North Central Regional Association (NCRA) of State Agricultural Experiment Station Directors

Enhance NC Multistate Research

• Ensure the NC multistate portfolio aligns with regional priorities (climate, water, soil health, precision ag, antimicrobial resistance, UAS, CWD, etc.).

• Conduct regular Administrative Advisor and NIMSS training.

• Encourage strong interstate and regional collaborations, such as leveraging external funding, shared facilities, students, etc. 

• Regularly communicate project expectations with NC reviewers.

• Celebrate excellence through regional multistate project awards.

• Highlight priority and hot topic multistate efforts regularly through social media and NCRA website.
   

Catalyze Growth and Quality in Partnerships 

• Enhance relationships with USDA-NIFA staff through the LGU2U initiative.

• Ongoing USDA-ARS/LGU discussions around shared facilities, staff, and policies.

• Partner with NC Cooperative Extension Association (NCCEA) through regional programs such as annual new Administrative Boot Camps: http://www.nccea.org/nc-admin-boot-camps/, LGU2U, multistate projects, etc. 

• Continue to build synergistic relationships with minority-serving institutions (1890s, Tribal Colleges/1994s, Hispanic Serving Institutions, NIFA Tribal Grant Panels, etc.)

• Engage in cross-regional initiatives and projects with other regional associations

• Engage with and build relationships with key groups such as APLU, Lewis Burke Associates Advocacy, AHS, CARET, regional centers, and beyond.
   

Enhance the NCRA

• Engage in professional development and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training; offer additional group opportunities at regional meetings

• Share state updates and best practices during monthly NCRA calls and in-person meetings.

• Encourage DEI activities as a priority for all NCRA directors and stations

• Celebrate leadership excellence through regional award