by Susan Welsh and Melvin Mathias
* Dr. Catherine Woteki was nominated as the USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety by President Clinton on May 19, 1997. Dr. Woteki has been serving as the REE Acting Under Secretary since June, 1996 when Karl Stauber, who had been in that position, returned to St. Paul, Minnesota to serve as President of the Northwest Area Foundation. Prior to that Dr. Woteki had been the REE Deputy Under Secretary. Prior to joining REE, Cathy served as Acting Associate Director for Science at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. From 1980 to 1983, she worked for USDA as leader of the Food and Diet Appraisal Research Group in the Consumer Nutrition Center, and as acting associate administrator of the former Human Nutrition Information Service. Cathy earned a Ph.D. in nutrition from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. As Under Secretary, she will oversee the Food Safety and Inspection Service, the public health agency responsible for ensuring that meat and poultry products are safe, wholesome, and accurately labeled.
* Shirley Robinson Watkins was nominated as the USDA Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services by President Clinton on May 19, 1997. Ms. Watkins, of Hope, AR, is currently Deputy Assistant Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, USDA. She previously served as Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services and as Director of Nutrition for the Memphis City Schools. As Under Secretary, Ms. Watkins will oversee the Food and Consumer Service, including the Food Stamp Program, the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. Ms. Watkins' work will focus specifically on the development and implementation of policies regarding welfare reform. Ms. Watkins received a B.S. degree from the University of Arkansas and a Masters of Education from the University of Memphis. Ms. Watkins replaces Ellen Haas who resigned as Under Secretary in February 1997.
* Dr. Robert MacDonald was appointed the Scientific Research Grants Advisor for CSREES' Competitive Research Grants and Awards Management unit in March 1997. He is currently Assistant Program Director for the NRI, Natural Resources and Environment Division. He has a Ph.D. from University of Kentucky and was a postdoc in at the University of Colorado before joining the NRI. He will assist in developing program policy, and ways to improve accountability and reporting methods.
* Dr. Robert Koopman was selected as CSREES Deputy Administrator for Rural, Economic, and Social Development in March 1997. Dr. Koopman joined USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS) in 1984 as a specialist on the Soviet Union and since then has served in several positions in ERS including Acting Director for Research in the Commercial Agriculture Division. Since 1996 he had served as Deputy Director for Program Management and Staff Analysis in that Division. Dr. Koopman received his B.S. in Economics from the University of Southern Maine and his Ph.D. in Economics from Boston College.
* Patrick O'Brien has been appointed CSREES Deputy Administrator for Special Programs in March 1997. Mr. O'Brien received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in economics from Catholic University and Johns Hopkins University, respectively. He joined USDA's Economic Research Service in 1972 and has served in a number of different research, staff analysis, and outlook positions in the agency. Mr. O'Brien will concentrate initially on managing the competitive grants component of the USDA Fund for Rural America.
*Dr. Anna Mae Kobbe joined the CSREES Families, 4-H, and Nutrition unit in January 1997 as the National Program Leader for Family and Human Development. Dr. Kobbe was an Associate Professor and Leader, Family Life Section, University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service. She holds a Ph.D. in Human Ecology from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, an M.S. in Child and Family Development from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and a B.S. in Vocational Home Economics from Northwest Missouri State University.
* Dr. Peter Johnson was named Director of CSREES National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program Animals Division and of the Nutrition, Food Safety, and Health Division in December 1996. He has served as Acting Director since 1995. He holds a D.V.M. from Cornell University.
* Dr. Floyd Horn, Administrator, ARS, was named Acting Deputy Under Secretary for REE in October 1996. Edward Knipling, ARS Deputy Administrator, was named ARS Acting Administrator.
* The Heritage Foundation has again put forth a proposal entitled--Balancing America's Budget: Ending the Era of Big Government-- which recommends reorganizing USDA by combining ARS, ERS and CSREES into one small agency. The foundation suggested that funding for the program be cut 50% over the next two years, that USDA research laboratories be privatized, and that the new agency confine itself to awarding small competitive research grants and disseminating information.
