IMPORTANCE OF VARIOUS ROLES AND EVALUATION METHODS OF EXTENSION ECONOMISTS AS VIEWED BY EXTENSION ADMINISTRATORS, DEPARTMENT HEADS, AND SPECIALISTS

A survey of extension administrators, department heads, and extension specialists was conducted to determine the best methods for evaluating the performance of extension economists. The results demonstrate how different groups view the relative importance of the various roles played by extension economists and how important the specific attributes of extension economists are within each role. In general all three groups agree on the most important roles and attributes. However, important differences among the groups do exist about the relative importance of certain activities.Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

If You Can't Trust the Farmer, Who Can You Trust? The Effect of Certification Types on Purchases of Organic Produce

An information asymmetry exists in the market for organic produce since consumers cannot determine whether produce is organically or conventionally grown. Various methods may solve this problem including signaling, reputation, and certification. Signaling and reputation may not work well, because signals are noisy, and reputation may be difficult for a producer to establish. Certification of the farm and its growing methods shows the most promise. A survey instrument testing the efficacy of certification is presented along with empirical analysis suggesting that no notable difference existed between independent certification methods, although independent certification had significantly different effects than self-certification.Asymmetric information, Certification, Ordered probit, Organic produce, Agribusiness,

Alien Registration- Demerchant, Ruby E. (Mars Hill, Aroostook County)

https://digitalmaine.com/alien_docs/34160/thumbnail.jp

Alien Registration- Hilton, Ruby E. (Norridgewock, Somerset County)

https://digitalmaine.com/alien_docs/9046/thumbnail.jp

The Effect of Freedom of Expression and Access to Information on the Relationship between ICTs and the Well-being of Nations

Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) have been found to improve national well-being. However, nations differ in their norms and laws regarding freedom of expression and access to information. It is the objective of this study to examine how a country’s laws and norms regarding freedom of expression and access to information moderate the effect of level of ICT use on national well-being. Prior research shows that ICTs improve national well-being by allowing citizens to more easily create and use social capital, granting access to education and healthcare, and giving marginalized groups a chance at social inclusion. The ability of ICTs to facilitate these positive outcomes may be affected by legal and cultural norms about speech and information access. Keywords: National well-being, ICT policy, ICT use, Social Inclusion, Censorship, Human Right