2020 Agenda

The Future of Land Grant Universities
Monday-Thursday, June 22-25, 2020 - 
Virtual Event (via Zoom) 

If you missed the meeting or want to re-watch your favorite talks, view the recordings below.
Day 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFJbvPsg-oo&t=4470s
Day 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkoD2_qzIeU&t=2s
Day 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ui3Uix56YRM

Times are listed in Pacific Time (PT)

Monday, June 22

Watch the recording
2:00 PM  WAAESD Executive Committee - Chris Pritsos, Chair

3:00   Opening Remarks and Welcome - Glenda Humiston, Vice President, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources

Moderator: Glenda Humiston, Vice President, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources

3:10  UPDATES

NIFA (National Institute of Food and Agriculture) - Bill Hoffman, Chief of Staff (20 min.)

APLU (Assn. of Public Land Grant Universities) - Doug Steele, Vice President, Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (20 min.)

3:50  Q&A

4:00  Break

4:10   Awards Program -  Moderator: Cody Stone, Executive Director, Montana State University Extension

5:00 PM  Adjourn

Tuesday, June 23

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3:00 PM  Introductions - Bret Hess, Executive Director , WAAESD

Moderator: Michael Gaffney, Assistant Director, WSU Extension and WEDA Chair, Washington State University

3:05 PM Reimagining the Rural West: Western Governors' Association (WGA) Chair, Doug Burgum’s InitiativesJames Ogsbury, Executive Director, WGA

Jim Ogsbury (Bio) will explain WGA’s efforts to examine challenges and opportunities in rural economic development, infrastructure and quality of life, identify best practices, and recommend policies to support vibrant rural communities in the West. The presentation will be organized around the three major pillars: Opportunity, Connectivity and Community. Visit https://westgov.org/initiatives/overview/reimagining-the-rural-west-initiative to learn more about Governor Burgum’s initiative on “Reimagining the Rural West.”

3:50  Break

4:00  Why the Land-Grant Mission Matters More Than Ever During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Times of Social Unrest - Stephen M. Gavazzi, Professor, Dept. of Human Sciences, Ohio State University

Steve Gavazzi (Bio) will explore the strengths and weaknesses of land-grant universities while examining the changing threats and future opportunities they face. Dr. Gavazzi will argue that leaders and supporters should work to uphold their land-grant university community-focused missions through teaching, research, and service-oriented activities designed to counter the COVID-19 pandemic and the social unrest sweeping the nation at present. More information about why leaders and supporters should become more fiercely land-grant can be found in Dr. Gavazzi’s two books:
https://jhupbooks.press.jhu.edu/title/land-grant-universities-future
https://ohiostatepress.org/books/titles/9780814214442.html

5:00 PM  Adjourn

Wednesday, June 24

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3:00 PM  Introductions – Bret Hess, Executive Director, WAAESD

Moderator: Michael Gaffney, Assistant Director, WSU Extension and WEDA Chair, Washington State University

3:05  Rewriting the Rural Narrative - Benjamin Winchester, Extension Educator, Community Economics, University of Minnesota

Ben Winchester (Bio) will explain the rural "brain gain" - the trend of 30-49 year-olds moving to rural areas - to identify the social and economic opportunities of this migration. He will also discuss rural community leadership, especially as it affects community-wide requirements to support the public sector. Learn more about this demographic trend and what it means for communities by visiting the Rural Brain Gain website: http://z.umn.edu/braingain.

4:00  Break

4:10  Unlocking the Digital Economy and Shrinking the Digital Divide - Roberto Gallardo, Director, Center for Regional Development and Specialist, Extension Community & Regional Economics, Purdue University

Roberto Gallardo (Bio) will discuss the importance of technology in local and regional community economic development. Dr. Gallardo will highlight a 21st century community development model that helps rural communities transition to, plan for, and prosper in the digital age. More information about how the digital revolution has potential to level the playing field between urban and rural communities may be found in his book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FWN06SU/

5:00 PM  Adjourn

Thursday, June 25

3-5 PM   Business Meetings

WAAESD, Chair Chris Pritsos; Executive Director Bret Hess
The agenda will be shared with members in a separate email.


WEDA, Chair Michael Gaffney; Executive Director Lyla Houglum
The agenda has been shared in a separate email.


W-AHS/CARET, Chair Glenda Humiston 
Agenda 
Meeting Materials