NC_old1198: Renewing an Agriculture of the Middle: Value Chain Design, Policy Approaches, Environmental and Social Impacts

(Multistate Research Project)

Status: Inactive/Terminating

Project Menu

SAES-422 Reports

Annual/Termination Reports:

[10/31/2017] [12/10/2018] [12/19/2019] [01/29/2021] [11/04/2021] [07/07/2022]

Date of Annual Report: 10/31/2017

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 10/17/2017 - 10/18/2017
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2017 - 09/30/2018

Participants

David Conner, Hikaru Peterson, Joe Colletti , Marcy Ostrom, Shermain Hardesty, Chuck Francis, Tommy Bass, Keith Harris, Lindsey Day Farnsworth, Liz Kramer, Phil Howard, Keiko Tanaka, Kate Clancy, Christy Brekken, Rob King, Larry Burmeister, Larry Lev, Lauren Gwin, Libby Christensen, Mary Hendrickson, Alejandro Plastina.

Kathy DeMaster remotely

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

NC1198_2017_AnnualMeetingMinutes.docx

Accomplishments

As the meeting was only two weeks after project begining we have nothing to report yet

Publications

None ot report yet

Impact Statements

As the meeting was only two weeks after project begining we have nothing to report yet

Date of Annual Report: 12/10/2018

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 10/10/2018 - 10/11/2018
Period the Report Covers: 01/01/1970 - 01/01/1970

Participants

1. Keiko Tanaka (University of Kentucky)
2. Bill Lacy (University of California – Davis)
3. Clare Hinrichs (Penn State University)
4. Kate Clancy (Consultant)
5. Hikaru Peterson (University of Minnesota)
6. Jan Joannides (Renewing the Countryside)
7. Lindsey Day Farnsworth (University of Wisconsin – Madison)
8. Michelle Miller (University of Wisconsin – Madison)
9. David Conner (University of Vermont)
10. Becca Jablonski (Colorado State University)
11. Christine Sanders (University of Missouri – Columbia)
12. Jill Fitzgerald (University of Massachusetts - Amherst)
13. Christy Anderson Brekken (Oregon State University)
14. Alejandro Plastina (Iowa State University)
15. Gail Feenstra (University of California – Davis)
16. Larry Lev (Oregon State University)
17. Rob King (Oregon State University)
18. Marcy Ostrom (Washington State University)
19. Kathryn De Master (University of California – Berkeley)
20. Sarah Lloyd (Wisconsin Farmers Union)

Brief Summary of Minutes

1. Introductions & Reports: After brief introductions of participants, six research groups, funded projects within the NC1198 team gave a presentation about their project, including: “Geeting to Fair: Strategies for Achieving Fair Labor” (by Michelle Miller at UW-Madison); “Impacts of Value Based Supply Chains on Small and Medium Sized Farms” (by Christy Anderson-Brekken, Oregon State University); “Beyond Fresh and Direct (by Jan Joannides and Robert King, University of Minnesota); “From From Apple to Glass: Improving Orchard Profitability” (by Marcy Ostrom, Washington State University); “Big Dat for Sm(All) Farmers (by Alejandro Plastina, Iowa State University); Discussion about Farm and Ranch Profitability HATCH (by Becca Jablonski, Colorado State University).

2. Discussion on Edited Book/Special Issues on a Journal: We spent a considerable amount of discussing the merits of publishing iour work into either an edited book or a special issue of a journal. Junior faculty members can benefit more from peer-reviewed journal manuscripts while senior faculty members may benefit from a book manuscript. Lindsey Day Farnsworth, Kate Clancy, and Michelle Miller will develop a call for abstracts to publish in a journal.

3. Discussion on the NC 1198 Website: David Conner (past chair), Keiko Tanaka (current chair), and Mary Hendrickson (chair elect) will form a committee on the website and develop a set of criteria for our web materials. Becca Jabloski will create a shared google.doc where individual members can list their own website addresses.

4. Dicussion on the 2019 NC 1198 Meeting & Leadership: The 2019 meeting will be held on October 15-16 at the University of Minnesota. Our future chairs will be: Mary Hendrickson (2018-2019), Kathy DeMaster (2019-2020), and Becca Jablonski (2020-2021).

5. Discussion on Policy Issues & Work: Each member is working on one or more policy issues in his/her current work. We had a conference call meeting with the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition. We discussed a possibility of holding an annual meeting in Washington DC either in 2020 or 2021. Our Policy Committee (Kate Clancy, Christy Anderson-Brekken, and Lauren Gwin) will continue to explore the idea of holding a meeting in CD and develop a plan of our future policy work.

ACTION ITEMS

• Website
• Follow-up on Book Discussion/Journal idea - Call for Abstract
• Annual Meeting in DC for 2020 or 2021
• Organizing a Conference within an annual meeting of the existing organization
• Next year’s aggenda

Minutes Attachment:

nc1198 minutes mn oct2018 rev.docx

Accomplishments

Period between October 1, 2017 - September 30, 2018 (Not previously reported) SHORT-TERM OUTCOMES <ul> <li>The project team members obtained 3 additional federal grants and several regional grants (including SARE), concerning this research program.</li> <li>This project team now includes 30+ members from 18 states; this nation-wide network enables us to collaborate research, instruction, outreach, and policy activities at the regional and national levels. </li> </ul> OUTPUTS A. Webinars <ol> <li>Research Briefing for National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (May 31, 2018) We organized a research briefing, delivered as a webinar, for NSAC leadership to hear from NC1198 researchers about topics relevant to NSAC’s issue areas and federal policy.</li> </ol> B. Conference Presentations Academic Conferences <ol> <li>De Master, Kathryn. 2018. “Why Does the Middle Matter? Contemporary Land Questions.” Rural Sociology Society Annual Meeting, July 2018. Portland, Oregon (with Loka Ashwood and Madeleine Fairbairn)</li> <li>De Master, Kathryn. 2018. “Farmland Financialization in McDonough County, Illinois.” Rural Sociology Society Annual Meeting, July 2018. Portland, Oregon. (with John Canfield, Loka Ashwood, Kathryn De Master, and Madeleine Fairbairn, presented by John Canfield)</li> <li>De Master, Kathryn. 2018. “Farmers and Foodies: Urban-Rural Divide in the Food Movement?” Rural Sociology Society Annual Meeting, July 2018. Portland, Oregon. (with Karna Baraboo and Patrick Baur, presented by Kathryn De Master).</li> <li>De Master, Kathryn. 2018. “Contemporary Land Questions and the Agriculture of the Middle.” Agriculture and Human Values Annual Meeting, June 2018. Madison, Wisconsin. </li> <li>De Master, Kathryn. 2018. “The Place of Place: Fostering Resilient Terroir-Based Agri-Food Clusters in U.S. Agriculture.” Agriculture and Human Values Annual Meeting, June 2018 (with James LaChance, Sarah Bowen, Lillian McNell). Madison, Wisconsin. </li> <li>De Master, Kathryn. 2018. “Farmers and Foodies: Bringing the Farmer Back In?” Agriculture and Human Values Annual Meeting, June 2018 (with Patrick Baur and Karna Baraboo). Madison, Wisconsin.</li> <li>De Master, Kathryn. 2018. “Multifunctional Mavericks on the Monocultural Margins: Diversified Farming Systems Practices Among Strawberry Growers in California’s Central Coast Region.” Agriculture and Human Values Annual Meeting, June 2018. Madison, Wisconsin.</li> <li>De Master, Kathryn. 2018. “Buying the Farm: Farmland Financialization in McDonough County, Illinois.” Association of American Geographers Annual Meeting, April 2018 (with John Canfield, Loka Ashwood, and Madeleine Fairbairn, presented by John Canfield). New Orleans, LA.</li> <li>Feenstra, Gail. 2018. “Farmer perspectives on mid-tier values-based supply chains: The U.S. and the Northwest,” presentation at the Place Based Food Systems conference, Richmond, BC, Canada, August 9, 2018 (35 attendees).</li> <li>Feenstra, Gail. 2018. “Farmers’ perspectives on mid-tier values-based supply chains,” panel presentation at the Agriculture, Food and Human Values Society conference, Madison, WI, June 16, 2018 (35 attendees).</li> <li>Hardesty, Shermain. 2017. Examining Supplier-Manufacturer Relationships in the Specialty Food Sector. Annual Meeting of the Food Distribution & Research Society, Honolulu, HI, October 23, 2017. (15 attendees)</li> <li>Peterson, H., G. Feenstra, M. Ostrom, K. Tanaka, C. Brekken, and G. Engelskirchen. 2018. “A Report from the AOTM Project: Farmer Perspectives on Mid-Tier Values-Based Supply Chains.” Presented at the 81st Annual Meeting of the Rural Sociological Society, Portland, OR, July 2018.</li> <li>Tanaka, K. 2018. “Preliminary Farmer Survey Results. Marketing Strategies Based on Shared Values: Farmers’ Experiences with and Perspectives on Value Based Supply Chains.” Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Southern Rural Sociological Association, Jacksonville, FL, February 2018. H. Peterson, M. Ostrom, G. Feenstra, and C.A. Brekken).</li> <li>Tanaka, K., H. Hyden, H. Peterson, G. Feenstra, M. Ostrom, and C.A. Brekken. 2017 “Linking Farmers with Consumers: Key Characteristics of Values-Based Supply Chains and Food Hubs in the United States. Presented at the 80th Annual Meeting of the Rural Sociological Society, Columbus, OH, July 2017.</li> </ol> Non-Academic Conferences <ol> <li>Feenstra, Gail. 2018. “Adding Value to your Farm Products,” presentation with Penny Leff at the Armed to Farm Workshop, sponsored by the Community Alliance with Family Farmers, Davis, CA, April 18, 2018 (20 attendees).</li> <li>Feenstra, Gail. 2018. “Farmers’ perspectives on food hubs and value chains,” presentation at the National Good Food Network Food Hub conference, Albuquerque, NM, March 29, 2018 (40 attendees).</li> <li>Feenstra, Gail. 2017.  “Expanding small and mid-scale farms’ production of value-added foods,” presentation on a panel at the California Small Farm Conference, Stockton, CA, October 30, 2017 (35 attendees).</li> <li>Feenstra, Gail. 2017. “The future of food – Keys to a local sustainable food system,” presentation at the Heritage Presbyterian Church, Benicia, CA, October 25, 2017 (35 attendees).</li> </ol> Poster Presentations <ol> <li>Hesser, Kevin; Morrison, Odile; Feenstra, Gail and Capps, Shosha. 2018. “Increasing Access to Local Fruits and Vegetables in Rural Calaveras County through a School-Based CSA & Education Model.” National Farm to Cafeteria Conference, Cincinnati, OH.</li> <li>King, Robert; Feenstra, Gail; Hardesty, Shermain; Houston, Laurie; Joannides, Jan; Lev, Larry. 2017. “Supplier-Manufacturer Relationships in the Specialty Food Sector.” XV EAAE Congress 2017, Parma, Italy.</li> </ol> Invited Presentations <ol> <li>De Master, Kathryn. “Why the Middle Matters: Land, Labor, and New Forms of Capital in American Agriculture.” Department of Sociology Seminar Series. Colorado State University, April 27, 2018.</li> <li>Feenstra, Gail. 2018. “Increasing the capacity of place-based food systems: Challenges and opportunities in food system infrastructure and distribution,” Keynote presentation at the Place Based Food Systems conference, Richmond, BC, Canada, August 10, 2018 (200 attendees).</li> <li>Tanaka, Keiko. 2018. “What’s Social about Social Sustainability of Local Food Systems?” Presented as an invited Breakout Session Speaker in the session, Eating Well Together: Developing Partnerships For A Local Food Economy at Our Farms, Our Future: Envisioning the Next 30 Years of Sustainable Agriculture, St. Louis, MO, April 3-5, 2018.</li> <li>Tanaka, Keiko. 2017. Panelist. Key to Our Common Future Symposium on Emerging Technologies and Sustainability: Interactions between Science & Society, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Kentucky, December 1, 2017.</li> </ol> C. Data <ul> <li>Database of the food hubs and analysis will become available at <a href="http://agofthemiddle.org/">http://agofthemiddle.org/</a>. It is still at progress. </li> <li>Website of economics of cover crops. A compendium of research instruments, findings, peer-reviewed publications, extension materials, and online decision tools: <a href="https://www.card.iastate.edu/conservation/economics-of-cover-crops/">https://www.card.iastate.edu/conservation/economics-of-cover-crops/</a></li> </ul> D. Fact Sheets <ol> <li>Lev, L., Feenstra, G., Hardesty, S., Houston, L., Joannides, J. and King, R. 2018. “Standards: What do you need to know about the standards that must be met?” Fact sheet written as part of “Beyond Fresh & Direct” AFRI project, competitive grant # 2015-68006-22906 from USDA NIFA. <a href="http://asi.ucdavis.edu/programs/sarep/research-initiatives/fs/supply/copy2_of_BFDstandards_1008_2018.pdf">http://asi.ucdavis.edu/programs/sarep/research-initiatives/fs/supply/copy2_of_BFDstandards_1008_2018.pdf</a></li> <li>Lev, L., Feenstra, G., Hardesty, S., Houston, L., Joannides, J. and King, R. 2018. “Value Added: should you produce your own specialty food products? Fact sheet written as part of “Beyond Fresh & Direct” AFRI project, competitive grant # 2015-68006-22906 from USDA NIFA. <a href="http://asi.ucdavis.edu/programs/sarep/research-initiatives/BFDvalueadded_1008_2018.pdf">http://asi.ucdavis.edu/programs/sarep/research-initiatives/BFDvalueadded_1008_2018.pdf</a></li> <li>Lev, L., Feenstra, G., Hardesty, S., Houston, L., Joannides, J. and King, R. 2018. “Criteria: What criteria must you meet to sell to specialty food manufacturers?” Fact sheet written as part of “Beyond Fresh & Direct” AFRI project, competitive grant # 2015-68006-22906 from USDA NIFA. <a href="http://asi.ucdavis.edu/programs/sarep/research-initiatives/BFDcriteria_1008_2018.pdf">http://asi.ucdavis.edu/programs/sarep/research-initiatives/BFDcriteria_1008_2018.pdf</a></li> <li>Lev, L., Feenstra, G., Hardesty, S., Houston, L., Joannides, J. and King, R. 2018. “Connections: How can farmers and specialty food manufacturers connect?” Fact sheet written as part of “Beyond Fresh & Direct” AFRI project, competitive grant # 2015-68006-22906 from USDA NIFA. <a href="http://asi.ucdavis.edu/programs/sarep/research-initiatives/BFDconnections1008_2018.pdf">http://asi.ucdavis.edu/programs/sarep/research-initiatives/BFDconnections1008_2018.pdf</a></li> <li>Lev, L., Feenstra, G., Hardesty, S., Houston, L., Joannides, J. and King, R. 2018. “Benefits: How can sourcing directly from farmers benefit specialty food manufacturers?” Fact sheet written as part of “Beyond Fresh & Direct” AFRI project, competitive grant # 2015-68006-22906 from USDA NIFA. <a href="http://asi.ucdavis.edu/programs/sarep/research-initiatives/BFDbenefit_1008_2018.pdf">http://asi.ucdavis.edu/programs/sarep/research-initiatives/BFDbenefit_1008_2018.pdf</a></li> </ol> ACTIVITIES A. Webinars <ul> <li>Research Briefing for National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (May 31, 2018) We organized a research briefing, delivered as a webinar, for NSAC leadership to hear from NC1198 researchers about topics relevant to NSAC’s issue areas and federal policy.</li> <li>We are plan to organize more webinars between October 1, 2018 and September 30, 2019.</li> </ul> B. Policy Briefing Session <ul> <li>At this annual meeting, we discussed a possibility of organizing a policy briefing session for lobbist organizations in Washington DC. Policy Committee has been charged to develop a plan.</li> </ul> C. Mini-Conference <ul> <li>At this annual meeting, we discussed a possiblity of organizing a mini-conference on the agriculture of the middle within the existing conference, e.g., Agriculture and Human Values, Food Distribution Research, Rural Sociological Society.  </li> </ul> E. Workshops for Farmers <ol> <li>Feenstra, G. 2018. “Marketing & Business Management for Urban Farmers, Oversaw and helped implement and spoke at this workshop for urban farmers, San Diego, CA, April 19, 2018 (20 attendees).</li> <li>Feenstra, G. 2018. “Marketing & Business Management for Urban Farmers, Oversaw and helped implement and spoke at this workshop for urban farmers, Davis, CA, March 16, 2018. (20 attendees).</li> <li>Feenstra, G. 2018. “Meet the buyer tour for North Bay farmers,” Oversaw planning for this 1-day tour for small farmers interested in selling to regional buyers, Petaluma, CA, December 4, 2017 (25 attendees).</li> <li>Feenstra, G. 2017. “Yolo County Agritourism Professional Development Workshop,” Helped plan this 2 day tour/workshop for professionals working with farmers interested in agritourism, Woodland, CA, November 14-15, 2017 (20 attendees).</li> </ol> MILESTONES By September 30, 2019, this project team will: <ul> <li>Develop a plan for publishing a collection of our research work either via a journal or edited book;</li> <li>Organize at least one webinar on ag-of-the-middle policy issues;</li> <li>Develop a plan for a more impactful policy activity (e.g., policy briefing); and</li> <li>Update the ag-of-the-middle website, which will include data sets, reports, and the links to publications</li> </ul>