A. The Farm Bill:
* The Federal Agricultural Improvement and Reform (FAIR) Act became law in March 1996. http://www.usda.gov/farmbill/index.htm
*The Fund for Rural America was announced on January 17,1997. It was authorized under the 1996 Farm Bill to address the most pressing needs in rural America and to improve the quality of life of its citizens. It provides $100 million annually for 3 years. One third of the fund is dedicated to competitively awarded research, education, and extension grants; one third to rural development administered through existing rural development programs; and one third to be used at the Secretary's discretion. Secretary Glickman designated $20.5 million of the discretionary money for rural development, $10 million for the Secretary's research initiative, which addresses livestock concentration; food safety; gleaning and food recovery; and identification and utilization of phytonutrients with cancer-prevention potential in the design of functional foods; and $2.8 million for a new competitive grant research program to examine ways to improve delivery of agricultural knowledge to rural communities.
* The Fund for Rural America Competitive Grants Program deadline for Planning Grant applications was March 24, 1997 and for Standard Project Grant applications, April 28, 1997. USDA received about 425 proposals for planning grants - at least one application from each state and over 900 participating institutions. The planning grants will provide up to $25,000 for up to six months for the purpose of planning a center. It is anticipated that there will be approximately 15-20 awards made by June 30, 1997 with funding made available by July 15,1997. There may be an opportunity to expand awards through public-private partnerships. Awardees of planning grants will then submit proposals for Centers in January, 1998. CSREES has received approximately 1,100 proposals for standard grants. These proposals will be under review through the summer and into the fall. A RFP announcement for Telecommunications Research grants will be published in the Federal Register in June.
For more information, access Web Site (http://www.reeusda.gov/fra); an e-mail list, which notifies subscribers of new information. Persons wishing to be included on the e-mail list are asked to send an electronic mail message to majordomo@reeusda.gov and to type the following, one-line-only message in the "message" space: subscribe fund for additional information; or contact Elizabeth Tuckermanty 202/401-6251 or etuckermanty@reeusda.gov
* The Fund for Rural America is in danger of being cut as an offset to the $8.4 billion in the pending Disaster Recovery Act of 1997 (supplemental appropriations bill). The House proposed a $20 million cut in the Fund for FY97. Of the $100 million in the Fund, the $54 million for rural development has already been spent, but $46 million allocated to research, extension and education has not yet been spent because of the lengthy competitive grants process. Therefore, the cut would come from the research, extension and education portion. House action will not resume until after June 1st.
* The 1996 Farm Bill authorized a new National Agricultural REE Advisory Board to provide advice on policies and priorities. The Board replaces three USDA panels: Joint Council on Food and Agricultural Sciences, Users Advisory Board, and Agricultural Science and Technology Review Board. Secretary Glickman announced the members on September 13 after nominations had been solicited from more than 600 organizations. Board members, who will serve terms of 1-3 years, include: FRANK BUSTA, St. Paul, MN, University of Minnesota; ZERLE CARPENTER, Bryan, TX, Texas A&M University; GAIL CASSELL, Birmingham, AL, University of Alabama-Birmingham; MARY CLUTTER, Wash, DC, National Science Foundation; JOHN DILLARD, Leland, MS, self-employed farmer; DAN DOOLEY, Visalia, CA, self-employed farmer.KIRK FERRELL, Arlington, VA, National Pork Producers Council; HECTOR GARZA, Silver Spring, MD, American Council on Education; DAVID GIPP, Mandan, ND, United Tribes Technology College; JERRY DON GLOVER, Muleshoe, TX, Texas Corn Producers Board; MILEY GONZALEZ, Las Cruces, NM, Cooperative Extension Service; VICTOR LECHTENBERG, W. LaFayette, IN, Purdue University; THOMAS LYON, Shawano,WI, Cooperative Resources International. SAM MINOR, Washington, PA, The Springhouse Co.; JANICE NIXON, Sterling, CO, Colorado State University Cooperative Extension; RUS NOTAR, Wheaton, MD, National Cooperative Business Association; RALPH PAIGE, LaGrange, GA, Federation of Southern Cooperatives; SKEE RASMUSSEN, Belvidere, SD, self-employed rancher; RICHARD ROSS, Ames, IA, Iowa State University.,BARBARA SCHNEEMAN, Davis, CA, University of California-Davis; ANN SORENSEN, Oregon, IL, American Farmland Trust; DOLORES SPIKES, Baton Rouge, LA, Southern University and A&M College System; JOE STEWART, Battle Creek, MI, Kellogg; BARBARA STOWE, Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University; LARRY TOMBAUGH, Cary, NC, North Carolina State University; ANN VIDAVER, Lincoln, NE, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; KAYE WACHSMUTH, Washington, DC, USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service; RONALD WARFIELD, Gibson City, IL, Illinois Farm Bureau; STEVEN WATTS, Colfax, WA, McGregor Co.; NANCY WELLMAN, Miami, FL, Florida International University. DEBORAH HANFMAN, former USDA Coordinator for the President's National Science and Technology Council, will serve as Executive Director.
