NATIONAL AQUACULTURE EXTENSION CONFERENCE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Justification................................................................................................. 2

Related Current and Previous Work............................................................ 3

Anticipated Benefits.................................................................................... 4

Objectives................................................................................................... 5

Procedures.................................................................................................. 6

Facilities...................................................................................................... 7

Project Leaders............................................................................................ 7

Proposed Budget.......................................................................................... 9

Budget Justification...................................................................................... 10

xRAC Budget Format Page ………………………………………………… 11

Schedule For Completion Of Objectives....................................................... 12

JUSTIFICATION

Aquaculture continues to be one of the fastest growth sectors for the entire US agriculture industry. In addition, seafood imports have maintained their position second in value to oil as a natural resource import to the US. The rapid diversification into a large number of species and production systems has led to increased demand for information from existing and potential producers, government agencies, educators, and consumers. Questions regarding the environmental impacts of certain aquacultural practices has further stimulated demands for science based information. Aquaculture extension professionals have made tremendous progress to meet the demand for information, training and support from industry, government and consumers. However, several important new issues are impacting aquaculture in the US including; new regulations from EPA, consideration of new legislation on drugs for Minor Use and Minor Species, and defining "organic standards" for aquaculture products. Extension expertise has been called upon to guide these issues through all phases of development.

Nationally, aquaculture is a diverse business that involves numerous disciplines in the production of food and non-food items. As global markets and competition become more influential in impacting the current and future development of aquaculture in the United States, there is a need to focus resources and leverage public and private sector talents to benefit private sector and consumer interests.

The upcoming regulatory action by the Environmental Protection Agency is a primary example of how extension will need to explain and support industry as it incorporates the changes that will arise from new regulation. This is a prime example of a growing number of issues that are beyond state and regional boundaries and can benefit from the pooled talent and contributions of professionals with different experiences and perspectives.

The growth of the Internet has been the vanguard of rapid change in computer information, communication systems, software management and decision support tools available. These provide opportunities for competitive advantage and can dissolve geographic boundaries. The Web has completely changed how information is distributed to clientele. Rapid dissemination of information critical for private industry decisions is becoming more important in today's competitive world. With shrinking supplies of seafood from the oceans, there is a need for aquacultural products to contribute increased supplies of aquatic foods and other products for consumers.

The U. S. is a leading nation in aquaculture research and development, therefore it is critical that new discoveries and knowledge reach potential beneficiaries as quickly as possible. Effective networking of extension professionals with a common vision of benefiting private sector development is an important element for continued and future success. Networking can be initiated by extension professionals in partnership with others in research and development. Today's issues and challenges require new, improved ways to move industry forward and educate the public. Growing interest in vocational education with aquaculture as a component has led to establishment of numerous programs across the U.S.

Two prior national extension conferences have stimulated the development of a national extension network that has played an important role in supporting U.S. aquaculture. With the advent of new technologies of computer systems, distance education satellite programs and a movement towards sharing expertise and talents across state and regional boundaries there are opportunities for multi-state collaborative efforts that raise standards for excellence and service. Because of declining state budgets and staff there is a need to leverage existing resources in cases of mutual interest and need. This can be accomplished through regional and national collaborative initiatives with a clear vision of anticipated outcomes and targeted beneficiaries.

The 1992 and 1997 National Aquaculture Extension Conferences were interregional projects funded by the USDA supported Regional Aquaculture Centers. The role of extension education within the RAC Program is evidenced by the realization of the need for an effective extension component in most if not all RAC funded projects. The National Office of Sea Grant has likewise considered aquaculture research and outreach an important part of program efforts and has funded projects in many states over the years that have led to real advances in the aquaculture industry. The National Office of Sea Grant has already committed $20,000 to the 2003 National Aquaculture Extension Conference. While Land Grant and Sea Grant agents and specialists work together in some parts of the nation, this is not the case in all areas. Linking these organizations can only result in the whole being far stronger than the sum of the parts and result in benefits that would be perceived by industry and others as utilizing our professional resources for the maximum benefit of the industry and the nation.

RELATED AND PREVIOUS WORK

This proposed National Conference builds on the previous conferences held in March of 1992 in Little Rock, AR and April of 1997 in Annapolis, Maryland. It will bring together both Sea Grant and Land Grant agents and specialists to explore common program bonds and ways to collaborate professionally to enhance the program activities of both.

The previous National Aquaculture Extension Conferences resulted in the publication of two proceedings and their dissemination to all attendees, as well as copies to other archives. These conferences strengthened the role of extension within the RAC's. This "model" melds the output side of research with the impact side of extension and industry partnerships. Both workshops were evaluated on the last day of the program and several months post-program. Ninety percent of respondents found the 1997 workshop to be of definite assistance to their program and supported the effort to hold a future conference. A plurality felt that the next meeting should be in the Western Region.

