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
Related Documents
- DocumentEnabling Legislation (36.36 KB)
- DocumentBylaws (88.86 KB)