Publications

Journal Articles <ol> <li>Shideler, D., A. Bauman, D. Thilmany, BBR Jablonski. 2018. "Putting Local Food Dollars to Work: The Economic Benefits of Local Food Dollars to Workers, Farms and Communities." Choices: The Magazine of Food, Farm, and Resource Issues. 33(3).  </li> <li>Brekken, CA, C. Dickson, H.H. Peterson, M. Ostrom, G. Feestra, and K. Tanaka. "Economic Impact of Values-Based Supply Chain Participation on Small and Mid-Sized Produce Farms". Journal Food Distribution Research. Forthcoming.</li> <li>Brekken, CA, M Parks, M Lundgren. 2017. "Oregon producer and consumer engagement in regional food networks: Motivations and future opportunities." Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development7(4).</li> <li>Bauman, A. G., D. Thilmany McFadden, and B.B.R. Jablonski. 2018. “The financial performance implications of differential marketing strategies: Exploring farms that pursue local markets as a core competitive advantage.” Agricultural and Resource Economics Review.</li> <li>Bauman, A., D. Thilmany McFadden, and B.B.R. Jablonski. 2018. “Evaluating scale and technical efficiency among farms and ranches with a local market orientation.” Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742170517000680">https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742170517000680</a></li> <li>Burmeister, L. and K. Tanaka. 2017. “Fair Labor Practices in Values-Based Agrifood Supply Chains?” Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development. 7(3): 17-22.</li> <li>Christensen, L.O., B.B.R. Jablonski, L. Stephens, and A. Joshi. Accepted. “Evaluating the economic impacts of farm to school: An approach for primary and secondary financial data collection of producers selling to schools.” Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development.</li> <li>Christensen, L.O., B.B.R. Jablonski, and J. O’Hara. 2018. “School districts and their local food supply chains: Implications for farm to school programs.” Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742170517000540">https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742170517000540</a></li> <li>Clancy et al. (12 authors). 2017 . "Using a market basket to explore regional food systems". Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development. 7(4)” 163-178.</li> <li>Clark, J.K. and B. BR Jablonski. 2018. "Federal Policy, Administration, and Local Food Coming of Age." Choices: The Magazine of Food, Farm, and Resource Issues33(3).</li> <li>Conner, D., Sims, K., Berkfield, R. and Harrington, H. (Published online December 12, 2017). Do farmers and other suppliers benefit from sales to food hubs? Evidence from Vermont. Journal of Hunger and Environmental Nutrition.</li> <li>De Master, K. and J. Daniels. “Desert Wonderings: Reimagining Food Access Mapping,” conditionally accepted, Agriculture and Human Values. Forthcoming.</li> <li>De Master, K. 2018. “New Inquiries into the Agri-Cultures of the Middle.” Culture, Agriculture, Food and Environment. Published online October 2018: (DOI) - 10.1111/cuag.12219.</li> <li>Feenstra, G., Hardesty, S., Lev, L., Houston, L., King, R., and Joannides, J. 2018. “Beyond fresh and direct: exploring the specialty food industry as a market outlet for small-and medium-sized farms.” Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems 0, 1-11. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742170517000722">https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742170517000722</a>.</li> <li>Hardesty, S., R.P. King, G. Feenstra, L. Houston, J. Joannides, and L. Lev. 2018. "Exploring Supplier-Manufacturer Relationships in the Specialty Food Sector" Journal of Food Distribution Research. 49(1)</li> <li>Hendrickson, Mary K., Harvey S. James, Jr., Annette Kendall, and Christine Sanders. 2018. “The Assessment of Fairness in Agricultural Markets.” Geoforum96:41-50</li> <li>Jablonski, B., M. Hendrickson, S. Vogel and T. Schmitt. 2017. “Local and Regional Food Systems Driving Rural Economic Development.” Chapter 3 in Harvesting Opportunity: The Power of Regional Food System Investments to Transform Communities. USDA and Federal Reserve System Collaboration Joint Publication.</li> <li>Naasz, E., B. BR Jablonski, D. Thilmany. 2018. "State Branding Programs and Local Food Purchases." Choices: The Magazine of Food, Farm, and Resource Issues.33(3).</li> <li>Nogeire-McRae, T., E.P. Ryan, B.B.R. Jablonski, M., H.S. Arathi, C.S. Brown, H.H. Saki, S. McKeen, E. Lapansky, M.E. Schipanski. 2018. "The Role of Urban Agriculture in a Secure, Healthy, and Sustainable Food System." BioScience68 (10), 748-759</li> <li>Ostrom, M., K. De Master, E. Noe, and M. Schermer. 2017. “Values Based Food Chains from a Transatlantic Perspective: Exploring a Middle Tier of Regional Agrifood System Development,” International Journal of Sociology of Agriculture and Food24: No 1: 1-14.</li> <li>Ostrom, M., K. De Master, E. Noe, and M. Schermer, Special Issue Co-editors. 2017. “Evolutions in the Middle: Transnational Perspectives on Values Based Food Chains,”International Journal of Sociology of Agriculture and Food 24: No 1.</li> <li>Palmer et al.(9 authors). 2017. "Between global and local: exploring regional food systems from the perspective of four communities in the US Northeast." Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development. 187-205.</li> <li>Plastina, A. Forthcoming. “Declining Liquidity in Iowa Farms: 2014-2017.” Journal of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers.</li> <li>Plastina, Alejandro; Liu, Fangge; Sawadgo, Wendiam; Miguez, Fernando E.; Carlson, Sarah; and Marcillo, Guillermo. 2018. "Annual Net Returns to Cover Crops in Iowa," Journal of Applied Farm Economics: Vol. 2 : Iss. 2 , Article 2. Available at: <a href="https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/jafe/vol2/iss2/2">https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/jafe/vol2/iss2/2</a></li> <li>Plastina, A., Liu, F., Miguez, F., & Carlson, S. 2018. Cover crops use in Midwestern US agriculture: Perceived benefits and net returns. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems, 1-11. doi:10.1017/S1742170518000194</li> <li>Plastina, A., and C. Hart. 2018. (Open Access). “Is ARC-CO acting as a Safety Net Program? Evidence from Iowa.” Choices. Quarter 1.</li> <li>Rossi, James, Thomas G. Johnson, and Mary Hendrickson. 2017. “The Economic Impacts of Local and Conventional Food Sales.” Journal of Agriculture and Applied Economics. 49(4).</li> <li>Saulters, Mary Margaret, Mary K. Hendrickson and Fabio Chaddad. 2018. “Fairness in alternative food networks: An exploration with Midwestern social entrepreneurs.” Agriculture and Human Values. Accepted 2/1/2018.</li> </ol> Book Chapters <ol> <li>Hendrickson, Mary, Harvey James and William D. Heffernan. 2019. “Vertical Integration and Concentration in US Agriculture.” Forthcoming in Encyclopedia of Food and Agricultural Ethics, 2nd Editionedited by D. M. Kaplan. Dordrecht: Springer Science and Business Media.</li> <li>Hendrickson, Mary K., Philip H. Howard, and Douglas H. Constance. 2019. “Power, Food and Agriculture: Implications for Farmers, Consumers and Communities.” Forthcoming in In Defense of Farmers: The Future of Agriculture in the Shadow of Corporate Power,edited by Jane W. Gibson and Sara E. Alexander. Lincoln NE: University of Nebraska Press.</li> <li>Hinrichs, C. 2018. "Food and Localism." In J. Konefal and M. Hatanaka, eds. Twenty Lessons in the Sociology of Food and Agriculture.Oxford University Press.</li> <li>Howard, P. 2018. "Increasing Corporate Control: From Supermarkets to Seeds." In J. Konefal and M. Hatanaka, eds. Twenty Lessons in the Sociology of Food and Agriculture.Oxford University Press.</li> <li>Howard, Philip H. Forthcoming. Corporate Concentration in Global Meat Processing: The Role of Feed and Finance Subsidies. In Global Meat: Social and Environmental Consequences of the Expanding Meat Industry(Bill Winders and Elizabeth Ransom, eds.). MIT Press.</li> <li>Jablonski, B., M. Hendrickson, S. Vogel and T. Schmitt. 2017. “Local and Regional Food Systems Driving Rural Economic Development.” Chapter 3 in Harvesting Opportunity: The Power of Regional Food System Investments to Transform Communities. USDA and Federal Reserve System Collaboration Joint Publication.</li> </ol> Non Peer Reviewed <ol> <li>King, R., Lev, L., Houston, L., Feenstra, G., Hardesty, S., Joannides, J. 2017. “A survey of specialty food manufacturers to assess whether they represent an attractive outlet for small and medium-size farmers.” Working paper/ Staff paper P17-05, University of Minnesota, Department of Applied Economics. <a href="http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/263408/files/Staff%20Paper%20P17-05--Robert%20P%20King%2C%20et%20al--9-22-17.pdf">http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/263408/files/Staff%20Paper%20P17-05--Robert%20P%20King%2C%20et%20al--9-22-17.pdf</a>.</li> <li>Peterson, H.H., G. Feenstra, M. Ostrom, and Tanaka. 2017. “Impacts of Values-Based Supply Chains on Small and Medium-Sized Farms.” Journal of Food Distribution Research, 48(1): 105-106. Conference Proceeding Issue.</li> </ol>

