PDF version of announcement with printable application/nomination form

Text version of form:
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MISA Board of Directors 2009 Application/Nominations Form

You may nominate yourself or someone else who meets the Desired Characteristics of Board Members (see below.)

Name:
Address:
Home Phone Number:
Work Phone Number:
E-Mail:
FAX:

Position you would fill as a MISA Board Member:

Farmer/Rancher
Sustainable Agriculture Community

Nomination submitted by:


Please provide:

1. A resume, or brief statement of the applicant’s or nominee’s background.

2. A personal statement regarding your interest in serving on the MISA Board. Please address your philosophy, knowledge and interest in citizen involvement and participation in sustainable agriculture and in university - community partnerships. (Not to exceed one page)


Signature:

Date:

Please return this form by mail, fax, in-person or email by 4:30 p.m. August 7, 2009: Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture, U of MN, 411 Borlaug, 1991 Buford Circle, St. Paul, MN 55108 or FAX 612-625-1268, email: misamail@umn.edu. If you have questions or would like more information call us at 612/625-8235; or toll free at 800-909-MISA (6472).

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About MISA

The purpose of MISA is to bring together the diverse interests of the agricultural community with interests from across the University community in a cooperative effort to develop and promote sustainable agriculture in Minnesota and beyond.
MISA is an organization of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS,) University of Minnesota Extension, and the Sustainers Coalition (SC.) The SC consists of the following organizations:

Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
Land Stewardship Project
Minnesota Food Association
Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota
The Minnesota Project

The Board consists of twelve to fifteen members. Membership on the Board shall reflect a 1/3 balance among: University representatives with a demonstrated interest in sustainable agriculture (e.g. faculty, staff, students, Extension, Regional Partnerships); sustainable agriculture practitioners (e.g. farmers and ranchers); and, representatives of the sustainable agriculture community (e.g., non-governmental organizations, business, government and citizen representatives.) We seek to have the board reflect diversity, especially with respect to gender, race, student status, geographic area, and occupation in the membership of the Board and its committees.

For more information about serving on the Board of Directors, see the MISA web site (www.misa.umn.edu) or feel free to contact the MISA office at 1-800-909-6472; 612/625-8235 in the Metro area, or contact one of the current MISA Board members via the MISA office:

Todd Arnold, Dept of Fisheries, Wildlife & Conservation Biology, St. Paul
Gigi DiGiacomo, Agricultural Economist and consultant, Minnetonka
Wayne Edgerton, Agricultural Policy Director, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Carmen Fernholz, Farmer, Madison, U of MN Staff SWROC - Lamberton
Jolene Januschka, sustainable agriculture community, St. Paul
Kris Johnson, Dept of Conservation Biology, St. Paul
Rob King, U of MN Faculty, Department of Applied Economics, St. Paul
Chuck Knierim, Farmer, Breezy Point
Dan Miller, Farmer, Spring Valley
Kari Oquist, Mississippi Watershed Management, Minneapolis
Paul Porter, U of MN Faculty, Department of Agronomy & Plant Genetics, St Paul
Tony Thompson, Farmer, Windom
Terry Van Der Pol, Farmer, Granite Falls


Roles and Responsibilities of MISA Board Members

Serve a three year term. Nominations shall be staggered so that 1/3 of the Directors are nominated annually. Occasionally, shorter terms are available when Board members resign before the end of their term.

Participate in monthly Board meetings. Currently half of the Board meetings are 1-1.5 hour conference calls, and the remainder are in-person meetings which are usually held in St. Paul. Expenses for participation - mileage, meals, lodging, phone calls are reimbursed by MISA. A small per diem for self-employed Board members is also paid by MISA.

Serve on Board committees and task forces. The Board may establish other committees of the Board, including but not limited to: a Program Committee, a Communications and Public Relations Committee, and a Finance Committee.
Contribute actively to discussion and critical thinking about sustainable agriculture in Minnesota and beyond. Board members participate in activities such as program evaluation, outreach, educational materials planning and review, and stimulating effective partnering between the U of M and citizens outside of the University.

Characteristics of Board members:

- Supports philosophy and principles of sustainable agriculture and sustainable development.
- Knowledge of sustainable agriculture and of Minnesota agriculture, or a willingness to learn about Minnesota agriculture.
- An interest in citizen involvement and participation in sustainable development and in university/community partnerships.
- The ability to work with diverse groups and diverse viewpoints.
- Good interpersonal and communication skills.
- Is a systems thinker.
- Is concerned about the long-term conservation of the ecosystem.