INFORMATION IMPACTS ON STATED VS. REVEALED PREFERENCE VALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

A database is used that combines survey and housing variables to compare stated willingness to pay (WTP) to revealed WTP to avoid living in proximity to a land -ll. The results suggest that stated WTP is closer to that predicted by the hedonic for knowledgeable homebuyers than for ignorant homebuyers.Environmental Economics and Policy,

ADOPTION OF PRECISION AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGY IN MISSISSIPPI

Precision application technology has been an important topic in agriculture in recent years. This technology has the promise to improve farm management through improved information and control over in-field variability of soil characteristics and productivity. Despite this apparent promise, recent studies have shown that adoption has been low. However, little is known about the adoption of this technology in Mississippi or the reasons for or against adoption as seen through the eyes of the producer. This survey was designed to collect basic information on producer perceptions about precision agriculture technology and to assess potential reasons for or against adoption.Production Economics,

School Choice: Supporters and Opponents

We conduct a phone survey to examine the attitudes of Ohioans about school choice, which includes open enrollment programs, school vouchers, tuition tax credits, and charter schools. Previous studies examine more limited forms of choice and investigate fewer possible influences. We find the strongest opposition for school choice by people with graduate degrees and people who believe their assigned public school district is excellent. In fact, people’s opinions about their public schools are stronger predictors of school choice support than are objective measures of school quality. We find people with children in private schools and people with associate’s degrees to be the strongest supporters. Males tend to oppose choice and blue collar workers support it. We find no role for age, the convenience of alternative schools, or the protection of house values in support for school choice.

ECONOMIC IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RISKS ON HOUSE VALUES IN SOUTHEAST REGION: A COUNTY-LEVEL ANALYSIS

A simultaneous model of house values, cancer mortality and total releases is simultaneously estimated to study effects of environmental health risks. Health risks include county level total releases, number of Superfund sites and cancer mortality in Southeastern U.S. Benefits of superfund cleanup and reduced releases are also estimated.Environmental Economics and Policy,

THE ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF VARIABLE RATE FERTILIZER APPLICATION: THE CASE OF MISSISSIPPI

A number of programs have been introduced to limit environmental nonpoint pollution (NPP) associated with agricultural practices. One such program, precision agriculture, involves a range of management practices that utilize site-specific information at the field level. These practices can limit the amount of nutrient and chemical runoff to the environment because they precisely match fertilizer and pesticide application to the needs of the crop. This study uses bioeconomic modeling to investigate the environmental and economic impacts of precision agriculture technology associated with variable rate fertilizer application, as compared to a conventional, single rate application. The empirical results demonstrate that one particular precision agricultural technology, variable rate fertilizer application, can provide both environmental and economic benefits when used on cotton, soybeans, and corn in Mississippi. However, our results depend on several factors, such as soil variability, and the results may be different depending on local conditions.Environmental Economics and Policy,

Zoning, Development Timing, and Agricultural Land Use at the Suburban Fringe: A Competing Risks Approach

Competing risks survival analysis is used to investigate tax and zoning policy impacts on residential, commercial, and industrial development timing in a rapidly growing Midwestern county. Industrial development appears both to precede and occur concurrently with residential development, while commercial development follows other types. Although residences appear to locate away from industrial land, zoning decisions favoring industry may attract rather than deter residential development within a jurisdiction. Regions with higher infrastructure taxes experience development later. Because school taxes fund local public goods important to homeowners, they have little influence on residential timing, but strong influences on industrial and commercial timing.Land Economics/Use,

WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS: THE CASE OF PRECISION APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY

A contingent valuation survey conducted in Mississippi is used to assess public willingness to pay for reductions in agricultural nonpoint pollution. The analysis focuses on implementation of a policy to provide farmers with precision application equipment to reduce nutrient runoff. Findings suggest public support exists for such policies. This study also finds that inclusion of debriefing questions can be used to refine willingness-to-pay estimates in contingent valuation studies. A nonparametric scope test suggests respondents are sensitive to level of runoff reduction and associated water-quality benefits.Environmental Economics and Policy,

Poverty, Language, and Participation in Non-Farm Labor Markets in Rural Paraguay

Paraguay is a society comprised of two vastly different populations. One population is urban, Spanish speaking, educated and employed in the formal sector. The other is rural, speaks Guaraní, has little schooling, and is self-employed. This paper examines rural labor markets in Paraguay. The effect of deficiencies in social services on participation in non-farm labor and household income is identified.Labor and Human Capital,