The first REE Advisory Board meeting was held September 1996 in Wash, DC. Agenda items included review of the REE Draft Strategic Plan; nominations for the 15-member Strategic Planning Task Force, created under the Farm Bill; and election of the executive committee: CHAIR: Vic Lechtenberg; VICE-CHAIR: Dan Dooley; Zerle Carpenter; John Dillard; Hector Garza; Tom Lyon; Ralph Paige; Barbara Schneeman; and Barbara Stowe. The second Board meeting was held March 1997 in Wash, DC. The Board hosted a Stakeholder Symposium to collect input from agricultural producers and commodity organizations, consumer interests, environmental and community leadership groups, and others on strategic plans being developed by REE agencies. Other issues discussed included the Fund for Rural America; agency budget outlook; status of Congressional reauthorization of USDA's Research Title; development of USDA s annual performance plans; and upcoming activities for Strategic Planning Task Force.
* Secretary Glickman announced on March 26 appointments to the Strategic Planning Task Force based on nominations by the Board. The group is charged with reviewing all federally-funded agricultural research facilities over the next two years and developing a 10-year strategic plan. The members are: TOM URBAN (Chair), former CEO, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., Des Moines, IA, and Visiting Professor, Harvard University Business School, Cambridge, MA; BRUCE ANDREWS (Vice Chair), Director, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Salem, OR; JOSE AMADOR, Director, Texas A&M University Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Weslaco, TX; ALAN BERGMAN, President, North Dakota Farmers Union, Jamestown, ND; AL CLAUSI, retired Senior Vice President and Chief Research Officer, General Foods, Greenwich, CT; JOHN GORDON, Professor and Dean Emeritus, Forestry and Environmental Studies, Yale University, New Haven, CT; BOB GUERNSEY, farmer and former President, Council for Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching, Lebanon, IN; TED HULLAR, Professor of Environmental Toxicology and former Chancellor, University of California, Davis, CA; ANDREW JORDAN, Director, National Cotton Council, Memphis, TN; CAROL ANN KEISER, Owner/Manager, Loveless Cattle Co., Carlinville, IL; MAX LENNON, President, Mars Hill College, Mars Hill, NC; JOSEPH McDONALD, President, Salish Kootenai College, Pablo, MT; KATHLEEN MERRIGAN, Senior Analyst, Henry A. Wallace Institute for Alternative Agriculture, Greenbelt, MD; RICHARD ROSS, Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA; and JIM WILDER, Executive Vice President, North Carolina Soybean Producers Association, Raleigh, NC.
* The Farm bill authorized development of a REE Information System (REEIS), a state-of-the-art information technology system to monitor and evaluate research and extension activities conducted and supported by USDA. Congress appropriated $ 0.4 million for REEIS in the 1997 budget, and $1 million is requested in the FY 1998 budget. It is envisioned that REEIS will operate as a platform to link databases serving research, education, extension, and other REE agency functions. A national steering committee composed of users and producers of REE data will guide development and implementation. Contact: Dr. Coulter at 202/720-3377 or kcoulter@reeusda.gov.
* Congress authorized the Agricultural Research and Extension Title of the 1996 Farm Bill for only 2 years rather than for the full life of the legislation through FY 2002. Review of USDA research activities has been a high priority for the 105th Congress. The Senate Agriculture Committee has circulated a thought provoking list of questions to land grant colleges, professional associations and agricultural organizations. They address the appropriateness of the budget, intramural vs extramural research, basic vs applied research, competitive vs formula funding, and the need for colleges of agriculture in all states. The NASULGC Board on Agriculture has prepared a coordinated response representing the land grant system to the Senate questions (http://www.nasulgc.nche.edu/cferr_ba.htm)
The USDA position on reauthorization is built on 11 basic principles: (1) use existing legislative and administrative authorities to facilitate change rather than statutory mandates; (2) encourage efficiencies throughout the research, education, and extension system, leading to the best use of all resources; (3) encourage multifunctional, multiregional, multi-institutional activities to achieve maximum leverage of Federal, State, and local dollars; (4) continue to support the range of funding mechanisms and current structure of intramural and extramural research to maintain long-term, high-risk research as well as shorter-term, problem-solving research; (5) continue to support the use of formula funds for research and extension activities at the land-grant colleges and universities; (6) support use of merit review with peer evaluation in all research programs with competitively awarded funding; (7) consistent with Administration positions on the role of States, value an active Federal-State-local partnership in setting priorities, conducting work, and evaluating results; (8) consistent with Administration positions, value public sector-private sector partnerships as a means of leveraging scarce Federal dollars, respecting the complementary strengths of the public and private sectors and capitalizing on those strengths, and emphasizing public-sector activities that focus on the public interest; (9) place a high value on responsiveness to national and regional needs when setting priorities with partners and stakeholders, conducting work, evaluating results, and serving customers and stakeholders; (10) work to maintain world leadership in agricultural science and education; and (11) improve communications with the public.
