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____________________________________________
MONTHLY
UPDATE
News for C-FAR Members
Illinois Council on Food and Agricultural
Research
February/March 2008
Greetings from C-FAR. And as we are all talking about,
let's trust that spring is near! First, a look back on February's
highlights include…
C-FAR ANNUAL MEETING
Thank you to the 105 members and special guests who attended
this important meeting. We regret that inclement weather
in some parts of the state prevented a few from attending.
Regardless of your attendance, please take a few minutes
to visit our website which has a great recap, including
photos, of the day. See http://www.ilcfar.org/wnew/index.html#annual
Shortly after the annual meeting, you received meeting highlights
via email. If you want to revisit these highlights, a link
is provided at this webpage.
With 2008 being C-FAR's 15th anniversary, the annual meeting
included a few reflections on this milestone. C-FAR long-standing
members Norbert Soltwedel and Jack Norman provided excellent
remarks in this regard, and Illinois AgriNews (February
22 issue) ran a very nice article on what these two gentlemen
conveyed. I think you'll find it of interest. Click
here
RESEARCH REPORTS AVAILABLE
At the annual meeting, two very important reports were shared
- final reports of C-FAR projects which matured this past
year and the FY08 Research Portfolio. The latter is a listing
of every initiative funded in the current fiscal year (2008).
Both of these publications are available upon request -
just send me an email or call our office. In addition, the
FY08 Research Portfolio is available on our website at http://www.ilcfar.org/research/pdfs/FY08_portfolio.pdf
FY09 STATE OF ILLINOIS
BUDGET PROPOSED
The Governor delivered his annual budget address during
mid-February, outlining various initiatives and priorities.
The FY09 budget he presented included an appropriation for
food and agricultural research via C-FAR of $4.275 million.
The Board of Directors, on behalf of the C-FAR membership,
has indicated their appreciation for this proposed appropriation.
They look forward to engaging in the budget development
process this spring to ensure the needs of this appropriation
are fully understood.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MEET
In addition to reviewing the proposed FY09 State of Illinois
budget, as noted above, the following are highlights of
their meeting:
—Welcomed new Board members Chuck Cawley and Wally
Furrow - who were elected by the C-FAR membership at the
annual meeting
—Expressed support for the basic tenets of an initiative
entitled 25 x '25 (a national renewable energy alliance).
A formal endorsement, however, was not deemed to be an appropriate
measure for C-FAR
—Reviewed a summary of annual meeting evaluations (submitted
by attendees). The feedback was very positive, and Directors
discussed relatively small potential changes to next year's
annual meeting
—Reviewed the current status of 2008 membership renewals.
While the vast majority of last year's members have renewed,
a few additional members' renewals are anticipated.
—Were provided an update on various research programs
and allocations
—Approved an engagement letter from the Illinois Agricultural
Auditing Association to retain their services in conducting
an audit of the dues-based accounts for the fiscal year
ending June 30, 2008
—Approved a one-year extension to the agreement with
the current legislative consulting firm
2008 OFFICERS
ELECTED
Also at the C-FAR Board of Directors meeting, elections
for 2008 officers were held. Newly elected officers are:
Chairman - Nels Kasey
Vice Chairman - Jerry Hicks
Secretary/Treasurer - Karen Little
As we warmly share our appreciation to Alan Puzey for serving
as C-FAR's Chairman the past six years, we look forward
to Chairman Kasey's leadership. Nels was first elected to
the C-FAR Board in 2003 and comes to C-FAR as a representative
of the Illinois Seed Trade Association. He is a co-owner
of a seed company located in Paris, Illinois and directs
the company's sales and research divisions. Nels also operates
a small grain farm and raises sheep and cattle. He is a
graduate of Lake Land College and the University of Illinois
at Urbana-Champaign. Nels, his wife Autumn, and their children
live in Ashmore.
We appreciate not only Nels's willingness to serve, but
each of these officers and members of the Board.
2007 ANNUAL REPORT
If you haven't already received it, the 2007 C-FAR Annual
Report will soon be landing in your mailbox. The report
very appropriately captures membership highlights and summaries
of research that matured during the past year. Kudos to
my staff associates - LeAnn Ormsby for orchestrating its
complete development and Arena Jackson for her work with
the report's format and design. We are fortunate to have
such expertise "in-house!"
Please take some time to review the report.
A look forward to March…
WORKING GROUP MEETINGS
Our working groups will meet during early March to review
and prioritize for funding proposals submitted to the FY09
External Competitive Grants Program. These funding prioritizations
will not, however, be executed until the FY09 C-FAR appropriation
is enacted by the State of Illinois. This particular research
program is funded at 15% of the total annual appropriation
- per the Food and Agriculture Research Act.
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
RESEARCH ACT
As I shared above under the Board meeting highlights, the
members of the Board re-visited the State of Illinois legislation
that enables an appropriation for food and agriculture research
via C-FAR. It is entitled the Food and Agriculture Research
Act, and it took effect July 1, 1995 - the first day of
FY96 which was the first year of a C-FAR appropriation.
This act's language is very good - as many of you have
heard me say. From the importance of food and agriculture
in Illinois, to the necessity of a sound research program
to support it, to the role of C-FAR, it was very well constructed.
Please consider taking a few minutes to review this important
piece of legislation. It is available at http://www.ilcfar.org/organization/foodact.html
COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIPS
We anticipate Chairman Kasey and the Board of Directors
acting upon committee chairmanships and memberships over
the next month. The committees to be considered are legislative,
membership, nominating, and rules and procedures. Research
committee member elections and appointments are made in
odd-numbered years for two-year terms of service.
If you are interested in serving on one of these committees,
please let me know.
BEST WISHES
TO CHUCK
As many of you now know, Illinois Department of Agriculture
Director Chuck Hartke resigned as of February 29. This farmer,
former legislator, and Agriculture Director will be sorely
missed. His great service to Illinois agriculture, and the
State of Illinois, has been undeniable. C-FAR particularly
expresses appreciation to Chuck for his steadfast support
of our organization and for the sound food and agricultural
research we seek on a daily basis.
From all of us Chuck, our very best and indeed, thank you!
Kraig
Sports Notes: With March madness just around the
corner, we Illinoisans may have little to cheer about unless
one of our college basketball teams is one of those "cinderellas"
during the tournament. But if not, just remember…opening
day for the 2007 Central Champion Chicago Cubs is March
31st at the Friendly Confines.
_______________________________________________________
Kraig A. Wagenecht, Executive Administrator
Illinois Council on Food & Agricultural Research (C-FAR)
1101 W. Peabody Drive
Urbana, IL 61801
217.244.4232
Fax: 217.244.8594
e-mail: wagenech@uiuc.edu
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