Multistate Committee Update 2011-12

Multistate Committee Update2013-14H Michael HarringtonExecutive Director WAAESDRevised June 2013USDA National Priorities* Climate ChangeRenewable EnergyGlobal Food SecurityFood SafetyNutrition and Childhood Obesity

REE Action Plan completed plan is outgrowth of the REE Roadmap* UnchangedESCOP - Science Roadmap for Food and AgricultureEnhance the sustainability, competitiveness, and profitability of U.S. food and agricultural systemsAdapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change on food, feed, fiber, and fuel systems in the United States.Support energy security and the development of the bioeconomy from renewable natural resources in the United States.Play a global leadership role to ensure a safe, secure, and abundant food supply for the United States and the world.Improve human health, nutrition, and wellness of the U.S. population.Heighten environmental stewardship through the development of sustainable management practices.Strengthen individual, family, and community development and resilience.

Water, sustainability and health are transcending issues among 35 action itemsSee: http://escop.ncsu.edu/docs/scienceroadmap.pdf

USDA-REECatherine Woteki Undersecretary for REESonny Ramaswammy NIFA DirectorDeputy DirectorsMeryl Broussard Agriculture and Natural ResourcesRalph Otto Food and Community ResourcesInstitute Principal ScientistsFood Production and Sustainability - Debby SheeleyBioenergy, Climate & Environment - Frank Boteler*Food Safety & Nutrition - Robert HollandYouth, Family and Community Systems - Muquarrab Qureshi

* will be leavingChanges in AFRI ProgramsFewer new programs focus heavily on collaborations and integrated teamsChildhood Obesity Prevention Challenge AreaClimate Change Challenge AreaFood Safety Challenge AreaGlobal Food Security Challenge AreaSustainable Bioenergy Challenge AreaFoundational Program

AFRI Funding Heavily LeveragedFY 2011FY 2012AFRI Budget264,470,000264,470,000Set asides 7.8536% (management fee, SBIR, Biotech Risk Assessment, panels, etc) 20,770,37020,770,370Available for awards243,699,630243,699,630Awards continuing from previous years estimated at $155 M in 2011167,000,000167,000,000Funds available for new awards76,699,630*76,699,630Expect to see fewer funds and programs in AFRI

*Estimate 6Mandatory Programs Expired in 2012Biomass R&D - $30mBeginning Farmer Rancher Program - $19mSpecialty Crop Research Initiative - $50mOrganic Research and Extension - $20mLay of the Land2011 Budget, yet another year long CRNIFA lost $217 million, including $122 million in Special GrantsARS lost $185 million

2012 Budget NIFA lost $202 million, including $106 M, Research, $71 M Extension every line but AHD and Policy Research Centers!!!ARS lost $144 million

2013 Budget Fiscal CliffNIFA lost 7.71% reduction due to sequestrationDistributed across all lines except AFRI (+ 12.8 M)ARS lost $78.3 M

Lay of the LandCapacity of LGUs has declined due to inflation and unfunded mandatesIncreasing capacity (formula)funds in the top priority for the AES and CES organizationsOMB position: Competitive grants result in the best scienceEconomic studies indicate the ROI on formula funds ranges between 20 - 50% over the last 40 yearsNIFA Appropriations Constant 1993 dollars to present

Budget Battles 2014 and BeyondHouse and Senate cant agree on anything2014 Farm BillFiscal CliffAll Committee are looking for savings and increased efficiencies combining lines/removing authorizations, small programs are vulnerable Agencies have been asked to look for ways to increase efficiency and reduce duplicationNIFA in 2014 Federal BudgetThings we care aboutFY 2012FY 2013FY 2013FY 2014EnactedEnactedFinalProposedHouse SenateHatch Act236.334236.334218.349236.334236.334Evans-Allen 1890 Research50.89850.89847.02350.89850.898McIntire-Stennis Co-op. Forestry32.93432.93430.42732.93432.934AFRI264.470264.470276.980383,376 290.657Smith Lever (3-b,c)294.0294.0271.618294.0294.01890 Extension42.59242.59239.34942.59242.592Understanding ImpactsWhy talk about impact reporting?Multistate Research Fund projects are required to complete an SF-422 Annual Report form that includes a section on project impacts.When a project terminates, and sometimes before, these reports feed into the National Impact Reporting Project which creates an Impact Statement with the information therein.Those Impact Statements are used by the Western Directors Office, ESCOP (via advocacy firm Cornerstone and education/marketing firm kglobal), and others to educate decision-makers in Washington DC about the importance of work being done in Hatch Multistate projects.Details on the current status of the National Impact Reporting Project: http://www.waaesd.org/?p=1736

What is Impact?The quantifiable difference a program makes in the quality of life for its users.A measurable change in condition.Quantitative, measurable benefits of the research outputs as experienced by those who receive them.