Impact Statements

Date of Annual Report: 12/19/2019

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 10/15/2019 - 10/16/2019
Period the Report Covers: 10/12/2018 - 10/16/2019

Participants

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

AOTM -NC1198 Annual Report 2018-2019 Final.pdf

Accomplishments

Publications

Impact Statements

Date of Annual Report: 01/29/2021

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 10/06/2020 - 10/07/2020
Period the Report Covers: 09/30/2019 - 10/01/2020

Participants

Kathryn Anderson (UC Berkeley), Analena Bruce (Indiana University), Kate Clancy, David Conner (U of Vermont), Lindsey Day Farnsworth (U of Wisconsin), Kathryn De Master (UC Berkeley), Gail Feenstra (UC-Davis), Jill Fitzsimmons (U of Massachusetts-Amherst), Lauren Gwin (Oregon State University), Mary Hendrickson (U of Missouri), Vanessa Herald (U of Wisconsin), Clare Hinrichs (Pennsylvania State University), Mrill Ingram (U of Wisconsin), Becca Jablonski (Colorado State University), Jan Joannides (Renewing the Countryside), Patricia Kovacs (USDA-AMS), Sarah Lloyd (U of Wisconsin), Michelle Miller (U of Wisconsin), Marcy Ostrom (Washington State), Hikaru Petersen (U of Minnesota), Andrew Stevens (U of Wisconsin), Keiko Tanaka (U of Kentucky)

Brief Summary of Minutes

Brief Summary of Minutes:

Review of participant activities and sharing of information: This included an update on new and ongoing projects of interest to Agriculture of the Middle, which included new research on farm succession and transfer/land access dynamics, elderberries as a hedgerow crop, frozen regional foods, local food response to COVID-19 and positioning regional supply chains for future pandemics, as well as continuing research on hard cider value chains, grazing, hazelnuts, rural wealth creation, and value-added retail

Project reports:

Discussion of new Cider Apple survey, focus groups, and other progress on the multi-state cider project. (Objective 1 and 2)

Discussion of the farmland access project, a collaboration between AOTM researchers at UMass, Penn State, Washington State, and NGO partner (Land for Good). (Objective 1 and 2).

Discussion by Colorado State researchers reported on a survey of low-income households in Denver, as well as a survey of COVID related shopping. Also reported on use of ARMS data to disaggregate market channels and to understand farmer performance matched with state level policy variables. Interested in understanding impacts by scale and commodity. (Objective 1 and 5: Economics, Policy)

Discussion revolving around conceptualizing regional food systems, the role of values-based value chains, and the difficulty of transforming locally based network connections to regionally-based systems. (Objective 2: Community Goals & Needs)

Discussion of competition issues surrounding AOTM, including market access for small growers, as well as understanding how values shape both supply and demand curves, and how expectations of fairness can shape producer participation and influence competition policy. (Objective 4 and 5 Governance and Policy)

Discussions also included the impacts of COVID-19 on research for AOTM, including household survey and dairy-related price crises, potential for moving toward a value-added grass-based dairy supply chain. (Objective 2: Community Goals & Needs)

Policy Update and Interaction:

Discussion of policy related work with relevant stakeholders and interest groups. The NC-1198 policy goal is to “Build the capacity of project members to investigate, address, and communicate policy issues surrounding mid-scale supply chains.” One of the goals for the 2020 annual meeting was to identify relevant policy issues and opportunities for Agriculture of the Middle research, education and outreach, in light of (1) the election year, (2) the relatively recent NIFA move to Kansas City, and (3) the changed research landscape due to COVID-19. To this end, Kate Clancy led an interactive discussion on federal policy, and Lauren Gwin led a discussion about what NC-1198 members said were the (their) top two or three food and agriculture public policy issues in their states currently. From the latter discussion, we identified many areas of overlap, where there are opportunities for members to share ideas for how research has been or could be used effectively in shaping policy at the state level. We will share the notes from that discussion with participants and plan to update it at the next meeting. We will also find out whether participants have been in contact with each other on some of these issues.

Decisions Made:

Future Leadership: Becca Jablonski 2020-2021, Lauren Gwinn 2021-2022.

Exploration of enhanced incorporation of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion issues into a to-be-developed AOTM mission statement.

