August 26, 1999

C-FAR semi-annual meeting draws one of the group's largest crowds; group to seek increased appropriation for biotechnology and value-added research.

The number of members of the Illinois Council on Food and Agricultural Research keeps climbing, and so does the participation in C-FAR meetings and activities. More than 150 people recently attended the group's semi-annual meeting at the Illinois Department of Agriculture in Springfield.

Among agenda items discussed was the FY01 state appropriation that C-FAR would request. Members agreed to pursue $18 million, a $3 million increase over FY00. The C-FAR board of directors will appoint a committee to investigate options for targeting $3 million to biotechnology and value-added research, two areas that have been identified by state officials as critical for Illinois. This committee will prepare a proposed plan of action that will be presented to the full membership at their next semi-annual meeting, scheduled for February 2000.

Joan Messina, assistant director at IDoA, congratulated C-FAR members for their success in bringing attention to the need for greater state investment in food and agriculture research. She emphasized that because C-FAR is still a relatively new organization in the eyes of state government, it's important that it work hard to prove itself and its mission.

Carol Keiser, C-FAR board member and membership chair from Carlinville, reported an increase of more than 20 percent in the number of new C-FAR members in the last year. "We currently have 62 Organizational members, 22 Affiliate members and more than 140 Individual members," Keiser said.

Jack Erisman, C-FAR board member and research chair from Pana, encouraged members to take an active role in reviewing progress and outcomes of C-FAR-funded research so they could make sound recommendations to scientists about the direction of research.

In his remarks, executive administrator Kraig Wagenecht recognized the efforts of all C-FAR members, and in particular, the board of directors, working group leadership and committees who volunteer their time and expertise. "C-FAR has not succeeded by luck. It has succeeded because the best and most committed have pledged themselves to making C-FAR the best it can be," Wagenecht said. He also talked about partnerships developed as a result of C-FAR. "We hear the word partnership everyday, but few instances can be as true and meaningful as when it is used with C-FAR." He referred to partnerships with state government, among C-FAR members and with universities who receive funding through C-FAR.

Before the general membership meeting, the five working groups met to review research progress and results in their respective areas. C-FAR working group members play a key role in determining the types of research projects that C-FAR will fund. C-FAR members provide input through the working group process.

C-FAR is a statewide coalition organized to support relevant, high-quality research and related outreach programs for Illinois' food and agricultural systems.

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