Administrative Advisor: Gary Lemme, South Dakota State University
Chair:Steve Harbstreit, Kansas State University
Secretary:Robert Terry, Jr., Oklahoma State University
Members in Attendance: Anna Ball University of Missouri; Mark Balschweid University of Nebraska; Bob Birkenholz Ohio State University; Steve Fraze Texas Tech University; Steve Harbstreit Kansas State University; Tracy Hoover Pennsylvania State University; James Leising University of Minnesota; Gary Lemme Committee Administrator; Bruce Miller Utah State University; W. Wade Miller Iowa State University; Ed Osborne University of Florida; Travis Park Cornell University; Matt Raven Michigan State University; Robert Terry, Jr. Oklahoma State University; Greg Thompson Oregon State University; Roger Tormoehlen Purdue University; Robert Torres University of Arizona; George Wardlow University of Arkansas.
Guests: Henry Bahn - National Program Leader, Division of Agricultural Systems.
Presentations to the Committee:
Topics Presenters
1. Overview of activities and changes at NIFA: Henry Bahn, National Program Leader, Division of Agricultural Systems
2. Research and Other Opportunities Related to NIFA Initiatives: Debbie Sheely, Head of the Institute of Food Production and Sustainability in NIFA
3. Challenges and Opportunities Facing Agricultural and Extension Education:Catherine Woteki, USDA Under Secretary of Agriculture for Research, Education and Economics
4. Agricultural and Extension Education within the Foreign Agriculture Service: Patricia Sheikh Patricia Sheikh, Deputy Administrator for the USDA Office of Capacity Building and Development of FAS; Virginia Wolf, Deputy Director, FAS Development Resources & Disaster Assistance Division; Larry Trouba, Branch Chief, FAS Trade & Scientific Capacity Building Division; Ali Abdi, Director of FAAS Trade & Scientific Exchanges Division; Pat Wetmore, Special Asst. to the Deputy Administrator
Committee Activities:
" Development of Action Items for the Committees strategic plan
o Appendix A displays Vision, Mission and Goals
o Appendix C displays Action Items
" Discussion of the creation of Regional Agricultural Education Research Centers (Appendix B)
" Exchange of examples of successful grants.
" Discussion about developing a culture where research is a priority in Agricultural Education programs.
" Develop a letter of response to Dr. Woteki communicating the following points:
1. Solicit support for our research center idea,
2. Make clear that while having education included in NIFA RFPs is supported by our profession, support for research about education should also be included,
3. School-based agricultural education can play an important role in building the pipeline of future agricultural scientists for industry and academia.
Upcoming Meetings:
" March, 2011 (Virtual meeting)
" May, 2011 (During national meeting of AAAE, Coeur dAlene, ID)
" Fall, 2011 (Virtual meeting)
" January 4-6, College Station, TX