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History

History. 1998 meeting at NCSU to discuss regionalization of small fruit efforts VA, NC, SC, GA represented Research & extension directors from VPI, NCSU, Clemson, & UGA Regional Small Fruit Center suggested Share expertise Coordinate research & extension. History.

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History

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  1. History • 1998 meeting at NCSU to discuss regionalization of small fruit efforts • VA, NC, SC, GA represented • Research & extension directors from VPI, NCSU, Clemson, & UGA • Regional Small Fruit Center suggested • Share expertise • Coordinate research & extension

  2. History • Southeastern Small Fruit Center MOU • Signed in 1999 by NCSU, UGA, & Clemson • Annual dues per institution = $35,000 • Cash or in-kind (web master or coordinator salaries) • MOU renegotiated Fall 2004, effective through 2007 • Mission • promote the small fruit industry through education, research and outreach through regional collaboration utilizing the expertise of the member institutions

  3. History • Web site - http://www.smallfruits.org established to disseminate info on small fruits • Web master initially at Clemson, now at UGA • Name changed in 2000 to Southern Region Small Fruit Consortium (SRSFC) to be more inclusive for membership • University of Tennessee joined in 2002

  4. History • SRSFC Coordinator at NCSU - Tom Monaco (tom_monaco@ncsu.edu) • Coordinator responsible for: • Managing SRSFC budget • Overseeing web site • Managing grant program • Facilitating agent training • Organizing annual steering committee meeting • Promoting the consortium

  5. Governance • Administered by a Steering Committee • 18 members: • One administrator from each member institution (Executive Committee) • Two faculty from each member institution • One grower from each member state • Executive Director, So. Assoc. Agric. Exp. Sta. Dir. • SRSFC Coordinator (non-voting)

  6. Steering Committee Responsibilities • Approve annual budget • Review and rank grant proposals • Assist with agent training • Contribute to SRSFC web site • Attend annual meeting held in conjunction with SR-ASHS meeting.

  7. Accomplishments -Sponsored Agent Training • Goal – enhance county agent expertise in small fruit production so they can be more effective in providing advice to growers • 10 training sessions since 1999, involving 233 agents from 9 different states • Provided equivalent of 5 full scholarships to each member state per training session

  8. Accomplishments -Sponsored Agent Training • Strawberries • 1999 - Plasticulture, 19 agents, 6 states • 2000 - Plasticulture, 34 agents, 5 states • 2003 - Anthracnose, 35 agents, 4 states • Blueberries • 2001 (2) - Production, 15 agents, 3 states • Brambles • 2002 - Production, 19 agents, 3 states • 2005 - Production, 34 agents, 5 states

  9. Accomplishments -Sponsored Agent Training • Grapes • 2001 - Wine grape production, 15 agents, 3 states • 2002 - Wine & muscadine prod, 30 agents, 4 states • Site Selection • 2004 - Field site selection, 23 agents, 5 states • Methyl Bromide Alternatives • 2005 - MB alternatives, scheduled for Feb. 23-24

  10. Accomplishments -Grants Program • Goal - provide funding to support research & extension with small fruits in member states • Maximum award per PI per year is $5000 • Awards first made in 2001 • Outreach category established in 2004 • Total amount awarded thru 2004 = $221,300

  11. Accomplishments -Grants Program • Grant Totals by year: • 2001 - $47,000 research • 2002 - $40,000 research • 2003 - $58,700 research • 2004 - $56,600 research + $10,000 outreach • Plus $9,000 matching from IR-4 performance program • 2005 - $60,000 research + $20,000 outreach • Grants/state: NC - 12, TN - 10, GA - 9, SC - 4 • Most grants multistate

  12. Accomplishments –Web Site • http://www.smallfruits.org • Web Master - Brenda Willis, UGA (brendaw@uga.edu) • Major revision in 2003 to make it more user friendly • Hits/day = 2,059 for Jan 1 - Dec 31, 2004

  13. Accomplishments –Other Activities • Sponsored Grower Meetings • 2003-2005 SE Regional Fruit & Vegetable Conference • 2004 Southeastern Strawberry Expo • 2002 North American Strawberry Growers Assoc. and North American Bramble Growers Assoc • Cosponsored 2 FQPA pesticide risk assessment reviews in 2000 on all small fruits, involving specialists from NC, SC, FL & VA • Leader in pursuing pesticide registrations for small fruits thru IR-4 and state labels

  14. Challenges & Opportunities • Equal distribution of research & outreach grant funds among the member institutions • Continuation beyond 2007, new MOU to be negotiated in 2006 • Continuity in Coordinator position • Envisioned as rotating among member states • Time commitment is about 20% • Could be burden for junior faculty • Currently a semi-retired faculty member at NCSU

  15. Challenges & Opportunities • Secure funds from extramural granting agencies • Grow beyond current four members to serve entire southern small fruit industry • SRSFC representative will visit to discuss potential membership with faculty & administration • 25% of Hatch and Smith-Lever funds mandated for multistate research & extension • Contact Tom Monaco at tom_monaco@ncsu.edu or (919)515-6963 to arrange a visit

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