Summit Executive Committee Meeting
November 13, 2000 Hyatt Regency Houston Airport

MINUTES

Members Present:

John Abernathy                  Daniel Brackeen                  Roddy Peeples                 John Schnieder
John Anderson                   Dan Gattis                           L.G. Raun, Jr.                  Graddy Tunnell

Others in Attendance:

 Gene Nelson                      Ryan O'Neal                       Ed Price

Introductions

Chair Graddy Tunnell welcomed SEC members and others at 2:10 p.m. Graddy asked everyone to introduce themselves and provide a little background about themselves.

Ryan O'Neal (Program Assistant, Agriculture Program, Texas A&M University) was introduced. He will serve as Summit Initiative support staff and assist Jim Butler in coordinating the SEC and Summit activities. Ryan said he is glad to be part of the Summit Initiative and is excited to start working with SEC and the Summit Initiative.

Ryan O'Neal presented the minutes from the February 4, 2000 conference call meeting. Gene Nelson referred to the minutes and reported that the minutes were acceptable.

Budget Report

Gene Nelson announced the that the current Summit Initiative Balance to be $26,000 which is down about $4,000 from the last meeting. Gene Nelson reported that the Biotechnology Summit was in the red about $5,000. However, support from the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo (HLSR) offset the debt attributed to the Biotechnology Summit. Gene Nelson recognized Dan Gattis and thanked the HLSR for their continued support of the Summit Initiative process. Gene Nelson emphasized that the Summit Initiative's goal is to have at least one Summit activity per year and that each activity tries to breakeven on the expenses accrued. The main reason for this is due to the time required to plan the Summit and the time needed to raise funds for the activity. Ryan O'Neal reported that the International Agricultural Trade Summit was in debt about $4000-$5000 to date and should not exceed more than this amount.

International Agricultural Trade Summit (IATS)

Graddy Tunnell asked Ed Price to update the SEC on the IATS. Ed Price indicated that he would first inform the SEC of a couple of happenings dealing with international issues that add to the importance of the IATS and would then remark on the IATS itself. Ed Price mentioned that he had just came from the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges annual meeting. One if the items on the discussion table at this meeting was international and globalization issues dealing with land-grant universities and how to move in the right direction regarding these international issues. Ed Price then reported on the rewriting of a law passed in 1975 that will expand international trade, not by providing funds, but by putting in place the policy and mechanisms needed to advance agricultural trade, rural communities, and extension services nationwide. Price also reported that work is underway on a State Initiative that will help Texas be more competitive in international trade. Partnering in this venture is all Colleges of Agriculture in the State and the Texas Department of Agricultural.

Ed Price acknowledged Parr Rosson for his efforts in producing a wonderful background publication for the IATS. Price went over the IATS program agenda and indicated that the speakers will be exceptionally good due to their stature and influence on international agricultural trade. Ed Price expects the IATS to be productive and provide a good experience for all that participate. Price then thanked the SEC for their leadership on the IATS.

Texas Beef Industry Summit Workshop (TBISW)

Gene Nelson reported that the TBISW has been a challenge to get off the ground. Dan Gattis related the HLSR's experiences with the International Livestock Congress (ILC). Graddy Tunnell asked Dan Gattis to inform the SEC of what the International Livestock Congress is about. Gattis asserted that the ILC is somewhat like a Summit activity. It's held each year at the beginning of the HLSR and it brings together international cattlemen and organizations and tries to discuss issues facing the industry and afterwards produces reports to deal with the issues discussed. Gene Nelson emphasized the TBISW will focus just on the Texas beef industry.