Discussion of website redevelopment and overhaul: De Master, Miller, Jablonski, Hendrickson, FitzSimmons

Website Updates: Miller, De Master, Jablonski, Hendrickson

Accomplishments

Accomplishments:  Objective 1: Investigate key factors that influence economic performance and viability of mid-scale farms/ranches and their supply-chain partners. Objective 2: Identify and assess the possibilities of mid-scale supply chains to contribute to community goals and needs. California: UC Davis/ UC ANR team focused on five main areas of research and outreach related to the Agriculture of the Middle and our NC 1198 project objectives.  These five areas address Objectives 1 and 2.  They include: (1) farm to school/ farm to institution procurement from regional producers (especially via food hubs); (2) new market development and training for small, mid-scale, beginning and immigrant producers and food hubs; (3) agritourism as a strategy for small and midscale farmers to add value to their operations; and (4) food and environmental justice and food security for consumers and economic health for midscale farmers and (5) urban agriculture and small-scale producers.  Our multiple projects allowed us to continue to examine perspectives and practices through the supply chain and understand challenges of farmers, distributors, processors, manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and consumers who participate in these values-based supply chains. Farm to school/institution procurement.  We continue to work with institutional buyers, helping to create new relationships between them and small/midscale producers, food hubs and values-based supply chains.  We are finalizing a practical publication summarizing our work with the CSU and UC food service directors and food hubs to explore constraints and opportunities for regional sales and are continuing to engage in projects fostering value chain connections between local growers and regional food hubs. UC SAREP is partnering with the UC Davis Health’s Center for Precision Medicine and Data Sciences to increase purchasing of California grown specialty crops by the medical center. We are also collaborating with Healthcare Without Harm on a national project to build markets between regional legume growers and hospital systems, focusing on high protein specialty crops (beans, nuts). New market development and training for small/midscale producers and food hubs.  SAREP and UC Davis food safety academics have been working with food hubs statewide to provide training and technical assistance on FSMA compliance.  We have also been working with elderberry growers to establish markets for elderberries that are currently part of hedgerows on their farms. Agritourism and small/ midscale farms. SAREP and collaborators at the University of Vermont created Twitter thread presentation summarizing results of a national agritourism survey.  In California, we began work on a new Western Extension Risk Management project to conduct agritourism “intensive”, multi-day workshops in two regions of the state. Food and environmental justice in agricultural and urban communities. SAREP continues to work with extension advisors and community organizations in Sonoma and Marin counties to explore opportunities to make farmers markets more inclusive.  Additional focus groups were conducted to understand how consumers in these communities thought about and were able to access farmers markets during COVID.  We also began collaborating with Cook Alliance and FoodNome in southern California to understand the policies, regulations and other practical issues involved in helping home cooks to prepare, serve and sell meals in their communities [Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations – MEHKOs].  These are often cooks in low-income communities of color, hardest hit by impacts of COVID-19. The regulations could also apply to small agritourism operators who might want to cook and serve meals to farm customers. Urban agriculture. SAREP has been working with extension colleagues on a new project to examine how CSAs and box schemes in urban communities have pivoted as a result of COVID-19 and how small and midscale farmers are making changes to remain economically stable. Research situated at UC-Berkeley conducted research on farmland access and farmland investment and examined ways that land access impacts mid-scale producers in Illinois, California, and Oregon. De Master also began new research on the agri-food tech sector and examined emerging issues around novel foods and agricultural technologies and how emerging trends will impact local food supply chains. Iowa: For Objective 1: Using anonymized farm-level data collected by the Iowa Farm Business Association, the Iowa team analyzed the evolution of the financial situation of Iowa farms, what successful farms were doing differently, and discussed strategies to improve farm resiliency. Part of this included: chairing the ISU Farm Financial Stress Task Force in 2020, and delivering 2 presentations updating members on the financial situation of Iowa farms.  Members of the Task Force include leaders from the Iowa Bankers Association, Iowa Mediation Services, Iowa Department of Revenue, Iowa Farm Service Agency, Iowa Concern Hotline, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, ISU Beginning Farmer Center, and ISU Extension and Outreach. Michigan: The project characterized consolidation in a number of food and agricultural industries, including the state of concentration globally, particularly for agricultural inputs, as well as seed industry impacts in the United States. Outreach publications included an update on consolidation in the US beer industry. Additional outreach included numerous interviews with stakeholders and journalists, which resulted in coverage by dozens of media outlets (e.g. Wall Street Journal, Farm Journal, Australian Broadcasting Corporation). Additional visualization and analysis of consolidation in food and agricultural industries was conducted for a second edition of Concentration and Power in the Food System (under contract with Bloomsbury Academic). Wisconsin: Miller organized a Wisconsin team to participate on a five-state project organized by Hikaru Peterson entitled “Lessons from COVID-19: Positioning Regional Food Supply Chains for Future Pandemics, Natural Disasters and Human-made Crises.” Miller organized a national team to work on understanding food flow, “U.S. Food Flows: A Cold-Chain Network Analysis of Freight Movements to Inform Local and Regional Food Issues”. This is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with USDA-AMS-TSD. Miller brings AOTM concepts and challenges to the National Academies of Science Transportation Research Board’s Agriculture and Food Transportation Committee. The committee meets quarterly and is planning a food-centric workshop for the 100th Anniversary of the TRB in January 2021. Cider Project: Team members from UVM, UW-Madison, MSU, and WSU, recipients of the USDA NIFA AFRI Small and Mid-Sized Farm Prosperity grant (USDA AFRI #2018-68006-28105), analyzed the previously conducted survey of 82 cider apple growers that addressed the economic performance, the environmental and natural resource aspects, and the community benefits of supply chains for craft hard cider production. A report was drafted for journal submission to the journal Hort Technology. This paper details the characteristics, research and extension needs, and current goals of the cider apple growers. Additionally, focus groups with hard cideries were held in Washington, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Vermont to determine supply chain characteristics, obstacles, and opportunities.  The project has been advised by a national stakeholder advisory committee and results will be analyzed and shared in the upcoming year.  Objective 4: Examine and assess governance structures and mechanisms of mid-scale supply chains and their role in mediating, communicating, and implementing values around food quality, economic performance, social equity, and environmental sustainability. Alabama: Collaborating with colleagues at Auburn University, Penn State, and Pace University, a new project was started to look at the increased media and consumer attention to local foods in the era of COVID. This project, which is in the very early stages of data collection, will include both a nationwide twitter scrape, a twitter scrape of the southern black-belt counties, and a survey of CSA members in New York state. The southern data is currently being collected. A graduate student collected a new set of data from AL farmers to extend a feasibility study of the implementation process and regulatory requirements for water testing as specified in the FSMA Produce Safety Final Rule for small- and medium- scale fruit and vegetable producers. A previous student drafted preliminary results for publication suggesting that water quality is not a significant food safety concern in AL to date. Moreover, these results suggest inconsistencies among the recommended testing options and hence present an additional challenge for producers.  Also, a graduate student and now colleague at Northwestern University developed a meal kit using community-based research methods with a low-income community. This meal kit was designed to be sold at a small grocer. Using these data, we extend the work to explore the feasibility of implementing the USDA's proposed America's Harvest Box initiative. Data suggest that it would not be viewed as an acceptable substitute for a portion of SNAP in part because it does not address the constraints of food work or consider food voice.  Colorado: Becca Jablonski and colleagues at Colorado State University continue to do significant work evaluating financial performance implications for U.S. farms and ranches of sales through non-commodity markets. As part of this body of work they examine factors such as scale, debt, labor as a share of variable expense, wages, beginning farmer status, and other explanatory variables to understand the relationship of farms with sales through local food markets. Three areas of particular emphasis this year have been: 1) examining the financial performance implications of sales through local food markets; 2) exploring utilization of Federal crop insurance by scale and market channel; and 3) examining characteristics associated with beginning farm and ranch profitability. As an example of their findings, positive expenditure on Federal crop insurance seems to be impacted by scale and not by market channel; as operations get larger they are much more likely to have Federal crop insurance. Results from this research are helping to support USDA RMA and congress in determining if/how to create new insurance products to better serve small and mid-scale farms and ranches with sales through local food markets.  Additionally, Jablonski and team have put a significant amount of time into supporting producers - particularly those that are small and mid-scale - who were negatively impacted by COVID-19. Early in the pandemic the team created a food matchmaking tool to better link producers with emerging market opportunities, they conducted an economic impact assessment for the National Sustainable Ag Coalition to estimate losses for producers selling through local markets and provided it to congress to leverage support in the CARES act, they developed a series called "Voices in the Field" to highlight the stories of producers, and produced policy briefs to better guide policymakers, philanthropy, and nonprofits. More information can be found here: <a href="https://foodsystems.colostate.edu/covid19/">https://foodsystems.colostate.edu/covid19/</a> Finally, Jablonski and colleagues at Colorado State University continue to work to understand how urban food policies support farmers, ranchers, and rural communities, paying particular attention to how these policies impact mid-scale operations. The team uses an agent-based approach, which allows for the simulation of complex systems, and the emergent behavior that may result from the autonomous actions of agents with each other and with their environment. In this case, integrating economic data, social decision-making factors, biophysical crop data, and life cycle analysis allows them to model complex rural to urban food chains across several Colorado commodities and scales of production. In focusing on rural-urban linkages, this model allows them to simulate a variety of potential changes to the Denver food policy environment, and to observe any resulting effects or feedbacks throughout various stages of the supply chain, from school purchasing decisions to potential changes in producer planting regimes, which may affect environmental outcomes including soil health and CO2 emissions. The research is still on-going, but the team has published some work recommending that sustainability standards be place specific and better incorporate producer voice. Further, midscale producers have been better integrated into conversations with institutional buyers in Denver to help determine if these markets represent viable opportunities for mid-scale operations. More information can be found here: <a href="https://foodsystems.colostate.edu/community-impacts/urban-rural-linkages/">https://foodsystems.colostate.edu/community-impacts/urban-rural-linkages/</a> Objective 5: Build the capacity of project members to investigate, address, and communicate policy issues surrounding mid-scale supply chains.  Kate Clancy and Kathy Ruhf are engaged in an ongoing project synthesizing journal articles, book chapters, websites and other resources in developing a report on regional food systems.

