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Mid-Atlantic Poultry Consortium: a department head's viewpoint on regionalization
1Department of Poultry Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27695-7608, USA.
Poultry Science
|March 12, 1998
Summary
University faculty in the Mid-Atlantic region are developing a poultry consortium for research and extension. Initial efforts show limited faculty buy-in but some progress in interstate cooperation and communication strategies.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Animal Science
- Cooperative Extension
Background:
- A need exists to coordinate university faculty efforts in research, extension, and teaching for the Mid-Atlantic poultry industry.
- Poultry faculty from 1862 and 1890 land-grant institutions, along with ARS/USDA scientists, participated in developing a cooperative plan.
- Three university committees explored cooperation in academic programs, teaching, research, extension, and technology transfer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline potential areas for collaboration among university faculty to address the needs of the Mid-Atlantic poultry sector.
- To establish a Mid-Atlantic Poultry Consortium to enhance regional cooperation.
- To improve communication and foster greater participation among regional poultry scientists.
Main Methods:
- Development of a concept paper based on committee input, presented at the Poultry Science Association annual meeting.
- Regular meetings held at industry events (Southeastern Poultry and Egg Association Congress, Poultry Science Association meetings) to discuss progress.
- Initiation of an e-mail listserve to facilitate communication and identify potential partnerships among regional faculty.
Main Results:
- Limited buy-in from individual faculty across institutions has been a significant challenge.
- Some progress has been achieved in interstate extension programming, including reciprocal use of specialists and joint educational conferences.
- Joint extension publications and applied research/demonstration projects are emerging, though no comprehensive program involves all regional groups.
Conclusions:
- Despite challenges, regional cooperation in poultry science is gradually increasing, primarily in extension activities.
- Communication barriers have hindered the full development of a unified regional effort.
- The e-mail listserve aims to overcome communication gaps and encourage broader faculty engagement in collaborative initiatives.