NARA-B Activities -- 2008 Interim and ongoing -- NARA-B supported request for Enhanced Use Lease Authority for USDA. March 18, 2008 – Alliance presents expert testimony before Maryland House of Delegates in support of joint resolution urging the Governor to support BARC and NAL. March 2008 – Alliance presents fiscal year 2009 outside witness testimony Friends of Agricultural Research—Beltsville to key Congressional offices. March 2008 – Provided comment to Congress on Office of USDA Secretary reply to Congressional letter regarding strategic planning for BARC and NAL.  February 12, 2008 – Alliance presents expert testimony before Maryland Senate in support of Joint Resolution urging the Governor to support BARC and NAL.  January 31, 2008 – Alliance purchases table for BARC, NAL, and supporters at Prince George's County Annual Legislative Dinner, Annapolis. January 2008 – Baltimore-Washington Corridor Inc. Magazine publishes feature story on BARC and NAL January 2008 – Senator Barbara Mikulski restores $13M of former “earmarks” to BARC budget January 2008 – Collaborated with offices of Cong. Hoyer and Sens. Milukski and Cardin on Congressional letter to Secretary of Agriculture regarding strategic planning for BARC and NAL	NARA-B Activities – 2007  ·      December 11, 2007 – NARA-B first Annual Meeting at Behnke Nurseries, Beltsville, MD ·     November 2007 – Organized BARC tour for Coalition of Central Prince George's County Civic Associations ·     November 21 – TV Channel 5 reporter Holly Morrison broadcasts special on BARC research featuring the Thanksgiving Day Turkey ·     October 2007 – Organized ITAP event October 1-3, 2007 – NARA-B facilitated arrangements for USDA’s Invasive Species Advisory Committee to meet near BARC and tour BARC and National Arboretum locations. September 15, 2007 – NARA-B organized Maryland delegation (local) delegates to tour NAL and BARC. September 11, 2007 – NARA-B coordinated arrangements with Cong. Steny Hoyer’s office for Cong. Hoyer, Sen. Cardin, and USDA Secretary Mike Johanns to tour NAL and BARC. August 15, 2007 – NARA-B President John Peter Thompson and BARC Director Phyllis spoke at Invasive Species Advisors Committee meeting in Philadelphia. August, 27 2007 – Met with Senator Cardin’s staff for tour of BARC & NAL. August, 2007 – Met with Congressman Gilchrest’s staff for tour of BARC & NAL. July 5, 2007 – Met with State Senator Rosapepe for discussion of future of BARC. June 7, 2007 – Met with policy liaison from Senator Mikulski’s office, as well as staff from Congressmen Hoyer, Bartlett and Sarbanes’ offices. June 4, 2007 – Invited Maryland U.S. Congressional to Prince George’s County Chamber of Commerce meeting, University of Maryland campus. May 26, 2007 – FOX News Channel 5 at NAL; arranged filming of Dr. Ziska’s kudzu to ethanol research. April 12, 2007 – Maryland Federal and State Delegations toured BARC and NAL. March 17, 2007 – Organizational Charter Meeting of NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH ALLIANCE – BELTSVILLE, INC., convened at Behnke Nurseries, Beltsville, Maryland.  Charter Broad installed:  John Peter Thompson, Behnkes, President; Renee Winsky, TEDCO, Secretary; Wendi Williams, Old Line Bank, Treasurer; Essex Finney, Retired-USDA, Board Member; and Wanda Plummer, PGEDC, Board Member. Pre-NARA-B Activities – 2006   December 27, 2006 – John Peter Thompson confers with ARS Administrator Edward B. Knipling regarding Alliance goals and purpose. November 17, 2006 – Stakeholders Meeting, College Park Holiday Inn, College Park, Maryland.  Reached consensus agreement amongst attendees to establish an Alliance to support the interests of BARC.  Appointed a steering committee to that purpose. College Park lawyer Markian Melnyk generously agreed to draft organizational Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, as authorized by the State of Maryland. Interim – Intensive organizational activities for planning and implementing a Stakeholders Meeting. September 22 and October 26, 2006 – Planning meetings at Behnke Nurseries to organize a Stakeholders Alliance Meeting, November 17, 2006.  May 9, 2006 – John Peter Thompson reports to FAR-B and BARC staff at FAR-B Annual Meeting. March 30, 2006 – Pre-organization meeting, Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation. February 8, 2006 – John Peter Thompson and others confer with Aberdeen Army Alliance officials in Harford County.