1. NC-FAR ROC Report CARON GALA AND GINA LUKE

2. FY 2015 Appropriations  Narrow Passage of HR 83 to avert a government shutdown  House passed (219-206)  Senate passed (56-40)

3. Appropriations Research Agency FY 14President’s Budget FY 15 - ARS$1,100 M - ERS$78.1 M$83.4 M$85.4 M - NASS$161.2 M$179.0 M$172.4 M - NIFA$772.6 M$837.7 M$786.9 M - AFRI$316.4 M$325.0 M

4. Change in Leadership  The House Agriculture Committee  Chaired by Rep. Michael Conaway (R) of Texas. Rep.  Ranking Member, Collin C. Peterson of Minnesota (D)  House Appropriations Committee  Chaired by Hal Rogers (R KY – 5).  Ranking Member: Nita Lowey (D NY- 17)  Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies  Chaired by Representative Robert Aderholt (R) of Alabama.

5. Change in Leadership  The Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee  Chaired by Kansas Senator Pat Roberts (R).  Senate Appropriations  Chaired by Senator Thad Cochran (R).  Subcommittee on Agricultural Appropriations will likely be chaired by Senator Roy Blunt (R MO).

6. Draft Goals for 2015  NCFAR lunch-n-learn briefings  Healthy Ag./Healthy People  Letter to appropriations committees urging a hearing on food and ag. research  Senate  House  Organize and conduct information sharing meetings with appropriations committee staff  to highlight the value of, and innovations advanced by REE-funded research, education, and extension programs.

7. Draft Goals for 2015  Organize and conduct information sharing meetings with ag. committee staff  to highlight the value of, and innovations advanced by REE- funded research, education, and extension programs.  Regular appropriations letters/testimony expressing support  Editorials/letters to the editor  Seek NCFAR Board member engagement to increase attention to the value of food and agricultural research through editorials/letters to the editor in national and/or local press.  What do members expect from their involvement in NCFAR and how can we strategize long-term to develop related goals and supportive action?

8. Survey and Next Meeting  What do you want out of your affiliation with ROC?  Please take a quick survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/M6VRGWW. https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/M6VRGWW  Send your input by the next meeting!  Please mark your calendar and plan to attend the next ROC meeting on Jan. 27, 2015 from 3:00– 4:30pm ET at C-FARE’s offices, 900 2nd St. NE, Suite 205, Washington DC.

9. DISCUSSION on Jan. 27

10. International Agricultural Research  Rajiv Shah, administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, will leave the agency in mid-February.  HR 5656, which would codify the Feed the Future initiative, which provides food and nutrition aid to combat food insecurity in selected developing countries.  HR 5656 would authorize funding for the program up to $1 billion in FY15. The partner bill in the Senate (S 2909) would authorize the program through 2020.  This was included in the FY 2015 Appropriations Bill passed this weekend.