Board of Agriculture Meeting Minutes, April 5, 2018
Room 300, Cross Office Building, & Legislative Council Chambers, Statehouse Augusta, Maine
Approved at the November 8, 2018 meeting
Present:
Board of Agriculture Members: D. Bell; S. Belle, J. Bickford; M. Dunphy; S. Erich; D. Flannery; D. Marean; M. Meyerhans; J. Rebar; E. Seaman; J. Smith; H. Spalding, L. Titus University of Maine Representatives: R. Brzozowski; J. Dill; F. Servello; Guests: F. Morton
Staff: J. Dieffenbacher-Krall
Call to order and introductions – Marilyn Meyerhans, Chair
Marilyn Meyerhans called the meeting to order at 10:02, and she thanked everyone for making the time and coming to the meeting.
Review of Board’s Legislative Charge – Marilyn Meyerhans, Chair
Marilyn reviewed the Board of Agriculture’s legislative charge, to “advise the Chancellor of the University of Maine System and the President of the University of Maine at Orono on matters concerning the operation and management of agricultural research conducted by the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station and university farm-based programs, including those of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service.” Though the statute says the advice is directed to the Chancellor and President, both John Rebar and Fred Servello emphasized they listen closely to the Board of Agriculture.
Approval of November 1, 2017 Minutes – David Bell, Chair
Motion: Recommended approving the draft minutes of November 1, 2017. Minutes of the November 1, 2017 meeting were unanimously approved.
University of Maine Cooperative Extension Update and Report on Survey Assessing Agricultural Engineering Needs – John Rebar, Executive Director, and Dick Brozozowski, Food System Program Administrator, UMaine Extension
John Rebar declared for the second year in a row Extension had no budget cut (FY19). However, this positive news did not translate into a surplus. John used it as an opportunity to invest in new positions. He announced that on 6/21 there will be a grand opening ceremony of the UMaine Extension Diagnostic and Research Laboratory from 1 PM to 3 PM. John thanked the Board for the positive impact it had on the University of Maine administration to persuade decision makers to deviate from customary practice in favor of overlapping the incoming blueberry specialist Lily Calderwood with retiring Dave Yarborough.
Dick Brzozowski reviewed the Ag Engineering Needs for Maine Farmers survey that was emailed in advance as part of the meeting packet. Sebastian Belle noted no one from the aquaculture industry was surveyed. He requested outreach to the aquaculture community. Dick Brzozowski committed to conducting a survey of the aquaculture community similar to the one he administered to the agriculture community.
An extensive discussion took place regarding the agricultural community’s engineering needs. Several people stated the need for engineering services and consultation would far exceed what one person could be reasonably expected to do. A consensus emerged that a liaison type position would best address the need housed in Cooperative Extension. People asked how this new position priority might rank with previous ones identified by the Board. A suggestion was made to not rank order them but instead list them all as Board priorities.
Motion: The Board of Agriculture expressed the opinion that an engineering liaison position housed in Cooperative Extension informed by input from Dean Dana Humphrey of the College of Engineering on how it is best structured is a Board position priority. The motion was unanimously approved.
College of Natural Sciences, Forestry and Agriculture and Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station Update; Overview of the College of Natural Sciences, Forestry and Agriculture Strategic Advancement Process – Dean Fred Servello
Dean Servello gave a PowerPoint presentation. The initial portion of his presentation focused on institutional/organizational trends in both the University of Maine and the College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture. He noted his career began at the University of Maine in 1989.
Dean Servello explained 5-year enrollment has leveled off. For the College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture, this slowing in enrollment is a good thing because the college is busting at the doors with overflowing laboratory sections. He also pointed out the time required to adapt to greater student enrollment. He observed this increase occurred during a period when the University of Maine faces intense competition for students in Maine, the region and beyond.
During his 28 years at the UMaine, Dean Servello cited the continuous growth in the college. He guessed the college began with about 1500 students. The growth began with the combining of colleges. On the health side, he pointed out that while the college gained 3 units, School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, School of Nursing, and School of Social Work, it had four units in the college that already had strong positions in health – dietetics, molecular and biomedical sciences, many of the premed students, and programs in biology.
Dean Servello presented the College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture Research Map depicting some of the breadth and scope of research conducted by faculty, students, and staff in the college.
He explained it is an interactive map. It can be found on the college website. He reminds people every chance he gets that faculty and students are working in all corners of the state in the land grant mission of teaching, research and public service.
Dean Servello told the group 51 faculty have been hired during the last 6 years after a large number of retirements induced in part by incentives offered by the University of Maine. The overall number of faculty is still about level. About ¼ of the total number of faculty are tied to food and agriculture. He remarked they are the future.
Dean Servello than turned to the second focus of his presentation focused on strategic choices facing the college. He asserted the college needs to do a better job of defining its future as a college or others will do it for the college. He also wants to have a transparent task list to advance the college. He stressed the need to use limited time well.
Dean Servello explicitly addressed the fact that the road map process is not a strategic planning one. He has little interest in building a strategic plan for college. Work has already been done, especially the Blue Sky Plan, that identifies needs and opportunities. His focus is on the implementation of initiatives and change as described in the road map.
He described the extensive input he received from within the college. Several listening sessions were held to discuss needs and opportunities. With the distilling of this input themes emerged.
Today’s presentation represents the transition to external stakeholders. He stated the Board of Agriculture is the first group of external stakeholders. Upcoming external listening sessions will occur with the Forest Resources Advisory Committee and dean’s dinners among others. Students will be blended in.
Dean Servello wants more input on science direction for stakeholders, and he is not sure how exactly that will occur.
Lunch Reception and Discussion with Legislators (At Legislative Council Chambers).
Senators recorded as attending: Troy Jackson (SD1), Michael Carpenter (SD2) Jim Dill (SD5), Joyce Maker (SD6), Geoff Gratwick (SD9), Andre Cushing (SD10), Michael Thibodeau (SD11), Tom Saviello (SD17), Lisa Keim (SD18), Eloise Vitelli (SD23), Brownie Carson (SD24), Catherine Breen (SD25), Bill Diamond (SD26), Ben Chipman (SD27), Amy Volk (SD30), David Woodsome (SD33)
Representatives recorded as attending: Michelle Dunphy (HD122), Russell Black (HD114), Victoria Kornfield (HD125), Mark Bryant (HD24), Ralph Chapman (HD133), Mick Devin (HD90), Ken Fredette (HD100), Norman Higgins (HD120), Walter Kumiega (HD134), Mark Lawrence (HD2), Beth O’Connor
(HD5), Don Marean (HD16), Joyce McCreight (HD51), Charlotte Warren (HD84), Kent Ackley (HD82), Jeff Timberlake (HD75)
Reconvene for Business Meeting, Room 300, Cross Office Building
Jim Dill gave a report about ultra-high pasteurized milk. The group discussed Senator Jackson’s bill LD 1747 Resolve, To Establish a Task Force To Examine Agricultural Issues.
Marilyn Meyerhans recognized Dave Bell for his many years of service to the Board of Agriculture. Lauchlin Titus shared some of his personal recollections and appreciation for Dave’s many contributions on behalf of the agricultural community. Marilyn presented Dave a gift in appreciation for his laudable voluntary service.
People in attendance also thanked John Rebar for his work, wished him well in his retirement, and commended him for his outstanding record of service.
Next Meeting Date
Recommendations were made to invite the incoming UMaine President and Dean Humphrey to the fall meeting to be held in Orono.