Meeting Minutes June 5, 2020

June 5, 2020 Meeting Minutes | Zoom

The State Board of Agricultural Research and Education met for a regular meeting on June 5, 2020 via Zoom platform. Present: Jim Bahm, Doug Bichler, Mark Birdsall, Dean Bresciani, Lance Gulleson, Larry Hoffmann, Jerry Klein, Greg Lardy, Brian Leier, Sarah Lovas, Dean Wehri and Julie Zikmund. Tom Bodine attended on behalf of Doug Goehring. Absent: Tracy Boe and Richard Roland.

Chair Birdsall called the meeting to order at 9:36 a.m. He welcomed everyone in attendance, and asked those attending online to make introductions.

Approval of April 3, 2020 Meeting Minutes

MOTION: Larry Hoffmann moved to approve the April 3, 2020 meeting minutes as presented; seconded by Brian Leier. Motion passed.

Administrative Updates from Dean Bresciani, President of North Dakota State University

President Bresciani noted that classes and work were conducted remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic, but indicated that NDSU is one of the first research universities to plan to resume classroom teaching in the fall. The Dunbar Hall replacement is underway.

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

Dr. Lardy addressed the budget, noting that a hiring slowdown is in place and two administrative searches, Animal Sciences Department Head and Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department Chair, are suspended. The interim head and chair have agreed to serve for an additional year. The search for Agribiome faculty is in the final stages. There were 10 applicants for the Associate Director of Extension position. COVID-19 planning teams are working on guidelines. A request will be submitted to the emergency Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economics Security (CARES) Act. The unit has successfully undergone an internal audit by the State Auditor’s Office.

Tom Bodine, Deputy Commissioner, provided an update from the North Dakota Agriculture Department.

Comments from Mark Birdsall, SBARE Chair

Chair Birdsall stated that John Dhuyvetter was approved by the State Board of Higher Education as a new member to SBARE effective July 1. He will replace Richard Roland as a multiunit Extension representative.

Birdsall stated that Wendy Breitbach accepted a new position off campus. A resolution of appreciation was presented to the board by Sarah Lovas.

WHEREAS Wendy Breitbach worked hard as SBARE’s Administrative Support.
WHEREAS Wendy Breitbach has done an excellent job assisting SBARE by keeping the business of board organized and flowing seamlessly.
WHEREAS Wendy Breitbach has accepted a new position at Eventide Senior Living as an Executive Assistant.
LET IT BE RESOLVED: that SBARE is extremely grateful to Wendy for the time she gave SBARE and SBARE wishes her much success in her new endeavor.

MOTION: Sarah Lovas moved to accept resolution as accepted; seconded by Julie Zikmund. Motion passed.

Governor’s Budget Guidelines

Discussion was held on Governor Burgum’s budget guidelines for budget reductions in state agencies. The North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station and NDSU Extension were among the agencies asked to submit a 15% reduction; the Research Extension Centers were classified at the 5% reduction tier.

The budget will be submitted this summer to the Internet Budget Analysis and Reporting System (IBARS), the online application that state agencies use to prepare their biennial budgets.

MOTION: Sarah Lovas made a motion to submit the number one initiative for Extension (Livestock), and number one initiative for the Agricultural Experiment Station (Big Data), as part of the biennial budget submission. Motion seconded by Jerry Klein. Motion passed.

Priority Discussion

The board discussed leaving the full priority lists intact in going forward to make the legislature aware of initiatives as there was considerable work and stakeholder testimony included in the process. The board continued discussion on the Governor’s budget guidelines.

MOTION: Larry Hoffmann made a motion to request restoration of the 15% budget cut and then move forward with the top two priorities from Extension and NDAES; seconded by Sarah Lovas. Motion passed.

Promotion Efforts

The Research Extension Centers (REC) are planning for Field Days. Some RECs may go forward with small socially-distanced group sessions while others are planning virtual meetings. NDSU Agriculture Communication is working with administrators on pre-recorded welcomes and other virtual items. The board agreed that talking points would be helpful for board members for upcoming Field Days or other conversations in person or virtually.

MOTION: Jerry Klein made a motion to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Julie Zikmund. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 10:47 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Janelle Quam