Duration: 10/01/2014 to 09/30/2019

Administrative Advisor(s):

NIFA Reps:

Non-Technical Summary

Statement of Issues and Justification

Statement of Issues and Justification

The mission of NCCC-009 is to enhance the outreach, research, and teaching programs of participating Land-Grant universities by facilitating a learning community that provides a collaborative mechanism for engineers and scientists to exchange knowledge and to cooperate in the development of multi-state/regional educational projects related to feed, food, fiber and energy production systems.

The Land-Grant system continues to be called upon to positively impact communities by delivering timely and effective Extension programs and producing high-quality educational / informational materials to support these programs. There is a great need to share engineering and science-based knowledge about feed, food, fiber and energy production systems. While fewer people are involved in production agriculture, our traditional audience, than when NCR-9 (predecessor to NCCC-009) was formed in 1929, the need for credible information and educational programs continues to grow. Program demand and delivery is being enhanced in areas such as: natural resource utilization and conservation, environmental quality, food safety, public health, rural community development and sustainability, non-farm rural residents and the rural-urban interface.

Extension engineers, working with their research partners and in collaboration with scientists, are addressing critical technical needs of these issues. Most usually do so while also addressing more conventional agricultural needs, which have evolved over the years, but have not diminished. While the needs to be addressed have not subsided, the human and financial resources available to individual state educational institutions for meeting these needs continue to decline. This means that, in addition to working in multidisciplinary teams, Extension engineers generally need to work with colleagues in other states to effectively leverage the knowledge and resources necessary to develop quality educational materials and implement effective Extension programs.

NCCC-009 participants benefit from the professional dialogue that occurs with those having research appointments and those from other regions of the country. All participants benefit from the sharing of expertise that translates research-based knowledge into practice.

NCCC-009 will continue to advise and collaborate with Midwest Plan Service (MWPS) publication staff to maintain this primary source of educational materials for a wide variety of disciplines in the region, the U.S., and the world. In addition to providing application focused educational resources on issues related to agricultural engineering, MWPS products include material about dairy science, beef cattle production, farm business management, and agricultural economics. MWPS publications provide a vehicle to publish research findings and facilitate technology transfer in formats useful to public and semi-technical audiences. MWPS publications are thorough, unique, and widely respected application focused references. The publications present data and interpretations that enhance both the expert and consumer knowledge bases. Additionally, accumulated NCCC-009 member knowledge serves researchers, extension educators, university faculty, government agencies, and the public by providing guidelines, standards, and models for improved production systems and facilities.

Since 2009, MWPS has produced the six major publications listed below (* indicates that NCCC-009 members produced the material):
- Private Water Systems Handbook, 5th Edition; MWPS-14*, 2009
- Farm Machinery & Labor Sharing Manual; NCFMEC-21, 2009.
- Cow-calf Production in the U.S. Corn Belt; MWPS-66*. 2011 (ASABE Blue Ribbon Award)
- Cattle Feeding in Monoslope and Gable Roof Buildings; AED-60*. 2013
- Beef Cow Rental Arrangements For Your Farm; NCFMEC-06, 2013
- Dairy Freestall Housing and Equipment, MWPS-7*, Eighth edition, 2013.

NCCC-009 members have also collaborated on several multi-state national and regional research and outreach projects that have produced new information and educational materials. A few examples include:
- Swine ventilation workshops and training manuals
- Air Quality Education in Animal Agriculture fact sheets, videos and webinars
- Energy conservation webinars and factsheets
- Worksheets for calculating ammonia and hydrogen sulfide emissions to identify large confinement animal feeding operations that need to submit CERCLA/EPCRA reports.
- Biofilter research and outreach projects
- Horse manure composting demonstrations and workshops
- Manure pit foaming research
- Anaerobic digester operator training course and materials
- Climate change mitigation educational materials
- Flood recovery educational resources
- Field tile drainage workshops

In summary, NCCC-009 activities and MWPS publications address regional priority objectives by conveying information that improves agricultural production systems, improves quality of life, and enhances the economic competitiveness of clients. The materials produced by NCCC-9 also explain the effects of agricultural practices on soil, water, and air quality while detailing methods to control and reduce negative environmental impacts. Resources also address needs of nontraditional audiences, including urban homeowners, non-farm rural residents, and people living on acreages, who need useful engineering information about residential and rural living, raising a few animals, or other topics of interest.

Objectives

Procedures and Activities

NCCC-009 will meet annually as a full committee to discuss program and publication priorities, establish annual goals, investigate funding opportunities through sources such as USDA, DOE and other federal agencies, industry groups, state and regional funding sources (ex. North Central Risk Management Education Center), explore cooperative agreements, and plan program and publication development to meet prioritized needs. During the year, working groups will use conference calls, e-mail, electronic document exchange, other Internet media, and face-to-face meetings as needed to develop programs and products. A portion of the annual meeting will be dedicated to obtaining updates from MWPS publishing staff regarding product development, marketing and sales. NCCC-009 will provide general feedback and guidance.


