BOARD OF AGRICULTURE Supporting University of Maine Agriculture - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

BOARD OF AGRICULTURE Supporting University of Maine Agriculture & Food Research and Extension David K. Bell, Chair

BOA Legislative Charge Advise UMS chancellor and University of Maine president on operations and management of • Ag Experiment Station programs including experimental farms • Cooperative Extension

Board of Agriculture Formation • Legislature—1997 • Mid-1990s, university budget cuts—Highmoor Farm • Legislature recognized importance of research & development • 7 R&D Sectors including forestry and agriculture • MEIF—R&D funding Photo by Edwin Remsberg.

BOA Successes – 15 Years • Maine Economic Improvement Funding (MEIF)—university farms • Key university ag/food positions filled—MEIF help • Joint research and extension faculty • Access to University of Maine leadership • “Relatively” stable university and federal budgets Photo by Edwin Remsberg.

Maine Economic Improvement Fund (Research & Development $) MEIF Funding Supports: • Experimental farms, garden, and greenhouse operations • Ag research and extension positions • Food processing and safety: research and extension • Maine Ag Center seed grants Photo by Edwin Remsberg. Photo by Edwin Remsberg.

UMaine Agriculture Research & Extension • Relatively strong compared to other New England states • Because of support by – AgCom – ME Farm Bureau – Crop and farm groups – BOA • 1990s—budget wakeup— legislative actions • Advocacy for ag R&D (Extension) funding

Ag Research & Extension Challenges Anew BOA late 2013–2014: • Decade of cumulative “small budget cuts” • University of Maine System— structural budget gap, ag impacts • University tuition-driven budgets • Land grant—university leadership concerns

Board of Agriculture—Winter 2014 • Heightened concerns university ag research and extension capacity • Must address university budget impacts Photo by Edwin Remsberg. • Must engage UMaine president & UMS chancellor • Need to increase ag research and extension support and advocacy

Board of Agriculture — 2014 • Multiple meetings UMaine president (new) and UMS chancellor • Focus on human capital— research and extension faculty Photos by Edwin Remsberg. • ID current critical faculty resources • ID critical faculty needs • ID near retirements as Photo by Edwin Remsberg. capacity concern

Board of Agriculture — 2015 • Work with chancellor and president (and key administrators) on critical Photo by Edwin Remsberg. university human capacity needs • Educate legislature on ag/food R&D (extension) opportunities • Support university budget and MEIF • Engage ag community Photo by Edwin Remsberg.

UMaine Ag & Food, Research/Extension Your Support Needed • Speak to legislators—Importance UMaine ag and food research and extension (development)—Ag economic growth • Support MEIF R&D funding—State budget • Support University of Maine budget • DACF Commissioner—IPM priority for USDA- Specialty Crop block grants • Clearly articulate research and extension needs to university leaders

Board of Agriculture Thank You for Your Support Questions? Photo by Edwin Remsberg. Photo by Edwin Remsberg.