SD County Ag Agents Association
Spring Meeting
May 21, 2004
Izaak Walton, Pierre, SD
President Steve Sutera called the meeting to order. Sergeant of Arms Maurice Lemke reported there were 25 members and 1 guest present. Guest was Mike Christian, Regional Director of NACAA.
Secretary’s minutes for the October 20, 2003 meeting were handed out. (attachment A)
Loren Tilberg moved to dispense the reading of the minutes.
The Treasurer’s report was handed out. (attachment B) Justin Keyser moved to accept the treasurer’s report. John Keimig 2nd, motion passed.
NACCA/PIC
Steve gave the dates of the National meeting. At this time 4 members are planning on attending the National meeting in Florida this year. Dale Curtis, (DSA winner), Stacey Bickett (AA winner), Steve Sutera and Steve Munk
The voting delegates for this year will be Steve Sutera and Stacey Bickett. Travel plans are being made and Director Larry Tideman will be providing the association with $3000 to help cover expenses.
Steve said that they were looking at updating the video shown at the National meeting and were looking for updated videos from the states. It was mentioned that we should visit with Carrie Law and Emery Tschetter to work on putting something together and send in for South Dakota.
Future National Meeting Dates were mentioned and this year the 2008 meeting will be bid.
NC Region Report
North Central Region Director Mike Christian spoke to the members about the open positions at the regional level that need to be filled this year.
This year North Carolina will be bidding for the 2008 National meeting location.
Mike discussed the scholarship program encouraging all members to make sure that they have their $40.00 in to the National office by June 30th in order to be able to take advantage of the scholarships. Last year they awarded $25,000 in scholarship monies, out of that $11,560 was awarded to the North Central Region. They have come out with a commemorative knife set that
will be available to members. The monies raised from the sale of these knives will be used in the scholarship fund.
County Agent Print
Steve brought it to the member’s attention that Minnesota has a different county agent print available and is wondering if the group would be interested in purchasing this new print to give retiring members instead of the current print from Nebraska that we now give. Jerry Mills moved that we continue to present the retiring members with the Norman Rockwell County agent print from Nebraska that we currently give. Mike Huber 2nd, motion passed.
Some members were interested in purchasing the Minnesota print for themselves. We need a minimum order of 10 prints before we can purchase them. Jeff asked if we had a copy of the print for members to look at. Steve said that he would email the picture he has to everyone.
JCEP Conference
Steve reported on the JCEP Conference he attended in February. Concerns of states in attendance at the conference included:
- many states are looking at budget cuts,
- some states are looking at doing just a Ag agents association membership on the state level and not being part of the National Association,
- currently most states have state dues to their association of $90 or more,
- many were concerned with the participation in the NACAA national meeting,
Steve discussed the issue of possibly putting the County Agent magazine out to the members by email. The question was how many people would read it. The thought is that the Annual meeting issue would be sent in hard copy still. The general feeling of the SDCAA members was that they prefer to continue to receive the County Agent magazine in hard copy.
NACAA Report
Steve Munk addressed the members encouraging them to send in nominees for the Outstanding Young Farmer award. Steve explained what the award was and who was eligible.
Steve reported that there is a committee looking at the NACAA National meeting, to see if everything is making since and providing a purpose. The committee has been asked to report at the Orlando meeting this year on their findings.
Steve encouraged the members to look for opportunities for Professional improvement, award programs, tours and scholarship opportunities.
Director’s Communications Committee
A committee meeting with the Director was not held this winter. The new director is interested and would like to continue with the committee and having meetings.
Ag Statistics Office
The Ag Statistics Office visited with the members. They thanked the members for working to fill out the Crop Weather Reports each week. Members asked how they use the topsoil and subsoil moisture to make the maps included on the back of each report.
The Land Rental rates publication which comes out in April they have added some additional information to this year. Currently the office is working on a new custom rate survey and hope to get it out by September 4th. The census of Ag will be released on June 3rd and the annual books this year will be out in late July.
If any office needs additional copies of any of the information published by the Ag Statistics office they are asked to call and more copies will be sent.
