Item 1

Alan Dowdy opened the meeting and presented the planned agenda for the business meeting, which included the following:

Don Wicklow pointed out that participation in NC-213 has declined and noted that some states are not represented. He suggested that the reasons for the decline be investigated and that we seek broader representation. Kentucky and North Dakota were mentioned as two states that should be participating. Bill Ravlin expressed the opinion that there should be more industry representation and that we should encourage industry presentations at the meetings. He suggested that declining participation could be caused by limited time and travel funds. It was also suggested that participation may be lower than formerly, because the Andersons no longer attend the meetings. Bill Ravlin will be meeting with the Andersons, and he will take the opportunity to discuss their involvement. The internet could be used to publicize NC-213. Letters inviting certain people to participate and describing what NC-213 does could be sent to university deans. Alan Dowdy suggested that discussion of participation be continued in the business meeting.

Item 3

Big Sky, Montana was suggested as a site for the 1998 summer meeting. However, last year the committee had discussed holding the meeting in Toledo, Ohio with the Andersons, and this remained the first choice of the committee. The possibility of visiting the St. Lawrence Seaway was mentioned, and it was suggested that the Andersons be asked what topic they would like to share with the group. There was a discussion about forming a closer alliance with the Grain Quality Task Force and possibly holding some joint meetings or holding meetings at the same time and location.

Item 4

The committee discussed the Anderson Grants. Don Wicklow pointed out that in funding research grants to meet industry needs, the NC-213 group should be guided by industry. The Andersons and other members of industry should be asked what their needs are for the next five years -- what is their vision for the future? Priority areas for funding could be listed when a request for proposals (RFP) is sent out. Industry should have input in determining these research areas. We need to define what we are trying to do with the Anderson Grants, and we need to find qualified reviewers for each proposal and set up a review panel. Florence Dunkle suggested that perhaps half the RFP’s should come from universities and half from industry to cover the long-range as well as short-range point of view. An inquiry should be sent to industry. Bill Ravlin suggested the possibility of other members of industry matching the grants. Award recipients should be required to present their first- and second-year research results at the winter (research) meetings of NC-213, as they have in the past. The possibility of requiring annual electronic reports was mentioned. Bill Ravlin appointed a subcommittee to address the Anderson Grant issue and prepare a standard RFP for the grants. Members of this committee are Bill Ravlin (Chair), Jim Stitzlein, Tim Herrmann, and Alan Dowdy.

Item 5

Alan Dowdy called for nominations for Secretary Elect. Mark Cassida, Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station, was recommended by the Executive Committee.

Item 1

Alan Dowdy opened the meeting and asked Bill Ravlin to report on the grant proposal to Funds for Rural America. The proposal for a center planning grant entitled, "National Center for Cereals and Oilseeds" was funded. Funds were used to hold an industry forum (a facilitating meeting to learn the concerns and needs of stakeholders). This meeting, with 52 participants, took place just before the NC-213 meeting. A proposal for the center has been drafted and will be submitted by March 20, 1998.

Item 2

Bill Ravlin suggested that the NC-213 Newsletter, which hasn’t appeared for awhile, be placed on a website and that a single page with bullets be mailed out. This single page would direct readers to the website for additional information. His suggestion stimulated considerable discussion about the impact this type of newsletter would have on some segments of the readership. Some contended that changing to an electronic newsletter would deny access to many of those who now read it ? those who do not yet have access to the internet, including much of the grain industry and many of the millers. Alan Dowdy suggested a survey of the readership to determine preferred format. This could be accomplished by sending out a card to be mailed back. Tim Herrmann proposed a transition period from old to new format to allow time for more readers to come on the internet The old format should be maintained for two years, perhaps longer. Bill Ravlin proposed sending the newsletter in its old, unabridged format to those who do not have access to the internet. It could be printed in its entirety for those who want it, but could also be made available electronically. There was general agreement that this would be an acceptable method. Alan Dowdy suggested that there would probably be no need to send it to university and government readers, because they generally have access to the internet. A one-page bulleted version would be sent to all readers. Linda Mason and Eluned Jones volunteered to serve on a newsletter committee that will survey the readership. Richard Pratt suggested printing invitations to attend the meetings in the newsletter. He also suggested printing two, rather than four, newsletters per year. Linda Mason suggested that perhaps there could be a minimal charge for the newsletter. Bill Ravlin stated that there should be more input from the group in running NC-213 and that there should be more involvement by the group in determining the content and substance of the newsletter. He requested that the members please respond when he sends out a request for bullets (everyone has done something of significance). The bullets may be only one sentence. Fifty-word summaries written for the expanded newsletter should be written in lay, not technical, language (in a manner similar to interpretive summaries ). Eluned Jones pointed out that anyone presenting numbers (dollars for example) in a newsletter bullet should say how the numbers were generated and provide documentation.

