Comparison of Survey Results from Land Value & Rental Surveys: Differences and Synthesis

Land Economics/Use,

AN APPLICATION OF LEARNING STYLE THEORY TO UNDERGRADUATE INSTRUCTION IN ACCOUNTING: A MINNESOTA EXAMPLE

This paper reports the results of a student learning style inventory by Flemming and Miller. The survey was used in an introductory accounting course in addition to other curriculum materials to foster critical thinking. A model for assessing and incorporating critical thinking is proposed.Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

The Use of Videotaped Segments of The Apprentice in a Food and Agricultural Sales Class: The Case of ApEc 3451

This paper described the incorporation of selected segments of the Apprentice Series into an Ag and Food Sales course. A description of the use of these segments and student evaluation of the experience are also included.Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

THE ECONOMICS OF INSTRUCTIONAL REVENUE SHARING

The process of planning and budgeting for public institutions has been a topic of recent interest as budgetary constraints have mandated reduced funding for state agencies and publicly funded educational institutions. The most recent budget outlook in Minnesota suggests that funding for the University of Minnesota will be reduced significantly in the next biennium. This outlook is renewing the call for increased efficiency and cost control for publicly funded educational institutions such as the University of Minnesota. The authors have been involved with a project in which cost functions and economic relationships were examined within the College of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences at the University of Minnesota. This paper is an extension of these efforts and attempts to address the questions relating to instructional revenue sharing.Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

COST RELATIONSHIPS IN COLLEGES OF AGRICULTURE

This paper examines cost behavior in higher education and colleges of agriculture. The authors have been involved in a multiyear project to determine how enrollment affects costs. The part of the study as summarized in the paper addresses the unique aspects of higher education that affect costs and presents three cost models based upon data from the University of Minnesota. Implications of these models related to average and marginal costs are discussed in relation to economies of size and scale.Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

INTEGRATING EXTENSION MATERIALS IN AN EXISTING COURSE: EXAMPLE OF APEC 3821 (RETAIL CENTER MANAGEMENT)

Teaching entrepreneurship in college courses is becoming more commonplace. The author reports on the integration of extension entrepreneurship materials(Project Mainstreet) into an existing retail management course at the University of Minnesota. This integration results in an actual web-based business.Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

Enhancing Student Learning in a Retail Center Mg't Course by the Use of a combined Civic and Student Engagement Project

This paper reports on a student project assigned for a retail center management course which combines civic and student engagement learning strategies. The connection to student engagement theory is established and results are reported for the project including an update on 2008 activities.Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

AN APPLICATION OF RISK ANALYSIS: LOCALIZED CORN AND SOYBEAN PRICE DISTRIBUTIONS

This paper examines the spatial elements of marketing grain. The decision of " where" to market has been ignored due to data limitations and lack of necessity. The author will incorporate localized probability distributions of price/basis in an Excel spreadsheet using @RISK which will evaluate marketing decisions for producers.Crop Production/Industries, Risk and Uncertainty,

MINNESOTA CURRENT FARM SITUATION

These papers describe the current economic conditions and outline some of the opportunities facing Minnesota farmers as they complete 1998 and develop plans for 1999. The first paper, Prospects For Farm Income in 1998, describes the variation in net farm income farmers in the Southeastern and Southwestern Farm Management Associations have experienced over the past twenty years. The possible effects of 1998's low commodity prices and government program payments on net farm income are discussed in the context of this historical variation. This paper points out that some farmers are experiencing a very good year in 1998, while others may have very low net farm income this year. Those with high incomes in 1998 may be primarily interested in opportunities to enhance their cash flow for 1999, while those experiencing financial stress during 1998 may need to consider a wider range of adjustments as they plan for the coming year. The remaining papers provide information farmers may want to consider as they plan their marketing and financial strategies for the coming year. Financial Management Alternatives outlines a wide range of financial management alternatives that can be used to deal with cash flow problems. Some of these alternatives will be of interest to farmers who have difficulty in projecting a positive net cash flow with the relatively low commodity prices being projected for 1999. Others are of primary interest to farmers who have relatively high debt levels and must find ways to improve both their net cash flow and their debt/asset position. Some observers have suggested that the low commodity prices projected for 1999 may lead to reductions in cash rental rates. The paper, Cropland Rental Market Impacts of Low Crop Prices, discusses a procedure to estimate "fair rental rates", and provides an historical perspective of the impact low commodity prices have had on land rental rates. The remaining two papers, Situation and Outlook For the Livestock Sector, and Considerations in Developing a Corn/Soybean Marketing Plan for 1998/1999, discuss the major factors to evaluate and options to consider in developing a marketing plan for corn, soybeans, hogs and cattle for the coming year.Farm Management,

Finding Value-Added Uses for Apples: A Case Study For Hoch Orchards of LaCrescent, Minnesota

This paper summarizes the results of a pilot course in Value-Added Entrepreneurship in agriculture which was offered in the fall semester of 2005 under the title-ApEc 3991-2. It will describe the course content, the manner in which the project was chosen, the work which was undertaken by students enrolled in this class and finally, the manner in which the materials developed in the course were used in the actual restructuring of Hoch Orchards