The Social Sciences Subcommittee (SSSC) shall function as a subcommittee of the ESCOP Science and Technology Committee. SSSC will make recommendation for specific actions to help the Land-grant system address high priority research and education issues leading to outcomes that deal with social issues in a significant, measurable way and that will generate sustained financial support.
The SSSC email listserv is: sssc@escop.info
The National Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Coordinating Committee (NIPMCC) is a committee of the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP) and the Experiment Station Committee on Organization and Policy (ESCOP) and shall function as a subcommittee of the ESCOP Science and Technology Committee. S&T will make recommendations to ESCOP and ECOP on programs, policies, reports, and other matters that affect pest management implementation, and make recommendations on budget matters relating to pest management. Assist in development of reports and strategic plans on pest management issues. Pursue activities that facilitate coordination and collaboration nationally among and between IPM research and extension at the Land-grant universities, and between the Land-grants and Federal agencies involved in IPM.
The ESCOP Science and Technology Committee (STC) is charged with promoting and enhancing science and technology in the Land-grant university system. The committee assists ESCOP to identify future directions and anticipate and respond to research needs and opportunities for funding. The committee assists in linking science and technology programs to multistate and national research initiatives. The committee recommends how ESCOP will respond to reports, recommendations, and planning documents from the national science community. This committee provides guidance to ESCOP strategic planning and priority setting.
NRSP-1 serves two critical functions for the State Agricultural Experiment Station (SAES) System. First, it supports the National Information Management and Support System (NIMSS). NIMSS was designed to facilitate the management of multistate research and Extension activities supported by the Hatch Multistate Research Fund (MRF), from conception of the proposal to project termination. NIMSS is a web-based application allowing: (1) online submission of proposals, peer reviews and progress reports, and (2) ready access to this information. The second important function that NRSP-1 serves is the communication of impacts from multistate research and Extension activities to decision-makers and stakeholders. Second, the impact communications component of NRSP-1 enhances the visibility of Land-grant institutions and the success of multistate research projects. Impact statements are prepared by a communications specialist. NRSP-1 efforts are funded based on an off-the-top mechanism tied to the latest five-year project.
A NRSP-1 Management Committee with representation from regional associations, director’s office staff from across regions, NIFA and the Administrative Advisers serve as stakeholder representatives from ESS charged to address assessment issues and to help evaluate the effectiveness of outreach efforts. The representatives will be responsible for collecting information from the institutions in their respective regions or associations to reflect the effectiveness of the NIMSS and the impact communications programs in meeting their needs and objectives.
The latest version of the NRSP1 proposal can be found here: https://www.nimss.org/projects/18866
The National Research Support Project (NRSP) Review Committee (RC) is charged with establishing criteria for annual review of NRSPs and for review of proposals for revised or new NRSPs; annually reviewing progress and budget for existing NRSPs; developing and overseeing the process of review of proposals for revised and new NRSPs including selection of reviewers, establishment of protocols for the review, and development of the specific charges to the review panel; recommending to ESS the establishment of new NRSPs, continuation of revised NRSPs and continuation of existing NRSPs; advocating for the NRSP system by assuring a documentation system is in place including development of impact analysis; and assuring that the NRSP portfolio is monitored and is responsive to research support needs identified by ESCOP or the NRSP Review Committee.
The National Plant Germplasm Coordinating Committee (NPGCC) promotes a stronger, more efficient, more widely-recognized and better utilized National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS). Its goals are to facilitate the coordination of ARS, NIFA and SAES planning and assessment mechanisms for NPGS policy, organization, operations and support; promote awareness and understanding of the NPGS across ARS, NIFA, and SAES and, more broadly, to the scientific community; and serve as a vehicle for improving communications and discussions about issues impacting the NPGS with ARS, SAES, and NIFA. It assesses, develops and recommends to the SAES, ARS and NIFA strategies for improved coordination of NPGS activities; develops and recommends a process for improved communication of the value of the NPGS; initiates a strategic planning effort for the NPGS to better define and communicate the vision, mission and short- and long-term goals; and evaluates the current funding models for the NPGS and reports findings to the SAES directors, ARS and NIFA.
The ESCOP Chair’s Advisory Committee (CAC) meets to offer the ESCOP Chair advice and counsel on current and emerging problems and opportunities. It meets at the request of the ESCOP Chair, normally on conference calls.
The ESCOP Budget and Legislative Committee (BLC) is charged with developing annual justifications for the federal budget process and legislative priorities, including the Farm Bill, in consultation with other sections of the APLU Board on Agricultural Assembly (BAA) and other stakeholders. The ESCOP BLC is aligned with two standing committees of the BAA Policy Board of Directors: Budget and Advocacy Committee (BAC) and Committee on Legislation and Policy (CLP).
The Diversity Catalyst Committee (DCC) champions a long-term diversity and inclusion agenda for ESS with goals, metrics, timelines, implementation activities, and continuity of practice with a rolling three-year plan. The DCC engages in topics of diversity in research leadership across the Land-grant university system, provides ideas and actions for consideration, and supplements institutional, regional and national diversity and inclusion efforts. The focus is primarily on enhancing the diversity among the Experiment Station Directors, Research Directors, and their associates and assistants.
The ESCOP Executive Committee (EC) is charged to assist the chair on actions needed between regular meetings of ESCOP, including, but not limited to handling the continuing business of ESCOP and ESS; attending to all organization and policy matters with APLU, agencies of the federal government, farm (commodity and agribusiness) organizations and groups; assessing the goals and purposes of the organization on a continuing basis; recommending changes in the structure and organization of ESCOP to meet society’s needs and the needs of the section; assuring that appropriate lines of communication are identified and effectively implemented and maintained; identifying expertise among stakeholders and within the section for possible service in various roles (e.g., advisory groups).