1. Multistate Collaboration
in the Southern Region

2. Collaboration Types:
Multistate Research Projects and Southern Extension/Research Activities
Continuing Multistate Special Grants
Multistate Competitive Grants
Institutes, Centers and Consortia
Shared Faculty or Professional Positions

3. Incentives: Federal legislation Industry consolidation
Budget constraints
It makes good sense

4. Federal Legislation:
Federal legislation specifies multi-institutional & integrated activities.
Historical precedent set by successes of multistate research program.
Emphasized in last three Farm Bills.
Multistate/multifunctional requirements in AREERA.

5. Industry Consolidation:
Food & Ag industry changing very fast.     
Ag industry consolidation resulting in multistate/multinational companies.
Industry needs are no longer purview of one university.
Industry doesn’t care how we’re organized, only that answers are provided.

6. Budget Constraints:
Decreasing state budgets have reduced faculty and staff with a decline in services.
Federal budget deficit makes it very difficult to retain or increase funding.
States need new and different ways to address pressing needs.
Universities cannot be “all things to all people”
Universities need to focus on areas of excellence and collaborate to fill gaps.

7. It Makes Good Sense:
Positions universities to address increasingly complex problems.
Problems and solutions are not constrained by state boundaries.
Faculty expertise is more specialized, has geographic variations, or is missing.
Effective delivery of services must be primary focus.

8. Five “Cs” of Collaboration:
Complexity
Communications
Complimentary
Credibility
Commitment

9. Complexity:
Stakeholders and their problems are increasing in numbers and complexity.
Solution for some will be problem for others.
Support resources fragmented --
Multiple institutions from multiple states with multiple stakeholders.
Implementation must overcome complexity and offer high probability of success.

10. Communications: Open, frequent communication among all parties.
Effective marketing plan is essential.
Stakeholders must be kept informed from the beginning.
Innovative information delivery methods.

11. Complimentary: Whole must be greater than the sum of the parts.
Leverage external resources.
Each partner preserves identity.
Stakeholder involvement adds value.

12. Credibility: Need high level of trust among partners.
Activity must maintain integrity and be impartial voice of reason.
Peer review process should impact activity.
Collaboration must always take the high road.

13. Commitment: Champions at the highest level (Deans).
Work toward a common goal rather than individual objectives.
Project management engages faculty and involves stakeholders.
Share decision-making, results, rewards and recognition.

14. Faculty at One Institution - KY/TN Tobacco Improvement
Tobacco Genetics and Breeding (KY)
Salary: 60% KY, 40% TN
Technicians: 2 in KY, 1 in TN
Support: field sites & facilities in KY & TN
Work: equally across KY & TN
Dark Tobacco Extension Specialist (KY)
Salary: 75% KY, 25% TN
Support: field sites in KY & TN, travel from TN
Work: 75% in KY, 25% in TN
Duration: 10 years, renewable

15. Faculty at Multiple Institutions – NC/SC/GA/TN Apple Res/Ext
Apple Research/Extension (NC)
Salary: 40% NC, 32% GA, 16% TN*, 12% SC*
*In-kind salary:
TN – 15% Apple Extension Specialist for GA plus $1200 in travel and operating support
SC – 15% Packaging Specialist for NC Specialty Crops
Technicians: 2 in NC, partial in GA, TN, & SC
Support: $10K from NC, field sites in all states
Work: approximately equal to state’s contribution to salary
Duration: Indefinite