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Farm groups, U of M use analysis to talk about future Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Agri News staff writer
ST. PAUL -- Farm groups and the University of Minnesota have begun talking since an analysis came out last year.
The analysis was commissioned by Farm Bureau and 20 other ag groups. It identified areas of concern.
Communication issues were one item identified in the report, said Minnesota Pork Producers Association executive director Dave Preisler.
The university and agricultural groups have worked to remedy the communication issue and the idea to develop a strategic plan grew out of the discussions, said Extension dean and director Bev Durgan. The groups have opened lines of communication, now they need to work on something tangible, she said.
The strategic plan will look at the future of Minnesota agriculture and what role the university will have. It will establish a framework for research priorities and what is needed to meet those priorities.
Durgan estimates it will be a two-year process to put a plan together, about the same amount of time it took Iowa to put together a similar plan.
The group who will put the plan together will include deans, faculty and agricultural groups. The group will be as inclusive as possible, yet outcome-focused, Durgan said.
It's not certain who will manage the process, but someone will need to be dedicated to the project to get it done. That will cost money. Money is always an issue, she said, but in her opinion, it's costing money not to have a strategic plan.
The plan would be an active document, Durgan said, laying out projects in order of importance. It will need to be continually evaluated to be sure priorities are still priorities.
The creation of CFANS, the hiring of Al Levine as dean of the college and Durgan's appointment as Extension dean have all occurred since the January 2006 report was issued.
Whenever new people become involved, there is an opportunity, Preisler said.
"We've had a good relationship with the U anyway," he said, "especially with the vet school."
Preisler looks forward to building on that relationship as meetings between the three deans and agricultural leaders continue.
"I'm very pleased that the groups are talking to one another," Levine said.
Bakeberg said Levine seems willing to work with agricultural groups. He'd like to see a strategic plan move forward quickly.
Levine is hopeful the plan could be put in place soon after it was developed.
The deans have suggested starting with a plan for animal agriculture, followed by a plan for plant agriculture.
This kind of structure, with the three deans meeting with the agricultural groups, hasn't happened before in Minnesota, Levine said. He's hopeful it will lead to two-way conversations. |
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