Gene Nelson said that there has been one meeting between the planning committee for the TBISW. The Committee Chairs for the TBISW are: Dr. Charles Long, Resident Director, Overton-TAMU Agricultural Research and Extension Center; Wendell Shronk, Executive Vice-President, Beefmaster Breeders United; and John Dudley, Dudley Brothers Herefords. Jim Butler will also be working closely on this activity. Nelson indicated that the planning cmte. was polled on their preferences regarding the dates and locations of the TBISW. The survey completed by the planning committee resulted in holding the TBISW in Fort Worth, Texas on January 15-16, 2001. The actual location will be at the Ramada Plaza Hotel Fort Worth/Convention Center. Gene Nelson believed that the key to this Summit activity will be getting the planning committee involved in the process. Nelson also indicated that this summit would be a little different from past activities. It will focus on the participation of key leaders in the beef industry.

Future Summit Opportunities

Graddy Tunnell opened discussion on future Summit opportunities with good humor suggesting that Summit over the Farm Bill changes be held in Lubbock. John Abernathy talked about what he felt are some key issues in the making. Abernathy strongly felt the new Farm Bill would be the biggest issue at hand. John Abernathy believes revisions in the Farm Bill are somewhat of a mystery but safety nets and risk avoidance are two issues that will be debated.

Dan Gattis emphasized the importance that redistricting will play in the decline of representation for rural communities. John Abernathy and Gene Nelson said that a summit regarding the Farm Bill may incorporate rural concerns into the agenda also, however, rural issues are probably big enough to hold its own summit regarding those issues.

John Abernathy stated that there is an opportunity to pursue a follow-up summit to the Biotechnology Summit. Daniel Brackeen added that the market is consumer driven and the establishment of biotechnology education would be the key to acceptance. John Abernathy and Ed Price agreed and said that the a follow-up summit could be used in the capacity to help educate people on the benefits and needs for biotechnology.

L.G. Raun remarked that water is an ever-growing issue that may constitute holding a summit activity. L.G. Raun said that the debate between water rights is going to be very big (bad or good) to agriculture in Texas. Raun explained that Regional Water Planning Groups bring both sides Agriculture vs. Municipalities) to address the issues and educate both parties on the issues and possible solutions. A Summit may be used in this capacity.

Consensus was met on putting aside Farm Labor and Youth Leadership Summits for now and concentrate on the following as future summit activities:

2002 Farm Bill
Follow-up to Biotech Summit
Rural Issues
Water

Graddy Tunnell asked all members to think about these topics and please send any remarks to Ryan O'Neal or Gene Nelson. Gene Nelson suggested having a new Farm Bill Summit 6-12 months before the debate in Congress to help influence the decisions that will come out of that debate. Everyone agreed that mid-August to early September of 2001 would be an appropriate time to hold a 2002 Farm Bill Summit upon which rural issues may be incorporated. The follow-up to the Biotech Summit should occur after the 2002 Farm Bill Summit and after this a summit over water should take place.

Membership Update

Graddy Tunnell asked that members please ponder on and consider potential members to the SEC. Tunnell asserted that members submit any thoughts to Ryan O'Neal, Gene Nelson or Jim Butler.

Other Business

Graddy Tunnell asked members if there was any further business that needed to be taken care of before adjournment. No one responded and Tunnell said that he would like to hear from John Schnieder. Schnieder remarked that he would like to see an increase in the educating of foreign students at the graduate level. Schnieder went on to say that general politics is against educating foreign students because it is hard to show people that in the long-run it's good and in our best interest to educate foreigners. Roddy Peeples agreed and asked Ed Price to give some insight into foreign markets. Price contended that Texas has influence in Latin American markets and has a strong hold on it but should not give up its guard on this market.

Graddy Tunnell asked Ed Price to provide members with insight into some solutions for international issues. Price explained that not only should we teach and train countries to use our commodities (create demand abroad for our products) but we should adjust our markets to meet foreign countries demands. This would mean orienting our people of the opportunities out there. Price also believed it is key to educate decision makers abroad in the United States to help all interests. This would constitute helping other countries develop and making U.S. schools and offices more "user friendly" for foreign students.

Adjourn

Graddy Tunnell expressed his appreciation to all SEC members for their hard work in the past and willingness to continue their dedication to Texas Agriculture. Graddy Tunnell adjourned the meeting at 4:06 p.m.