GAINESVILLE -Faculty and staff from the UF/IFAS Center for Public Issues Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources met with the PIE Center’s Advisory Board for the annual board meeting at the Florida Farm Bureau building in Gainesville, Florida on Friday, October 19.
PIE Center staff updated board members on the center’s work over the past year. Each staff member highlighted a specific project and answered board members’ questions regarding past projects and ideas moving forward.
Associate Vice President of UF/IFAS, Jeanna Mastrodicasa, gave a report on IFAS to update the board on current projects. PIE Center staff and advisory board members had the opportunity to ask questions regarding IFAS and its operations.
Mary Ann Hooks, director of IFAS governmental affairs, gave a legislative report and spoke on priorities for the upcoming year. Board members discussed these legislative priorities and brainstormed ways to inform legislators this year.
The latter half of the meeting was facilitated by Hannah Carter, who led a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis. Board members broke into small groups and discussed the PIE Center’s 
strengths and opportunities for growth. Each group came up with great suggestions for the center to consider as it continues to grow.
At the conclusion of the meeting, board members discussed the strategic plan for the upcoming year and the role of the advisory board moving forward. Three new members were appointed to the executive committee, including Brian Chapman, Mallory Dimmitt, and Sandra Thompson. Long-time board members Gail Sasnett and Ron Hamel rotated off the board. The PIE Center is grateful for their many years of service on the advisory board