Publications

Journal Articles and Book Chapters:   <ul> <li>Brekken, C., Dickson, C., Peterson, H., Feenstra, G., Tanaka, K., Ostrom, M., and Engelskirchen, G. (2019). Economic impact of values-based supply chain participation on small and mid-sized produce farms. Journal of Food Distribution Research, Volume 50, Issue 2, pp. 1-26. ISSN 2643-3354 (online); <a href="https://www.fdrsinc.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/JFDR_50.2.pdf#page=6">https://www.fdrsinc.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/JFDR_50.2.pdf#page=6</a></li> <li>Christensen, L.O., B.B.R. Jablonski, and J. O’Hara. 2019. School districts and their local food supply chains: Implications for farm to school programs. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems34(3):207-215. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742170517000540">https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742170517000540</a></li> <li>Clark, J., B.B.R. Jablonski, A. Irish, S. Inwood, and J. Freedgood. A Contemporary Concept of the Value(s)-added Food and Agriculture Sector and Rural Development. Accepted. Community Development. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/15575330.2020.1854804">https://doi.org/10.1080/15575330.2020.1854804</a></li> <li>Clay, L.; Perkins, K.; Motallebi, M.; Plastina, A.; Farmaha, B.S. 2020. "The Perceived Benefits, Challenges, and Environmental Effects of Cover Crop Implementation in South Carolina." Agriculture 2020, 10, 372. doi: 10.3390/agriculture10090372.</li> <li>Conner, D. (2020). Exploring Resource Management for Sustainable Food Businesses: Three Vermont Case Studies. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 9(3), 99-107. <a href="https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2020.093.002">https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2020.093.002</a></li> <li>De Master, Kathryn Teigen and Malin, Stephanie. 2020. “Devil’s Bargains: Fractured Farms or Freedom?” in Bite Back: People Taking on Corporate Food and Winning, Kathryn De Master and Saru Jayaraman, eds., University of California Press: Berkeley.</li> <li>Didero, N., M. Costanigro, and B.B.R. Jablonski. Accepted. Promoting farmers market via information nudges and coupons: a randomized control trial. Agribusiness: An International Journal.</li> <li>Diekmann, L., and M. Ostrom (In Press). Growing Together: Participatory Approaches in Urban Agriculture Extension. In M. Egerer & H. Cohen (eds.), Urban Agroecology: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Understand the Science, Practice, and Movement. CRC Press.</li> <li>Fairbairn, Madeleine, James LaChance, Kathryn De Master, and Loka Ashwood. 2020. “In vino veritas, in aqua lucrum: Farmland investment, environmental uncertainty, and groundwater access in California’s Cuyama Valley. Agriculture and Human Values.</li> <li>Hancock, G., Y. Liu, A.R. Smith, and A. Plastina. "Motivations and Challenges of Cover Crop Utilization for Georgia Crop Production." Journal of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers 2020, pp. 122-128.</li> <li>Hendrickson, M.K. “Covid lays bare the brittleness of a concentrated and consolidated food system.” Agriculture and Human Values37(3):579-580.</li> <li>Hendrickson, MK, SH Massengale, R. Cantrell. 2020. “No money exchanged hands, no bartering took place. But it’s still local produce”: Understanding local food systems in rural areas in the US Heartland.” Journal of Rural Studies 78, 480-490.</li> <li>Howard, Philip H. and Mary K. Hendrickson. 2020. The State of Concentration in Global Food and Agriculture Industries. Pp. 89-91 in Transformation of Our Food Systems: The Making of a Paradigm Shift (Hans Herren, Benedikt Haerlin & IAASTD +10 Advisory Group, eds.). ISBN 978-3-00-066209-6.</li> <li>Howard, Philip H. 2020. How Corporations Control our Seeds. Pp. 15-29 in Bite Back: People Taking on Corporate Food and Winning (Saru Jarayaman & Kathryn De Master, eds.). Oakland, CA: University of California Press.</li> <li>Jablonski, B.B.R., J. Casnovsky, J.K. Clark, R. Cleary, B. Feingold, D. Freeman, S. Gray, L. Schmitt Olabisi, X. Romeiko, C. Walsh, A.E. van den Berg. Accepted. Emergency food provision for children and families during the COVID-19 pandemic: Examples from five U.S. cities. Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/aepp.13096">https://doi.org/10.1002/aepp.13096</a></li> <li>Jablonski, K.E., J.A. Dillon, J. Hale, B.B.R. Jablonski, and M.S. Carolan. Accepted. One place doesn’t fit all: Improving the effectiveness of sustainability standards by accounting for place. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems.</li> <li>Jablonski, B.B.R., A.G. Bauman, and D. Thilmany McFadden. 2020. Local food market orientation and labor intensity. Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/aepp.13059">https://doi.org/10.1002/aepp.13059</a></li> <li>Jablonski, B.B.R., M. Sullins, and D.T. McFadden. 2019. Community Supported Agriculture Marketing Performance: Results from Pilot Market Channel Assessments in Colorado. Sustainability 11:2950. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/su11102950">https://doi.org/10.3390/su11102950</a></li> <li>Jablonski, B.B.R., M. Carolan, J. Hale, D. Thilmany McFadden, E. Love, L.O. Christensen, T. Covey, L. Bellows, R. Cleary, O. David, K.E. Jablonski, A. Jones, P. Meiman, J. Quinn, E. Ryan, M. Schipanski, H. Summers, and M. Uchanski. 2019. Connecting Urban Food Plans to the Countryside: Leveraging Denver’s Food Vision to Explore Meaningful Rural-Urban Linkages. Sustainability11(7):2022. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/su11072022">https://doi.org/10.3390/su11072022</a></li> <li>Long, A.B., B.B.R. Jablonski, M. Costanigro, and W.M. Frasier. Accepted. The Impact of State Farm to School Procurement Incentives on School Purchasing Decisions. Journal of School Health.</li> <li>Miller, Michelle. 2020. “Innovations in Food Logistics” summary, in Innovations in the Food System: Exploring the Future of Food: Proceedings of a Workshop. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Washington, DC. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press, https://doi. org/10.17226/25523.</li> <li>Olimpi, E.M.*, P. Baur*, Echeverri, A., Gonthier, D., Karp, D.S., Kremen, C., Sciligo, A., De Master, K.T. (senior author). 2019. “Evolving Food Safety Pressures in California’s Central Coast Region.” Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. *Both authors contributed equally to this publication.</li> <li>Ostrom, M., Goldberger J. R., and K. S. Smith. (Accepted). Market Makers: Exploring Gender Dynamics in Farmers Markets from Field to Booth, Western Economics Forum, Fall 2020 Issue.</li> <li>Prescott, M. R. Cleary, A. Bonanno, M. Costanigro, B.B.R. Jablonski, and A. Long. 2020. A systematic review of the impact of farm-to-school activities on student outcomes. Advances in Nutrition. 11(2):357-374. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmz094">https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmz094</a></li> <li>Ransom, E., M. DuPuis, and M.R. Worosz. 2020. Why farmers are dumping milk down the drain and letting produce rot in the fields. Lead story in The Conversation, 23 Apr.( <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-farmers-are-dumping-milk-down-thedrain-and-letting-produce-rot-in-fields-136567">https://theconversation.com/why-farmers-are-dumping-milk-down-thedrain-and-letting-produce-rot-in-fields-136567</a>)</li> <li>VanSandt, A, S. Low, B.B.R. Jablonski, and S. Weiler. 