Meeting Minutes January 12-13, 2022

January 12, 2022 Meeting Minutes | Fargo, ND

The State Board of Agricultural Research and Education met for a regular meeting on January 12, 2022. Present: Jim Bahm, Doug Bichler, Mark Birdsall, Dean Bresciani, Doug Goehring, Lance Gulleson, Larry Hoffmann, Sen. Jerry Klein, Greg Lardy, Sarah Lovas, Mark Urquhart, Dean Wehri and Julie Zikmund. Lynette Flage also in attendance. Present via zoom: John Dhuyvetter. Absent: Rep. Tracy Boe.

Chair Lovas called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and welcomed everyone in attendance.

Approval of December 7, 2021 Meeting Minutes

MOTION: Jim Bahm made a motion to approve the December 7, 2021 meeting minutes as presented. Seconded by Larry Hoffmann. Motion carried.

Administrative Updates from Greg Lardy, VP for Agricultural Affairs, Dean, Director, Director

Administrative positions update:

Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) Associate Director finalist presentations/interviews are in process. Dr. Frank Casey presented on Monday, January 10th. Dr. Mohamed Khan will present Tuesday, January 25th.

Dr. Leon Schumacher, Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Chair, started January 3rd and Dr. Heidi Pecoraro Director of the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, started January 4th.

Dr. Guillermo Scaglia, Animal Sciences Head, will start March 31, 2022. Other searches continue including the Carrington Research Extension Center Director.

The planning process for the Peltier complex continues to move forward. Fundraising efforts in 2022 will include equipment and other fixtures for the building. NDSU faculty, staff, and students appreciate all support for those involved. Estimating May 2022 construction.

Dr. Lardy encouraged SBARE Legislative engagement and gave updates on the AES Civil Rights Audit update and completion of work from the Strategic Plan Committee.

Administrative Update from Lynette Flage, Associate Director of NDSU Extension

Update on three positions that should be filled by fall 2022. Search for Interim Assistant Director of Agriculture & Natural Resources as Dr. Charlie Stoltenow has accepted a position as Dean and Director of Nebraska Extension. Search for two permanent assistant directors (currently filled on an interim basis by Carrie Johnson – Family and Community Wellness and LeighAnn Skurupey – 4-H Youth Development).

Dr. Flage gave an updated on the 2021-2023 Legislative Extension funded positions in recruitment for Big Data, Livestock Development and Farm Safety.

Update from Doug Goehring, Office of the ND Agriculture Commissioner

Chair Lovas took a moment to ask for introductions.

Prioritization Process and Comments/Introductions from Sarah Lovas, SBARE Chair

A preliminary discussion began regarding submitted testimony. Three sheets containing stakeholder input items were distributed to the board. Chair Lovas instructed Board members to vote for five selections of importance from each category (NDSU Extension priorities, ND Agricultural Experiment Station priorities and capital projects). The selections did not need to be ranked. The documentation was handed in and was compiled. Each member was given the opportunity to speak and expand on their selections.

Administrative Updates from Dean Bresciani, President of NDSU

President Dean Bresciani provided NDSU updates and noted that NDSU experienced its third year of freshman class growth.

Chair Lovas instructed the board that the prioritization process would continue the following day.

The meeting adjourned at 2 p.m. for the day.

Respectfully submitted,
Melissa Schwengler

January 13, 2022 Meeting Minutes | Fargo, ND

The State Board of Agricultural Research and Education met for a regular meeting on January 13, 2022. Present: Jim Bahm, Doug Bichler, Mark Birdsall, Dean Bresciani, John Dhuyvetter, Lance Gulleson, Larry Hoffmann, Greg Lardy, Sarah Lovas, Mark Urquhart, Dean Wehri and Julie Zikmund. Lynette Flage also in attendance. Absent: Rep. Tracy Boe, Doug Goehring and Sen. Jerry Klein.

Chair Lovas called the meeting to order at 8:32 a.m. She welcomed everyone in attendance.

Prioritization Process

The prioritization process began with a discussion on previous priorities from last biennium. The board then began preliminary discussion on the ranking of Extension priorities, capital projects and AES priorities.

The board will invite discussion on land bases and plans to ask for a brief report on REC land bases at a summer meeting.

MOTION: Mark Birdsall moved that a best practices guideline for recognizing land donations be drafted. Blaine Schatz and Greg Lardy are directed to work on the draft. Seconded by Larry Hoffmann. Motion carried.

The board discussed the need for information from the Department of Agriculture about their agriculture research and educational efforts to support beekeeping industry in North Dakota. Employee retention and operating support were also discussed

The next prioritization process meeting will be held January 20, 2022 in Bismarck.

MOTION: Motion by Jim Bahm to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Mark Birdsall. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned 12:56 p.m.