* Legislation was introduced in the Senate in early 1997 that would establish a nine-member commission to identify wasteful corporate welfare programs which are not in the public's interest and recommend reform or termination. The ARS and CSREES budgets were included in a list of examples of corporate welfare programs.
B. Government Performance Review Act (GPRA):
* Strategic Planning is mandatory under GPRA. Future budget requests and expenditures must be linked to the strategic plan and activities must be tied to measurable outcomes as identified in the plan. The draft Plan (July, 1996), which will become final in 1999, sets 5 goals:
1. An agricultural system that is highly competitive in the global economy
2. A safe and secure food and fiber system
3. Healthy, well-nourished population
4. Greater harmony between agriculture and the environment
5. Enhanced economic opportunity and quality of life for Americans.
Functions are divided into: basic research, applied research, development,
outreach and higher education.
*GPRA mandates that progress in meeting objectives be measured and reported to Congress. Several mechanisms have been used to gather input from Federal and State partners to develop objectives and indicators for the 5 mission area goals. Reporting frameworks for the 5 goals and 13 objectives are available for comment on the GPRA Web Page (http://www.reeusda.gov/part/gpra/gprahome.htm)
* To implement the GPRA Planning and Reporting System, four regional training sessions were held. Each institution was asked to send a 3-person team to a session so that they could conduct similar training at their own institution. Each institution is asked to establish planning and reporting procedures and to submit initial plans to Dr. Robinson's office by November 1, 1997. For further information, contact GEORGE COOPER 202/720-5623 or gcooper@reeusda.gov or PAUL BONELL 202/720-5070 or pbonell@reeusda.gov.
C. Budgets:
* In March 1996, President Clinton requested $842,060,000 for CSREES for FY97. The House and Senate passed the FY97 Agriculture Appropriations conference report in early August and President Clinton signed the Agriculture Appropriations bill into law August 6,1997. The total amount for CSREES was $913,215,000. This includes $4.6 million for the Native American Institutions Endowment Fund. The $908.6 million for CSREES is an increase of $1.1 million over the FY 1996. Germane funding lines are:
| In $M | FY96 Appropriation |
FY97 Requested |
FY97 Appropriation |
| Total Res. & Ed. |
$484 |
$423 |
$488 |
| A. Research: | |||
|
--Formula |
$197 | $197 | $197 |
|
--NRI |
$97 | $130 |
$94 |
| B. Higher Ed: |
$24 |
$27 |
$25 |
| TOTAL EXTENSION |
$428 |
$423 |
$426 |
| A. Base |
$294 |
$294 |
$293 |
| B. Initiatives |
$107 |
$109 |
$104 |
* On September 30, 1996, the President signed the Omnibus Appropriations Act for FY 1997 which provided funding for most of the Federal Government. This bill included additional funding of $753,000 for 1890 Institutions and Tuskegee University Extension activities bringing their total funding to $25,090,000, the same level as FY 1996. There were no other changes to the FY 1997 Appropriations for CSREES. The revised total CSREES appropriations is now $913,968,000.
