SOUTHERN EXTENSION MARKETING COMMITTEE (SEMC)

Primary Purpose of the Group
The dynamics of economic growth and forces of change continue to bring about many problems in marketing that are regional or interregional in nature rather than being limited to any one state. The Southern Extension Marketing Committee (SEMC) strives to improve the effectiveness of Extension marketing work across the Southern region. To accomplish its purpose and address new challenges, the committee takes on several roles including; to jointly recognize and identify marketing problems in the Southern region; coordinate efforts on problems that are multi-state in scope; produce and share joint materials and publications; share experiences regarding effective educational methodologies; increase awareness of Extension colleagues in each representative's home state about what is being done across the region; and provide assistance to Extension administration in addressing marketing problems.

Summary of Accomplishments
Annual meetings are held to conduct business and address priority work identified by the Southern Extension Marketing Committee. Annual meeting is held in conjunction with the Southern Extension Public Affairs (SEPAC) and Farm Management (SEFMC) committees.

The committee co-sponsors the Southern Regional Extension Outlook Conference with SEPAC and SEFMC. The SEMC provides principal leadership for the market risk management content of the conference and situation and outlook for selected commodities.

Current/Recent Major Projects

The 2004 Southern Extension Outlook Conference will be in Atlanta in September, 2004. Paper and web format publication of the Outlook conference papers will be continued. Situation and market outlook will be provided by many of the SEMC committee members. John Anderson (MS), Charlie Hall (TN) and Nathan Smith (GA) are serving on the outlook planning committee. Numerous state and regional activities are underway.

Futures marketing education continues to be a part of the SEMC activities, including a trading simulation involving extension colleagues in the Policy and Farm Management groups. This is directed through a web site developed and maintained by John Van Sickle (FL). This activity is being conducted as (and serves as a model for) a multi-state in-service professional development educational activity generating extramural funding. The new name of the trading simulation is FACTSIM. Parameters of this year's game include: $20 entrance fee for each individual; $35 trading fee; an exercise fee on options; $20,000 in startup funds; $50,000 maximum on loans; loan origination fee of 3.05%; interest of loans of 6.24%; beginning date is shortly after July 4, ending date is Friday before this year's Outlook Conference; modules will include commodities, energy, and weather. The entry fee money is used to provide prizes for the outstanding individual trader and team. Prizes for first, second, and third place will be given.

SEMC Awards Committee. Three awards sponsored by the SEMC will be awarded this year at the Southern Outlook Conference. These awards are: (1) Excellence in Regional Programming - individual or team nominations, (2) Excellence in Communications - including publications and other media, and (3) Excellence in Addressing Emerging Issues - also referred to as the "early-response" or "fire-fighters" award. Guidelines for the awards and a nomination form will be sent to SEMC marketing committee members. The first award(s) will be presented at the 2004 Southern Region Outlook Conference. David Anderson (TX), Tim Woods (KY), and Tim Cross (TN) will serve as the awards committee.

SEMC Publications. A three-person publications subcommittee (consisting of Phil Kenkel, Nathan Smith, and Nick Piggot) is still in the process of establishing parameters for publishing documents in a SEMC publications series. SEMC publications must be of relevance to the Southern Region, will be peer reviewed and numbered (e.g. 2002-01). The Administrative Advisor may appoint a site for the publication to be hosted.

States Represented
Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas.

Committee Leadership 2004 - 2005

Chair: Charlie Hall (TN) 865-974-7410 crh@utk.edu
Vice-Chair: David Anderson (TX) 979-845-1772 danderson@tamu.edu
Secretary: Kurt Guidry (LA) 225-578-4567 kmguidry@agctr.lsu.edu
Past Chair: Nick Piggot (NC) 919-515-4668 nick_piggott@ncsu.edu

Administrative
Advisor: Tim Cross (TN) 865-974-7112 tlcross@utk.edu

SEMC Meeting Minutes

Introductions: Everyone introduced themselves to the group.

Attendence:
Kurt Guidry, LSU
Ron Rainey, Arkansas
David Anderson, TAMU
Charlie Hall, Tennessee
Charlie Forrest, MSU
Walt Prevatt, Auburn
Phil Kenkel, OSU
George Shumaker, Georgia
Nick Piggott, NCSU
Tim Woods, Kentucky
Greg Fonsah, Georgia
Charlie Curtis, Clemson

State Reports:
Each state member gave their state report. Almost all states reported position changes and retirements. More retirements are expected in the next couple of years. Several states are struggling to figure out how to fund public education. Several members noted an increase in activity on analyzing the impacts of different taxes on agriculture.

Many states reported increased efforts in "accountability." All are working toward quantifying the impact of Extension programs.

Southern Risk Management Center:
A large part of the discussion time was devoted to the risk management center. Key points are summarized below.

• 3 rounds of funding completed.
• Need to integrate the proposal and reporting process into the on-line system.
• Approval to do direct funding - no approval from USDA needed.
• Every proposal is reviewed by every panel member - the Summary and Outcomes is VERY Important.
• Impressed by breadth of topics and agencies that request funding.
• There are a lot of people looking for money. Broader than just extension.
• Big is not always better, small projects, small groups of people can be successful.
• Looking for innovative stuff - materials, willing to fund some P.I. time to develop materials.
• General feeling that the on line proposal process is good.
• 2 problems with on line reporting - when to do it, and how to do it on line and looking at who delivered last year in evaluating this year's proposals.

Elections:
Charlie Curtis, Clemson, nominated Kurt Guidry, LSU, to be the incoming Secretary. Kurt was elected unanimously. Charlie Hall, Tennessee, was elevated from Vice-Chair to Chair for 2004-2005. David Anderson, Texas A&M, was elevated to Vice-Chair from Secretary.

New Business:
The trading game is on again. This year's entry fee is $20. The winnings will be distributed for first, second, and third for teams and individuals. The contest will be held over the summer and awards will be presented at the Southern Extension Outlook Conference. As usual, the winners will be expected to furnish refreshments at the appropriate time.

As noted in the minutes from the 2003 meeting the SEMC will begin an award program for Outstanding Extension Marketing Education. Three awards will be presented: (1) Excellence in Regional Programming - individual or team nominations, (2) Excellence in Communications - including publications and other media, and (3) Excellence in Addressing Emerging Issues - also referred to as the "early-response" or "fire-fighters" award. The nomination form will be developed and sent out by David Anderson who will be aided in judging the awards by Tim Cross, Administrative Advisor and Tim Woods, Kentucky. The first awards will presented at the Southern Extension Outlook Conference in 2004.

Meeting Adjourned at 2:35 to move to joint session with the other committees.