2019. Place-Based Factors and the Success of Farm-Level Entrepreneurship. Review of Regional Studies. 49(3).</li> <li>Walcott, E., Raison, B., Welborn, R., Pirog, R., Emery, M., Stout, M., Hendrix, L., and M. Ostrom (2020). We (All) Need to Talk About Race: Building Extension’s Capacity for Dialogue and Action. Journal of Extension. October. https://www.joe.org</li> <li>Worosz, M.R., Farrell, B. and C.A. Jenda. 2020. Teaching critical thinking via the “Wicked Problem” of food insecurity. portal: Libraries and the Academy, 20(4):621-53.</li> </ul> Extension and Outreach Materials <ul> <li>Farnsworth, L., Miller, M., and Lloyd, S. ACDS, LLC. Madison Terminal Market Final Report. Madison, WI: Report to the City of Madison. August 20, 2020. URL forthcoming.</li> <li>Feenstra, Gail, G. Engelskirchen, P. Leff. 2020. Website created: Elderberries as a hedgerow crop for California farmers website and resources: <a href="https://ucanr.edu/sites/Elderberry/">California Elderberries (ucanr.edu)</a></li> <li>Howard, Philip H. 2019. Recent Changes in the U.S. Beer Industry. https://philhoward.net/2019/12/30/recent-changes-in- the-u-s-beer-industry/</li> <li>Howard, Philip H. 2020. Organic Processing Industry Structure 2020. https://philhoward.net/2020/09/24/organic-processing-industry-structure-2020/</li> <li>Howard, Philip H. February 2020. “Consolidation in the Global Seed Industry: Drivers and Impacts.” Presentation at Genetic Engineering and Society Center Colloquium, North Carolina State University. Raleigh, NC.</li> <li>Lloyd, Sarah. Public webinar on dairy policy featuring agricultural economist Torsten Hemme from the International Farm Comparison Network, April 15, 2020.</li> <li>Lloyd, Sarah. Participatory modeling session on dairy supply management, October 28, 2020.</li> <li>Miller, Michelle and Sarah Lloyd. On-line viewing of the film “Gather,” a film about Native American food sovereignty, with a panel response, organized by Lloyd and Miller, October 21, 2020.</li> </ul> Outputs:   Conference presentations: <ul> <li>Brinkley, Catherine. “Food Banks and Local Food Networks,” American Sociological Association (ASA), online-due to COVID-19, August, 2020 </li> <li>Feenstra, Gail. “Farmers Market LIFE: Using participatory research to expand the customer base of farmers market shoppers,” created with Penny Leff and Julia Van Soelen Kim and sent out a Twitter thread on project results as part of the Agriculture, Food and Human Values Society Twitter Conference, July 23, 2020.</li> <li>Feenstra, Gail. “Promoting food and water justice in California’s Central Valley,” organized and introduced this session (online presentations) for the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior annual conference, July 21, 2020.</li> <li>Feenstra, Gail, Engelskirchen, and Penny Leff. “Your Hub is Subject to FSMA, Now What? FSMA Implementation Tools for Food Hubs” workshop. Wallace Center’s 2020 National Good Food Network Conference March 10-13, 2020, New Orleans, LA.</li> <li>Feenstra, Gail, “Food security and community gardens: Who will feed future cities?” Chair and intro speaker of session at “The Next Generation of Sustainable Cities” conference, UC Davis, January 24, 2020 (60 attendees).</li> <li>Feenstra, Gail, David Conner, and Penny Leff. “Critical factors to agritourism success: Multi-State perspectives,” sent out a Twitter thread on project results as part of the Agriculture, Food and Human Values Society twitter conference, July 23, 2020.</li> <li>James, Harvey, Mary K. Hendrickson, Christine Sanders & Elizabeth Anderson. “Fairness Perceptions and Expectations in Agriculture: Lessons from the Case of Dicamba,” Poster presentation, Agricultural & Applied Economics Association meeting, August 10-11, 2020.</li> <li>Miller, Michelle. “Optimizing Food Systems,” Tri-Societies annual meetings, on-line November 9, 2020.</li> <li>Miller, Michelle. “Food Access and Food Equity,” Central Wisconsin Coop Conference, November 2, 2019.</li> </ul>   Invited Presentations to Community Groups, Students and Stakeholders:   <ul> <li>Brinkley, Catherine. “7thAnnual One Health Symposium: The Future of Food.” University of California, Davis; November 8, 2020 </li> <li>Brinkley, Catherine. “Opening address: Farm of the Future,” University of Pennsylvania, September 30, 2020 <a href="https://vimeo.com/467473880">https://vimeo.com/467473880</a></li> <li>Brinkley, Catherine. “Opening address: past, present and future of planning during pandemics,” Center for Planning Excellence, September, 2020. <a href="https://youtu.be/QZCSGHB6xSs">https://youtu.be/QZCSGHB6xSs</a></li> <li>Brinkley, Catherine. “Food Shortages in a Pandemic, Mondavi Institute,” Savor Event May, 2020 <a href="https://rmi.ucdavis.edu/events/savor-food-shortages-pandemic">https://rmi.ucdavis.edu/events/savor-food-shortages-pandemic</a></li> <li>Clancy, K. “Regional Food Systems” Online lecture in Organic and Sustainable Agriculture Policy course. New York University. March 18, 2020.</li> <li>Clancy, K. Presentation on regional food systems during online public forum “Toward a Regional (3 state) Food Equity Plan for New York” organized by City University of New York CUNY) Urban Food Policy Institute. March 25, 2020.</li> <li>De Master, Kathryn, Invited Discussant: “Agriculture Land and Climate Policy Virtual Roundtable,” Berkeley Food Institute, University of California, Berkeley, June 3, 2020. Berkeley, California.</li> <li>De Master, Kathryn. “Lessons from Bite Back: People Taking on Corporate Food and Winning,” Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, Environmental Problem-Solving course guest panelist (with Saru Jayaraman), November 12, 2019.</li> <li>De Master, Kathryn. “Biting Back Against Corporate Food During the COVID-19 Crisis.” Global Environmental Theme House (GETH) series, April 6, 2020.</li> <li>De Master, Kathryn. “Agroecological Transitions and Food Sovereignty: Why the Middle Matters,” Department of Environmental Science, Policy, & Management, Agroecology course guest lecture, November 21, 2019.</li> <li>Feenstra, Gail. “Sustainable and equitable food systems,” speaker on a panel at the Sacramento Valley Section’s Young Planners’ Group Pint Night, July 8, 2020. (~27 attendees).</li> <li>Feenstra, Gail, G. Engelskirchen, P. Leff. Webinar: “Understanding Opportunities for Elderberry Sales” webinar, April 22, 2020: https://sarep.ucdavis.edu/are/elderberry/webinar</li> <li>Miller, Michelle. “Food Flow,” Miami-Dade Transportation Working Group webinar, October 9, 2019.</li> <li>Miller, Michelle. “Food Systems Mapping,” Wallace Center Food Systems Leadership Network webinar, April 29, 2020.</li> <li>Miller, Michelle. “Food Systems and COVID19,” Wisconsin Public Radio Ideas Network interview, May 4, 2020.</li> <li>Miller, Michelle. “Food Systems and COVID19,” UW Now Livestream presentation, May 19, 2020.</li> <li>Miller, Michelle. “Food Distribution,” Metro Washington Council of Governments webinar, June 25, 2020.</li> <li>Miller, Michelle. Oregon Public Radio interview on food systems, August 7, 2020.</li> <li>Miller, Michelle. “Food Ecosystems,” Local Food Trust webinar, August 19, 2020.</li> <li>Plastina, Alejandro. “Ag Trends, Opportunities, and Challenges,” Invited Presentation at the Ag Forum on Agriculture and the Economy, Successful Communities Speaker Series. Greenfield, IA. Mar 13, 2020.</li> <li>Plastina, Alejandro. “Farm Bill Decisions,” First National Bank, Eagle Grove, IA. Mar 6, 2020.</li> </ul>

