USING ECOLABELING TO ENCOURAGE ADOPTION OF INNOVATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES IN AGRICULTURE

Environmental Economics and Policy,

Data Privacy Standards in the United States: A Case Study of Facebook

With approximately 2.45 billion monthly active users as of early 2019, Facebook is the largest social media platform in the world. Facebook collects roughly one million data points of sensitive information every minute and utilizes this personal data for targeted advertisements. The majority of American users are unaware, or simply unconcerned, about the infringement of their privacy rights. Furthermore, the United States federal government has no comprehensive legislation protecting citizens’ data privacy, and only twenty-five states have enforceable laws. This thesis first discusses the potential dangers of Facebook’s collection of its users’ personal data, including data breaches. Then, it analyzes data privacy standards in the United States and compares those standards to privacy legislation in other countries in order to make a well- informed suggestion about how our nation might protect personal data. In doing so, this thesis aims to explore fair policy solutions for the United States that keep both consumers and businesses in mind. Although the imposition of legal restraints for Facebook and others is necessary to protect individual data privacy, industry indicators reveal that placing burdensome limits on data collection capabilities could have significant repercussions for companies that provide free social media platforms, which could potentially force them to become paid services. While American policymakers must formulate and update legal measures to address data protection rights in an ever-growing data-driven economy, it is critical that reforms do not overly penalize social networking services.College of Natural Science

CONSUMER DEMAND FOR ECOLABELED APPLES: SURVEY METHODS AND DESCRIPTIVE RESULTS

This paper examines potential consumer demand for ecolabeled apples. Since apples are purchased by 90% of U.S. households, we are able to investigate the choices of a large and diverse cross section of consumers. Focusing on a single agricultural product such as apples enables us to investigate more specific and realistic consumer choices. This paper also examines how different types of ecolabel claims might affect consumer demand. Ecolabels may vary in terms of the comprehensiveness of their environmental claims and the amount of proof substantiating claims. Ecolabels might claim to reduce only a single environmental impact or they might claim to reduce multiple environmental impacts. There may be no proof for the claims other than seller reputation or the claims might be documented and verified by a highly reputable third party (e.g. government agency, private firm, non-profit environmental group). Each unique combination of claim comprehensiveness and proof represents a different ecolabel and thus a different good. This paper examines how two levels of claim comprehensiveness and two forms of proof affect consumer demand. Finally, this paper examines factors affecting consumer demand for ecolabels. These factors include prices, income, household size and education. They also include familiarity with the claim and personal motivations such as improved health and environmental concerns. Both the purchase location of apples and whether or not an individual normally buys organic are also examined.Demand and Price Analysis, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

CONSUMER DEMAND FOR ECOLABELED APPLES: RESULTS FROM ECONOMETRIC ESTIMATION

This article presents a theory and empirical estimates of consumer demand for ecolabeled apples. The effect of varying comprehensiveness of environmental claims and amount of proof supporting claims is examined. Data are from telephone interviews with 893 randomly selected U.S. households. Substantial demand for ecolabeled apples is found. Variations in claim comprehensiveness and amount of proof are statistically insignificant.Demand and Price Analysis, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

An Impact Evaluation of the Government Grant Programs and Input Efficiency Use in the Production of Greenhouse Tomatoes and Peppers in Kosovo

Determinants of greenhouse tomato and pepper production input efficiency affect a farmer’s decision to contribute to the vegetable sector in Kosovo. This research investigates the non-optimal use of inputs in the production of greenhouse tomatoes and peppers. Two studies were conducted to first measure input efficiency use and then to quantify the impact of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development (MAFRD) grant programs in the production of both crops. The first study applied data envelopment analysis (DEA), and linear and logistic regression to assess factors that influence efficiency in production. The second study used propensity score matching with logistic regression and genetic matching in order to evaluate any impacts, including income differences, between MAFRD grantees and non-grantees. The DEA results suggest that of the seven regions in Kosovo, most of the efficient greenhouse tomato producers were found in Prizren with a mean efficiency of 83 percent. While Prishtina had the most efficient greenhouse pepper producers with a mean efficiency of 99 percent. The logistic regression results with the use of technical efficiency (TE) scores as the dependent variable with a threshold produced different results to the linear regression. For example, estimates were more statistically significant under linear regression. The second study using matching techniques demonstrated that greenhouse farmers with higher yields and small total greenhouse areas were more likely to participate in the government’s grant program. The analysis revealed that MAFRD greenhouse tomato grantees compared to the non-grantees may make additionally an estimated of 1,777 euros. Insignificant estimate results were registered for the sample of greenhouse pepper farmers. Overall, the first study demonstrated that depending on the characteristics of the farms, factors related to production efficiency may affect input efficiency use. The second study suggested that a quality matching of the greenhouse tomato farmers could be achieved. However, only a partial matching was obtained among greenhouse pepper farmers

Virginia Blend testimony regarding providing equal rights

Virginia Blend\u27s testimony to the Bill of Rights Committee regarding proposal number 10, providing for equal rights.https://scholarworks.umt.edu/montanaconstitution/1141/thumbnail.jp

Virginia H. Blend\u27s statement regarding proposal 16

Virginia H. Blend\u27s statement on proposal 16 to the Revenue and Finance Committee.https://scholarworks.umt.edu/montanaconstitution/1469/thumbnail.jp

Virginia H. Blend\u27s statement regarding delegate proposals 11 and 23

Virginia H. Blend\u27s statement on delegate proposals 11 and 23 to the Revenue and Finance Committee.https://scholarworks.umt.edu/montanaconstitution/1470/thumbnail.jp