- However, the challenge has been to assess, determine and effectively communicate the impacts of our efforts.16Reports, publications, patents, data, workshops or informationDescription of the program or processNumber of persons attending a meetingNumber of persons enrolled in a programThese are outputs!!!IMPACTSimply put, impact statements answer the questions:So what?Who cares?andWhy?

Impact Reporting18Section 1: The Importance of ImpactThe So what? and Who cares? tests are what we apply to every potential impact statement. Emphasize the fact that this is where impact reporting hits home. Public officials, funding agencies, and the public ask these questions to determine if youre making a difference or not.

These impact statement tests are used for regional and national impact reporting programs.

Who cares?The PublicCongressFederal, state and local officialsStakeholdersExternal funding sourcesIndustry representativesCollege leadership

Why does their opinion matter?Seeking quantifiable benefits of programsHave competition for their attention and moneyExercise some type of control over your programsThe Golden Rule!!!! $$$$$$$$$$$$What is an Impact Statement?A brief summary in lay terms that describes the difference that your efforts have made.Highlights the difference your program is making for the public good.Concisely summarizes what you did to achieve this difference.Clearly states payoffs to society.Answers key questions: So what? Who cares? Why?

OutcomesAdoption of technologyCreation of jobsReduced cost to the consumerLess pesticide exposure to farmersAccess to more nutritious foodCleaner environment and healthier communities Elements of a good Impact Statement?It illustrates change in at least one of the following:Economic value or efficiencyEnvironmental qualitySocietal/individual well-beingImpact Reporting23Section 2: Elements of an Impact Statement Emphasize the point here that: an impact statement ILLUSTRATES CHANGE

Economics -- This new spray nozzle cut application of corn herbicides here by 19 percent for an annual savings of $3 per acre. Environmental quality --the same spray nozzle reduced the risk of damaging trees with spray drift by 85 percent.Social -- 90 percent of the first-time youth offenders who participated in our 4-H program instead of going to detention, did not end up back in the correction system after 7 years. Normally 50 percent do.An Impact Statement relating to economic returnFive years ago, Anderson County pork producers spent $17 more than the state average to raise a market hog. We helped them improve their record keeping and production practices, dropping costs to $3.19 below the state average. Each farms profit increased $345,000 over five years, bringing more hogs, more jobs, and more spending to the county.Impact Reporting24An Impact Statement relating to environmental qualityWe implemented a water monitoring program in cooperation with growers who farm 6,000 acres. We developed and demonstrated nutrient best management practices to reduce runoff into local streams. These practices reduced nutrient costs by an average of $10/acre and reduced nutrients in area streams by 70% Impact Reporting25Section 2: Elements of an Impact Statement An environmental quality statement -- reducing trash by using paper for horse bedding. Its likely theres an economic issue here too:

positive -- saving costs of land filling paper positive -- paper costs less to buy and dispose of than straw negative -- may need to spend money to dispose of used paper bedding as opposed to spreading straw waste negative -- may need different equipment to handle negative -- will cut into area straw sales

Question: What is weak about this statement?(Answer: Theres no dollar value supporting the economical substitute claim.)An Impact Statement relating to health and social wellbeingSocial/Individual wellbeing (health)No standards exist for wooden basketball, dance and aerobics floors. So, were setting them. Our scientists study the role of floor type and construction in chronic-use injuries that often make people stop exercising. Computer models predict how a floor reacts to various forces or environmental changes. Those predictions, and what doctors know about chronic athletic injuries, bring a prescription for safer exercise for athletes of all ages and abilities resulting in $30 million savings in medical costs.

Impact Reporting26Section 2: Elements of an Impact Statement You may want to note the positives and negatives in this statement. For instance, having a percentage of the potential reduction in injuries would help.

Hint: As an aside, ask your audience to tell you what would improve this statement. (having the percentage reduction in injuries from this work, for instance)

Reporting potential impact...Potential impact should be considered, especially in basic research and teaching or youth education work.Impact Reporting27Section 2: Elements of an Impact Statement Potential impact is a bit tricky to report. But in some of your programs it may be the only option. Youre investing in a future return. The trick is to use reality in illustrating future return on current investment. More on this later.

Example of potential impactWe bought special software for classroom computers. The students learned to analyze the total true cost of producing food products. Using the same software industry uses makes these students ready for the job market and ready to enhance the food industry.Impact Reporting28Section 2: Elements of an Impact Statement