The overall rating of the first conference was 4.3 and the second was 4.2 on a 1 to 5 scale with 5 being the highest rating (100%).

When asked in what ways they benefited from the program the three most common responses were:

1. Improved contacts from other states.

2. Greater knowledge of internet use

3. Better understanding of Extension programs, funding and technology transfer

The following is a listing (in random order) of topics or issues that respondents felt they would like to see addressed in future conferences. These are being used to organize the sessions, workshops and tours for the proposed conference.

-Update on Web and Internet tools

-Environmental impacts, regulations and mitigation

-International aquaculture extension

-Economics and marketing

-Marine shrimp in inland waters

-Pathology and interstate transfers

-Funding resources for extension

-Aquaculture extension in the classroom

-Recirculating systems

-Biotechnology and genetic engineering

-Improving teaching skills

-EPA regulations of effluents

-Status of minor species therapuetants

-Organic aquaculture products

 

ANTICIPATED BENEFITS

This conference is the only opportunity for extension professionals nationwide to plan, organize, implement and evaluate a professional growth and enhancement program that aims to improve personal performance and effectiveness. As programs undergo scrutiny and downsizing and extension capabilities in aquaculture vary across the nation, investment in human capital is of enormous benefit. As more university faculty are asked to address multiple responsibilities of extension, teaching and research functions, effectiveness becomes increasingly important.

This conference offers participants new contacts, knowledge about new topics, information about new tools to enhance productivity, appreciation of experience and perspectives on issues, a chance to replicate model programs, gains in expanding professional networks, opportunity to contribute to development of others, insights into participating in regional and national initiatives and growth in skills development relevant to responsibilities. The conference provides a forum for professionals from the Sea Grant Marine Advisory Service, the Cooperative Extension Service, and other outreach programs to seek collaboration for mutual benefit to the aquaculture industry and the public.

This conference is also expected to strengthen research and extension linkages in a manner that is complementary and in partnership with private sector interests. The inclusion of a research based science and technology theme that leads to implementation plans to better service and impact industry development through state, regional and national actions is both timely and essential.

Post-conference evaluation responses from the 1992 and 1997 meetings provide insights to improve the program to address personal expectations. Realizing that the nation’s outreach community is as diverse as the nation’s aquaculture industry, the workshop will address themes and issues that cut across regional structures. Anticipated benefits are investments in human capital and staff development that will contribute to present and future development of aquaculture nationwide for many years to come. By enhancing quality performance standards and professional capabilities which are a continuous journey in anyone’s career, our nation’s key stakeholders in aquaculture will benefit. These may include small producer families, well established corporate producers, politicians, university students, vocational education instructors, prospective producers, processors, state regulators, suppliers, or consumers of aquaculturally produced foods or products.

 

OBJECTIVES

1. Learn successful approaches to problem-solving through case studies that can be replicated in other states, i.e., lessons learned.

2. Demonstrate and conduct hands-on experience with state-of-the-art computer applications for improving delivery of extension programs.

3. Identify national extension priorities and critical issues with development of corresponding action plans for implementation.

4. Identify potential interregional extension projects, such as curriculum development or national decision-support databases.

5. Share educational materials and programs in addition to expertise.

  1. Strengthen regional and national communication networks to improve services to our clientele.
  2. Develop international linkages with extension professionals in Mexico and Canada.

8. Examine successful extension components and outcomes to research projects and develop approaches to improve integration nationwide.

9. Develop a collective strategy to define extension's role in measuring impacts of RAC projects and collaboration with others in academia and private sector.

10. Improve business management skills related to aquaculture and enhance knowledge concerning marketing of aquatic products

11. Develop a method to evaluate the impact and accomplishments associated with conference after six months.

PROCEDURES

The conference will be planned by a National Steering Committee composed of representatives appointed by Directors from each of the five RACs. Each RAC has appointed at least one but no more than two extension professionals to serve on this Committee and represent the interests and ideas of other extension professionals in their region. The Steering Committee has been and will continue to utilize teleconferencing and an e-mail list serve for efficient and cost effective communications. To date the committee has surveyed extension professionals in their regions to choose a site for the conference and has developed this proposal to be submitted to each RAC to request funding support. An extension mailgroup will be used to solicit input and suggestions from US aquaculture extension community in developing the conference program. This should serve to increase the level of engagement and participation of the broader extension community. The Steering Committee will also take the opportunity to meet at the Aquaculture America meetings in San Diego and Lexington where many of the members will be in attendance. This will provide an additional opportunity to generate interest and input from the wider aquaculture extension community. The names of Steering Committee members are listed under the section on "Project Leaders".

