Being Involved and Engaged at State, Regional and National Levels James J. Zuiches Vice Chancellor for Extension, Engagement and Economic Development December 12, 2006

2 Alternative Definitions of Leadership Serious meddling with the lives of others. —Max DePree Leadership is an influence relationship among leaders and their collaborators who intend real changes that reflect their mutual purpose. —Joe Rost, 1993

3 Why we don’t get involved –Lack of time –Ignorance of issues –Someone else is doing it –It’s too big a job and I am only one person –Elitism of science vs. politics –Politicians won’t listen to me –I can’t afford it –I’m not allowed to advocate Science, 314: 7NOV06:1081

4 Why Have I gotten involved? NSF – 1980 –David Stockman proposed to zero out all funding for social, economic and behavioral sciences research. AAAS – millions for high tech research; none to understand what social, organizational and economic factors contributed to successful programs in high technology. NRI – How would rural social and economic sciences be part of the new National Research Initiative? USDA –1999-failure to grow funding; ongoing proposals to cut base funds; “Not Keeping up with the Jones’”

5 Academic Involvement Scholar/Outreach: Journal articles, book chapters, editorials, testimony National Research Council, NAS –Future of Land-Grant Universities Committee –Framework Committee to review NIOSH Research Program –Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources (BANR) Professional Societies: AAAS, RSS, ASA, PAA, CAST

6 Administrative Involvement Sociology Program Director, NSF Associate Director, SAES, and Office for Research, Cornell Univ. (Indirect costs, Patents and Licensing) Director, Agricultural Research Center, WSU (Agricultural, Human Sciences, Natural Resource Sciences) Director, Community and Rural Development Program, W. K. Kellogg Foundation Director, Cooperative Extension, WSU Dean, College of Agriculture and Home Economics, WSU

7 Administrative Involvement University-wide Committees –Intellectual Property –Integrated Marketing Program NASULGC, Board on Agriculture, Budget Chair, FY99 ESCOP, AHS, BAA, NAREEEB State and National Legislative Activities –Safe Food Initiative, WSU –National Coalition for Rural Entrepreneurship –NC Agromedicine Institute, ECU, NCA&T, NCSU

8 Engaging the Land Grant University

9 From State to National Involvement National Coalition for Rural Entrepreneurship Local Leadership –Community: 182 organizations with 10+ members –State: 47 states Regional Leadership: Regional Rural Development Centers National leadership: USDA, CARET, NASULGC

10 Rural Entrepreneurship Listening Sessions by Region, 2005

11 Where Do We Go From Here? Rural Entrepreneurship Initiative State initiatives: underway Farm Bill Language: submitted Support from constituent groups; Corn growers white paper: “Taking Ownership of Grain Belt Agriculture” called for entrepreneurial education Support from Extension (ECOP); eXtension Support from NASULGC-CREATE 21 Support for National Coalition by those providing rural entrepreneurship programs Support from Executive Branch and Congress

12 From State to National Involvement Local Leadership –County/community –University –State Regional Leadership National leadership Federal Government –Senate –House