* The President's FY98 Budget Request included $840,153,000 for CSREES. This is a decrease of $69,215,000, or almost 8% below the FY 1997 appropriation. The CSREES request includes new funding for a Pesticide Applicator Training program and a Food Safety Special Research Grant and increases the established programs of Integrated Pest Management/Pest Control, the National Research Initiative ($130,000,000 was requested for the National Research Initiative - an increase of $35,797,000 over the FY 1997 appropriation), the Children, Youth, and Families at Risk program, and the Extension Food Safety program. Level funding is proposed for the base research, education, and extension programs of the Hatch Act, Evans-Allen, McIntire-Stennis, and the 1890 Institutions and Tuskegee University. The FY 1998 funding reductions include the elimination of Buildings and Facilities, Farm Safety, Renewable Resources Extension Act programs, Agricultural Telecommunications, Rural Health and Safety, Critical Agricultural Materials, and Rangeland Research. There is also a net reduction of $26,747,000 in Special Research Grants and a reduction of $15,266,000 in other earmarked projects. The Extension Water Quality Program is reduced by $1,672,000 to $9,061,000. Budget information is on the CSREES Home Page and will be updated as Congressional action takes place. SPECIFICS: For nutrition, a $12 million increase for ARS is proposed. It is to be used for research on diet and cognitive development in children, the nutritional needs of at-risk Americans, and the role of beneficial food compounds in preventing human disease. Additional funds will also support a survey of dietary intakes of infants and children to determine the risk of exposure to pesticides in the diet. The Administration has requested $1.1 million to conduct a comprehensive review and assessment of the 1996 Farm Bill and the future of production agriculture and the federal government's role. In May, the Administration announced "Food Safety From Farm to Table," a five-point plan which details how $43.2 million in new funds the President has requested in the FY 1998 budget will be used. The plan, developed by USDA, HHS and EPA, calls for improved inspections, public education and greater use of the latest science to reduce foodborne illness (http://www.fda.gov/opacom/foodsafety/fsfact.htm)
* In February, both the House and Senate Agricultural Appropriations Chairs indicated that USDA would not receive its $13.2 billion FY98 budget request. The reasons cited were additional costs of the WIC program; accounting losses from food stamp savings that were claimed by other committees; and the conversion of crop insurance subsidies from mandatory to discretionary spending.
* In the Spring, congressional leaders and the President agreed on a budget plan to balance the budget by 2002. It slows entitlement spending by $600-700 billion over 10 years while also providing tax relief and increased domestic spending to reflect the president's priorities. The agreement provides for $115 billion in Medicare savings over the next five years, with $85 billion in net tax relief over the same period. That tax relief will include a $500-per-child tax credit, expanded individual retirement accounts, estate tax and capital gains tax relief, as well as educational assistance. The implication for the USDA budget is that it must be consistent with these agreed-upon numbers.
*The NRI Home Page has a new URL (www.reeusda.gov/nri). Information available includes program materials, application submission guidelines, abstracts of funded research, reports, and contact information. Hard copies are mailed to the CSREES master mailing list (most universities and research institutions, Deans and Station Directors, etc.) automatically or they can be requested by phone at 202-401-5048 or by email at psb@reeusda.gov. Questions can be directed to the NRI at 202-401-5022. This information can also be accessed through USDA's homepage.
*NRI also has set up a list server which will notify subscribers when publications such as its Program Description or Abstracts of Funded Research are available electronically via the CSREES home age on the World Wide Web. Subscribers will not receive the document itself, but instead will receive an e-mail containing the document name, directions for finding it via the CSREES homepage, and a URL for locating it directly. To subscribe: Send an e-mail message to: majordomo@reeusda.gov; In the body of the message, include only the words: subscribe nri-epubs
*The 1997 Program Descriptions for fundamental and mission oriented research in the biological, physical and social sciences were announced September 30,1996. Anticipated funding for FY 1997 (below) is the same as for FY 1996.
*Fixed deadlines have been established for proposals to facilitate planning. Those of interest follow:
November 15: Improving Human Nutrition for Optimal Health
December 15: Markets and Trade; Rural Development; Food Characterization/Process/Product Research; Non-Food Characterization/Process/Product Research
January 15: Ensuring Food Safety; Improved Utilization of Wood and Wood Fiber
February 15: Research Career Enhancement; Equipment Grants; Seed Grants; Agricultural Systems
*The Descriptions and the Application Kit are available on NRI's WebSite. Hard copies are mailed to the CSREES master mailing list (most universities and research institutions, Deans and Station Directors, etc.) automatically or they can be requested by phone at 202-401-5048 or by email at psb@reeusda.gov. Any questions can be directed to the NRI at 202-401-5022.
