September, 2004

NACAA Members Can Help With Hurricane Disasters:

The recent hurricanes have caused extensive damage to the crops, livestock, and even Extension offices in Florida and other Gulf Coast states. Recent conversations with several NACAA members from Florida have indicated that the need is great for agricultural producers and homeowners alike in those affected states. Many Extension Offices are in need of basic supplies to help them do their jobs.

NACAA can help via contacting Florida and other gulf coast Extension offices to send supplies, feedstuffs, household staples, and even paper goods. Several organizations are organizing shipments of goods and we all can help by working with our counterparts in the affected states. Wondering who to contact? E-mail the state presidents in the affected state by looking at the NACAA website, call any of the NACAA State Committee Chairs as listed on our NACAA website (click on "Committees") or even search the County Agent directory for a familiar name from the affected states.

State Committee Chairs List Due at VP office:

State Presidents: Please take the time now to get your 18 NACAA state Committee Chairs into Chuck Otte, NACAA Vice President. This list was due at the close of the AM/PIC in Florida and Chuck is hard at work compiling those NACAA State Committee Chairs. He has already received many, but still has plenty of states missing. Don't forget we need all 17 committees in the Professional Improvement Council - Leon Church - Council Chair; Program Recognition Council - Neil Broadwater - Council Chair; and Extension Development Council - Rick Gibson - Council Chair, and National Life Member committee - G. Richard "Dick" Curran - Chair. Chuck's e-mail is: cotte@oznet.ksu.edu. Some states have one person in charge of several committees. If you are not able to get the State Committee chairs, the State President will become the primary contact for those committees. Don't have a record of last years' committee: check the Winter 2003 - 2004 Special Edition County Agent magazine or check the NACAA website and click on "Committees".

State Officers Changes: Send to Secretary Miller.

Recent changes in officers due to a State electing new officers or any state that failed to provide the NACAA Secretary with their updated information at the AM/PIC in Orlando is due to our NACAA Secretary. This information can be sent to Fred miller via e-mail anytime changes occur. Contact Fred Miller at: FRED@catawbacountync.gov.

Outstanding Young Farmer program final notice.

NACAA membership need to work with your appropriate state Jaycees (if applicable) or else take the leadership in nominating an Outstanding Young Farmer in your state for this great professional Improvement opportunity for your aspiring and successful young farmers. Applications are due in the National Jaycee office on Oct. 1, 2004. The top candidate from 25 states will attend the National OYF program courtesy of John Deere. Individuals nominating a candidate need to notify your state Ag Issues & Public Relations Chair of the candidate(s). State Ag Issues & Public Relations Chair will notify the National chair of all candidates for our files. For more information, review your April County Agent magazine or go to: www.usjaycees.org and click on and click on "Nationwide Projects".

AM/PIC Program Evaluations On-Line

The 89th AM/PIC in Florida held in July had some great programs and the evaluations show it. Go to NACAA and click on "Professional Improvement Evaluations" to see the summary. This evaluation, plus the 2003 evaluation, and notification of each NACAA member who presented a paper, or received an award from that state are being sent to each State Extension Director.

In Memoriam to Allen Bayles - Former NACAA Editor

We are saddened to report that Allen Bayles passed away on Saturday, August 28. Allen served as editor of The County Agent for several years. He also served as County Agent in Aiken co. South Carolina for many years and, later, after earning his Ed.D. degree from West Virginia University, worked in the Department of Agriculture & Rural Sociology at Clemson. He retired from Clemson in 2003. He was married to Lucy Jackson and for the past 3 years has served as Housing Director at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks. Cards can be sent to Lucy Bayles, PO Box 1956, Bethel, AK 99559.

President Rogers attends RISE Annual Meeting, President-elect Cummings to attend Farm Foundation Meeting.

Glenn Rogers, your NACAA President, attended the RISE Annual Meeting in Washington, D. C. RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment) has sponsored the RISE Study Tour for the previous 7 years. This year, Glenn reported back to the RISE Board, RISE Communications Committee and general membership, the impacts of the RISE Study Tour. The survey was compiled by former NACAA Horticulture Chair: Jerry Goodspeed and reports that more than 12,000,000 people heard about IPM practices, RISE, and www.pestfacts.org. Pesticide practices were changed and a better understanding of pesticide practices and research was realized. We will continue to work with RISE in the future.

Mickey Cummings, your NACAA President Elect, is attending the Farm Foundation Meeting to visit with them about Public Policy issues. The new Ag Issues program, initiated by NACAA Life Members and brought 3 great speakers to the 89th AM/PIC, was a rousing success in 2004 and we will share that at the Farm Foundation meeting. We hope to continue this popular program in 2005.