The Executive Committee will communicate on a monthly basis. This communication (e.g. conference call) will facilitate follow-up on priority committee actions and include a progress report from MWPS publishing staff. The Executive Committee has identified a lack of Extension Engineers with needed expertise in some states as an issue. The reduction in expertise is resulting in those engineers with scarce expertise being overwhelmed at times with requests to provide education and technical assistance in other states. The Committee will initiate a discussion of this issue and provide input to Extension administrators. The Executive Committee will organize a quarterly webinar and discussion to facilitate communication and professional development.


The prototype procedure for addressing an educational need is as follows: 1) Participants will identify and communicate to NCCC-009 educational needs and emerging issues as they arise throughout the year from clients and stakeholders. If the identified needs demand immediate or a short-term response, participants will focus on providing coordinated, consistent information. 2) Longer-term needs that deserve greater attention and development as educational programs will be discussed and prioritized by NCCC-009 members at the annual meeting. Participants will also discuss and clarify target audiences for proposed educational programs. Attention will be given to advocating efforts for new, nontraditional audiences. 3) Working groups will be formed at the annual meeting to develop educational programs and materials for high-priority needs, based upon expertise, interest, and a champion for the program. When expertise from outside NCCC-009 is desirable to achieve success in developing a program or product, this will be identified early and efforts will be made to involve such experts in the development process. When expertise, interest level, or presence of a champion are not readily available amongst NCCC-009 participants to adequately address a high-priority educational need in a timely manner, this information will be relayed to represented units and/or through the program advisor so it can be addressed through other means. 4) The working groups will function independently to develop Extension programs and educational materials, corresponding as needed with the Executive Committee or MWPS publishing staff. Working groups will be encouraged to seek support, and develop and deliver their respective educational programs in the most effective, expedient and efficient manner. Upon request, NCCC-009 will provide letters of support, advice and technical assistance. 5) NCCC-009 will provide a forum for peer review of materials, especially those to be published and/or marketed through MWPS. Materials will acknowledge NCCC-009 support/review. 6) Working group leaders will be encouraged to utilize MWPS for publication and distribution of Extension educational materials to the extent that this is feasible. Publication and marketing activities will be coordinated with MWPS staff. 7) Brief summaries of program evaluation information and measures of impact will be shared annually with NCCC-009. Participants will discuss suitability for expanded delivery or adaptation of the program for delivery within other participating states.

Expected Outcomes and Impacts

Projected Participation

View Appendix E: Participation

Educational Plan

As a coordinating committee, NCCC-009 will rely on working groups to develop and follow educational plans for specific programs. The educational framework for NCCC-009 in the ensuing 5-year period is as follows: 1) Implement the new objectives, activities and revised procedures as outlined in this proposal; 2) Advance educational program and material development of high-priority needs as described in the prototype procedure in the Procedures and Activities section. Recently prioritized areas, include: ­ Energy conservation and biofuels ­ Air and water quality ­ Water management ­ Grain Drying and Storage; 3) Engage participants in assessing and communicating program impacts; and 4) Pursue and facilitate professional development opportunities for participants to increase individual and collective effectiveness as Extension engineering specialists.

Organization/Governance

While NCCC-009 has its roots and base in the North-Central region, participation is open to Extension engineering specialists from any Land-Grant institution. No limit is placed on the number of participants in NCCC-009, although no more than two representatives from each state are allowed to vote on NCCC-009 business actions. Represented engineering units should determine the desired extent and diversity of participation and negotiate levels of support with the appropriate Extension administrators. Attendance at the annual meetings is highly encouraged and official representatives are expected to attend.
The Executive Committee will consist of the Chair, Past-Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary. Each year, a new Secretary will be elected to rotate onto the Executive Committee. Executive committee terms are from October 1, through September 30. On October 1 each year, the Chair becomes Past Chair, the Vice-Chair becomes Chair, and the Secretary becomes Vice-Chair. The Past Chair is responsible for providing guidance, fostering continuity, and assembling candidates for Secretarial elections. The Chair is responsible for conducting meetings and coordinating ongoing NCCC-009 activities. The Vice-Chair is responsible for assisting the Chair and coordinating professional development activities. The Secretary is responsible for taking minutes at the annual meeting, taking notes during NCCC-009 conference calls, and assisting the Chair in communications and submittal of required reports (minutes and SAES 422) through NIMMS. Administrative guidance will be provided by an assigned Administrative Advisor and a CSREES representative.

Literature Cited

All references mentioned in this document are available through MWPS, Ames, IA, < http://www.mwps.org>.

Attachments

Land Grant Participating States/Institutions

IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, OH, SD, WA, WI

Non Land Grant Participating States/Institutions