*CSREES along with several other federal agencies participated in the new Presidential Early Career Awards announced by the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC). This annual award conferred at the White House recognizes outstanding scientists and engineers at the outset of their independent research careers. CSREES nominates up to three outstanding individuals from among those funded through the NRI New Investigator Award Program. If selected, the NRI provides five years of funding support for the recipient. Contact: Sally Rockey srockey@reeusda.gov or 202-401-1761.
* CSREES announced March 10, 1997 the National Needs Graduate Fellowship Grants Program Solicitation for FY 1997 and 1998 (deadline May 15) and 1997 Supplemental Grants for Special International Study or Thesis/Dissertation Research Travel Allowances (deadline October 15). Beginning in FY 97, CSREES will support 6 national needs areas on a biennial basis and combine appropriations for two years into one competition to be held during odd-numbered years. It is anticipated that approximately $5.8M will be available to support about 108 fellowships. The targeted national needs areas to be supported for FY 1997/98 competition are: Biotechnology--Animal; Biotechnology--Plant; Engineering--Food, Forest Product, or Agricultural; Human Nutrition and/or Food Science; Marketing or Management--Food, Forest Products, or Agribusiness; and Water Science. It is anticipated that approximately $60,000 will be available to support supplementary grants for special international study or thesis/dissertation research travel. Grants of up to $3,000 are made to current Fellows. Contact: Jeffrey Gilmore 202-720-1973 or jgilmore@reeusda.gov or access http://www.reeusda.gov/new/funding/prog.htm and click on "Higher Education Programs Grant Information" and then on "National Needs Graduate Fellowships."
* In FY96 CSREES awarded 48 Challenge Grants totaling $4.045 million to 38 institutions in 29 States. This program is intended to stimulate quality educational programs. In FY 97, curricula design, faculty preparation, instructional delivery systems, and student experiential learning are targeted. A total of 59 institutions from 45 States submitted 125 proposals for consideration. See the CSREES Home Page for a list of recipients and institutions as well as descriptions of funded projects.
* In FY96 CSREES awarded $9.207 million in Capacity Building Grants to support 44 projects. Contact CSREES Proposal Service Branch 202/401-5048 or CSREES Home Page http://www.reeusda.gov. or Richard Hood 202/720-1973 or rhood@reeusda.gov
* Twenty-four Multicultural Scholars grants in support of 104 scholars were awarded in May 1997. This program provides undergraduate scholarships for underrepresented groups. The recipient institution provides support equal to 25 percent of the grant. Contact: Jeffrey Gilmore 202/720-1973 or jgilmore@reeusda.gov
* Food and Agricultural Education Information System (FAEIS) is an on-line national database on higher education in food and agricultural sciences (http://faeis.tamu.edu). It is funded by CSREES Higher Education Programs and is maintained at Texas A&M University. It will be used as the basis for a new Research, Education, and Economics Information System. Contact: FAEIS 409/845-5068 or ssw@tamu.edu
* "Employment Opportunities for College Graduates in the Food and Agricultural Sciences, 1995-2000" is available from CSREES. Contact: PETER MUSCATO pmuscato@reeusda.gov or 202-720-1973
* Funding is available for international scientific research and exchange under USDA's Scientific Cooperation Program. The deadline is September 1, 1997. Contact: Helen Neil 202/720-3282 or neil@fas.usda.gov
* Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program RFPs for 1997 were announced by CSREES in March with a June 6 deadline for proposals. Two and one-half million dollars were designated for programs to support development of community food projects to meet the food needs of low-income people; increase community self-reliance; and promote comprehensive responses to local food, farm, and nutrition issues. Grants are limited to private, nonprofit, community-based organizations with a proven track record in the community food security area, and university involvement is encouraged. In FY1996 $1 million in grants was awarded to 13 communities. Contacts: Mark Bailey 202/401-1898 or mbailey@reeusda.gov and Elizabeth Tuckermanty 202/720-5997 or etuckermanty@reeusda.gov
* Funds totaling $1,920,000 are available in FY 1997 under CSREES Tribal Colleges Extension Program. This new program is to be conducted via cooperative agreements between the 1994 and the 1862 land-grant institutions. Announcements were mailed in March to 1994 and geographically related 1862 institutions and are accessible on the CSREES Home Page. Proposals are due June 30, 1997. Contact Joan Gill (202/720-6487), (jgill@reeusda.gov).
