Agricultural Economics Reference Organization (AERO)
Twelfth Workshop/Meeting
Business Meeting
Wilson Street Grill – Madison, Wisconsin
September 28, 2000

THANKS TO LINDA – AERO president Anita Battiste thanked Linda Davis for hosting the 12th AERO Meeting/Workshop.

FARM FOUNDATION – If the estimates of travel funding requests are correct, Farm Foundation funds should cover all of the travel expenses of those requesting reimbursement. Deb Moore, AERO secretary and Farm Foundation liaison, asked that those taking advantage of the reimbursement take the time to write a note of thanks to the Foundation. She will send members the Farm Foundation address via the AERO listserv. Deb also stated that in six months, attendees will be asked to submit “innovations” made to their facilities as a result of this conference, as part of Farm Foundations request to “document the impact of these meetings” and measure the long term success of the meeting/workshop. She urged attendees to jot down specific instances when knowledge received at this meeting have assisted in answering our patrons’ questions, so that Farm Foundation has “real life” examples of the value of AERO meetings.

AAEA/ESIRC LIAISON – Anita asked for a volunteer to serve as our liaison for AAEA/ESIRC. Louise Letnes stated that the liaison should be an AAEA member (AAEA’s request). The Executive Board hopes that the liaison’s department would pay for a membership. Responsibilities, besides attending the annual meeting, include preparing a brief report for the Farm Foundation after the meeting. Judith Dow tentatively volunteered to serve, but will ask for her department head’s approval before officially accepting.

LOUISE’S ANNOUNCEMENT – Bruce Gardner has appointed Louise Letnes to be member of an ad hoc committee (one year term) chaired by Rob King to oversee the AAEA webpage. Louise said she would participate on the condition that AERO members could also have input.

EXECUTIVE BOARD CHANGES – Grace Dote will be retiring as historian, passing on her duties to Linda Davis. Deb Moore will be passing on secretarial duties to Katherine St. John. The new president is Linda Davis, the new vice-president is Deb Moore.

INVITATION TO SPRING 2002 MEETING – Deb Moore read a letter of invitation for AERO to meet in Ames, IA, at Iowa State University in Spring 2002. The invitation was heartily accepted.

MEETING ADJOURNED