Organized Symposia

Addressing the Local Impacts of Oil and Gas Development: Is State Fiscal Policy Up to the Task?

The session will advance our knowledge of the nexus of issues related to the challenge of effective governance and taxation of oil and gas as that sector continues through a period of rapid change. This session will provide analysis from the fields of community development, public policy, and rural geography to begin to craft a multidisciplinary perspective.

Organizer: Linda Young, Montana State University
Discussant: Roger Coupal, University of Wyoming

Emerging Approaches to Measuring Community Impacts from Oil and Gas Development: Process and Metrics in the U.S. West
Mark Haggerty, Headwaters Economics

The Political Economy of Taxation and Marcellus Shale Development in Pennsylvania
Timothy Kelsey, The Pennsylvania State University

Home from Holiday: Lessons from the Debate on Taxation on Unconventional Drilling in Montana
Linda Young, Montana State University

 

Life-Long Learning through Disruptive Innovation in Ag and Applied Economics
Life-long learning is a prominent mission of the land-grant system.  Continuing contributions to this mission by agricultural and applied economics will require disruptive innovative approaches.  Discussions will focus on the factors for encouraging innovation and lessons learned from successful program development.

Organizers: Michael Boehlje, Purdue University; A. Gene Nelson, Texas A&M University
Moderator: Michael Boehlje, Purdue University
Panelists: Allan Gray, Purdue University; Danny Klinefelter, Texas A&M University; Bruce Weber, Oregon State University
Provocateurs: Michael Boehlje, Purdue, and Dave King, Oregon State University
Engaging Our Audiences in Life-Long Learning: What Are the Basic Concepts?

• Executive Education and the Center for Food and Agricultural Business
• The Executive Program for Agricultural Producers (TEPAP)
• International Comparative Rural Policy Studies Consortium

 

TAA for Farmers Program: Linking Extension Education Technologies with Economic Stimulus
TAA for Farmers is a national multifaceted USDA program that used Extension to deliver technical and financial assistance to 10,983 agricultural producers and fishermen.  This symposium presents the innovative application of Extension education technologies, financial assistance and how Extension delivered $83 million in direct economic stimulus.

Organizers: J. Shannon Neibergs, Washington State University; Ron Rainey, University of Arkansas
Moderator: Robert Craven, University of Minnesota

An Overview of the TAA for Farmers Program as a Model of Innovative Extension Delivery
J. Shannon Neibergs, Washington State University

The Future of Extension Program Delivery: The Case for Online Training
Curtis Mahnken, University of Minnesota

The Effect of Cash Incentives on Extension Program Outcomes
Nathan Kemper, University of Arkansas

Beyond Evaluation as Usual: Evaluating TAA Program Effectiveness and Outcomes with a Broadened Range of Methods and Progressive Measures
Danna Moore, Washington State University

 

How to Fund and Where to Publish Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness
The session will highlight the similarities and differences of the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) from other funding and publication practices with which most academics are familiar. Panelists include SoTL researchers, editors of journals who publish SoTL work, and a university Center for Teaching and Learning director. These perspectives will provide attendees the ability to determine if SoTL work is compatible with their position, which opportunities may be most appropriate to pursue, and where to fund and publish their SoTL work.

Organizer: Leah Greden Mathews, University of North Carolina, Asheville
Moderator: Leah Greden Mathews, University of North Carolina, Asheville

What's So Different about the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning? A Faculty Perspective on Funding and Publishing Opportunities for SoTL
Leah Greden Mathews, University of North Carolina, Asheville

Publishing SoTL in the NACTA Journal: The How and Why
Rick Parker, NACTA

The Value of Publishing in an 'Agronomy' Journal
Michael Gunderson, Purdue University

Maximizing the Benefits and Navigating the Obstacles of SoTL: A Perspective from a University Teaching and Learning Center
Ann Marie VanDerZanden, Iowa State University

 

The National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey: Early Findings and Future Research Directions
The National Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey (FoodAPS) is the first nationally representative survey of American households to collect unique and comprehensive data about household food purchases and acquisitions.  This symposium has three main objectives: 1) Summarize food acquisition patterns among U.S. households and across subgroups of particular interest, 2) Present geographical data collection and analysis that complements the survey and expands the research possibilities, and 3) Provide a format to exchange information about the intricacies of working with the data.