SD State Flag
The SD State Flag was brought back from the National Meeting. The NACAA AM/PIC invested in new state flags for all states. The members were asked what we should do with our state flag. Don Guthmiller moved to have a silent auction in October for the state flag with monies going to the scholarship fund. 2nd, after much discussion Don rescinds his motion. Ray Gosmire moved to have the committee decide what type of auction to have next October for the state flag. 2nd and motion passed.
Committees
The current list of committees and members were passed out. Each member was asked to review what committees they were on. It was thought that each member should serve on more than one committee. If you have any additions/changes/ corrections members are asked to email Steve Sutera with them.
Robin Salverson asked if we could add one more committee to the SDCAA committees list. That would be the Women in Ag committee, which she would be willing to chair.
It was thought that we should have committee chairs be a 2 to 3 year position and rotate, although the chairman of come committees will stay the same for consistency for longer.
The NACAA website has committee handbook available for committees.
Steve reminded the members that the SDCEA has 4 committees we have representation on and need members to service on. The committees being:
Promotion 1: brochures, handouts, web pages
Promotion 2: cups, nametags, etc.
Benefits: keep membership up to date on changes and updates.
Social: social events, State fair steak fry, Annual conference fun night.
Guests Kim Cassel, Director Larry Tideman, and Dean Fred Cholick address the group on issues they had.
Kim Cassel said that they were getting water meters for the counties that did not currently have on and that the water used to calibrate the meters is here for anyone who needs to refill their containers. The Drought Task Force will be holding a conference call to discuss issues.
She brought West Nile Virus information and publications for some counties to take back.
Director Larry Tideman addresses budget concerns and other issues.
Dean Fred Cholick address the issue of enrollment at the Ag Bio College, some budgeting issues and other issues the group had.
Steve Sutera presented Director Larry Tideman with the County Agent Print and thanked him for his many years of service.
Returning to the agenda.
Committee Reports
NACAA committees
Agronomy and Pest Management: No report
Ag Economics and Community Development: No report
Animal Science: No report
Forestry and Natural Resources: Forestry has been taken out of the name and now the committee is named Natural Resources. It now encompasses more than just trees, soil management and water. Currently they are trying to find funding for pre-conference tour.
Horticulture and Turf Grass: Bill participated in the RISE study tour, funding is no longer available.
Aquaculture: No report
Extension Development Council
Public Relations & Ag issues: No report
Early Career Development: No report
Administrative Skills Development: No report
Teaching and Communications: We had one regional winner in publications. Lanette Butler will be recognized at the National Meeting.
Program Recognition Council
Extension Programs: No report
4-H & Youth: No report
Professional Excellence: An email was sent out requesting posters for the National Mtg.
Recognition & Awards: Stacey Bickett is our AA winner; Dale Curtis is our DSA winner.
Scholarship: We now have 26 members who have paid their scholarship in full. Are looking for ideas for a possible trip to apply a scholarship for.
SDCAA Committees
Ag Unity: No report
Retirement/Insurance: reminded everyone to do insurance update and that years of service buy back needs to be done before June 30th this year.
Life Member: Our association pays for life membership
4-H Rodeo: Website should be working to get entry forms off
Congressional Liaison: No report
Legislative: No report
Director’s Staff Advisory Committee: New director is interested in continuing
Program Development: No report
4-H Advisory: Jeff reported that the board disbanded in February with letter from Karla. Board was outdated and will be reviewing other options.
State Fair: It was asked if we could be included or kept up to date on changes.
SD Commodity Associations
Master Lamb Producer: No report
SD Sheep Producers: No report
Master Pork Producers: the Applications for Master Pork producer comes out each fall; educators are encouraged to nominate local producers for the award.
Pork Producers Council: Scholarship applications are due each fall.
SD Crop Improvement: It was asked how many counties still had an active CIA
SD Stock growers: See attachment
SD Association of County Commissioners: see attachment
SD Cattlemen’s Association: No report
SD No-till Association: No report
Weed and Pest: a new publication on salt cedar has been released. The 2005 state meeting will be in Aberdeen
Water Quality: No report
Spring meeting format
Steve asked the members if they wanted to keep this format for the spring meeting or if changes should be made. By show of hands majority of the members wanted to keep the format the same.
Seminar winners were announced.
Seeing no further business John Keimig moved to adjourn the meeting. Justin Keyser 2nd motion passed.
Respectfully Submitted
Kimberly McGraw
SDCAA Secretary