Performing Department
Environmental Science & Tech.
Non Technical Summary
This proposed National Conference builds upon the previous conferences and will bring together both Sea Grant and Land Grant educators and specialists to explore common program bonds and ways to collaborate professionally to enhance the program activities of both.The 2017 NAEC was held from June 5th - 9th at the Riverside Hotel and Convention Center in Boise Idaho. Participants (70 registered) came from throughout the United States and territories. Forrest Wynne (Kentucky State University) and Gary Fornshell (University of Idaho) served as Conference Co-Chairs. The NAEC was supported by the USDA-NIFA and NOAA Sea Grant for a total of $39,000. University of Idaho Conference Management Services managed conference logistics which included scheduling conference rooms, registration, meals, proceedings, conference printing and maintaining the conference website.A virtual "NAvEC" was hosted by the University of Maine Sea Grant Program held on June 8 -10, 2021 in place of the in-person conference cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Each day consisted of three-hour sessions where 18 abstracts were presented and discussed. The co-chairs moderated the sessions and approximately 170 participated throughout the conference.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
The U.S. is growing in aquaculture research and development. Effective networking of extension professionals, with a common vision of balancing private sector development with public resource use and conservation, is an important element for continued and future success. Networking can be initiated by extension professionals in partnership with others in research and development.Six prior national extension conferences have stimulated the development of a national extension network that has played an important role in supporting U.S. aquaculture. The 1992, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2017 National Aquaculture Extension Conferences (NAECs) were interregional projects funded by the USDA-supported Regional Aquaculture Centers (USDA RACs). NOAA Sea Grant and the USDA RACs provided funding for the 2017 NAEC. The role of extension education within the RAC and Sea Grant Programs is evidenced by the realization of the need for an effective extension component in most, if not all, RAC- or SG-funded projects. Linking these organizations can only result in the whole being far stronger than the sum of its parts and will result in benefits perceived by industry and others as utilizing our professional resources for the maximum benefit of the industry and the nation.A joint USDA-NOAA national aquaculture extension questionnaire, distributed in 2002 provided a wealth of information, feedback, and guidance to strengthen support for our national aquaculture extension network. Because of the fast pace of change today with issues, technologies, science, and communication, respondents recommended that the national aquaculture extension conference be held every four to six years. This proposal responds to this recommendation.
Project Methods
The conference was planned by a National Steering Committee composed of representatives who have already been appointed by Directors from each of the five RACs and Sea Grant. Committee members include a Sea Grant and 1890's Institutions representative and an Aquaculture Extension Youth Educator. Each RAC has appointed extension professionals to serve on this Committee and represent the interests and ideas of other extension professionals in their region. Ex-Officio members from USDA NIFA, USDA ARS, NOAA Aquaculture, and USAID provide Steering Committee advisory support. The Steering Committee will utilize teleconferencing and an e-mail list serve for efficient and cost-effective communications and will meet at national conferences when possible.The 2022 conference will be held June 13 -17, 2022 at the Holiday Inn by the Bay Hotel and Conference Center, Portland Maine. Traditionally, the program has included two full days of presentations/meetings (Tuesday and Thursday), and a day for field trips (Wednesday).Each RAC will receive requests for NAEC funding support, and to date, it appears likely that a $25K contribution will be forthcoming. An extension mail-group will be used to solicit input and suggestions from the U.S. aquaculture extension community in developing the conference program. This should serve to increase the level of engagement and participation of the broader extension community.Dana Morse (Maine Sea Grant, University of Maine Cooperative Extension) and Forrest Wynne (Kentucky State University), will co-chair this event. The University of Maine will serve as the lead institution and lead principal investigator. The University of Maine's Conference Management Services will be responsible for creating a website, accounts and administering any subcontracts and disbursement as required.A Program Committee, comprised principally of extension personnel throughout the US, will be responsible for developing and implementing the program. Through the co-chairs, the Steering Committee will be advised of Program Committee decisions, and will have the opportunity to vet the programA Proceedings Subcommittee will be created by the National Steering Committee and will be charged with establishing lists of peer reviewers and assignments for final paper editing. The Steering Committee has determined that the proceedings will be made available in electronic PDF format on USB drive and on a web site. Note: in keeping with prior iterations of the NAEC, all attendees will be required to present material related to their work, either in person or as a poster.