* Children, Youth, and Families at Risk (CYFAR) State Strengthening Projects - 14 new and 26 renewed - were funded in May 1997. These projects support community-based programs and are intended to build statewide Extension capacity in this area. Contact: Sharon Wright 202/720-5578 or swright@reeusda.gov
* An Interagency Meeting on Rural Manufacturing as an avenue to rural development was hosted by CSREES and the National Institute on Standards and Technology (NIST) May 7 in Washington, DC. Follow-on activities will involve pilot projects linking CES with university partners to provide technical assistance to rural manufacturers; a study of various organizational approaches that facilitate university, CES, and manufacturing center collaboration; and development of a possible memorandum of understanding between NIST and USDA to promote closer cooperation among agencies involved in rural economic development. Contact Theodore Maher 202/720-2506 or tmaher@reeusda.gov
* The FY 1997 appropriation for CSREES' Food Safety and Quality National Extension Initiative is $2.36 million. The funds are available to partners to develop educational programs and resources. Proposals were due April 4, 1997. Contact Jan Singleton 202/720- 8855 or jsingleton@reeusda.gov
* Team Nutrition was promoted in a national satellite broadcast, "Team Nutrition: Help Lead the Way...Using the Community Nutrition Action Kit" December 4,1996. CSREES, USDA's Food and Consumer Services and Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion presented the program which is intended to link agriculture with health by working with schools, children, families, and communities to improve school lunches and personal food choices. The Community Action Kit is available on the Internet through the Team Nutrition Home Page at http://www.usda.gov/fcs/team.htm and via CD ROM.
* Under the Agricultural Telecommunications Program, $1.1 million has been awarded in grants for 12 projects to help universities develop telecommunications capacity. USDA received 55 proposals from universities. The grants are competitive matching grants for projects including formal and nonformal courses, faculty and staff education, program delivery, and community-based access to education. For more information: http://www.reeusda.gov/agtel/agtel3.htm
* The American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) held its annual meeting in Washington in February, 1997. The USDA-administered Tribal Colleges Extension Service Program, Tribal Colleges Endowment Fund, and Tribal Colleges Education Equity Grants Program are intended to strengthen programs at the 29 Tribal Colleges designated as 1994 land-grant institutions.
* The National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC) met in San Diego in November, 1996. The need to maintain and expand formula and competitive funding was recognized. There was agreement that the recent National Research Council report, "Colleges of Agriculture at the Land Grant Universities" (202/334-3313 or http://www.nas.edu/nap) and other reports on the land-grant system are requesting substantive rather than cosmetic changes.
* A National Meeting of 4-H, Home Economics, and Family and Consumer Sciences Unit Administrators affiliated with the CSREES Families, 4-H, and Nutrition Programs was held Nov 17-20, 1996 in San Diego. The program was organized by Jim Rutledge (rutledgj@oes.orst.edu or FAX 541-737-1332), Mary Ellen McKay (memckay@nmsu.edu or FAX 505-646-5263) and Alma Hobbs (ahobbs@reeusda.gov).
* CSREES' Families, 4-H, and Nutrition unit sponsored a conference,"Nutrition Education for Diverse Audiences: Research and Practice" February 10-14 in Texas. More than 200 participants representing the EFNEP, WIC, CSREES/WIC Nutrition Education Initiative, and Food Stamp Family Nutrition Programs met for the first time as a group to share information related to their common target audiences.
* A conference, "Meeting the Challenges of Welfare Reform: Research, Education and Extension," was sponsored by CSREES, the Board on Human Sciences of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges, and the Agricultural Research Service in April 19971 in Chevy Chase, MD. Participants began the process of formulating plans for National/State partnerships to monitor State and local responses to Federal welfare legislation, measure the social and economic implications of welfare reform, and support the development of children, youth, families, and communities in changing environments. Contact Alma Hobbs 202/720-2908 or ahobbs@reeusda.gov The Board on Human Sciences is taking several steps to define activities the university system can take regarding impacts of Welfare Reform. Synopses can be found on AAHS/BOHS Home Page (http://ianrwww.unl.edu/aahsbohs/home.htm); Univ Minnesota College of Human Ecology's 'Reform' Home Page (http://www.cyfernet.mes.umn.edu.html); and CSREES' Welfare Reform Home Page (http://www.reeusda.gov/whatnew/welfare.htm)
*Establishment of a new home page was an outcome of the annual meeting of the Association of Departments and Programs of Nutrition held in Washington, DC, December 13-14. The page, accessible via http://www.sph.unc.edu/adpn/adpn.html, will include descriptions of programs in each state as well as other features. At the meeting, Acting REE Under Secretary CATHERINE WOTEKI provided participants with an overview of REE human nutrition program emphases. Also on the agenda, coordinated by PATSY BRANNON, University of Maryland, were reports on land-grant strategic planning and on nutrition-related activities at the National Research Council and the National Institutes of Health. The Association membership currently includes more than 50 institutions, approximately two-thirds of which are land-grant universities.
