
Literature Cited
Barnaby, G.A. Should Basic Underwriting Rules be Applied to ACRE and SURE?Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics 42,3(August 2010)
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)
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.
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).
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).
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.
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.
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.
Theme articles submitted to CHOICES that examine the critical factors shaping legislation that will outline the future of U.S. food and farm policy. SERA039 members serve as editors for the theme series:
Klose, Steven L. The Environment of the Next Farm Bill Debate CHOICES, Issue 13: July 2011.
Mercier, Stephanie . External Factors That Will Drive the Next Farm Bill Debate CHOICES, Issue 13A: July 2011.
Outlaw, Joe L., James W. Richardson, Steven L. Klose. Farm Bill Stakeholders: Competitors or Collaborators? CHOICES, Issue 13B: July 2011.
Josling, Tim. Trade Issues in the 2012 Farm Bill CHOICES, Issue 13C: July 2011.
Paggi, Mechel S. Food and Nutrition Programs in the Next Farm Bill CHOICES, Issue 13D: July 2011.
Lubben, B. Animal welfare and public policy education. Presented at the Public Policy Issues Education Annual Meeting. Birmingham, Alabama, February 5, 2012.
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.
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.
Novak, James L., Larry D. Sanders and Jody Campiche, Full of Sound and Fury, Budgetary
Issues for the New Farm Bill. Joint Southern Extension Economics Committee Annual Meeting Accepted Presentation, Tifton, Georgia, June 5, 2012.
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.
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.
Campiche, J. Details of the Proposed STAX Program for Cotton Producers and Potential Strategies for Extension Education. Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics, 45,3(August 2013):1-7.
Sanders, Larry D, James Novak and James Pease. Doomsday and Catastrophe Economics:
Crafting Policy for Cliff Hangers. SERA-39 Accepted Presentation. Orlando Florida, February 3, 2013.
Novak, James L., Jody Campiche, Larry D. Sanders and James Pease. 2013 Budget Issues and
Farm Bill Education. SERA-39 Accepted Presentation. Orlando Fl, February 3, 2013.
Novak, James L. Does a 2013 Farm Bill Depend on Long Dead Philosophers? SAEA Lifetime Achievement Award Presentation, Orlando Florida, February 4, 2013.
Campiche, J. and J. Outlaw. 2013. Not if, but how big will cuts be in the next farm bill. Farmer Stockman. 103(1):1.
Campiche, J. 2013 Oklahoma ACRE vs. DCP Decision Public Webinar. May 16, 2013.
Novak, James L., Jody Campiche, Jim Pease, Larry D. Sanders, House v. Senate Farm Bill Commodity Proposals as of this Date, Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, Auburn University, DAERS #5-2012, 7/14/12. Sent to agents, agpolicy and SEPAC listservs.
Novak, James, 2013 Farm Bill: Does Passage Depend on Long Dead Philosophers? Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics. 45(3), 2013 forthcoming.