Agricultural advisory committees: How they rate their effectiveness in guiding research

University faculty located and conducting research at off-campus agricultur al research centers often are advised by committees representing agribusine ss, producers, and extension personnel. A two-page questionnaire was sent i n 1996 to the directors, faculty, and members of the advisory committees of three research centers each in Arkansas, Florida, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Texas and two research centers in Kansas to assess opinions about the comp osition, structure, goals, and effectiveness of agricultural advisory commi ttees. All occupational groups surveyed felt that advisory committees can p rovide valuable input for agricultural research, but were less convinced th at they accomplish their goals. In general, research center directors, exte nsion personnel, and research faculty tended to be more reserved than agrib usiness and producer respondents in their opinions on the performance of ad visory committees. Respondents believed that agricultural research advisory committees should comprise representatives of agribusiness, area producers , extension personnel, and research faculty who are chosen by those groups, although research center directors did not support extension personnel or research faculty having a voice in the selection process. Committee members should serve a term of 3 to 4 years. Goals should be more defined and shou ld help to identify needs and guide research by providing direction and foc us, being an advocate for the research center, and providing input on fund raising and management. Improved communication, more meetings with definite agendas, and better attendance were identified to help improve the success of advisory committees. Overall, the potential for benefit is high, but ag ricultural advisory committees often are perceived as needing to improve th eir effectiveness.