Philip Fanning – Board Member (seat #18), University of Maine Assistant Professor
Hannah Carter – Board Member (seat #19), University of Maine Cooperative Extension Dean
Sebastian Belle – Board Member (seat #20), Maine Aquaculture Association
Nancy McBrady – Deputy Commissioner, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, & Forestry
Samantha Warren – University of Maine System Director of Government & Community Relations
Lee Hecker – University of Maine, Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station Assistant Director, Board Clerk
Diane Rowland – University of Maine, Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station Director & College of Earth, Life, & Health Sciences Dean
Introduction – Board Chair, Marge Kilkelly
Welcome, introductions, and agenda review
This is a working meeting to review the annual report to the University of Maine (UMaine)
System’s Board of Trustees (BOT) and state legislature.
The Chair notes that the BOT is holding a Finance and Facilities Committee meeting today. The BOA was not aware of this when this meeting was scheduled.
It has been noted that the BOT meeting is recorded and can be listened to and/or viewed later.
The annual report typically includes a summary of all previous meetings, and the Chair suggests including recommendations and how they are not being met by UMaine. These recommendations will include specific items discussed at this meeting and one-paragraph recommendations from the board members reflecting their industry’s recommendations.
Recommendations – discussion led by Board Chair, Marge Kilkelly
BOA finds it difficult to get input into UMaine’s budget in a timely manner.
People are calling to ask BOA members about what they know about budget cuts and BOA members do not have answers.
BOA has been to the state legislature asking about how to fix this relationship and get information needed to complete their work.
Dean Carter
Feels guilty about Cooperative Extension (CE) and apologies for lack of communication, but things happen very fast.
Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station (MAFES) and CE already do a lot of reporting for their capacity funds.
Dean Rowland
Agrees with Dean Carter and recognizes the need for the Board to come up with a communication pattern while balancing challenges, such as lack of staffing.
Was encouraged by discussing federal financial reports in the previous BOA meeting.
Marge Kilkelly
People were thinking about MAFES and CE during last week’s USDA funding freeze.
Eric Venturini
MAFES and CE are doing an excellent job with current funding but would like to see more agricultural input from the beginning.
For example, the Soil Scientist position was hired last minute because of a vacancy without industry input. Additionally, the Agricultural Engineer position is something multiple agricultural groups have been requesting and has seen that position made available then rescinded due to budgetary reasons.
Expressed concern of MAFES and CE match funding listed as a challenge in the upcoming presentation to the BOT. Additionally, the MEIF funding is listed as a challenge for UMS’ FY26.
Commissioner Beal
Notes we have been existing in “not normal” times for several years now.
Communication can be improved especially as more urgent decisions are to come.
Sebastian Belle
Last 10 days challenged are different than the last few years.
Emphasizes that he does not think the Deans are doing a bad job.
UMS is not sharing the big picture of the budget with the BOA. The BOA is an asset to bring big picture concepts from industry such as what industries need to be resilient and competitive in current climes. Sometime resources are not available to assist with meeting these challenges and this is where the BOA can be available.
Does not want to see crises used as an excuse not to communicate with BOA.
Nick Smith
Suggests when responses are needed immediately a few BOA members need to be able to communicate effect cuts without organized meetings.
Marge Kilkelly
The BOA is still not on the BOT’s listserve.
Dean Carter
The BOT meeting schedule can be found on their website.
Amber Lambke
If the BOA is doing a self-evaluation, what is the charge and why or why not are we able to meet that charge?
Fundamental difference between UMS and BOA in their views of their relationship and roles.
Not sure what it means to not be able to staff a meeting. Suggests a shifting or responsibilities and allowing BOA members to assist.
Nick Smith
Encourages re-reading statute frequently.
Encourages MAFES to stay relevant in interacting with industries in state.
Marge Kilkelly
Suggests Dean’s report to Committee on DACF with research and programming.
Representative Plueker
Agrees with budget oversight and access to budget is needed.
Marge Kilkelly
Suggests a recommendation from BOA to BOT that the BOT should include a seat directly related to agriculture.
Nick Smith
Was under the impression that with President Ferguson that there was an ag person on the BOT
Sam Warren
Maine Community College-based BOT seats are not super specific.
UMS does not decide who trustees are that decision is made by the Governor with guidance from the Education Committee. Encourages speaking with the Governor on this matter.
Nick Smith
Suggests having this recommendation as an agenda item for the Governor’s meeting.
Amber Lambke
Agriculture is not just a heritage industry but represents 20% of the US economy.
Marge Kilkelly
Advocates for holding meetings at facilities. It gives the BOA an opportunity to see and experience the challenges and meet the people at the facilities as well.
Marilyn Meyerhans agrees
Nick Smith
Adds that is important to have staff from the US congressmen and congresswomen’s offices see the facilities as well.
Dean Carter
Kennebec County has removed CE from their budget and suspects more counties will follow. These funds account for 4-5% of the CE’s annual budget. (Leaves meeting)
Q – Sebastian Belle – What level of the budget is expected at the county level?
A – Dean Carter – About $50k is CE’s ask. CE has 3-4 staffers in Kennebec County which provides partial support for. Also, the budget ask does not account for programming.
Sebastian Belle – Suggestions to have deeper conversation on this topic at future BOA meetings.
Sam Warren
Updates from Appropriations Committee
Stat is moving forward with a “Continuing Services Budget”; i.e., flat funding for UMS (reality is that this is a cut)
Governor had given a 4-5% increase to UMS
$8 million is needed to cover new family medical expenses
Part II of budget is coming and UMS will be requesting funds to cover these expenses.
UMS will be calling on BOA in coming weeks and months for advocacy.
Marge Kilkelly – Emphasizes the importance of the BOA in times of difficult budget decisions.
Q – Eric Venturini – Can you expand on the $8 million for paid family medical leave?
A – Sam Warren – $4 million per year (bi-annual budget)
Q – Can you share some relevant talking points on the budget issue?
Q – Marge Kilkelly – Are there objections to these recommendations?
A – Sebastian Belle
No. Emphasizes Eric’s concern about the budget being presented to the BOT with the match for MAFES and CE being a challenge. These should be seen as assets of the UMS not challenges.
Announcements
Lee Hecker
Witter Center’s new dairy barn is having a grand opening on April 2 at 11:00 am. The invitation was pasted into the group chat on Zoom and sent in an email after the meeting.
Eric Venturini
Invites BOA members to participate in the Agricultural Council of Maine meeting, particularly upcoming discussions around federal policy concerns.
Also, reiterates the concerns about the match for MAFES and CE being presented as a challenge to the BOT.
Commissioner Beal offers to bring this up early in the discussion.
Q – When are industry one-paragraph recommendations needed?
Marge Kilkelly – 1 week ideally.
Q – Marge Kilkelly – Why can’t we have more meetings?
Dean Rowland – George Criner is retiring, and Lee Hecker has taken over that role, but the replacement Assistant Director of MAFES has not been moved forward limiting MAFES ability to accommodate BOA meetings.
Eric Venturini
No Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) are continuing with congress’ current resolution, which is a huge hit to agriculture.
Sam Warren – 10 requests were put in the pipeline from UMS, but none are moving forward now. This included a request for a new Earth, Life, and Health Sciences (ELH) building on campus.
Dean Rowland – The new ELH building would have replaced Murray Hall, which has structural limitations that inhibit research tasks that need to be completed there.
