SDCAA Spring Meeting

Cheyenne Ridge Outfitters and Lodge, Pierre, SD

May 18, 2007

            The Spring meeting of the SDCAA was called to order by President Clint Clark.  Sergeant of Arms Paul O. Johnson reported 27 members in attendance.

            The secretary’s report was handed out and reviewed.  Steve Sutera moved to accept the report as written.  John Keimig 2^nd.  Steve Munk moved to amend the motion by saying that  a correction needs to be made to the minutes indicating that he misspoke that the national board had accepted the recommendations to waive the registration fee to the national meeting for first time attendees regardless of years of service.  The Futuring Committee has made a recommendation about changing this and it is being looked into.  Chuck Langner 2^nd the amendment.  Amendment passed.  Motion passed (attachment A).

            The Treasurer’s report was reviewed and handed out.  Tyler Melroe moved to accept the report as written.  Kevin Vaith 2^nd.  Motion passed (attachment B).

OLD BUSINESS:

None

NEW BUSINESS:

National Meeting: Grand Rapids, MI, July 15 thru 19, 2007

Mike Huber - DSA, Rod Geppert – AA, Heather Gessner, Crystal Stewart, Clint Clark, David Vander Vliet, Steven Munk, Steve Sutera and his wife, and Bill Keck have all indicated that they plan to attend.

            Paul O. Johnson moved to allow an additional $ 500 be put towards the break (that we are sponsoring with North Dakota at the National meeting) if needed so that brings the total money to work with for the break to $ 1000.  Maurice Lemke 2^nd.  Handvote-unaminous.  Motion passed.  Clint Clark indicated that NDSU was bringing nuts, sunflower seeds, and jerky.  Clint said he was going to find out how much the meat sticks cost and visit with the Dean to see if he would be willing to donate some.  Clint also said that he will find out if we need to bring individual servings or if we can bring it in bulk and break it down at the meeting.  Steven Munk and Craig Rosenberg are working on getting honey sticks donated for the break. 

Resolution # 1  All-First Time Registration is Free (attachment C)

Whereas; The National Association of County Ag Agents puts on a great Annual Convention across the nation,

and Whereas; the registration fee for the Convention is a large part of the cost to attend the meeting,

and Whereas; many educators within the Cooperative Extension Service system do not have budgets that allow them to travel out-of-state in their first years of service,

and Whereas; eliminating the registration fee for all first-time attendees regardless of their number of years in service would be an incentive for all Extension Staff across the Nation to attend the Convention,

Be It Resolved; that the South Dakota County Ag Agents Association encourages and supports changing the registration fee waiver being extended from those with less than five (5) years of experience to all first-time attendees regardless of their years of experience.

Steve Sutera moved to amend the resolution to strike all first-time attendees regardless of their years of experience and replace with first ten (10) years of service.  John Keimig 2^nd.  Discussion included bringing it up during the regional meeting before the delegate session to drum up support for passing this on the national level; could have free 1-5 years and then ½ off for 6-10 years.  Motion at amend resolution # 1 passed.  Connie Strunk moved that SDCAA bring this resolution forward to the national meeting.  David Vander Vliet 2^nd.  Motion passed.

Covering cost for Leadership Training (JCEP) meeting

            SDCAA covers $ 500 worth of expense for Vice-President to attend JCEP.  Other organizations send both the President and Vice-President.  This year’s meeting expenses for Heather Gessner, Vice-President, were $ 1250.  Is there any way the association would be willing to cover more money or send more than one person to JCEP?  The members of the SDCAA decided to bring this up in old business at our October meeting.

Change bylaws to match the changes in districts and other updates (attachment D)

            Heather Gessner stated that the bylaws have not been updated in a very long time and she when through them and made some recommended changes.  The members of the SDCAA recommended that the executive committee look through the bylaws and recommend changes to the bylaws which will be sent out to the members of SDCAA prior to the October meeting.  The members will then review these changes to the bylaws at the October meeting.

Resolution # 2  Mileage Reimbursement (attachment C)

Whereas; South Dakota Cooperative Extension’s presence is made publicly visible by having an Educator in almost every county in the state,

and Whereas; part of being a viable an respected resource in the County and State requires that County Educators drive to other towns for presentations and teaching opportunities and also travel to  remote locations to check on fields, pastures and provide financial information and assistance to area producers,

and Whereas; many times the use of a pickup is required for these trips into pastures and fields and they have a lower mileage rate than a car,

and Whereas; many of the County Educators do not have access to either a State or County owned and maintained vehicle and are using their own vehicle to travel when the job requires it,

and Whereas; the current cost of fuel and maintenance of personal vehicles is not being met by the current State Reimbursement Rate,

Therefore, Be It Resolved; that the South Dakota County Ag Agents Association supports any and all efforts made to adjust the State Mileage Reimbursement Rate for Extension Educators using their own vehicle as they provide education, service and assistance to the people of South Daktota.

