Minutes submitted by Jeff Vance, Secretary
The spring meeting of the WDACAA was called to order by President Steve Duckett at 10:20 a.m. Diane Ashburn, Urban Horticulture Agent, Henderson County and Elizabeth Tolley, intern from Clemson University working in Madison County, were introduced. A move was made and seconded to disperse with the reading of the minutes. The minutes were approved as posted on the website. Ross Young presented an update of the associations financial status. Johnny Hensley suggested that Ross Young prepare a calendar year summary report.
Stanley Holloway gave an update on the "A Summit on the Future of ANR/CRD Extension Programs in North Carolina." This will coincide with the state association meeting. The state association will still have their business meeting, awards program, barbecue and extra spouse and childrens activities. Doug Sanders made a conference call to discuss this meeting with the association. He briefly gave some highlights of what would be covered in the program then gave us time to ask questions and get our input on the program.
Ross Young made a recommendation that we inventory WNC to determine the agriculture diversity and then use this profile to determine who we nominate to attend this summit as our clientele representative. Johnny Hensley moved and Cliff Ruth seconded that our group recommend five (5) of our clientele to serve on the stakeholders panel. Steve Duckett, Stanley Holloway and Cliff Ruth will take nominations, from agents of clientele they would suggest attending, until April 10. A move to reconsider the motion was made and seconded. An amendment was made to nominate one person from each of the categories that are listed for the stakeholder panel. The categories included: medium to large acreage crop producers, medium to large animal producer, small acreage producer, agriculture industry representative, environmental organization representative, forest industry representative, urban horticulture representative, and consumer. Johnny Hensley made the suggestion to Doug Sanders that we include a local official, such as county commissioner, county manager, etc. to the panel. Doug felt this was a good idea and said it would be okay to include another person on the panel. The amendment was approved. Agents have until April 10 to send their recommendations to Cliff Ruth. The committee will take the nominations and prioritize the list in the order in which they would like to see a representative from the west chosen.
President Steve Duckett recommended we appoint a nominating committee to identify members to serve as officers for the upcoming year. Jeff Vance will chair this committee with Chris Talley and Terri Scruggs serving on the committee. The committee nominated Diane Ducharme to serve as the new secretary. Ross Young will continue as treasurer. Stanley Holloway will serve as president and Jeff Vance as vice-president. These nominations were approved.
President Steve Ducket recommended we get nominations for the 2003 AA, DSA, Service to Agriculture and Young Agents Scholarship awards. Johnny Hensley will take care of getting information out to those agents that qualify and his committee will make the recommendations to the association.
Stanley Holloway and Johnny Hensley gave us an update from the state association board meeting. Stanley state the state associations membership had fallen and that we may be losing some of our voting delegates at the national level unless we maintain a state membership of 251. Currently we are at 242. A push is on from the state level to get membership back up. The national meeting will be held in Savannah, Georgia and registration will be $175. The host hotel will be the Hyatt. The state meeting will be held in Rocky Mount on June 25, 26 and 27. Agent registration will be $40. Registration fees sent in after May 17 will be assessed a late fee. Johnny stated that it was voted on to make the AA and DSA awards $1000 awards that are payable following the agents attendance at the national meeting. Johnny Hensley has nomination information for agents interested in serving as chairs for national committees for the southern region. Johnny Hensley updated us on the financial state of the state association. The board voted to keep our money in the investments that they are currently invested in, but to move to using the investment firm of Raymond and James Financial Services under the supervision of Rick Wolfe. Johnny Hensley reported that the association's accountant is working with the IRS to see how to handle the present and past request for IRS form 990.
President Steve Duckett appointed Cliff Ruth to serve as our association's voting delegate at the National meeting in Savannah.
President Steve Duckett set the fall meeting for October 22, at 10:00 a.m. at the Yancey County Extension Center.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:20. Following the meeting the group had lunch at the Atlanta Bread Company and some of the group participated in an afternoon skeet shoot.
Members in attendance: Jeff Vance, Steve Duckett, Stanley Holloway, Ross Young, Terri Scruggs, Marvin Owings, Chris Talley, John Dorner, Diane Ashburn, Johnny Hensley and Cliff Ruth.
Retired members in attendance: Roger Hyatt
Guest in attendance: Elizabeth Tolley
Minutes submitted by
Jeff Vance, Secretary
NCACAA, Western District
Updated on 03/15/02
Please send comments and suggestions to John Dorner.