General Interest-Farm Bill Implementation Committee Created; post until June 30, 2009

M E M O R A N D U M

TO:                   Board on Agriculture Assembly

                        AASCARR Institutions

                        Council for Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching (CARET)

FROM:              Eddie G. Gouge

                        Associate Director, Federal Relations - Food and Agricultural Sciences/CARET

DATE:              June 4, 2008

SUBJECT:        Farm Bill Implementation Assistance Committee Created

Dr. Ian L. Maw, NASULGC's Vice President for Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources, has asked me to forward to you the following message:

With the passage of the Farm Bill, the next huge step is its implementation which will be no small feat for Under Secretary Buchanan and his REE staff.  In discussion with a number of our colleagues, we felt it would be appropriate and likely appreciated if we would offer whatever assistance that he and his team might request as they move the processes of implementation forward.  The idea has been to form a small committee that can be nimble and of appropriate assistance.  In consultation with several members of the Farm Bill/CREATE-21 Committee and the concurrence of the BAA Policy Board of Directors on an Executive Session Conference Call on Friday, May 30, we have invited - and acceptances have been received from - the following individuals to serve on this committee:

            D.C. Coston (Chair)

            Fred A. Cholick

            Jack M. Payne

            Jeffrey D. Armstrong

            Steven G. Pueppke

            Paul D. Coreil

            L. Washington Lyons

            Daniel M. Dooley

            Robert D. Steele

            Jim Richards

            Ian L. Maw

It is anticipated that many others from each of the BAA sections will work with members of this team and also with the Executive Directors as may be needed.  Ian will work not only in a coordination role but also interface with folks from the 1994s, International and Academic Programs section, and AASCARR.  We have already initiated discussions with Dr. Buchanan's office and can report a grateful reception from that venue.  From time to time, we will report progress to the BAA membership.

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Eddie G. Gouge

Associate Director, Federal Relations -- Food and Agricultural Sciences/CARET

National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges, A Public University Association

Suite 400

1307 New York Avenue, NW

Washington, DC  20005-4722

(202) 478-6028

(202) 478-6046  (FAX)

E-Mail:  egouge@nasulgc.org

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