Minutes for February 11th, 1998
(approved March 11, 1998)

Group:
Saline County Study Steering Committee in conjunction with the Saline County Study Management Team

Date, Time, Place of Meeting:
Wednesday, February 11, 1998, 6:00 p.m. cst
Farm Credit Services Building, highway 65 North, Marshall

Steering Committee Members in Attendance:
Kathy Borgman, Vince Buck, Patti Carr, Richard Clemens, LeAnn Haling, Mark Harris, Wayne McReynolds, Tim Simmons

Steering Committee Members Absent:
Mark Belwood, Corey Lyon, David Perkins

Management Team Members in Attendance:
Cynthia Crawford, Russell Dehn, Dennis DiPietre, Chris Fulcher, Tom Johnson, Richard Pemberton, Gerry Snapp, Darin Starr

Management Team Members Absent:
Mike Dillon

Other Saline County Study Team Members in Attendance:
Chris Barnett, Mubarak Hamed, Mary Hendrickson, Vincent Burke, Kenneth Pigg

Tim Simmons appointed Cynthia Crawford to serve as secretary for the February meeting only.

The reading of the minutes of the previous meeting was dispensed with as everyone had received a printed copy of the minutes prior to the meeting. There were no additions or corrections to the minutes, and the minutes were approved from November. The January meeting was canceled due to a major ice storm.

The 9 managers, steering committee chair and evaluator Kenneth Pigg met on February 2. As a result of that meeting, Tim asked the steering committee to reaffirm the 6 research priorities and the priority order or to revisit the initial study priorities. Richard Clemens moved and it was seconded by Vince Buck that the steering committee affirm the six research issues in the same order as approved at the last meeting. Motion passed with no audible dissent.

Richard Clemens moved and Patti Carr seconded that as the study finishes one issue that a new issue be added to the bottom of the list. The study list should not be considered finite with the initial six. Motion passed with no audible dissent.

Kenneth Pigg introduced evaluation colleague Mary Hendrickson and outlined the evaluation design and content. The evaluation effort has three objectives: put a value to what is achieved, document the process as a model for other places, and be of assistance to the process.

Richard Clemens presented a 1934 historical newspaper article to the commissioners highlighting that Saline County, at that time, was the top hog and corn producing county in Missouri and Kansas. Russell Dehn was pleased to accept the article on behalf of the county and directed that it be laminated for preservation purposes.

Vince Buck moved and Patti Carr seconded that the agricultural impact on Saline County’s economy be part of the baseline data as part of research objective #5. Motion passed with no audible dissent.

Timeliness for each of the 6 objectives was reviewed.

Chris Barnett indicated that additional data on research area 1 will be collected in the next 30 days, with 30 days of analysis to follow.

Vincent Burke reported that data collection for research area 2 is well underway. He estimated that they are 60 days away from a first report. They are constantly finding new sources of data.

Tom Johnson reported that Mubarak Hamed has been in the county collecting data on land values and CAFO’s. There will be data to report by April 30.

Chris Barnett observed that much of the data from research areas 1, 2, and 3 feed into #4.

Tom Johnson reported that research areas 5 and 6 will not be addressed before the end of the first year of the study (summer 1998).

A short break was taken.

Chris Barnett reminded the group of the web page url:
www.cares.missouri.edu
At that location, look for the Saline County button.

Mark Harris suggested that at the March meeting we review the web site as a group. The Saline County Extension staff are to identify a meeting room with appropriate telephone connections.

Richard Clemens moved and LeAnn Haling seconded that any corrections to study data be listed on the web page and brought before the steering committee for approval. Motion passed with no audible dissent.

Richard Clemens moved and Wayne McReynolds seconded that Mark Belwood be asked to reconsider his decision to resign from the steering committee. He has much to offer the group and process. Motion passed with no audible dissent.

Mark Harris moved and Kathy Borgman seconded that the official group spokesperson remain. In addition, though, steering committee members need to communicate with community citizens and groups. If an opinion is expressed, steering committee members need to be clear that it is their personal opinion and not that of the steering committee. Motion passed with no audible dissent.

Next meeting date March 11, 7 p.m. and subsequent 2nd Wednesdays of the month. The location of the meeting will be announced.