Cooperative Extension Service
State Advisory Council - Audio meeting Minutes
Thursday, June 9, 2011, 5:30pm
Present: Samantha Castle Kirstein (Interior), Kyra Wagner, Jonnie Lazarus, Bob Shumaker (Southcentral) Judy Klein
(Southeast), Nancy Mendenhall (Northwest), Bill Martin (At-Large), Paul McIntosh (At-large), Julie Cascio (ex-officiofaculty), Fred Schlutt (CES Director), Melody Hughes (SAC support staff)
Absent: Patrick Smith (Interior), Meera Kohler (Southcentral), Julie Cascio (Ex Officio), Juella Sparks (Ex Officio staff)
Guests: None
 Council member updates:
Johnny Lazarus: (Note; this is Johnny’s last meeting) She is working with Parks and Recreation and Forest
Service helping to eliminate invasive weeds in the Kenai Peninsula area. A weed pull took place at Portage
Glacier Visitor Center. They are gaining ground on removing White Sweet Clover and Dandelions at Girdwood.
Bill Martin: Megan Gregory will be applying for SAC youth membership, representing Southeast. Keep watch for
her application. Bill is working on suicide prevention and hosting the first prevention convention in Anchorage
June 8 and 9.
Nancy Mendenhall: Reports people are out picking wild greens probably due to the poor economy. Nancy is
currently looking for a new candidate to replace her Northwest Region Seat. Nome Community Center is the
best partnership for Cooperative Extension with partial funding for Boys and Girls Club and interest in the 4-H
Club. If combined the Boys and Girls Club and 4-H Club would be even stronger. Another partnership is the CDQ
group because they have deep pockets. They will fund anything that is community development or small
business development within the region.
Judy Klein: Judy is planning a sustainable camp in August for teens and young children. She reports the
partnership with chickens is going strong. Bob Bankhart, in partnership with the museum in Sitka and Homer,
plans a Climate Change science fair in Palmer.
Paul McIntosh: In celebration of seafood competition under Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation, Paul
asks if seafood production innovators are aware of our test kitchen. Program Idea Resource Development
Council is implementing educational tool kit resource development in schools. Youth groups may be interested
as well.
Kyra Wagner : Kyra reports a State Agronomist from NRCS took part in the local pot luck. One hundred and fifty
High Tunnel contracts were signed in the Homer area. A lot of people are getting connected. Later there will be
a seminar for restaurant owners and High Tunnel growers at the market. Also 3 weeks ago Jeff Smeenk visited
the local garden club and High Tunnel tour. The Farmer’s Market currency program can now swipe food stamp
cards as part of a pilot program.
Bob Shumaker: SPERE in Juneau needs brochure stands to protect brochures from wind and rain. These
brochure stands can be sent out to some of the villages. Four High Tunnels, with raised beds and half inch
plastic piping were set up in hopes to extend the growing season a bit farther. Bob will see how this works in
the fall. Cost at this time is uncertain. A way to promote this High Tunnel concept is to direct it towards Native
groups while they are visiting in Anchorage.

Director's report: Fred is working on a communications piece to be delivered every month to the council and
CES staff. It will outline Cooperative Extension news and updates including partnerships and collaborations.
This will allow more time for Council Members to give updates on what’s going on in their region. A meeting
took place in May with DEC to discuss the test kitchen and enforcement of food safety laws. Production of nonpasteurized cheese and other milk products from local dairy goats cannot be promoted, since it is a health safety
issue. A vat pasteurizer was purchased by DEC for five thousand dollars with their end of the year money and
will arrive soon. Folks who want to make cheese and other milk products will be able to use the kitchen. The
CES Anchorage office building is one half vacant. Institute of the North will occupy some space in the building.
In addition, a small classroom and test kitchen will be added. A donor has been found to share the cost of
installing a test kitchen. UA gave funding to the School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences (SNRAS)
for the Palmer Research Station, a test kitchen in the future, is a possibility. Delta wants one as well. Creating
safe food products to sell creates jobs and income for small mom and pop businesses.

A reorganizing EFNEP and ANEP (Food Stamps) took place under the direction of Roxie Dinstel; ANEP Alaska
Nutrition Educational Program is confusing to clientele along with EFNEP Expanded Food and Nutrition
Education Program which is designed to assist limited resource audiences in acquiring the knowledge, skills,
attitudes, and changed behavior necessary for nutritionally sounds diets, and to contribute to their personal
development and the improvement of the total family diet and nutritional well-being. We have made
adjustments so folks won’t have to figure out what program meets their needs.

ANEP educators serve communities on a part-time basis by delivering basic nutrition and food-budgeting
programs targeted to low-income populations. They coordinate with State and local partners, such as State
public health departments, food banks, tribal programs, local health organizations, and non-profit organizations.
The USDA budget for food stamps is 67% of USDA budget. CES has become the subcontractor for this funding
through the Alaska State Department of Health. This will better the program and partnership with the Food
Bank.

Quorum to vote on applicant Gerry Drake for Southwest Region seat.
All in favor. Aye
Opposed. None

Motion to change Article III, Section C: Motion “to encourage a youth voice on the council, an at large position
may be held for a two year term by an older teen, early twenties age young person.” Bob second the motion.
Motion passed, all in favor

Motion to change Article III, Section D: Motion “A committee made up of current council members and the
Extension director shall review the nominations and forward recommendations to the UAF Provost for final
appointment.” Bob second the motion. Motion passed, all in favor

Nomination and election of officers:
Samantha Castle Kirstein, Inter Region, Chair replaced by Kyra Wagner, Southcentral region, former Vice Chair.
Paul McIntosh, At-large, is new Vice Chair. Judy Klein, Southeast, continues role as Secretary.

Next meeting: The next meeting will be held Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at 5:15 pm. The audio call in
number and participant number will remain the same.
Meeting adjourned.