Summit Executive Committee
June 26, 1997 Omni Southpark Hotel Austin, TX

MINUTES

Members Present:
Donnis Baggett
Wallace Migura
Pierce Miller
Wayne Showers
Bob Stallman
James Stewart
Graddy Tunnell

Others Present:
John Abernathy
Jim Butler
Kayshia Clifton
Ed Hiler
Bob Merrifield
Jessica Oman

Welcome and Introductions - Jim Butler welcomed members and guests to the meeting. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Rick Perry provided comments regarding the importance of agri-technology to Texas agriculture, encouraging the Summit Executive Committee to address the issue and offering TDA as a resource in this area. Chairman Bob Stallman provided introductory comments and called the meeting to order.

Follow-up Activities - Jessica Oman provided a report on follow-up activities as follows:

Farm Bill and Beyond Conference (June 1996) - The Agriculture Program and members of the Summit Executive Committee have been in close contact with the Independent Bankers Association. Specifically, the Agriculture Committee of IBA has requested that the Summit Initiative sponsor a banking summit. In addition, arrangements have been made for the Agricultural Economics faculty at Texas A&M University to provide a column on agricultural finance issues in the monthly IBA newsletter.

Summit III - Environmental and Natural Resource Policy for the 21st Century (November 1996) - The final report from Summit III is complete, and copies were distributed to members present. The report will be mailed to all participants and state and federal legislators and elected officials. The Agriculture Program is working with the Federal Reserve Bank in planning a water conference for the financial community. All past Summit participants have been invited to this conference.

Rice Summit Conference (February 1997) - A press release and draft final report were distributed to SEC members for review. The final report should be complete by mid-July and distributed to participants.

Overview of the Summit Initiative - There is a need for a document that provides a background, history and description of the Summit process. The document would be similar in length and format to the Summit Prospectus but would not necessarily be a fundraising piece. Jessica Oman provided a draft of the copy only (no graphics or layout) for review, comment and input. The final document will go to print in August once the Summit Executive Committee membership has been determined and is final.

Summit Exhibit - A one-page layout of the current Summit exhibit/booth was distributed. Kayshia Clifton explained that the exhibit was out-of-date and should be updated. It was suggested that this layout could also serve as a one-pager summary of the Summit Initiative, as well. The cost of updating would be rather inexpensive since the actual booth structure is the most expensive component. Members were asked to provide comments and suggestions to Kayshia Clifton for the booth (see attached one-pager) by July 31, 1997. Staff will work with the Agricultural Communications Department at TAMU to update the information.

Task Forces - Kayshia Clifton reviewed results of the task force survey and the list of existing task force members as well as those new members that have been suggested to serve. The following concerns were raised concerning the task force structure:

There is a disconnect between the SEC and the task forces. To develop and implement all-encompassing plans may be too high of an expectation of the task forces. The general agriculture approach does not appeal to all members (for example, some members only have an interest in beef issues). The "product" of the task forces needs to be determined (white paper?). Length of service on a task force (how long must they be on the task force?)

It was determined that a new task force structure should be developed. The following plan was developed and staff were directed to go forth with the plan:

Reorganize existing task forces into "pools" and rename them as "Advisory Task Forces." For instance, the Communications Task Force would be renamed the "Communications Advisory Task Force." There would be no need for leadership for these groups, and they would be utilized as resources for expertise.

Members of Advisory Task Forces would be called upon individually based on expertise and interest in a specific issue by which a conference would be planned. A "stakeholder interest group" task force would be developed for each conference held. For instance, if a beef summit were to be held, a few members from each of the five advisory task forces would be asked to serve on a beef summit task force.

The summit issue task force (for a specific conference) would be responsible for developing the program for the conference. Following the conference, any volunteers resulting from the conference, would be added to the summit issue task force to assist with follow-up activities.

Thus, the charge to the summit issue task force would be to develop the program and direct follow-up activities and implementation of recommendations from the conference.

Current task force chairmen should be recognized for their leadership. They will be honored with a plaque and special presentation at the next SEC meeting, scheduled for September 16. In addition, the new task force structure will be explained, and task force chairs will be asked to provide input and ideas.

Realizing that some task forces, such as the Leadership Task Force, have provided solid recommendations that are ready to act upon, the SEC will begin the process of seeking funding and resources to accomplish them. Jim Stewart expressed concern that there is still no comprehensive plan for agriculture.

Summit Membership - Members reviewed the list of members who will remain on the SEC and those who were suggested for membership. After discussion, it was determined that staff should invite the following to serve on the SEC:

L.G. Raun (rice producer, natural resources)
Coney Burgess (rancher, TSCRA President)
Art Milberger (turf)
Wayne Martin (cotton)
D.V. Guerra (cattle, farming)
Bob Palm (poultry, Pilgrim's Pride)

Vacancies representing the medical/human health, food distribution and public education sectors will be filled once individuals have been identified. During the next meeting, all members will draw to determine length of terms (1, 2 or 3 year), and officers will be elected.

Summit By-Laws - Bob Merrifield reviewed the Summit By-laws, with changes incorporated during the November meeting. Pierce Miller made a motion to adopt the by-laws. Graddy Tunnell seconded the motion. With a quorum present, the by-laws were adopted by acclamation.

Long-term Funding - In order to secure funds for Summit projects beyond Summit meetings (such as white papers), there is a need to establish an endowment. Bob Merrifield reported that we are ready to move forth with this. A proposal has been made to the Kellogg Foundation in which the Summit Initiative is a part of (it is a collective effort of The Agriculture Program). There is a possibility that a Texas foundation could match Kellogg's contribution. Jim Stewart also mentioned a matching program that the Houston Audubon Society may have. Currently, we are using the Texas A&M Foundation and Ag Program Development Office as a vehicle to solicit gifts in the name of the Summit. The Summit Initiative currently has approximately $24,000 in an account for ongoing expenses, and the San Antonio Livestock Exposition has committed $6,000 as a result of our proposal submission earlier this year.

Future Summits - Jim Butler reported that several individuals have approached him about holding a summit. The following issues have been suggested as those that the Summit Initiative should address in the near future:

Banking - stimulated by the Farm Bill and Beyond Conference and on request of the Independent Bankers Association
Forestry - need to develop a statewide conservation plan; consolidation of the industry continues while part-time growers are increasing
Beef - this industry continues to face national and international challenges
Dairy - policy changes and environmental regulations are putting Texas dairies out of business; this is an immediate concern
Biotechnology - new cloning issues, etc.
International Trade - NAFTA issues

Ed Hiler said he sees the International issue taking on a full Summit approach, while the other issues could be addressed through Summit Conferences (similar to the Farm Bill and Beyond and Rice Summit Conferences).

It was determined that proposals would be developed on the Banking, Forestry, Beef, Dairy, Biotechnology and International Summits/Summit Conferences and would be presented acted upon at the next SEC meeting.

Closing Comments - In closing Bob Stallman, stressed the importance of keeping the Summit Initiative as an apolitical forum as was its original intent. In doing so, we should avoid politicizing events by involving those who may be seeking office.

Members were reminded that the next meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 16 from 9:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the Omni Southpark Hotel in Austin with the following agenda and actions to be taken:

Orientation and updates
Future Summits to be determined
Task Force recognition and new structure reviewed
Officer elections

The meeting adjourned at 2:05 p.m.