ELT Minutes, March 3, 2015

Extension Leadership Team Minutes
March 3, 2015
218 Richard Randall Student Center, UM Augusta
9:00 – 3:30

Facilitator: Francine Sulinski

Note taker: Lisa Phelps

USDA/NIFA Annual Report Update:
Fran and Jon are continuing to work with Dennis on our annual USDA/NIFA report.

Future ELT Meeting Dates:
The ELT reviewed calendars and scheduled meetings dates through the end of 2015.

Talking to UMaine Researchers:
Mike Eckardt is working with the Staff Development Committee and has proposed a “Talking to UMaine Researchers” series to be offered to Cooperative Extension staff via Tandberg. The ELT thought this was a great idea. Fran will consult with the Staff Development Committee about a registration process to help gauge participation for each session.

Orono Office Space Changes:
Any Orono office space proposed changes needs to be discussed with and approved by the ELT.

County Based professional position searches:
With county-based professional position searches the interviews can be held in the county office and there also needs to be a PA or Asst. Director involved in every professional search. John Rebar is also willing to be involved in professional searches and the interview process as needed.

Financial Support for staff to attend Extension Professional Conferences:
Historically we have allocated $1,000 to support a “voting delegate” to attend the national conferences of the four extension professional organizations (NACAA, NAE4HA, NEAFCS and ANREP. We temporarily suspended that practice given our budget challenges and the ELT was recently asked to revisit this decision.

Decision:
The ELT is willing to support independent proposals for up to $2,000 to attend extension professional conferences (i.e. eXtension, NACAA, NAE4-HA, FCS, National Extension Conference on Volunteerism, NETC, NEAFCS). We are asking staff to use the guidelines for Independent proposals that can be found on plugged-in https://extension.umaine.edu/plugged-in/policies-guidelines/policies-procedures-manual/section-four-programs-and-reports/4-6/#independent. The ELT recognizes that some of the plugged-in guidelines are more applicable to programs and positions, so please do your best to convey your request, given the stated guidelines.

Announcements:
Congratulations to Ryder Scott and Ryan LeShane who have been awarded $328,000 for the 5^th round of the Tech Wizards program from the National 4-H Council.

Congratulations to David Handley and co-PIs Mark Hutton, Jim Dill, and Jason Bolton who have been awarded $11,210 to research hops to encourage the growth of a hops industry in Maine.

Congratulations to Kate Yerxa who had been awarded $10,000 from USDA/NIFA through Cornell University to participate in the steering committee for the USDA’s Regional Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Centers of Excellence.

Congratulations to Mark Hutton who had been awarded $63,213 from USDA/NIFA through the University of Vermont to evaluate two plant mediated systems to manage aphids in leafy greens and tomatoes grown in high tunnels.

Congratulations to Mark Hutton and co-PIs Mark Hutchinson and Eric Gallandt who have been awarded $543,625 from USDA/NIFA through the Cornell University to facilitate the development of organic agriculture production, breeding, and processing methods by advancing the adoption of innovative strategies to reduce tillage on organic vegetable farms.

Announcement Invitation:
The ELT invites you to submit items to be included in the minutes/announcements of the next regularly scheduled ELT meeting.  This is an opportunity to share with the ELT and the rest of the organization any of the following:

• Notable programmatic accomplishments
• Development or fundraising success
• Significant new partnerships and/or opportunities
• Important transitions

Please take the opportunity to share your good works through this avenue.  Keep it brief… approximately two to four sentences would be appreciated. To submit an announcement, please contact your PA or appropriate member of the ELT.

Please remember to visit University of Maine’s news site for additional University of Maine Cooperative Extension highlight.

Search Updates:
Telstar 4-H Professionals (2) 4-H Camp and Learning Ctr – Bryant Pond – Positions filled

Community Education Assistant CL2, – 4-H Science – Orono -Position filled

Community Education Assistant CL2 (Horticulture Coord) – Cumberland – Interviewing

Accounting & Reporting Professional – Orono – Interviewing

Crop Insurance Education Program Manager – Highmoor Farm – Interviewing

Program Administrator – Maine Food System, Assoc Ext Prof or Ext Prof – Accepting applications

Sustainable Ag Asst Ext Prof & Asst Prof – Presque Isle – Accepting applications

4-H STEM Program Prof – 4-H Learning Ctrs at Tanglewood (Lincolnville) or Bryant Pond –

Pending approval to advertise

Administrative Specialist CL2 – Franklin Cty – Pending approval to advertise

4-H Youth Development Professional – 4-H Office Orono – Pending approval to advertise

4-H Youth Development Professional – Kennebec – HR Review

ELT Meeting Dates –2015 – Meetings are from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm – unless otherwise noted

Dates	Facilitator	Notes	Location
March 3	Sulinski	Phelps	Augusta – 218 Richard Randall Student Center
March 25	Phelps	Rebar	Orono – 102B
April 15	Rebar	Prichard	Orono – 102B
May 1	Prichard	Harrington	Augusta – 218 Richard Randall Student Center
May 20	Harrington	Sulinski	Orono -102B