The Formation of the NIAS
In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, the State Experiment Station Directors determined that they would need to proactively address biosecurity issues. The Experiment Station Committee on Organization and Policy (ESCOP) created a Homeland Security Task Force. The Task Force met with agency officials at the Department of Agriculture, the Office of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, the Department of Justice and members of the intelligence community. As a result of these discussions, the Task Force determined that a new mechanism was needed to facilitate coordination and collaboration between the state-based Experiment Stations and the diverse federal agencies. The Task Force recommended the creation of the National Institute for Agricultural Security (NIAS). ESCOP endorsed the concept, which was shared with the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP) and was endorsed by the Board on Agriculture Assembly Executive Committee of the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges.
ESCOP appointed the initial Board of Directors, which includes Experiment Station Directors, the Executive Directors of the regional associations of Experiment Station Directors, an Extension Director and a Dean of an Agricultural College. The NIAS officially convened and appointed and Executive Director in February of 2003. The NIAS is a free-standing non-profit corporation.
Purpose
NIAS was created to address homeland security issues facing agriculture, the food system and rural communities by
Enhancing public awareness of the role of state Agricultural Experiment Stations and Cooperative Extension Service in addressing homeland security concerns;
Providing a mechanism for communication and coordination with federal agencies and the private sector seeking to access the state-based agricultural research and education system; and
Encouraging collaboration among universities, facilitating team building and capacity building of the member institutions, serving as a catalyst to bring members with special skills and capacities together so that they can compete successfully for Homeland Security projects.
DHS
