Meeting Minutes September 16, 2021

September 16, 2021 Meeting Minutes | Williston Research Extension Center, Williston, ND

The State Board of Agricultural Research and Education met for a regular meeting on September 16, 2021. Present: Mark Birdsall, Doug Goehring, Lance Gulleson, Larry Hoffmann, Greg Lardy, Mark Urquhart, Sarah Lovas, Dean Wehri, Jim Bahm, Dean Bresciani, John Dhuyvetter and Julie Zikmund. Absent: Sen. Jerry Klein, Rep. Tracy Boe and Doug Bichler.

Chair Birdsall called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. He welcomed everyone in attendance and asked for introductions.

Approve the agenda

MOTION: Jim Bahm made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Seconded by Larry Hoffman. Motion carried.

Approval of June 29, 2021 Meeting Minutes

MOTION: Sarah Lovas made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Seconded by Dean Wehri. Motion carried.

Comments from Mark Birdsall, SBARE Chair

Chairman Birdsall shared how great Field Days went for each REC and that the participation and attendance was great. While virtual meetings work well, it was great to have participants attend in person. He thanked all the directors and their staff for doing a great job. The ND Leader Showmanship event was fun and gave leaders an opportunity to visit with 4-H students. The AES Greenhouse renaming ceremony went well and had great attendance. It was a great day to honor Jack Dalrymple.

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

Dr. Lardy thanked the Williston REC for their hospitality. He provided an update on the open positions/searches that are currently happening. Currently, the search committees have been formed for the ABEN chair, ANSC Head, and full-time AES Director positions. He thanked Tim Faller for his time as he recently retired. Blaine Schatz is now the new assistant director for the ND AES. Blaine’s REC position will now need to be filled.

Dr. Lardy advised that the renaming ceremony went very well and the Jack Dalrymple family was pleased and thankful. He echoed Mark’s comments regarding the success of REC Field Days.

Dr. Lardy gave a brief update on the Ag Product Development Center; funding raising is going well.

A strategic planning committee was formed, made up of a variety of individuals. This committee is tasked with forming the Ag Affairs Strategic plan for the next five years. There is a survey being sent out, Dr. Lardy invited everyone to complete the survey as it helps in the planning process to better serve the state of North Dakota.

Administrative Update from Lynette Flage, Associate Director of NDSU Extension

Dr. Flage provided a little bit more information regarding the ND Leader Showmanship Event that Mark mentioned. It was the first one and it was a huge success; therefore, the plan is to make it an annual event.

The Rural Leadership North Dakota Director interviews are wrapping up and hope to have a new director in place soon. There are still some administrative searches happening.

Dr. Flage traveled to SDSU to see what livestock opportunities are to get ideas for North Dakota. She advised that we need to be creative with open positions and look at the needs across the state.

The web is up and running; still a process/big project, but a lot more people are trained and making good progress. There is also now an archive in place with the library – anything older than five years will be archived so that helps keep the web current. Ag Hub is an excellent resource.

NDSU President Bresciani

President Bresciani thanked the legislators for recognizing that higher education. He advised on the status of the new buildings on campus; enrollment is going up despite the reports that enrollment is down; students are happy to be back on campus – even though they have to wear masks in the classroom. He also noted how great it is to see students graduate from Universities in North Dakota and choose to stay in here, work and raise a family.

New and Emerging Crops Committee

MOTION: President Bresciani made a motion to approve Kevin Kinsler to the role. Seconded by Lance Gulleson. Motion Carried.

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

Review Process for Listening/Input Sessions

Dr. Lardy asked for feedback/input for the upcoming listening sessions. Board agreed that getting the word out will be beneficial. There are may ways a person can provide testimony. People can send letters, attend in person, via zoom and complete a "stakeholder input request" link on the website.

Planning for 2023 Legislative Session

Engagement with local legislators in the interim
Visit with legislators; connect with local people; get engaged and have a clear message and stay on point regarding the priorities. It is critical to have the same message.

Elections, Recognition

The nominating committee, Sen. Jerry Klein and Keith Peltier, nominated Sarah Lovas as chair and Jim Bahm as vice chair.

MOTION: Julie Zikmund made a motion to accept Sarah Lovas as the chair. Seconded by John Dhuyvetter. Motion Carried.

MOTION: Sarah Lovas made a motion to accept Jim Bahm as vice chair. Seconded by President Bresciani. Motion carried.

The Board recognized Mark Birdsall for his years of service as the chair to SBARE and presented him with a rocking chair. Mark gave a few comments and thanked the board. Then, he passed the gavel to Sarah Lovas, new chair.

Program Reports and Highlights

Soil pH Research – Dr. Chris Augustin, DREC director, provided information about soil pH. pH is the concentration of hydrogen and impact the plant nutrient availability; lime is for acidic soils; he advised to be site specific with pH management; current work is being done for recommendations for ND soils with ND data; $50/ton hauled from Sidney and applied in Minot/Lefor.
Soil Testing Laboratory Update – Dr. Frank Casey, Associate Director, gave a presentation on the NDSU soil testing laboratory. Gave an overview of the vision for STL; current challenges and opportunities as well as resources needed.
Extension’s response to the drought – Dr. Charlie Stoltenow, Assistant Director and Program Leader, ANR, gave a presentation detailing what extension is doing to help provide education and information regarding the drought and the impact in North Dakota.
Williams County 4-H and volunteer development update – Kelly Leo, Williams County Extension Agent, ANR, provided an update on 4-H and the positive impact on the community.

Round Table discussion with area legislators.

Meeting adjourned 1:44 p.m.

Tour of WREC including the new seed conditioning facility.
Optional Tour of the Nesson Valley Irrigation Site led by Jerry Bergman

Respectfully submitted,
Melissa Schwengler