The Steering Committee will be responsible for developing the program for the conference and its implementation. The University of Arizona and Dr. Kevin Fitzsimmons will serve as the lead institution and lead P.I. respectively, and will be responsible for working with the University of Arizona sponsored research office to setup accounts and any subcontracts that may be required. Fitzsimmons is recruiting a co-chair from a neighboring state.

A proceedings subcommittee will be created by the National Steering Committee and will be charged with establishing lists of peer reviewers and assignments for final paper editing. The Steering Committee has determined that the proceedings will be made available in electronic forms on CD-ROM and in PDF format on a Web site.

At the conclusion of the conference a written evaluation will be completed by all participants for feedback and reporting purposes. This instrument will be developed as assigned by the National Steering Committee. A post-conference evaluation instrument will also be developed and mailed to all participants to determine the application and outcomes related to the workshop. This will be conducted six months after the conclusion of the conference. The National Steering Committee will make appropriate assignments and develop procedures for implementation.

The conference will draw a diverse audience and participants who will be critical for contributing to the uniqueness of this program and its success. The format for the Conference is anticipated to be a blend of invited papers, panel discussions, hands-on exercises and informal issue targeted sessions. The National Steering Committee has developed the format of a two-day conference, followed by one day of short courses and a day of tours to research and production facilities. The Steering Committee has selected Tucson, Arizona as the site for the 3rd National Conference. Conference and hotel facilities are readily available and bids have been requested from 3 potential sites.

The following persons have already agreed to serve on the Local Arrangement Committee (LAC):

--Kevin Fitzsimmons, University of Arizona

--Dennis McIntosh, University of Arizona

--George Brooks, Gila River Community

--Fred Conte, University of California at Davis

--Ray RaLonde, University of Alaska

FACILITIES

Conference facilities are available at the meeting location in Tucson. Three hotels are being considered. Each is near the University of Arizona main campus. Tucson International airport hosts most major airlines including low cost carrier Southwest Airlines. Aquaculture facilities at the University of Arizona will be open as well as several commercial operations. Computer lab facilities on the campus will also be available for intensive Internet training.

.PROJECT LEADERS

The following persons were selected to serve on the National Steering Committee

State Name Institution _______

Alabama David Cline Auburn University

Alaska Ray Ralonde University of Alaska

Arizona Kevin Fitzsimmons University of Arizona

Arkansas Nathan Stone University of Arkansas Pine Bluff

Hawaii Jim Szyper University of Hawaii

Iowa Joseph Morris Iowa State University

Massachusetts Dale Leavitt Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute

Maryland Don Webster University of Maryland

Michigan Ron Kinnunen Michigan State University

Virginia Brian Nerrie Virginia State University

The first members of an advisory committee have also been selected. Additional members will be selected from the RAC's. They will receive no direct project funding for their participation but will be included in all information dissemination from the conference and solicited for their advice and expertise in the design and implementation of this conference.

Conference Advisory Committee:

Ted Batterson NC RAC Michigan State University

Gary Jensen USDA CSREES

Max Mayeaux USDA CSREES

Jim McVey National Office of Sea Grant College

Jim Murray National Office of Sea Grant College

Merle Jensen Associate Dean University of Arizona

SCHEDULE FOR COMPLETION OF OBJECTIVES

Summer 2001 Project Leaders appointed by RAC Directors. Organizational information on workshop developed by e-mail group to facilitate communication.

Fall 2001 Workshop location of Tucson, AZ selected by National Steering Committee. Proposal for National Aquaculture Extension Conference developed by Steering Committee and submitted to RACs to request cost-sharing for inter-regional project. Advisors to the project chosen. Local arrangement committee named. First announcement of meeting dates and location distributed to aquaculture community.

Jan 2002 National Steering Committee and advisors meet at Aquaculture America convention in San Diego, CA to organize and initiate program planning. Solicit suggestions from extension community for session and workshop topics.

Spring 2002 Program development, topics chosen, and speakers contacted. Papers requested where required to assess relevance for national conference.

Summer 2002 First mass contact with to potential audience concerning dates, location and program information about conference.

Fall 2002 Conference material with updated program, finalized short courses, and other information mailed to potential attendees.

Jan 2003 Final conference material mailed to attendees with registration and accommodation information, and tour and short course selections.

Feb 2003 Steering Committee meets at Aquaculture America in Lexington KY to finalize plans for National Aquaculture Extension Conference.

April 7-11 03 Conference held. Two-day program with one day of tours and one day of optional short course(s). Proceeding distributed at conference with archive copies to relevant depositories. Evaluation at conclusion of program.

Fall 2003 Final evaluation mailed to attendees seeking information on the impact and benefits that resulted from the conference held earlier in the year. This six month post-conference evaluation provides time for application of new information, methods, experiences and strengthening regional and national professional contact networks and allows input for future professional development activities.