* Nominations for the 1997 USDA Secretary's Honor Awards were requested by November 29, 1996. The Honor Awards are the highest recognition USDA offers to publicly acknowledge outstanding contributions by individuals or teams. The categories are : Emergency Response, Environmental Protection, Equal Opportunity, Heroism, Personal and Professional Excellence, Public Service, Reinventing Government, and Support Services. For additional information, contact: Joan Fanelli Gill 202/720-6487 or jgill@reeusda.gov
* A task force on national needs for Extension and Experiment Station materials met via teleconference in October 1996. They recommend a national system for developing, producing, and disseminating materials, along with a review process to discern the best publications. The purpose is to diminish duplication and fill gaps. For more information: http://idea.exnet.iastate.edu/idea/
* National Nutrition Monitoring System updates including availability of data tapes are available on gopher and WWW: - - SURVEY Discussion Group supported by Food Surveys Research Group of ARS. To subscribe send message To: majordomo@nal.usda.gov and in message, type: subscribe survey <email address> - - FSRG Homepage is accessed via: http://sun.ars-grin/are/Beltsville/barc/bhnrc/foodsurvey/home.htm - - ARS Food and Nutrition Research Briefs are accessed through FNIC at NAL:http://www.nal.usda/fnic/or gopher.nal.usda.gov - - Contact: Kay Tippett, Data Dissemination FSRG, USDA, ARS, 4700 River Rd. Unit 83, Riverdale, MD 20737 (301) 734-8457.
* The national initiative, Managing Change in Agriculture, is underway. This initiative focuses on the forces of change that are affecting the U.S. agricultural sector. Participants are developing research and extension programs to assist producers and agri-businesses in taking advantage of and/or coping with these changes. Three areas of emphasis have been identified: risk management and marketing, animal product systems and conservation. A fourth area, strategic plannings, cuts across the other three and provides a framework for decisionmaking. Draft program development and implementation plans were made available in May for review and comment on the initiative's website: (http://www.reeusda.gov/new/resd/ag_econ/mchg-01.htm). Contact: David Holder 202/720-4387 or dholder@reeusda.gov
* The FY 1995 Inventory of Agricultural Research has been distributed to state cooperators and is available from the Current Research Information System (CRIS), Science and Education Resources Development, USDA. The Inventory contains a compilation of statistical tables on research conducted by USDA, state agricultural experiment stations, 1890/Tuskegee institutions, forestry schools, and colleges of veterinary medicine. To obtain a copy, contact the CRIS office at 301/504-6846 or crisadm@cris.nal.usda.gov
* The CSREES Home Page (http://www.reeusda.gov) provides names, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses of CSREES staff. Also featured are an organization chart, and information on human resources, budget and current funding, authorizations, legislation, and activities related to the Government Performance and Results Act. A biweekly Update Report is available on the Home Page under "What's New." To subscribe to this publication, send an e-mail message to: majordomo@reeusda.gov. In the body of the message, type: subscribe OR unsubscribe csrees-update. Open positions with the Federal office and across the land-grant system are routinely posted on the Internet. Submissions may be sent to jhorigan@reeusda.gov for consideration. To subscribe/unsubscribe, send a message to: majordomo@reeusda.gov. In body of the message, type: subscribe (or unsubscribe) jobs-mg. This information is also available on the Home Page, under "What's New".
* The CSREES Directory of Professional Workers in State Agricultural Experiment Stations and Other Cooperating State Institutions (Agricultural Handbook No. 305) will be converted into a Web-based resource in 1997. Contact: Jerry McNamara 202/401-0951 or jmcnamara@reeusda.gov
* The USDA telephone book is now on the Web http://www.usda.gov/phonebook/
Dr. Susan Welsh USDA, CSREES,
AG Box 0925 South Agr Bldg.
Rm 3448 Washington, DC 20250-0925
202/720-5544
FAX 202/690-2469
EMail swelsh@reeusda.gov
