Agricultural Economics Reference Organization (AERO)
Fourteenth Workshop/Meeting
Business Meeting
The  Farmhouse Restaurant – Christiansburg, VA
October 17, 2003

THANKS TO MARGARET – AERO president Debra Moore (Iowa State University) thanked Margaret Merrill for hosting the 14^th AERO Meeting/Workshop.

Farm Foundation – The Farm Foundation has announced that they will no longer be able to fund the travel of AERO members to the workshop. But, they will continue to support an AERO member's attendance at the annual AAEA meeting, to be an ESIRC liaison. Also, the Foundation mentioned that they would be willing to fund specific projects undertaken/managed by AERO, such as a collection of micro-level data.

AAEA/ESIRC Liaison – Barbara Hegenbart (University of California, Davis) has agreed to continue as ESIRC liaison.

USDA/ERS Ex Officio Board Member – AERO should continue to encourage the ERS librarian to attend the AERO meeting. If the librarian is not available, perhaps another ERS representative could attend. Considering the fact that the next meeting will be at the National Agricultural Library, a special effort should be made to have an ERS representative attend the conference.

Executive Board changes – Debra Moore “passed the bell” to Margaret Merrill in recognition of Margaret as the new president of AERO. The announcement was made that Susan Garbarino will be secretary and Ellen Reneke (Clemson) will continue to manage the web site. Debra Moore will be AERO Historian. Also, the Historian will be a full member of the Board.

Invitation to Fall 2005 Meeting – Wayne Olson read a letter of invitation for AERO to meet at the National Agricultural Library (Beltsville, MD) in the summer or fall of 2005. The invitation was greeted with applause.

MEETING ADJOURNED.