Agricultural Economics Reference Organization (AERO)
Eleventh Workshop/Meeting
Business Meeting
March 1, 1999

AAEA SUBSCRIPTION AND ACCESS TO AAEA BENEFITS THROUGH THE SUBSCRIPTION: There was concern on the part of several AERO members that those of us receiving the AAEA subscriptions do not have access to the directory of members and AAEA newsletter. After further investigation, it appears that even though we are getting a special subscription rate through AAEA, we are not actually members. AAEA has legitimate concerns about non-members having access to their "members only" publications, and so it was decided not to pursue this topic.

DEVELOP A LIST OF BOARD MEMBERS AND DISTRIBUTION: It was decided to put an alphabetical mailing list of members on the AERO website with asterisks identifying board members.

FARM FOUNDATION AND AAEA. DO WE OR DON'T WE? The suggestions made at the luncheon regarding this issue were reviewed. Motion was made by Ellen Reneke that AERO remain independent. Motion was seconded by Sue Sparling. Motion passed unanimously. At the same time, the membership agreed that we do want to increase our association with AAEA and will continue to look for ways to do so in the future. It appears that three AERO members will be attending the AAEA meetings in Nashville, so we will have a presence at that particular meeting. Judi Dow will draft a letter of reply to Farm Foundation, addressing their concerns, and distribute it to the executive committee for review before sending.

NEXT CONFERENCE: Linda Davis read a letter of invitation from the Dept. of Agricultural and Applied Economics at University of Wisconsin, Madison... for fall 2000. Motion was made by Louise to enthusiastically accept their invitation. Motion was seconded by Grace Dote and carried. Iowa State University has tentatively agreed to host the meeting in Spring 2002.

OFFICERS: Officers for next term are:

President: Anita Battiste

President-Elect: Linda Davis

Secretary/Farm Foundation Liaisons: Deb Moore/Kathryn St. John (Deb will be the primary secretary/liaison with Kathryn taking over after the Wisconsin meeting)

AAEA/ESIRC Liaison: Brent Mai

AAEA/ESIRC REPORT: Brent reported on the sessions he attended at the AAEA meeting in August. The ESIRC meeting was especially interesting. Brent shared information on AERO's meeting in Oregon and AgEcon Search with the committee.

PREFERENCES FOR NEWSLETTER DISTRIBUTION: Judi had sent out a survey regarding newsletter distribution. The results were evenly divided between those wanting electronic format, and those wanting a paper copy. Judi plans to provide both.

ANNOUNCEMENTS ON TRAVEL FUNDS AND FARM FOUNDATION FEEDBACK: Deb distributed Farm Foundation reimbursement forms for those requesting travel funds, along with the "three ideas you will take back to implement in your library" forms. Both should be turned in before attendees leave the workshop or mailed to Deb within a week of the meeting for those who choose to "think about it".

APPRECIATION EXPRESSED: The membership expressed appreciation to Anita Battiste for hosting this workshop/meeting and to Sandy Sears for serving as president.

Meeting was adjourned.