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____________________________________________
MONTHLY
UPDATE
News for C-FAR Members
Illinois Council on Food and Agricultural
Research
March/April 2008
Early spring greetings from C-FAR. We are all obviously
looking for the weather to start resembling the spring season!
With the heavy winter meeting season over, including that
for C-FAR, we certainly appreciate all who have engaged
over the past few months. Highlights of the past month include…
EXTERNAL PROPOSALS
PRIORITIZED
The five working groups (WG) have met and prioritized proposals
submitted to the FY09 External Competitive Grants Program.
While we invited a fewer number of full proposals this year,
the WGs' challenge of prioritizing these proposals was likely
greater than it has been in many years. The reason was due
to the exceptional quality of proposals submitted, and we
extend our thanks to Illinois' research community for putting
forth such sound proposals.
In the end, of the 27 proposals reviewed, the WGs identified
12 that were highly deserving of being funded. The number
of these proposals that will be funded hinges directly on
the FY09 appropriation level, which will not be known until
the Governor and Illinois General Assembly enact the state's
FY09 budget.
A PERSONAL OBSERVATION:
WORKING GROUP DYNAMICS
Although I have been part of numerous WG meetings, I remain
deeply impressed with the dynamic that occurs. This past
month, during the WG meetings I referenced above, I witnessed
a process that we may take for granted.
Around these WG tables were private sector professionals
representing numerous food and agricultural interests and
science-based experts from throughout Illinois' research
community. I can't do justice here to explain just how vibrant
these discussions were in determining which proposals to
fund. Suffice to say there is a tremendous amount of sharing
and learning - and the cumulative result of these deliberations
for the public good is infinite. I am extremely proud of
how carefully, and thoughtfully, these decisions are made.
Thanks to each of you who participated in these meetings.
FY09 STATE BUDGET
There is nothing substantive to report on the development
of the State of Illinois FY09 budget; the Illinois General
Assembly was on Easter/spring break the last two weeks of
March. As I reported last month, the Governor's proposed
FY09 budget includes a $4.275 million appropriation for
food and agricultural research via C-FAR. The state budget
development will of course continue to be monitored by the
C-FAR leadership.
COMMITTEE CHAIRS APPOINTED
Upon the recommendation of Chairman Nels Kasey, the Board
of Directors has concurred with the following committee
chair appointments for the next year:
—Legislative - Steve Scates, Chair and Alan Puzey,
Vice Chair
—Membership - Jim Charlesworth
—Nominating - Jack Erisman
—Research - Jerry Hicks, Chair and Chuck Cawley, Vice
Chair
—Rules and Procedures - Dennis Thompson
Over the next month, Chairman Kasey will consider member
appointments to these committees and seek the Board's concurrence.
If you have an interest in serving on one of these committees,
please let me know at your earliest convenience.
DESERVED RECOGNITION
I am pleased to share very deserving recognition of two
C-FAR member leaders. First, Karen Little, C-FAR Secretary/Treasurer
and member of the Board was recognized as the 2008 Outstanding
Dietitian of the Year by the Illinois Dietetic Association.
This is a statewide award and Karen was selected by her
peers from among nominees across the state. Congratulations
Karen… what a tremendous professional honor!
Former C-FAR Board member and long-term advocate Carol
Keiser Long, will be honored as this year's recipient of
the University of Illinois Distinguished Service Award
at the university's May commencement. This prestigious award
is presented annually by the U of I Alumni Association.
For all Carol has done for her alma mater and Illinois agriculture,
this is also a richly deserved honor. Congratulations Carol!
As we look to the month of April…
QUIET MEETING SCHEDULE
With so many C-FAR members being producers, we will not
be scheduling any meetings in April or May unless absolutely
necessary. Our producer colleagues and related professionals
will obviously be in the fields for planting as soon as
the weather allows.
C-FAR REPRESENTATIVES
Annually, we work with the contact person for each of our
Organizational and Affiliate members to confirm and seek
potential changes to their representatives (including working
group representatives) to C-FAR. Reminder… each Organizational
and Affiliate member has a "main contact person"
who is responsible for communicating changes regarding their
C-FAR representatives.
Often, members take this opportunity to re-commit their
representatives and/or to enlist new representatives. During
the next month, we will be communicating with every Organizational
and Affiliate contact person in this regard.
SIUC AG INDUSTRY DAY
Dean Gary Minish and the SIUC College of Agricultural Sciences
have announced the 4th Annual Agriculture Industry Day will
be held Friday, April 18. The event runs from 9 a.m. to
3 p.m. at the University Farms in Carbondale. A full day
of workshops is planned along with Senator Dick Durbin and
WGN's Orion Samuelson being scheduled to attend and speak.
For more information, visit http://www.coas.siu.edu/default2.asp?active_page_id=1336,
call 618.453.2469, or send email to sharonr@siu.edu.
C-FAR 15th ANNIVERSARY
REFLECTION
Did you realize… C-FAR was established in 1993 for
two very distinct purposes? These founding principles remain
true today - (1) to advocate for an increased state investment
in food and agricultural research, and (2) to provide meaningful
private sector engagement with our state's research community.
This focused mission allows a broad-based coalition, such
as C-FAR enjoys, to remain solidly affixed on a vibrant
and sound set of research programs for our state's food
and agricultural industry.
Kraig
Sports Notes: With March Madness drawing to a close,
there is little to cheer about in terms of Illinois basketball
programs. There are many of us therefore, who are grateful
that opening day for many Major League Baseball teams is
today - March 31! Go
Cubs!
_______________________________________________________
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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