Assessing Tennessee Consumers’ Willingness to Pay for Food Protection

Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

The Impact of Participation in Cooperatives on the Success of Small Farms

This study identifies and analyzes factors that contribute to the success of small farms. Particular attention is given to the effect of participation in marketing and supply cooperatives on the success of small farms. Using modified net farm income per dollar of assets and operator’s labor and management income as measures of success, results show participation in marketing and supply cooperatives is positively correlated with success. Further, analysis findings indicate farm size, controlling for variable and fixed costs, type of ownership, management strategies used, working off the farm, and age of the operator are important factors that influence profitability (modified net farm income per dollar of assets and operator’s labor and management income) and success.cooperatives, management strategies, marketing, small farms, success, supply cooperative, Agribusiness, Marketing,

NON-PROFIT FOOD CENTERS IN TENNESSEE: SURVEY FINDINGS

Agribusiness,

Factors Contributing to Success of Small Farm Operations in Tennessee

Small farms that are numerous and diverse have been facing various challenges. There are only few studies examining critical factors that would promote success in their operations. This article uses survey data from Tennessee to address this issue. Analysis of the data shows the importance of the following for success: 1) production strategies based on diversification and cost control; 2) financial plans that keep debt low and good record keeping; and 3) marketing strategy aimed at achieving the highest possible profit. The results are expected to be useful for farmers, Extension personnel, policy makers, and groups working with small farmers

Food-Security Status and Food-Purchase Decisions of Low-Income Households in Tennessee

Consumer/Household Economics, Food Security and Poverty,

CONSUMER BIOTECHNOLOGY FOOD AND NUTRITION INFORMATION SOURCES: THE TRUST FACTOR

Although much has been written on consumer attitudes toward genetically modified foods, not much is known about how or where consumers get the information for the decisions they make about genetically modified foods. This paper reports on the media used by consumers in acquiring information about biotech food and nutrition issues, and examines how much trust consumers put in selected information sources. The paper also discusses how socio-economic variables affect level of trust in selected sources. Qualitative and quantitative techniques were applied to data collected from focus groups and a mail questionnaire survey. Analyses showed that consumers used newspapers (73.7%), television (73.2%), and magazines (71.2%) occasionally or more frequently than other sources to collect information about food and biotechnology. Health professionals, extension professionals, and University scientists were most trusted for providing information about GM foods. Findings of the study could provide information on choice of effective channels for communicating information about modified food and biotechnology.Consumer/Household Economics,

Participation of the Latino/Hispanic Population in the Food Stamp Program (FSP)

The Hispanic population is growing rapidly in the U.S. generally and in the southern states particularly. This rapidly growing population is characterized by high poverty rates among children and the elderly compared to other races. The Hispanic population is also less educated, characterized by low income, lacks English language proficiency, and has a need for public assistance. Hispanic total and household participation in the FSP increased rapidly, especially in metro counties. The increase in participation is about three times that of the total population. Participation of Hispanic children in the program was also much higher than for adults. The growing Hispanic population with special needs and requirements and rising participation in the FSP will pose new challenges to food assistance administration to serve this group.Food Security and Poverty,

MARKETING CHANNELS USED BY WHOLESALE AND RETAIL NURSERY COMPANIES

Analysis of data collected from a questionnaire survey of randomly selected Tennessee nursery businesses revealed that wholesalers and retailers differed significantly in their stated reasons for attending and participating in industry trade shows. When controlled for business size (gross sales), wholesalers and retailers also differed significantly in their perception of the usefulness of catalogs, newspapers, trade journals, trade shows, and radio to advertise nursery products and services.advertising channels, business operation size, Chi-square tests of independence, nursery retail business, nursery wholesale business, strategic marketing, stratified random sample, Industrial Organization,

Trust in Food-Safety Information Sources: Examining Differences in Respondents’ Opinions from a Three-State Survey

This paper analyzes data from a telephone survey of 1,000 home-meal preparers from Alabama, North Carolina, and Tennessee. We evaluate the level of trust assigned by survey respondents to twelve sources used in gathering food safety information and provide guidance on effective ways of communicating food-safety information. Data collected were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Health professionals, nutrition counselors, and food labels were highly trusted sources of food-safety information while the Internet, radio, and television were the least trusted.Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

Producer Biotech Food Knowledge Differences: Findings from a Three-State Survey

Over the years, public opinion in the United States on agricultural biotechnology has shifted from one of extreme consumer concern to one of indifference. This paper analyzes gender, ethnic, education, age, and household-income differences in producersÂ’' biotechnology knowledge. Mail questionnaires were used in collecting data. Responses to selected questions were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Chi-squares tests showed statistically significant differences in biotechnology knowledge among farmers who participated in the three-state survey.Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,