M E M O R A N D U M

TO:	Participants in Baltimore Conference
FROM:	Partnership Task Force D. C. Coston, Co-Chair James Wade, Co-Chair
SUBJECT:	Progress on Priority Issues

The CSREES-ECOP-ESCOP Partnership Task Force held its final meeting June 5-6. On June 1, an email letter from us (sent by Sandra Garner at NASULGC) provided a web site that includes the summary of the conference including a list of the proposed actions: http://www.escop.msstate.edu/partnership/.

This letter is to update you on progress that has been made in the system since the conference. While some of these actions have been in process for some time, it is important to recognize and acknowledge that progress is being made on issues of importance to the partnership. We offer this update in the spirit of early monitoring of work on the identified priorities. Our intent is to create ongoing discussion, promote connections, and to promote a supportive environment for working on these issues.

Of particular note, we call your attention to the July 2 memorandum that Colien Hefferan, CSREES Administrator, sent to "All Partners." Dr. Hefferan discusses some reorganization and new approaches for agency operations. In her memo, she says, "Our (CSREES) goals and approach were influenced substantially by the Partnership Workshop in Baltimore." If you have not read her memo, we encourage you to do so.

Below is a brief listing of progress on the nine recommendations that you identified during the Baltimore conference:

1. Establish a priority for expanding base funding.

   The Board of Agriculture's (BOA) budget request and marketing materials have been distributed throughout the system. The BOA has developed a new strategy that focuses on four theme areas rather than the traditional approach of line items. Included in this strategy is a commitment to provide accountability. There is a clear intent of trying to increase base funding. Professionals and volunteers in working with Congress, and others in budget advocacy have used these materials. This strategy is being well received on Capitol Hill.

2. Establish a marketing plan to show the value of our program.

   Discussions continue on how to fully implement this recommendation. We continue to encourage the COP's to address this issue.

3. System work together for equitable funding for 1890s, 1994s, and Hispanic Serving Institutions.

   ECOP endorsed this recommendation. This recommendation is also being included in the discussions of Farm Bill Research and Education Title revisions. A list of talking points concerning the history and heritage of the 1890 Land Grant universities is being prepared. These will be distributed to provide materials for all of us to incorporate into presentations about the Land Grant movement.

4. CSREES become more pro-active in working with Congress.

   Ways to implement this are under consideration. There are limitations to what CSREES can do. USDA is an Executive Branch agency. Following appointment of an Under Secretary of REE, this will be addressed more fully.

5. Establish a single annual reporting system.

   The REEIS and EASE steering committees are considering the comments and input from the Baltimore conference. They have also invited participation of National Program Leaders as a result of the Baltimore meeting. Discussions continue on looking at the entire process of reporting.

6. Develop a shared version for the partnership.

7. Establish formal joint priority setting.

   These recommendations have been combined. The joint ECOP-ESCOP planning effort undertook these issues at its May meeting. Discussions will continue at the next session of this group at its next meeting in October. There are representatives from ACOP and ICOP who serve on the ESCOP planning effort. Perhaps additional participation from ACOP and ICOP could be considered.

8. Develop a regular publication highlighting the impacts of the partnership.

   This recommendation has been linked with recommendation 2 as part of the broader marketing plan.

9. Generate new funding sources.

   Discussions on how to implement this will continue. Recently, there have been joint EPA/USDA, NASA/USDA and NSF/USDA requests for proposals issued. Additional opportunities are being pursued. Additionally, ECOP is working closely with the Board of Human Sciences and with several Federal agencies seeking joint ventures. The Task Force encourages building on these efforts. Also, the national CFAR and Food and Society initiatives are pursuing strategies for significant increases in funding. We encourage support of these activities.

Progress on Additional Recommendations:

1. Continue and expand communication among the partners with added focus on opportunities and issues.

   Dr. Hefferan has been using her "column" in the CSREES electronic newsletter to highlight partnering activities, as well as actions taken as a result of the Baltimore conference suggestions.

   ESCOP and ECOP need to look for similar avenues and opportunities to communicate changes and improvements.

2. Distribute staff directory already developed for Plant and Animal Systems (PAS) and consider and consider a similar directory of all CSREES staff.

   The PAS directory has been distributed at a number of regional meetings. It has been well received. We encourage CSREES to distribute it more widely and to also continue to inform the system about the electronic version.

3. Encourage and facilitate participation of National Program Leaders (NPL) at regional meetings of state directors and administrators.

   During the last few months, there has been increased NPL participation in many group meetings. There have been numerous positive comments from Land Grant and USDA participants.

4. Clarify the role and functions of senior professional staff in CSREES and communicate it both internally in CSREES and to the system.

   The executive group in CSREES is working on this.

5. Report on progress on the priorities, including how they relate to work done on the FY03 budget.

   We believe that the CSREES Administrator will include such a progress report during her remarks at the November NASULGC meeting.

6. Hold another meeting of state directors and CSREES staff involving serious discussion of real issues.

   See remarks below concerning a follow-on task force.

The Task Force has completed its activities. As reported to you in the June 1 letter, the Task Force has recommended that another task force with broadened participation be named. During the June 5-6 meeting, we developed a detailed proposal for this subsequent group. This was transmitted on June 8 to the Administrator of CSREES and the Chairs of ECOP and ESCOP. We have encouraged them to have the new task force named by the time of the July "COPs" meeting. Among the recommendations is to have another major event during 2003.

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