Be It Further Resolved; that the SDCAA would support a formula that would determine a fair state State Mileage Rate that ties in the cost of fuel based on the quarterly average price of fuel in South Dakota as determined by a nonbiased organization (including but not limited to the AAA of South Dakota). 

Chuck Langner moved to table resolution # 2 until the October meeting.  Maurice Lemke 2^nd.  Motion passed.

Resolution # 3  Interim DED’s and Administration (attachment C)

Whereas; the South Dakota Cooperative Extension Service has been led by a group of “Interim” Administration and will continue to be led by that group until permanent personnel are hired,

And Whereas; the District Director positions have been filled by Educators in the Counties,

Be It Resolved; that the South Dakota County Ag Agents Association would like to commend Carole Sweeter, Corrine Huber, April Borders, and Stacy Hadrick – Interim District Extension Directors, for putting in the extra time required to fulfill the interim positions while remaining active and participatory Extension Educators in their counties and field education units.

Be It Further Resolved; that the South Dakota County Ag Agents Association would like to commend Gregg Carlson – Interim Director, and Karen Pearson – Interim Associate Director for the job they have done to increase and encourage communication within the system, improve morale amongst the leadership and providing a positive outlook for the Extension Service as a whole.

Tyler Melroe moved to approve Resolution # 3.  Kevin Vaith 2^nd.  Much discussion was held.  Steve Munk moved to amend the resolution by adding, “Be It Further Resolved; that the South Dakota County Ag Agents Association recognizes the leadership provided to the interim administration by Dean Gary Lemme and commends him for his leadership”.  John Keimig 2^nd.  Hand vote 13 in favor and 3 against.  Amendment passes.  Hand vote occurred on the amended main motion 18 in favor, 3 against, and 3 abstained.  Amended motion passes.

Committee Reports:

            Ag Unity:  Clint Clark—Ag Unity update handout out on the back table (attachment E).

            Retirement/Insurance—No report.

            Life Member:  Terry Hall—Revised life member list can pick up a copy (attachment F).

            4-H Rodeo:  John Keimig—Rodeo info is completed and can be found on the website.

            Congressional Liaison:  Paul Johnson—Senator Thune held a listening session on cellulose.  Those who attended were invited to submit ideas.  Calls came from Washington within two days wanting ideas expanded.

            Legislative:  Terry Hall—Can receive “Legislative Bulletin” and “Retail Prophet” if interested contact the South Dakota Retailers Association.

            Directors Staff Advisory Committee—No report.

            Program Development—No report.

            State Fair Committee—No report.

            Women In Ag:  Robin Salverson—Will be held on September 14 & 15 in Spearfish, SD.

            Master Lamb Producer—No report.

            SD Sheep Producers—No report.

            Master Pork Producers:  Steve Sutera—Jeremy Lehrman, New Ext. Director.

            SD Pork Producers Council—No report.

            Water Quality—No report.

            SD Crop Improvement Assoc.—No report.

            SD Stockgrowers Association:  Maurice Lemke—Endangered Species, brand board issues, and prairie dog population exploding.

            SD Assoc. Of County Comm.:  Maurice Lemke—Suggest meeting with county commissioners with reports.

            SD Cattlemen’s Association—No report.

            SD No-Till Association—No report.

            Weed & Pest—No report.

            Agronomy & Pest Management—No report.

            Ag Economics—No report.

            Animal Science—No report.

            Natural Resources—No report.

            Horticulture & Turfgrass—No report.

            Aquaculture—No report.

            Public Relations & Ag Issues:  Heather Gessner—Public Relations brochure working with NC Region.

            Early Career Development:  Lanette Butler—Annual meeting has some materials for new people.

            Administrative Skills Dev.—No report.

            Teaching & Educational Technologies:  Bob Fanning—13 entries in communication awards, 6 state winners and one regional finalist.  January issue had entry material, March 15 was the deadline (info can be found on the website).

            4-H and Youth:  Steve Munk—Monthly conference calls, screening volunteers, new 4-H record keeping system to replace ShowWorks & Blue Ribbon, and Robotics kits.

            Extension Programs—No report.

            Professional Excellence—No report.

            Recognition & Awards:  Robin Salverson—AA is Rod Geppert and DSA is Mike Huber.

            Scholarship:  Chuck Langner—Recommend that the chair of committee serve as committee chair for 3-4 years.  Scholarship information has been updated and can be picked up on the back table (attachment G).

            SD Livestock Foundation:  Jim Krantz—SDCAA should have representation

            4-H Foundation:  John Keimig—Funding for Character Counts, want to do a $ 5 million endowment, and encourage county fund raising (Phone-a-thon and Face-to-Face).

Other Business:

Maurice Lemke moved to recommend that Ron Fredrick receive the “Friend of SDCAA” in 2008.  Steve Sutera 2^nd.  Motion passed.

Seeing no further business, Kevin Vaith moved to adjourn the meeting.  Don Guthmiller 2^nd.  Motion passed.  Meeting adjourned

Respectfully Submitted,

____________________

Connie Strunk

SDCAA Secretary/Treasurer