Item 3

The operation of NC-213, including the roles of the Coordinator and the Executive Committee, was discussed. Bill Ravlin stated that the Executive Committee is responsible for the operation of NC-213, with administrative support from the Coordinator.

Item 4.

Meeting formats were discussed. Participation by industry needs to increased and the meeting program should be balanced with more industry speakers. We should find ways to invite industry participation. The deadline for submission of titles for presentations at next year’s meeting will probably be December 1st. Meetings could be coordinated with other groups, such as the Grain Quality Task Force, meeting at the same location. It was suggested that perhaps once every five years, NC-213 could hold a joint meeting with other groups. The intended purpose of the winter meeting is to present research reports for the benefit of interested industry members as well as other researchers, and to receive industry feedback. The intended purpose of the summer meeting is to talk with industry and learn their needs. Lowell Hill pointed out that we should clarify these objectives of NC-213. Next year, the meetings should be more oriented toward industry. Alan Dowdy and Bill Ravlin said that we should make sure that industry representatives and NC-213 members know in advance what will be discussed at the meetings. Lowell Hill mentioned the importance of advance planning. We need to know in advance what we are going to do and how we are going to do it. Is the winter meeting held for the purpose of reporting to each other, including obligatory reports of Anderson-funded research, or is it to interact with industry? Lowell Hill and Dirk Maier pointed out the need to set aside time for discussing cooperative research. Eluned Jones suggested bringing in industry researchers as speakers so that opportunities for collaborative work with industry would become more apparent. We need to maintain an active interface with industry. Jim Stitzlein stated that we should invite industry participation, but pointed out that such participation would not necessarily be in the form of meeting attendance. Alan Dowdy suggested that we prepare a statement of what NC-213 does for industry with a list of contacts for various types of problems. The contacts could respond directly to requests for information, or they could publish their responses in the newsletter. Richard Pratt suggested having a keynote speaker (Congressman, etc.) at meetings.

Item 5

A question was raised about the function of the Industry Advisory Committee of NC-213. What does the committee advise about? The function of this committee may need to be reviewed. Bill Ravlin expressed the opinion that the Industry Advisory Committee could in affect create a wall between industry and the general membership of NC-213.

Item 6

Bill Ravlin announced the appointment of a subcommittee charged with putting together a detailed RFP (Request for Proposals) for the Anderson Grants. The committee members are: Bill Ravlin (Chair), Jim Stitzlein, Tim Herrmann, and Alan Dowdy. Lowell Hill suggested that grant proposals be kept simple. All proposals should be accepted, but those addressing topics on a list of hot topics should be encouraged and given priority. The needs and priorities of industry should be considered in preparing the list. However, before this is implemented we will have to determine the intent of the Anderson grants.

Item 7

The summer 1998 meeting of NC-213 will be held in Toledo, Ohio. The preferred date is the week of July 6 and the second choice is the week of June 22. The main purpose of the meeting will be to listen to industry. Bill Ravlin will be meeting shortly with the Andersons and will determine their interests.

Item 8

The winter 1999 meeting of NC-213 will be held in Kansas City at the Embassy Suites. The banquet will be on February 10, and the meeting will be February 11-12, 1999. It was suggested that the Executive Committee meet before the banquet and that a short business meeting be held immediately following the presentations.

Item 9

Alan Dowdy raised the question of progression of Objective Chairs. The appointments are now for an indefinite period. Bill Wilke suggested having an industry co-chair for each objective. For now, the questions for the Objective Chairs are: Are you interested in continuing? If not, do you have a replacement?

Item 10

The nomination of Mark Cassida for Secretary elect was approved, and he was elected unanimously.