SAES-422 Multistate Research Activity Accomplishments Report
Sections
Status: Approved
Basic Information
- Project No. and Title: SAC2 : Animal Sciences
- Period Covered: 01/01/2002 to 01/01/2003
- Date of Report: 01/28/2003
- Annual Meeting Dates: 01/28/2003 to 01/28/2003
Participants
Nancy Cox - University of Kentucky (serving as AA for D. Morrison); Peter Burfening - CSREES representative; Hardin Rahe - Southwest Texas State University; Keith Lusby - University of Arkansas; Mark McCann - Virginia Tech University; Gerald Havenstein - North Carolina State University; Charles Kadzere - North Carolina A&T State University; Kelly Robbins - University of Tennessee; Don Wagner - Oklahoma State University; Paul Humes - Louisiana State University; Terry Kiser - Mississippi State University; Glen Hembry - University of Florida; John McNeil - Texas A&M University; Glenn Birrenkott - Clemson University (Secretary);
Everyone was reminded that stakeholder input (and review) is crucial to all projects but particularly multistate projects. This can take the form of meeting at national commodity meetings (i.e. American Feed Industry Association). Stakeholder input should also be sought and documented on state plans. Glen Hembry mentioned that this should be a continuous process of regional priority setting and involve not just a single state.
Dick Frahm mentioned that if anyone was interested in the Biotech Information Exchange Group that they should contact Peter Burfening.
Nancy Cox (ncox@uky.edu) explained the web-based system National Information Management and Support System (NIMSS) from the NE region (www.LGU.UMD.EDU/login.cfm). You can access this system as a guest but will not have print privileges. You may apply for your own login ID. The application will allow participants of Multistate Research Projects and Activities to submit proposals and reports online. Interested parties, stakeholders and cooperators can also query the System for relevant and timely information.
The Midwest is looking at midterm project reviews. Glen Hembry made a motion that midterm project reviews are NOT needed given our annual SRAC-2 evaluation of all animal projects in our region. Keith Lusby seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Eric Young, from NCSU, is the new Executive Director for the southern experiment station directors.
The Southern Multistate Research Committee is looking for multidisciplinary projects.
There will be a limit of 15 pages for new proposals.
Peter Burfening - CSREES indicated that electronic grant submission was still 1 or 2 years away. NRI deadlines will move up about 1 month this year but will be in the same chronological order as in previous years. There will be a standard E-government "front end" on grant submissions, peer reviews, etc.
Peter Burfening (CSREES) noted that NRSP-8 the National Animal Genome Project is up for renewal. It is the only off-the-top funded animal project and needs the vote of 26 directors. Paul Humes made a motion, seconded by Jerry Havenstein, to support this initiative. Motion carried.
Kelly Robbins (TN) recommended an increased awareness of surveying all animal projects, especially using the NIMSS (see above) for participation, elimination of redundancies and making true regional/national projects.
Hardin Rahe (SWTSU) expressed concerns about the ability of animal scientists, especially in small departments, to partner with those doing molecular technologies. This is what regional projects should do ? encourage all departments to use their strengths in a team approach to problem solving.
Don Wagner (Oklahoma State) stated the importance and need for impact statements. He used the example of a beach vs grains of sand to explain that regional projects are often the summation of individual accomplishments. These need to be tied together and used (marketed). This would probably have to be done by department heads (SRAC-2 monitors?) since scientists do not like to write reports without a tangible endpoint. Texas A&M has some experience with this, having actually hired someone to market their accomplishments. Another problem with delineating these accomplishments is that for many projects there is only incremental progress every year (ex. long term animal breeding/genetics programs).
It was decided that some prototypes of impact statements, based on the FASS format, should be prepared. These would be 600 words or less and would be bulleted / targeted. Three prototype impact statements will be prepared by:
Jerry Havenstein (NSCU) - animal waste
Someone?? (TAMU) - genomics
Don Wagner (Oklahoma State) - EPDs
Charles Kadzere (NC A&T) offered his services to those working on the prototype
impact statements.
(See Project Reports in "Minutes Attachment" below.)
Dick Frahm mentioned that if anyone was interested in the Biotech Information Exchange Group that they should contact Peter Burfening.
Nancy Cox (ncox@uky.edu) explained the web-based system National Information Management and Support System (NIMSS) from the NE region (www.LGU.UMD.EDU/login.cfm). You can access this system as a guest but will not have print privileges. You may apply for your own login ID. The application will allow participants of Multistate Research Projects and Activities to submit proposals and reports online. Interested parties, stakeholders and cooperators can also query the System for relevant and timely information.
The Midwest is looking at midterm project reviews. Glen Hembry made a motion that midterm project reviews are NOT needed given our annual SRAC-2 evaluation of all animal projects in our region. Keith Lusby seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Eric Young, from NCSU, is the new Executive Director for the southern experiment station directors.
The Southern Multistate Research Committee is looking for multidisciplinary projects.
There will be a limit of 15 pages for new proposals.
Peter Burfening - CSREES indicated that electronic grant submission was still 1 or 2 years away. NRI deadlines will move up about 1 month this year but will be in the same chronological order as in previous years. There will be a standard E-government "front end" on grant submissions, peer reviews, etc.
Peter Burfening (CSREES) noted that NRSP-8 the National Animal Genome Project is up for renewal. It is the only off-the-top funded animal project and needs the vote of 26 directors. Paul Humes made a motion, seconded by Jerry Havenstein, to support this initiative. Motion carried.
Kelly Robbins (TN) recommended an increased awareness of surveying all animal projects, especially using the NIMSS (see above) for participation, elimination of redundancies and making true regional/national projects.
Hardin Rahe (SWTSU) expressed concerns about the ability of animal scientists, especially in small departments, to partner with those doing molecular technologies. This is what regional projects should do ? encourage all departments to use their strengths in a team approach to problem solving.
Don Wagner (Oklahoma State) stated the importance and need for impact statements. He used the example of a beach vs grains of sand to explain that regional projects are often the summation of individual accomplishments. These need to be tied together and used (marketed). This would probably have to be done by department heads (SRAC-2 monitors?) since scientists do not like to write reports without a tangible endpoint. Texas A&M has some experience with this, having actually hired someone to market their accomplishments. Another problem with delineating these accomplishments is that for many projects there is only incremental progress every year (ex. long term animal breeding/genetics programs).
It was decided that some prototypes of impact statements, based on the FASS format, should be prepared. These would be 600 words or less and would be bulleted / targeted. Three prototype impact statements will be prepared by:
Jerry Havenstein (NSCU) - animal waste
Someone?? (TAMU) - genomics
Don Wagner (Oklahoma State) - EPDs
Charles Kadzere (NC A&T) offered his services to those working on the prototype
impact statements.
(See Project Reports in "Minutes Attachment" below.)
[Minutes]