Organizers: Jessica Todd, USDA-Economic Research Service; Michele Ver Ploeg, USDA-Economic Research Service
Moderator: Chen Zhen, RTI International

Why FoodAPS, What We Hope to Accomplish, and How to Access the Data
Mark Denbaly, USDA-Economic Research Service

Food Acquisition Patterns and Behaviors for SNAP Participants, Across Income Groups, and Across Measures of Food Store Access
Jessica Todd, USDA-Economic Research Service

Food Acquisition Patterns and Behaviors for Food Insecure Households and Households with Children
Christian Gregory, USDA-Economic Research Service

Food Retail Data in the FoodAPS and Early Findings
Joseph Llobrera, Tufts University

Food Price Data in the FoodAPS and Early Findings
Craig Gundersen, University of Illinois

 

Leadership, Legacy, and Love - Remembering Dr. Sylvia Lane, her contribution to AAEA and Impacts on Emerging Scholars
This symposium will offer an opportunity for scholars to share their own experiences from working with Dr. Lane in their career; share the influence and impact of Sylvia Lane Fund on their career and professional development; and exchange ideas to further develop and enhance mentoring services, financial support, and other services.

Organizer: Kathleen Liang, University of Vermont
Moderator: Kathleen Liang, University of Vermont
Panelists: Jean Kinsey, University of Minnesota; Vicki McCracken, Washington State University; Shermain Hardesty, University of California, Davis; Mary Ahearn, USDA-Economic Research Service; Jill McCluskey, Washington State University

 

Powerful Circumstances for Successful Career Moves
You’ve worked hard to earn your degree, gain practical experience, and achieve understanding. Now it’s time to land the job of your dreams. Whether you’re looking for your first academic job or ready for a  career move within your university or other organization, this symposium will help you be prepared when opportunities arise. As economists, you know your chances for success can be forecasted. We’ll help you put the right variables into your equation and create your own set of powerful circumstances.

Organizers: Kynda Curtis, Utah State University; Madeline Schultz, Iowa State University
Moderator: Madeline Schultz; Iowa State University

 

China's Increasingly Commercial Village-level Swine Producers: Implications for World Grain, Oilseed, and Pork Markets, as well as Food Safety, and the Environment in China
China’s growing and rapidly modernizing swine industry is a major driver of trends in world commodity markets, has contributed to improved diets in China, but is also generating adverse environmental effects and food safety concerns. While modern swine production facilities are growing rapidly in China, the bulk of pork production still takes place at the village-level with medium-sized producers that are getting larger and more sophisticated.  Despite its importance, little is known about this industry.  This symposium provides a series of presentations on village-level swine production in China using a panel survey of 450 swine producers stratified throughout China taken in 2011 and 2013.  The data covers issues such as size and structure of village-level production, feed and sow efficiency measures and their determinants, animal health and manure management practices, and marketing arrangements. This symposium will present preliminary research from this project to paint a picture of swine production in China, and opportunities to discuss implications for trade in feed and meat, future pork production growth, environmental outcomes, and food safety.

Organizer: Bryan Lohmar, US Gains Council
Moderator: Michael Boddington, Asian Agribusiness Consulting
Discussants: Fred Gale, USDA-Economic Research Service; Dermot Hayes, Iowa State University

Pork Production in China: Triangulating Feed, Consumption, and Slaughter Data to Determine Current Levels and Potential for Future Production and Consumption growth
Bryan Lohmar, US Grains Council

Feeding and Sow Productivity in Rural China: The Role of Size, and Technical Assistance from Input Providers and Contractors
Dan Wang, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Swine Marketing Arrangements in China: Implications for Traceability and Food Safety
Xiangping Jia, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Swine Waste Management in Rural China: Implications of Size, Markets, and Cropping Patterns
Huang Weiming, Stanford University

