Plugged In: For UMaine Extension Staff and Volunteers

Extension Leadership Team Minutes November 30, 2016

Extension Leadership Team Minutes

November 30, 2016
Farmhouse Conference Room – UMA

Facilitator: Dennis Harrington
Note taker: Richard Brzozowski

Financial Operations Update
Now that Jared is on board, Dennis will be renewing his efforts to promote county funds best management practices in the near future. Extension staff are reminded that they should contact Dennis about their intention to pay honorariums.

Planning and Reporting Workshop for New Employees
Since we have numerous new staff hired in the past year and more to come in 2017, it would be useful to have a Planning and Reporting Workshop for new employees (and it would be open to all).  Fran, Jon, and Dennis will be partnering to create such a workshop.

Ornamental Horticulture Position
With the upcoming retirement of Dr. Lois Berg Stack in early January, Extension is working with faculty and staff on an interim plan to provide support to the Maine’s green industry (ornamental horticulture).

Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)
Four Extension staff (Bolton, Machado, Hutton and Handley) and private consultant, Linda Titus, recently attended Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) regional training in Vermont.  The purpose of the training was to equip these individuals as instructors to teach farmers and others about the FSMA.

Agricultural Trades Show
Extension staff are preparing for the 2017 Agricultural Trades Show.  Staff are encouraged to visit the show, view Extension’s exhibits and staff-led workshops.

A Guide to Farming in Maine
Extension is working on an on-line publication “A Guide to Farming in Maine” with the goal of having it ready for the Agricultural Trades Show.  The guide is adapted from a New York State publication.  Another publication, authored by Cathy Kloetzli, is currently being reviewed, and is a fact sheet on how farmers can react and hopefully prepare themselves and their property to the effects of the drought.

Survey of Older Farmers
Dr. Liz Depoy and Richard Brzozowski designed a survey in hopes of identifying needs and possible limitations of older farmers in Maine.  The survey was administered at the Maine Farm Bureau Annual Meeting on November 19. Maine AgrAbility may play a role in responding to identified needs.

Maine Food and Agriculture Center
Audrey Cross will prepare a MFAC display for 2017 Ag Trades Show.

IT Update
Lisa continues to set up meetings with IT system personnel with respective Extension units in an effort to introduce personnel and help local IT staff better understand Extension and our computer/technology needs.

Fair Labor Standards Act
A federal judge has placed a temporary hold on the FLSA.

Flexible Staff Development Funds
The ELT decided on the allotment of Flexible Staff Development Funds for the upcoming program year. Faculty members & professionals will receive $500/calendar year (no roll-over). COLT members will receive $300/calendar year (no roll-over); This will start January 1, 2017 through September 30, 2017.  These staff development funds apply to “hard money” personnel only.

Social Media Needs
With the departure of Patrick Gill, there are gaps that need to be addressed. One of those gaps is in support of our current Social Media presence. Currently Lynne Holland (20 hr. per week CEA) is the primary person working in support of our Social Media with Cindy Eves-Thomas as a back up if issues come up. Our social media presence is important, and Lynne has been doing a great job in her role in support of Social Media.  The ELT approved increasing Lynne’s time by 5 hrs/wk in support of this work.

Search Updates:

Plant Pathologist Position: Job Description created and search committee formed
Livestock Specialist Position: In process
Education Program Director at Bryant Pond: Interviews have been conducted

ELT Meeting Dates –2016/17 – Meetings are from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm – unless otherwise noted.