Integrating University Service Learning Courses with Community Development Extension Programs

We present a strategy for community development Extension delivery incorporating university service learning classes in the creation and implementation of community development activities. The process of an undergraduate rural development class assisting local community development Extension agents is examined. Results suggest students can be effective in providing research support that will assist local communities making important community development decisions. Extension faculty interested in incorporating university service learning classes into their programs should make sure that the types of activities fit the objectives of the course and the that atmosphere of communities is conducive to a shared learning environment

Applying a Hybrid Methodology for Measuring the Economic Contribution of the Food and Fiber System to the Louisiana Economy (Bulletin #886)

This publication provides a new approach to identifying the economic contribution of agriculture to Louisiana. Both state- and parish-level contributions from food and fiber are included.https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/agcenter_bulletins/1009/thumbnail.jp

Estimating GDP at the Parish (County) Level: An Evaluation of Alternative Approaches (Bulletin #890)

Gross Domestic Product or GDP is estimated for each parish from earnings and employment data from more than 60 industries in Louisiana.https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/agcenter_bulletins/1005/thumbnail.jp

Assessing Impacts of OCS Activities on Public Infrastructure, Services, and Population in Coastal Communities Following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

A report examining the Impacts of OCS activities on public infrastructure, services, and population in coastal communities in the aftermaths of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

A SURVEY OF ELEMENTAL CONTAMINANTS AND ORGANOCHLORINES AT NORTH PLATTE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, NEBRASKA, 1993.

The North Platte National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) is located 8 miles northeast of Scottsbluff, in Nebraska\u27s Panhandle. It was established by Executive Order in 1916, and was managed by the Bureau of Reclamation (BR) until 1986, when primary jurisdiction was granted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service). The 2,909 acre Refuge includes three reservoirs: 1) Lake Alice, 2) Winters Creek Lake, and 3) Lake Minitare (Figure 1). Water levels in all three reservoirs are managed by BR for irrigation and Lake Minitare is managed as a State Recreation Area under a lease agreement with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The primary purpose of the Refuge is to provide sanctuary for migratory birds, but habitat for migrating bald eagles, waterfowl production, and compatible recreation are important management goals (USFWS, 2001). Twenty bald eagles and over 200,000 waterfowl concentrate on the Refuge during migration and over 200 species of birds have been observed on the Refuge. Irrigation supply water from the North Platte River is the primary source of water for all three Refuge reservoirs, which are interconnected by surface water. Lake Alice receives water from the Interstate and Highline canal, and discharges to the Supply canal and Hersche drain. Winters Creek Lake is fed by the Supply canal and also discharges to the Supply canal, with the inflow and outflow separated by approximately 200 meters. Lake Minitare receives water primarily from the Supply canal with secondary input from the Highline canal and discharges into the Lowline canal and Alliance drain. Land use in the drainage is primarily agricultural; with corn, soybeans, and sugar beet production the predominant row crops. In addition, alfalfa production and grazing areas support cattle ranching within the Refuge’s watershed

Modeling the Louisiana Local Government Fiscal Module in a Disequilibrium Environment: A Modified COMPAS Model Approach

Abstract. The objective of this study is to assess and measure the relative forecasting performance of local government expenditures in Community Policy Analysis Models (COMPAS) during periods of supply/demand disequilibrium. We evaluate whether a fiscal module under the COMPAS framework (an equilibrium model) fits better under a disequilibrium economic en- vironment. We find that both a simple naïve model with one year lagged expenditure and a lagged expenditure model with revenue capacity variables significantly increased forecasting performance relative to the traditional supply/demand equilibrium model of the public sec- tor. We also found weak evidence suggesting that in cases where the equilibrium model is used in a cross-sectional setting, quantile regression may improve forecasting performance given the heterogeneity in the quantity and quality of preferences in public services

Modeling the Louisiana local government fiscal module in a disequilibrium environment: A modified COMPAS model approach

The objective of this study is to assess and measure the relative forecasting performance of local government expenditures in Community Policy Analysis Models (COMPAS) during periods of supply/demand disequilibrium. We evaluate whether a fiscal module under the COMPAS framework (an equilibrium model) fits better under a disequilibrium economic en-vironment. We find that both a simple naïve model with one year lagged expenditure and a lagged expenditure model with revenue capacity variables significantly increased forecasting performance relative to the traditional supply/demand equilibrium model of the public sector. We also found weak evidence suggesting that in cases where the equilibrium model is used in a crosssectional setting, quantile regression may improve forecasting performance given the heterogeneity in the quantity and quality of preferences in public services. © 2013 MCRSA. All rights reserved

Using System Dynamics for Optimal Debris Management in a Changing Policy Environment

Communities across the country are increasingly at risk of being affected by natural and environmental disasters. The Public Assistance Grant Program (PA Program) administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is available for states and communities that have received a major or emergency disaster declaration. For example, following Hurricane Katrina, there have been ten federal declared disasters in Louisiana alone with federal obligated costs of about $2.1 billion (CPI adjusted to 2011dollars). The PA program was recently amended and allows FEMA to implement Public Assistance Alternative Procedures (PAAP) Pilot Programs. In this research we focus on the Debris Management Pilot Program. FEMA is authorized to provide different set of incentives to local governments that have a debris management plan in place. Two of the initial and most important aspects of disaster response and recovery operations are the removal and disposal of debris from the disaster –affected area. In this research we use a System Dynamics model to better visualize the effect of different debris management policies on the financial wealth of local governments

Recruitment of physicians to rural America: A view through the lens of transaction cost theory

Context: Many rural hospitals in the United States continue to have difficulties recruiting physicians. While several studies have examined some of the factors affecting the nature of this problem, we know far less about the role of economic incentives between rural providers and physicians. Purpose: This conceptual article describes an economic theory of organization called Transaction Cost Theory (TCT) and applies it to rural hospital-physician relationships to highlight how transaction costs affect the type of contractual arrangement used by rural hospitals when recruiting physicians. Methods: The literature is reviewed to introduce TCT, describe current trends in hospital contracting with physicians, and develop a TCT contracting model for analysis of rural hospital-physician recruitment. Findings: The TCT model predicts that hospitals tend to favor contractual arrangements in which physicians are full-time employees if investments in physical or other assets made by hospitals cannot be easily redeployed for other services in the health care system. Transaction costs related to motivation and coordination of physician services are the key factors in understanding the unique contractual difficulties faced by rural providers. Conclusions: The TCT model can be used by rural hospital administrators to assess economic incentives for physician recruitment. © 2007 National Rural Health Association