Meeting Minutes June 29, 2021

June 29, 2021 Meeting Minutes | Fargo

The State Board of Agricultural Research and Education met for a regular meeting on June 29, 2021. Present: Doug Bichler, Mark Birdsall, Doug Goehring, Lance Gulleson, Larry Hoffmann, Greg Lardy, Brian Leier, Sarah Lovas and Dean Wehri. Absent: Jim Bahm, Rep. Tracy Boe, Dean Bresciani, John Dhuyvetter, Sen. Jerry Klein and Julie Zikmund.

Chair Birdsall called the meeting to order at 10:07 a.m. He welcomed everyone in attendance and asked for introductions.

Approval of February 22, 2021 Meeting Minutes

MOTION: Lance Gulleson made motion to approve the minutes as presented. Seconded by Doug Bichler. Motion carried.

Contract for administration of the Agricultural Research Fund (ARF)

1. Contract renewal was reviewed and discussed.
   MOTION: Larry Hoffmann made motion to accept the contract for the next biennium. Seconded by Brian Leier. Motion carried.
2. Membership of New and Emerging Crops Committee - membership replacement. Tim Geinert of Geinert Gardens was suggested as a potential candidate by the NDSU Department of Plant Sciences.
   MOTION: Sarah Lovas made motion to accept the nomination of Tim Geinert. Seconded by Dean Wehri. Motion Carried.

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

Dr. Lardy provided an overview of the initiatives that were funded during this legislative session. There will be continued work to seek additional funds for the Big Data initiative. He advised that with the capital projects, anything over $250,000 will require the involvement of an architect. The APDC/NCI building received a naming right gift from the Peltier family, who continue to support the work we are doing. A Strategic planning committee has been formed for Agricultural Affairs. Dr. Lardy advised of the administrative searches that are being conducted right now. These positions were placed on hold during budget cuts; however, we are now able to move forward with filling them. These positions include Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Chair, Department of Animal Sciences Head, Assistant Director of the ND Agricultural Experiment Station (NDAES), and Associate Director of the NDAES. Dr. Lardy thanked the individuals who are currently filling those roles on an interim basis. The Ag Communication Director position was recently filled by Kristin Harner.

Dr. Lardy advised the board about the upcoming NDAES Greenhouse renaming ceremony, which will be held at NDSU on August 20 at 10 AM in honor of Former Governor Jack Dalrymple. Invitations will be going out soon.

Administrative Update from Lynette Flage, Associate Director of NDSU Extension

Dr. Flage provided an overview of the SBARE initiatives of Livestock, Agriculture Health and Safety as well as Big Data. She provided a staff update with the filling of two positions on an interim basis and advised that a committee has been formed to seek individuals to hire on a full-time basis. There are two finalists being interviewed for the safety coordinator position.

Extension is working hard to promote the new Ag Hub website, which will house all the data in one place and is mobile friendly. It will be a one stop shop for people as they search for their desired topic. Extension continues to inform and advocate their work across the state. Dr. Flage provided a handout on county Extension initiative status as well as counties potentially affected by NDCC 11-38-01 (2).

Ag Commissioner Doug Goehring provided a brief update of events within his office.

Comments from Mark Birdsall, SBARE Chair

Chairman Birdsall congratulated Mark Urquhart on his new appointment to the SBARE board effective 7/1/21; Sarah Lovas’ reelection to another SBARE term; and the reappointment of the Legislative representatives, Rep. Tracy Boe and Sen. Jerry Klein, who will continue to represent SBARE. Birdsall reported to the board that Rep. Boe and Sen. Klein were both reappointed to the board as legislative appointees.

Legislative Debrief

1. Budgets and Initiatives in SB 2020
2. Ag Products Development Center (SB 1431)

Chairman Birdsall thanked Greg, Lynette, Dave and Tim for their work on the Legislative sessions and thanked the board for working to rank the initiatives. The board was very thankful for how the session turned out. Having priorities with broad appeal across ND agriculture helps with support throughout the entire state. The zoom meetings allowed great participation and time with Legislators prior to the session. Mark would like to see that continue in future sessions. The “Field to Fork” video was very effective as it was able to highlight how farming affects everyone. Dr. Lardy advised that a united front with strong priorities was important and effective. Dr. Flage echoed their comments regarding how critical a united front is as it helps drive the message of public value and ROI.

Field Day Schedule and SBARE Participation

Dr. Lardy advised that the REC Field Days are coming up in July and asked members of SBARE to sign up to attend as they are able.

Format and Schedule for Fall Listening Sessions

A tentative schedule for the upcoming sessions was presented.

MOTION: Larry Hoffman made a motion to approve the schedule as well as the different formats that are available to provide testimony. Seconded by Dean Wehri. Motion carried.

Election Schedule

Chairman Birdsall advised that he will complete his chair duties in September. He advised that former chair, Keith Peltier, and Sen. Jerry Klein will serve as the nominating committee for the chair and vice chair. They will visit with prospective individuals.

Board Member Recognition

The Board recognized Brian Leier for his eight years of service to SBARE and presented him with an engraved Bison statue. Brian gave a few comments and thanked the board.

Program Reports and Highlights

1. Web Initiative – Dr. Lynette Flage gave updates on the progress of the web initiative project. Bob Bertsch, NDSU Ag Communication web technology specialist, provided a demonstration of the new Ag Hub. The new site is expected to launch the first week of July. www.ag.ndsu.edu/agriculture
2. Agribiome Initiative – Dr. John McEvoy, NDSU Department of Microbiological Sciences Chair, and two of his scientists, Drs. Barry Geddes and Samiran Banerjee, provided presentations to the board on the research that they have been conducting related to soil, plants and animals – to improve the health of livestock (nutrition, reproduction and cow-calf and feedlot management. They also shared the role of the microbiome.
3. Pulse Breeding – Dr. Nonoy Bandillo, NDSU Department of Plant Sciences, gave a presentation on pulse breeding in North Dakota. ND leads the nation in the production of pulse crops. ND and MT account for 70% of the US Pulse production. Yield and quality are top priority!

MOTION: Sarah Lovas moved to adjourn the official portion of meeting prior to the tours. Seconded by Brian Leier. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned 1:43 p.m.

Tours were held for those participants that opted to stay.

1. Waldron Hall (Led by Dr. Rich Horsley, Plant Sciences Head)
2. Beef Cattle Research Complex (Led by Drs. Kendall Swanson, Animal Sciences professor and Marc Bauer, Animal Sciences interim Head)
3. Grand Farm- Jason Andrew and Brian Carroll; and Drs. Caley Gasch, Paulo Flores, and Rex Sun from NDSU

Respectfully submitted,
Melissa Schwengler