December 10 , 2002

OATA Board Meeting Summary

Attendance: Rob Joslin, Bill Lehmkuhl, Tim Harrigan, David Sever, Harold Watters, Jim Wolf, Josh Sears, Scott Metzger, Nathan Watermeier

Conservation Tillage and Technology Conference

The program for the Conservation Tillage and Technology Conference was discussed. The theme is on Exploring Communication and Record Keeping Technologies for Today’s Agriculture.

2:00-2:15 Introduction and OATA Organization Update, Jim Wolf 2:15 – 3:00 The Future of Agricultural Technologies, Grant Mangold
3:00-3:15 Break
3:15 Handheld Technologies, Nathan Watermeier
3:50 Broadband, Wireless, Cell Technology Defined (Jim Wolf and Nathan Watermeier are going to work to find a potential speaker)
4:25 Bar-coding and location verification (fertilizer, pesticides, manures, conservation plans) Patrick Trail

Another topic included web sites for producers and businesses. It was suggested that this was a broad topic and can be looked at for either a half day or full day program at another date.

Harold Watters was to follow-up with CTC board to see about possibilities of expanding exhibit area to invite other ag technology companies to participate. Ideas are to exhibit in the back of the conference room next to the existing exhibit area or north end of the cafeteria.

Nathan will follow-up with a revised exhibit about the Association for CTC. A follow-up survey was also suggested to be included on the evaluation for CTC.

Other 2003 Activities

OATA will be recognized as a sponsor for the March 24-26, Ohio Geospatial Conference for Agriculture and Natural Resources. An OATA exhibit will be planned for this event. The exhibit will need to be put up between 10-12 am on March 25 and taken down no later than 1:00 pm on the 26th. If you wish to man the display please contact Nathan. Harold said he could be available on the 26th in the morning.

InfoAg 2003, July 29 – August 1, Adam’s Mark, Indianapolis, Indiana. Nathan suggested to bring our OATA group over for this event. Nathan will get with the organizers of the conference to inquire about a reduced registration rate and look at the possibility of having some kind of exhibit for people to know about our organization. A tour starts the conference on the first day trips will be made to New Castle and Muncie areas. A possible bus/van trip could be organized.

A suggestion was to consider a one or two full day technology conference in Ohio in 2004 for OATA. The group decided that we will continue with a possible expanded one day program at CTC in 2004 and consider a larger technology conference in 2005. Other activities mentioned but not decided included a summer picnic/meeting in Ohio (ie. Wright Patterson Air Museum, Lake Erie, or other locations) and Farm Science Review. Partnering up with other state sponsored events was encourage. Members are to look and see where we can participate as an association (ie., Southwest Corn Growers, Fruit and Vegetable Growers Congress).

Regional Partnership

Tim Harrigan joined up with us from Michigan State University. They are forming a similar group in Michigan and wanted us to think about a regional (tri-state, great lakes) type of an association. The group felt it was too early at this time and that we need to focus more at a local level. They have a similar session planned March 6 in Michigan like the CTC conference. Tim was going to try to attend our March 3 event.

ByLaws

The bylaws were discussed. The last update was in October from the discussion at Farm Science Review. Rob Joslin suggested we finalize the bylaws so we have a basis for telling others of what we are about. Dues were also discussed it was suggested we work on getting bylaws completed so we can set dues. The board will discuss the bylaws prior to the March 3 meeting they can be finalized at the next meeting. Nathan also talked about the process to officially create a not-for-profit organization in Ohio.

Next Board Meeting

The next meeting will be March 3, 2003 after the Conservation Tillage and Technology Conference at 5:30 - 7:00 pm. Agenda will be to vote and move forward on the Name of the Association and bylaws. Additional activities for 2003 will also be discussed.

If there are any changes to the summary please let me know.

Thanks,
Nathan Watermeier