Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

The Consortium met on March 7 and 8, 2002 at Grantville, PA with 60 attendees. Six producers from Connecticut, Delaware, and New Hampshire attended for the first time.


The group heard presentations on various topics including a national
perspective on the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative from Rod
Baumberger; the role of animal fats in a healthy diet from Dr. David Baer,USDA-Ag. Res. Service; availability of value-added assistance programs from Gerald Ely; the nationally focused grazing research program of the USDA-ARS from Dr. Dwayne Buxton; the use of computer simulation models in evaluating alternative production systems from Dr. Al Rotz, USDA-ARS; and were briefed on a new research initiative on seasonal dairy grazing research at the USDA-ARS North Appalachian Experimental Watershed at Coshocton Ohio by Dr.Mark Nearing.


At the dinner Thursday evening, Chuck Krueger, Harry Pionke, and Larry Lohr were each presented with a plaque in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the Consortium during its first five years.


Several items were highlighted by the reporters from each breakout group: Howard Skinner, USDA-ARS, reported for the public sector group:


1. Mark Bailey, USDA-Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, reported on grant funding opportunities, including the status of the Initiative for Future Agriculture and Food Systems (IFAFS) program.


2. The Consortium was formally approved by the Northeast Research and
Extension Directors as an official committee (designated NEREC-1000). This designation mainly benefits the land grant university participants.


3. Dr. Jon Winsten of Winrock International presented a proposal he is
developing on evaluating the potential environmental benefits from the
expanded use of grazing systems. He welcomes collaborators to help secure funding.


4. A draft literature review on "Marketing the Value-Added Attributes of Pasture-Based Livestock Products" was distributed. It was prepared by Dr.Duncan Hilchey at Cornell as a follow-up to the meeting discussion last year.


Sam Dixon, Shelburne Farms VT, reported for the private sector: The group had a very successful discussion with help from Kim Leval of the
Center for Rural Affairs. Kim provided guidance and clarification on
private advocacy issues.


The private sector group reviewed the priority research and extension needs and highlighted the following items as critical needs:


1. More trained personnel to help farmers on-farm are needed. Especially assistance for advanced graziers.


2. More work needs to be done on supplementation strategies for grazing systems.


3. The DAFOSYM computer model should be more widely distributed and used. More extension and technical assistance personnel should be trained in its use.


4. The producers are very supportive of the new research initiative on
seasonal dairy grazing systems at the USDA-ARS facility in Coshocton, Ohio. They encouraged the USDA-ARS leadership to consult producers for guidance and input on the project.


5. More information and research should be made available on the potential human health benefits of products from milk and meat of grazing animals, e.g., "healthy fats"


6. The producers were very supportive of Jon Winsten‘s proposal.


7. The producers believed that the 1998 document on Priority Pasture
Research and Extension Needs is still very relevant.


At the business meeting on Friday March 8, Dr. Steve Washburn of North Carolina State University outlined a proposed outreach effort focused on advanced graziers that he will implement in 2002 with financial assistance from the Consortium. Steve will team with NRCS, extension, producers, and Larry Shearer (recently appointed as Northeast SARE Farmer-Educator) to develop a six-week program that will take place at various locations around the northeast. More details will be available soon from Steve.


The new Executive Committee for 2002-2003 is:Gary Burley, New York, Private Sector Co-chair; Al Rotz, Pennsylvania, Public Sector Co-chair; Ed Rayburn, West Virginia, Public Sector Co-chair (2003-2004); Dick Warner, New York, Private Sector Co-chair (2003-2004); Steve Derrenbacher, Maryland, Private Sector, Past Co-chair; Matt Sanderson, Pennsylvania, Public Sector, Past Co-chair; Nate Leonard, at-large member, Private Sector; Sidney Bosworth,at-large member, Public Sector co-chair elect

1.Presented testimony at the National Research Council‘s public hearing in Washington D.C., to determine the future directions for USDA‘s Research, Education, and Economics mission area. A copy of the Consortium‘s publication on northeast pasture research and education needs was submitted as documentation.


2.Submitted written comments to USDA in response to the proposed
USDA/NRCS Rule Change on Conservation of Private Grazing Lands. The
Consortium recommended that the rule change state explicitly the need
for cooperation and collaboration among agencies and organizations
that provide grazing technologies to producers, e.g., NRCS,
land-grant universities, NGOs, and agri-business suppliers.


3.Facilitated development and support of two grazing research and education proposals to the USDA Initiative for Future Agriculture and Food Systems grant program.


4.Revised and updated the Grazing Guide website.


5.In consultation with producer members, developed an updated list of pasture research and extension priorities in the northeast.


The Consortium action plan for 2002 is a follows:


1. Up-date and continue to develop the NE grazing guide website.


2. Continue to facilitate and support grant proposals that address priority pasture research and education needs for the NE Region.


3. Assist and support the planned dairy grazing educational efforts of Dr. Steve Washburn and Massachusetts producer Larry Shearer.


4. Serve as an advocate for legislation and appropriations that support the pasture priorities of livestock producers in the NE Region, i.e., USDA-ARS Dairy Grazing and Pastures proposal at Coshocton, OH.


The Consortium is considering an offer by the Vermont Grass Farmers‘
Association to meet jointly with that organization in late January or early February 2003. The final decision will be made by the Executive Committee following further discussion of possible arrangement details.

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