February 23, 2001

Largest C-FAR Membership Gathers in Springfield for Annual Meeting

URBANA--The Illinois Council on Food and Agricultural Research (C-FAR), comprised of 64 organizational, 36 affiliate, and over 140 individual members, held its annual meeting on February 20th at the Renaissance Springfield Hotel in Springfield. Highlights include meetings of the five C-FAR working groups, presentation of the 2001 Achievement Award, election of the 2001 Board of Directors and working group leaders, key decisions made on proposed changes to the C-FAR bylaws and policy additions, and special recognition given to past chairman.

Kevin Wright, Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor George H. Ryan, joined meeting activities to present the 2001 C-FAR Achievement Award. This year's award was presented to the twelve member The Value Project research team: Burton Swanson (project leader), Mohamed Samy, Linda Eilks, Darrel Good, Emerson Nafziger, Rita Frerichs, and Andrew Sofranko from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Michael Roegge and Peter Fandel from University of Illinois Extension; and Norman Walzer, Christopher Merrett, and Mary Holmes from Western Illinois University. The team's innovative approach and outstanding performance is making great strides in improving Illinois farm income and strengthening rural communities through value-added agriculture.

At the meeting, Chairman Terry Wolf (Homer) announced that he was stepping down as chairman and that he greatly enjoyed the four years he served in this capacity. "C-FAR is a very unique, special organization. We are leading the nation in the partnerships we have formed and have a level of engagement among stakeholders that is unmatched," said Wolf. "Our success has led to C-FAR being used as a national model." Elected to serve on the six-person 2001 Board of Directors were: Fred Bradshaw (Griggsville), Constance Locher Bussard (Springfield), David Downs (Allerton), and Alan Puzey (Fairmount). They join Carol Keiser (Champaign) and Jack Erisman (Pana). Officers will be elected at the Board of Directors meeting on March 13. Wolf will serve in an ex officio capacity as past chair. He also is serving as President on the Board of Directors of the National Coalition for Food and Agricultural Research (National C-FAR).

During the meetings of the five C-FAR working groups, the 2001 chairs and vice chairs were elected:

Expanding Agricultural Markets: Nels Kasey (Paris), Chair and Roger Hubele (Enfield), Vice Chair

Rural Economic Development: A. J. Harland (Lafayette), Chair and Kevin Brussell (Casey), Vice Chair

Agricultural Production Systems: Brent Bidner (Monticello), Chair and Don Doehring (Windsor), Vice Chair

Human Nutrition and Food Safety: Carol Meyer (Steeleville), Chair and Karen Little (Pleasant Plains), Vice Chair

Natural Resources: Susan Adams (Atlanta), Chair and Rollie Moore (Oneida), Vice Chair

Key decisions were made on proposed changes to the C-FAR bylaws and policy additions. A proposal to lower the quorum percentage from 50% to 40% of voting members for transaction of business requiring a vote was not approved. The membership felt that attendance and participation of C-FAR members is critically important and must remain a top priority. A proposed Conflict of Interest Statement was discussed and adopted by the membership with minor revisions. The membership also deliberated over a proposed 5% increase to the External Competitive Grants Program (from 15% to 20%) pending an increase in the FY02 C-FAR appropriation. This recommendation was also approved.

During the meeting, special recognition was given to W. Lyle Roberts, Jr. (Bloomington), a C-FAR founding member who has served on the Board of Directors since 1993. He received recognition for his outstanding dedication and commitment to C-FAR and its mission. Roberts stressed the importance of C-FAR's continued effort to build on the diversity of its members.

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