 

The Economics of Honey Bee Health: A Dialogue on Current Work, Critical Extensions, and Policy-Relevant Research
The 90-minute symposium will be divided into two parts.  The first hour of the session will be split into 15-minute segments during which, each research team (EPA, USDA, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and North Carolina State University) will briefly present their work, anticipated extensions, and perspectives on additional research opportunities  The remaining portion of the session will include a question and answer period and an open discussion on honey bee health topics, including the proposed working group being organized by the EPA, USDA, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Organizers: TJ Wyatt, US Environment Protection Agency; Elizabeth Hill, US Environment Protection Agency; Michelle Ranville, US Environment Protection Agency
Moderator: TJ Wyatt, US Environment Protection Agency
Panelists: Kathy Baylis, University of Illinois; Wally Thurman, North Carolina State University; Jennifer Bond, USDA-Economic Research Service

 

Agricultural Impacts on U.S. National and Regional Accounts
This purpose of this session is to present and discuss agricultural impacts on the U.S. national and regional accounts pertaining to GDP and personal income as estimated by the Bureau of Economic Analysis in the U.S. Department of Commerce.  Emphasis will be on the impacts of recent droughts, crop insurance payments, other federal agricultural programs, agricultural exports, and agricultural prices.  Differential impacts of various agricultural factors on the national and regional economies will be highlighted.

Organizer: Sarahelen Thompson, Bureau of Economic Analysis
Moderator: Sarahelen Thompson, Bureau of Economic Analysis
Panelists: Carrie Litkowski, Bureau of Economic Analysis; James Zavrel, Bureau of Economic Analysis; Sarahelen Thompson, Bureau of Economic Analysis

 

New Data Opportunities and Data Challenges for Agricultural Economics Research
Changes in the “data environment” and data availability can create challenges for Agricultural Economists and can limit the types of questions that economists can explore empirically. Yet, new data techniques and data possibilities are continually evolving, creating opportunities for new lines of inquiry. The presentations and discussion in this session highlight data opportunities and new data techniques and possibilities.

Organizer: Michael Harris, USDA-Economic Research Service
Moderator: Michael Harris: USDA-Economic Research Service

Research Questions and Data Limitations
Katie Farrin, USDA-Economic Research Service

New Data Opportunities for Agricultural and Resource Economists
Jeremy Weber, USDA-Economic Research Service

Working with International Data: Experiences and Challenges
Ashok Mishra, Louisiana State University

Data from a Policy Perspective: Questions that Can and Cannot be Answered
Barrett Kirwan, University of Illinois

 

What is the Value of Agricultural Economics Research - New Data and Analysis
The federal budget allocates $2.3 billion for USDA to support R&D. What does that buy? What are the results? This symposium describes some preliminary results of a new USDA funded project that uses food safety as an example of how to answer these questions.

Organizer: Julia Lane, American Institutes of Research
Moderator: Julia Lane, American Institutes of Research
Panelists: Kaye Husbands Fealing, University of Minnesota; Stan Johnson, University of Nevada; John King, USDA; Robbin Shoemaker, USDA; Rebecca Rosen, American Institutes of Research; Evgeny Klochkin, American Institutes of Research

 

Land Use Issues at the Urban Fringe: Is there a Fundamental Disconnect between Rural and Urban Analysts? Practitioners?
This symposium is part of a larger funded project designed to bring together scholars working on fringe land use issues from within rural disciplines, like agricultural economics, and urban disciplines, like city and regional planning.  Our premise is that these two groups of applied scholars study the same issues: “rural preservation” and “sprawl control” are essentially two names for the same perceived problem.  But they talk to different stakeholders, have different research approaches, read different journals, and often have different perspectives on what is important.

