College Responds to Budget Concerns

The state is relying on federal stimulus funds (ARRA) for 2010/2011 to keep Penn State at flat funding from 2008/2009 levels. However, stimulus funding ends June, 2011, reducing Penn State/College base funding by 6%.

If these funds are not restored by the state, this, combined with increased operating costs including costs due to significant statewide funding shortfalls in state employee retirement system (SERS), will create a college programmatic budget shortfall of almost $11 million. This shortfall requires college agricultural research and extension program budgets to be reduced by an estimated 20% by July 1, 2011. This equates to approximately 163 positions in the college.

As a result, effectively July 1, 2010, college budget administrators have been charged to reduce impacted lines by 5%. This initial cut will impact all units. An additional 10% reduction will follow; metrics and processes are being developed to strategically identify areas for these additional budget reductions. The college strategic plan will serve as a guiding document to attempt to protect priority program areas.

A “soft” freeze on hiring is currently in effect in the college, and hiring is limited to essential positions and strategic opportunities with leverage from institutes, other colleges, and/or stakeholders. The college will also be evaluating college-wide restructuring options.

The Penn State Ag Council board and delegates were briefed on the situation at the April meeting, and the college will continue to keep them informed. College stakeholders are being encouraged to provide input into the process as it develops.

For more information view the college budget update piece on the college website.

Leadership Award Nominations Due by August 1

The Penn State Ag Council Membership committee is seeking nominations for the 2010 leadership awards.

The Penn State Ag Council leadership awards honor outstanding leaders in the agricultural community in Pennsylvania. Excellence in three categories is recognized: Leadership Award, Youth Leadership Award, and the Leadership in Action Award.

All Nominations must be submitted by August 1, 2010. You can view the list of past award recipients and fill out the online nomination form on the Penn State Ag Council website.

Upcoming Deans Tour in the Northwest

The Allegheny Hardwood Utilization Group will be hosting the next Dean's Tour on June 29-30, 2010.

A reception with the Dean will be held at the Bayfront Convention Center from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. in the North Point Lobby. Member organizations are encouraged to share the invitation with their membership. An invitation with directions was recently sent to all delegates.

If you need more information or would like to register, please contact the College Relations Office at 814-863-2822 or email Rhonda Demchak at rrr11@psu.edu.

Eleventh Annual Research Tour Planned for September 23

This year's Penn State Ag Council's College Research Tour Will be held on September 23, 2010. Delegates will receive an electronic invitation shortly. Please remember to invite your legislator to attend.

For the first time, this tour coincides with the Annual College Scholarship Dinner to make it more convenient for delegates who attend both events.

2010 Ag Progress Days

Ag Progress Days will be held August 17-19. The Ag Council will once again be hanging member banners in the special events building for Tuesday's Alumni Luncheon and Wednesday's Government and Industry Day Luncheon.

The banner forms were distributed at the Spring Delegate Meeting and are due by July 15. Please fill out the form and either fax it to 814-863-6152 or click on the link above and email the form to Rhonda Demchak at rrr11@psu.edu.

These two luncheons attract more than 1,000 people. Delegates will receive a post card and an electronic invitation to attend the luncheons in late June or early July. Please respond quickly if you plan to attend, as space is limited.

Nominating Committee is Seeking Nominations for the Board of Directors

The Penn State Ag Council Nominating Committee is seeking nominations for consideration for one seat on the Board of Directors. All nominations will be reviewed by the committee. The nominating committee will submit a slate of selected candidates to the ag council delegates at the fall delegate meeting.

Nominations can be sent to Rhonda Demchak in the College Relations Office at rrr11@psu.edu or sent directly to John Rodgers at the following address:

PA Forage & Grassland Council

95 Plum Lane
Bellville, PA 17004-8549

Delegates Needed to Attend Undergraduate Ed Tailgates

Undergraduate Education is once again hosting student tailgates outside of the Ag Arena before each home football game . The Penn State Ag Council Membership Committee is looking for delegates to attend to allow students to network with leaders in agribusiness and learn more about possible careers in agriculture.

Please contact Rhoda Demchak at rrr11@psu.edu if you would like to sign up and attend one of the tailgates.

Ag Career Day to be Held on October 12

Ag Career Day will be held on October 12, 2010, from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the Bryce Jordan Center on the Penn State University Park Campus.

This is a wonderful opportunity to meet and interview College of Agricultural Sciences' Students. Please register to attend or get more information about participating by visiting the Ag Career Day Registration site.

Food Inc. Viewing at Delegate Meeting

A record crowd attended the April Delegate meeting where the program revolved around the topic of Public Perceptions of Modern Agriculture and included a viewing of Food, Inc. After viewing the movie, the audience was surveyed - using PowerPoint and clicker technology providing immediate data on audience responses - answering three questions on multiple issues raised in the movie (example: food safety, animal welfare, environmental performance, etc.)

The questions asked audience members to give their perception of: 1. Public perception of industry performance around each area. 2. Industry's actual performance in that area. 3. If there is a perceived gap between public perception and industry performance how could it best be addressed - with the choices being: communications, improved practices, research/technology, or policy. This data was then used by break-out groups over lunch that reported out on suggestions to address each issue. The program included a panel of experts for an afternoon discussion and Q & A session.

The program received outstanding reviews, and the survey results and the break-out reports from the meeting can be found on the Penn State Ag Council Website.

Ag Action Network Legislative Training Event held on April 24

The Penn State Ag Council hosted the Ag Action Network legislative training and skybox event on April 24. The group enjoyed a morning training program with speakers discussing strategies for making and building relationships with local legislators. The afternoon was spent enjoying lunch and the Blue & White game in the Beaver Stadium skybox.

College Capitol Day Event Held March 9

The Penn State Ag Council (PSAC) and the Pennsylvania Council of Cooperative Extension Associations (PCCEA) co-sponsored this year's College Capitol Day on March 9 in Harrisburg. Approximately 150 college stakeholders - consisting of Ag Action Network, College of Ag Sciences Alumni Society, PSAC, and PCCEA members - attended. Advocates delivered information packets to all 253 legislative offices and personally communicated the importance of college research and extension programs in their communities, businesses, and lives.

If you attended capitol day, please be sure to send a thank you note to the offices you visited. If you could not attend, it is not too late to carry the message to your legislator!

Dean's Tour Visits Central Region

Penn State Ag Council members - PennAg Industries and Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association - co-sponsored the April Dean's tour into the central region of the state. Pictures are available on the Penn State Ag Council Website.

Harrisburg Patriot Publishes Op-Ed by Dean McPheron

Visit our college website to view an op-ed piece written by Dean Bruce McPheron on the future of agriculture that was recently featured in the Harrisburg Patriot.

Jayarao to Provide Leadership for the Animal Diagnostic Lab

Professor Bhushan Jayarao has accepted a position to help lead the Animal Diagnostic Laboratory (ADL) through its next phase of growth and expanding horizons. Starting May 5, 2010, Bhushan will start as the incumbent resident director of the ADL, and work together with Drs. John Enck and Huaguang Lu to help the ADL meet and exceed the needs of internal and external stakeholders by leveraging faculty led programs and strengthening the ties between the academic, research and service components of the laboratory, the Department, the College, and the University.

Search Begins for Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education

The College is conducting a search for the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education and Director of the Agricultural Experiment Station position. The position announcement can be found on the Human Resources job listing - http://bit.ly/ResearchDean.