UMass Extension Board of Public Overseers

The UMass Extension Board of Public Overseers was created in 1997 to give stakeholders in UMass Extension areas a formal advisory role. The Board, a majority of whose members are appointed by the Governor, advises the Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the Extension staff on goals, budget, and program. 

Previous Meeting Agendas & Notes

Please note that meeting notes are posted after they have been reviewed and approved by a quorum of the Board. This can sometimes result in delayed posting.

Review meeting agendas & notes

April 15, 2025 Meeting Agenda

Tuesday, April 15, 2025, 10:00AM – 1:00PM
UMass Mt. Ida Campus, Shaw Hall – 100 Carlson Ave., Newton, MA
Public connect remotely at https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/j/91750078067 

10:00AM    Welcome - introduce Board Members and guests (Karen Heymann) 10 min.
   •    Approve minutes from last meeting
   •    Any additions to agenda  

10:10AM    CAFE Updates and current climate for funding and programming (Lynne McLandsborough) 15 min.

10:25AM    Advocacy Updates 20 min.
    •    February – CARET / BAA meetings (Chris Grant)
    •    March – Ag. Day at the Massachusetts State House (Meaghan McDermott)

10:45AM    Discussion: Membership & Bylaws Sub-Committee (Chris Dunn & Clem Clay) 45 min.
   •    Status of BOPO nominations / achieving quorum 
   •    Legislative developments
   •    Subcommittee work plan and next steps

11:30AM    Presentation: Water Resource Research Center (Tim Randhir) 30 min.

Noon Lunch
    
12:30PM Special Hatch Grant Call (Bill Miller) 15 min.
   •    Overview
   •    Long-term extension impacts

12:45PM    Public comments 15 min.

1:00PM    Adjourn    
 

Responsibilities & Membership

The appointed members of the board serve for terms of five years, except for those appointed to fill a vacancy for unexpired term. The board holds its annual meeting in January and meets at least three other times during the year. The University of Massachusetts Extension director attends all meetings of the board and serves as secretary but has no vote in its deliberation. Eight members of the board constitute a quorum.

Members are nominated as follows:

  • Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation – 4 members
  • Massachusetts Arborists Association – 2 members
  • Massachusetts Audubon Society – 1 member
  • Massachusetts Forest Alliance, successor organization to the Massachusetts Forestry Association – 1 member
  • Massachusetts 4-H Foundation – 1 member
  • Massachusetts State 4-H Council – 1 member
  • Massachusetts Nutrition Board – 1 member
  • Massachusetts Commissioner of Agricultural Resources
  • University of Massachusetts President’s Office
  • University of Massachusetts Amherst Chancellor’s Office
  • UMass Extension Director’s Office (ex-officio)

In creating the board, the General Court gave it the power to adopt a policy for the conduct of business, including constitution of board membership. Policies may be amended or repealed by a two-thirds vote of its members. In December, 2005, the board adopted bylaws. Those bylaws create an Advisory Board of between five and fifteen members, including representatives of the Center for Agriculture, the Massachusetts House of Representatives, and the Massachusetts Senate.

The bylaws also created standing committees on Membership and Bylaws,
Planning and Evaluation, and Budget and Policy Advocacy.

Members

As of March, 2025

  • Karen Heymann (Chair)
    Granby, Massachusetts
    Representing Mass. Audubon
  • Christopher Dunn
    Amherst, Massachusetts
    Representing the Chancellor’s Office, University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • Ashley Randle
    Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources
  • John Lee
    Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
    Representing the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation, Inc.
  • Kenneth Nicewicz
    Bolton, Massachusetts
    Representing the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation, Inc.
  • Darrin Mendes
    Dartmouth, Massachusetts
    Representing the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation, Inc.
  • Michael E. Lueders
    Medfield, Massachusetts
    Representing the Massachusetts Arborists Association
  • Theodore H.N. Wales, Jr.
    Needham, Massachusetts
    Representing the Massachusetts Arborists Association
  • Deborah Phillips
    Great Barrington, Massachusetts
    Representing the Massachusetts Nutrition Board
  • Mateo Rull Garza
    Boston, Massachusetts
    Representing the Office of the President, University of Massachusetts
  • Kate Lindroos Conlin 
    Buckland, MA
    Representing the Massachusetts Forest Alliance
  • Lynne McLandsborough (ex-officio)
    Amherst, Massachusetts
    Representing the UMass Extension Director's Office
  • Vacant (1 seat) 
    Representing the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation, Inc.
  • Vacant (1 seat) 
    Representing the Massachusetts 4-H Foundation

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