CASTING BREAD UPON THE WATER: COMMENTS ON TECHNOLOGY, GLOBALIZATION, AND AGRICULTURE

Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

Patricia A. Duffy: Lifetime Achievement Award

Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

Agricultural Economics and Interdisciplinary Work

Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

PUBLIC AND PRIVATE FOOD ASSISTANCE CHOICES OF FOOD NEEDY FAMILIES

A bivariate probit model was used to determine public and private food assistance participation among the population below 125 percent poverty level, using the Current Population Survey data. Food stamp use and food pantry use were complements. Household income, food insecurity status, household structure, and rural residence affected participation decisions.Food Security and Poverty,

EFFECTS OF AN EXPORT SUBSIDY ON THE U.S. COTTON INDUSTRY

In this study, the effects of an export subsidy for cotton are analyzed using a linear elasticity model. The study explicitly addresses the interaction of current domestic policies with the proposed export subsidy. An export subsidy may be a successful method of reducing the government costs of the cotton program.International Relations/Trade,

ATTITUDES TOWARD GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT IN AGRICULTURE: RESULTS OF A NATIONAL SURVEY

This study reports results from a nationwide survey of public attitudes toward agriculture. The study focuses on attitudes toward government involvement in agriculture across regions of the county and residential categories.Political Economy,

The Effect of Ethanol Production on Agricultural Production in the State of Alabama

This research assessed the economic effect of corn-based fuel ethanol production on agriculture and the state economy in Alabama. The results showed that in the short run a 15 million gallon per year plant will be profitable. This will have farm income and a multiplier affect in the rest of the state economy.ethanol, corn producers, farm income, price elasticity, economic impact, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Obesity, BMI, and Diet Quality: How does the South Measure Up?

This paper examines regional differences in obesity rates, Body Mass Index (BMI) and dietary quality, using data from the 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), Mobile Examination Center (MEC). For women, BMI and obesity prevalence may be higher in the Deep South states, but the difference is explained by demographic characteristics. Diet quality was found to be lower in the South.obesity, diet quality, food insecurity, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Health Economics and Policy, I10, I30,

ACREAGE RESPONSE UNDER FARM PROGRAMS FOR MAJOR SOUTHEASTERN FIELD CROPS

An expected utility model that includes output price and yield uncertainty was used to estimate cotton, corn, and soybean acreage response equations for the Southeast. The model appeared to fit the soybean and corn data well, resulting in own-price elasticity estimates of 0.317 for corn and 0.727 for soybeans. When applied to cotton acreage, however, the model did not yield satisfactory results. When elasticity was allowed to change over time, however, statistical results for the cotton equation improved, yielding an own-price elasticity of 0.915 at data means.Government programs, Acreage response, Expected utility, Time-varying parameters, Crop Production/Industries,

Farmers' Willingness to Grow Cover Crops: Examining the Economic Factors of Adoption in Alabama

The inclusion of cover crops in cropping systems brings both direct and indirect costs and benefits. The literature has shown that cover crops can improve soil conservation and productivity, potentially improving cash crop yields and decreasing cash crop production costs. Farmers will adopt cover crops if the net economic benefit of utilizing them is positive. This study examines farmers’ willingness to grow cover crops as a soil conservation practice and to examine the socio-economic factors affecting their decision. Survey data collected in 2007-8 from Alabama farmers about cover crop adoption and management is utilized to estimate a cover crop adoption model.cover crops, conservation, adoption, generalized ordered logit, Crop Production/Industries, Environmental Economics and Policy, Farm Management, Land Economics/Use, Production Economics,