Organizer: Paul Gottlieb, Rutgers University
Moderator: Paul Gottlieb, Rutgers University

The Urban-Rural Fringe: Removing Siloed Scholarship and Planning for the Future
Paul Gottlieb, Rutgers University

A Multidisciplinary Middle-Ground Examination of Land Use Planning Outcomes in the Portand, OR-Vancouver, WA Metropolitan Area
Jeffrey Kline, USDA-Forest Service

Moving Beyond Land Preservation: Planning for Viable Agriculture at the Fringe
Brian Schilling, Rutgers University

Deconstructing the Real Purpose of Agricultural Zoning
Jesse Richardson, Jr., Virginia Tech; Paul Gottlieb, Rutgers University

 

Local Food Systems as a Catalyst for Innovation
One of the many aspects of local food systems that are attractive to rural and community development professionals is how it may allow for more grassroots innovation and opportunities for nascent entrepreneurs.  This session's speakers and discussion will focus on specific examples of  entrepreneurs who are catalysts in local food systems.

Organizers: Dawn Thilmany McFadden, Colorado State University; Maria Marshall, Purdue University
Moderator: Martha Sullins, Colorado State University
Discussant: Martha Sullins, Colorado State University
Panelists: Norbert Wilson, Auburn University; Becca Jablonski, Cornell University; Dawn Thilmany McFadden, Colorado State University

 

Expanding the U.S. Organic Sector - Will Recent USDA Initiatives Help?
Organic food demand has long outpaced production, and USDA set a goal in 2010 to expand certified organic operations by 25 percent by 2015.  However, growth has stalled in many parts of the domestic organic sector.  Challenges include transition expenses and conventional commodity price spikes, as well as limited organic research, marketing information, and farm program access.  In this session, panelists will examine challenges in organic transition and the implementation of new USDA organic initiatives, and discuss their usefulness with the audience.

Organizers: Catherine Greene, USDA-Economic Research Service; Bill Chambers, USDA-Farm Service Agency
Moderator: Catherine Greene, USDA-Economic Research Service

Changes in Commodity-Sector Adoption of Organic Farming Systems
Catherine Greene, USDA-Economic Research Service

Challenges in Transitioning to Organic Production
Robert King, University of Minnesota; Timothy Delbridge, University of Minnesota

USDA Initiatives to Enhance the Adoption of Organic Systems
William Chambers, USDA-Farm Service Agency

Organic Transition Support Options under USDA's EQIP Program
Mark Rose, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service

 

New Developments in Understanding the Short and Long Run Welfare Impacts of Higher Global Food Prices
Large increases in global food prices over 2007-08, and again in 2010-11, marked a fundamental shift in the global food system. But while there is a general consensus on the principal causes of food price increases, there is far more ambiguity about the welfare impacts of the crisis, particularly for the world’s poorest populations. Early partial equilibrium attempts to answer this question came to the conclusion that the short run impacts of higher global food prices would increase global poverty (de Hoyos and Medvedev, 2009; Ivanic and Martin, 2008). However, subsequent survey-based data suggested the adverse impact of higher food prices might have been minimal, at least in the medium term (Headey, 2013). Now, several recent working papers more clearly distinguish between the short and long run effects of higher food prices, allowing for the possibility that, in the long run, factor price adjustments (particularly wage adjustments) could result in much more positive impacts of higher food prices on welfare outcomes.

Organizers: Derek Headey, IFPRI; Will Martin, World Bank
Panelists: Will Martin, World Bank; Derek Headey, IFPRI; Hanan Jacoby, World Bank; Bjorn Van Campenhout, IFPRI

World Food Price Rises and the Poor 2006-12: A Slow Food Price Crisis?
Maros Ivanic, World Bank; Will Martin, World Bank

Food Prices and Poverty Reduction in the 'Long Run'
Derek Headey, IFRPI

Food Prices, Wages, and Welfare in Rural India
Hanan Jacoby, World Bank

The Impact of Food Price Shocks in Uganda: First-Order Versus Long-Run Effects
Bjorn Van Campenhout, IFPRI; Karl Pauw, IFPRI; Nicholas Minot, IFPRI