Impact Statements

Impacts: Farm transfer project: A group of AOTM researchers began a USDA-funded project on farm transfer and farmland access: Hinrichs, C.; Fitzsimmons, J.; Joanides, J.; Ostrom, M; Ruhf, K. “Farm Succession and Transfer Dynamics: Sustaining an Agriculture of the Middle in the U.S.” USDA NIFA AFRI, 2021-2024 Wisconsin: Results from the hard cider research project targeted to small and midsize growers and makers were summarized and released as a report (available at http://www.cias.wisc.edu/comparing-apples-to-apples/.) report (available at http://www.cias.wisc.edu/comparing-apples-to-apples/.) This preceded a 4-state AOTM team grant (Ostrom, WA State, PI; Howard,MI, Conner, VT, Miller, WI) of $500,000 from USDA NIFA AFRI Small and Mid-Sized Farm Prosperity grant (USDA AFRI #2018-68006-28105 “Apple to Glass: Improving orchard profitability through developing regional craft ciders.” Wisconsin: Lindsey Day Farnsworth and Michelle Miller have continued to work with the City of Madison on a business plan for a public food terminal/hub that would serve small and mid-size farmers. The City contributed $135,000 for the work, and Farnsworth is completing work on terminal market structure and governance. CIAS is partnered with farm and food businesses on a grant from the Local Food Promotion Program (USDA-AMS), now in its third year. Lindsey Day Farnsworth took a position with University of Wisconsin – Extension as the Food Systems team lead. Michelle Miller is now serving on the NAS Transportation Research Board's standing committee on Agriculture and Food Transportation.

Date of Annual Report: 11/04/2021

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 10/03/2021 - 10/05/2021
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2020 - 10/05/2021

Participants

Becca Jablonski, Colorado State University, becca.jablonski@colostate.edu
Michelle Miller, University of Wisconsin, mmmille6@wisc.edu
Andrew W. Stevens, University of Wisconsin–Madison, awstevens@wisc.edu
Gail Feenstra, UC Agriculture and Natural Resource, Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program, gwfeenstra@ucanr.edu
Catherine Brinkley, Center for Regional Change, University of California, Davis, ckbrinkley@ucdavis.edu
Analena Bruce, University of New Hampshire
Clare Hinrichs, Penn State
Mary Henrickson, University of Missouri
Hikaru Peterson, University of Minnesota
Jan Joannides, Renewing the Countryside (Minnesota)
Jill Fitzsimmons, University of Massachusetts Amherst, jfitzsim@umass.edu
Kathy De Master, University of California-Berkeley
Kate Clancy, food systems consultant and Johns Hopkins University
Keiko Tanaka, University of Kentucky
Lauren Gwin, Center for Small Farms & Community Food Systems, Extension, Oregon State University
Lindsey Day Farnsworth, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Sarah Lloyd, University of Wisconsin-Madison and University of Minnesota
Melissa Bailey, USDA
Michelle Miller, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Marcia Ostrom, Washington State University
Nichelle Harriott, NSAC
Sarah Masoni, Oregon State
Thomas Bass, Montana State University
Tricia Kovacs, USDA
Shoshanah Inwood, Ohio State University
Ike Leslie, University of New Hampshire
Patrick Baur, University of Rhode Island
Olivia Butterman, Washington State University
Katie Myhre, University of Minnesota
Regina Hirsch, University of Wisconsin-Madison
William Nganje, North Dakota State - Administrator for our group

Brief Summary of Minutes

The 2021 meeting of the NC1198 Ag of the Middle group was held from October 4th - 5th, 2021, virtually due to the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting spanned two days. Day one started with a welcome to new members and introductions. Kate Clancy provided an overview of the history of the Ag of the Middle group - including reminding us that it is the 15th anniversary of the group! We determined to have a celebratory event this spring in conjunction with the Agriculture, Food Systems and Human Values convening in Athens, GA. Subsequently we approved the minutes from our 2020 meeting, and confirmed future leadership transitions. Next, we had a discussion regarding the upcoming 5-year proposal that is due should the group want to continue. We agreed upon the objectives for the new proposal and finalized a writing plan/timeline. After a short break we devoted an hour and a half to COVID-related research updates - our group has played active roles in both research and Extension related activities to support farmers and ranchers, communities, and economies during this challening/disruptive period. Following another break we split into breakout groups on emerging topics, including labor and supply chain resilience. Then, Lauren Gwin and Michelle Miller provided updates regarding the Inter-Institutional Network for Food and Ag Sustainability, INFAS (https://asi.ucdavis.edu/programs/infas) group and opportunities for collaboration. We ended the day discussing how our work is important to policy - led by Scott Marlow - and then discussing communication strategies including website updates, additional in-person meetings or conference presentation opportunities, establishing reading groups, migrating to slack, etc. Many members stayed on the zoom for an informal happy hour/catch up at the end of the formal day 1 agenda.

Day 2 started with Melissa Bayley from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service talking about the USDA's supply chain work. Nichelle Harriott from the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition then joined us to talk about cultivating research advocates and to provide a Federal legislative update, including discussing NSAC's Farm Bill platform. Following a break Andy Green from the USDA talked about his team's work on competition and fairness. We wrapped up the meeting with a state policy update from Kate Clancy and Lauren Gwin.

Accomplishments

Our national team of researchers have made significant progress towards accomplishing the objectives of the NC1198 Ag of the Middle project.  Colorado: Becca Jablonski and colleagues have been doing a significant amount of work looking at the performance of mid-scale farms and ranches selling through local food markets. First, they worked with the USDA Risk Management Agency to understand utilization of Federal crop insurance programs by operations that sell through local food markets. To do this they leveraged the Ag of the Middle network - including holding listening sessions with producers throughout the US, advertised by members of this group. Results show that small and mid scale producers are much less likely to take advantage of Federal insurance programs regardless of the market channel that they utilize. In other words, small and mid scale producers are much less likely to use Federal insurance programs. Results are published in Agricultural Finance Review. Second, they have been exploring utilization of alternative financing options, although with a focus on beginning operations. Finally, they have looked at profitability impacts of sales through local food markets. They find that there are local food producers with operating profit margins in the green zone (low risk) across all market channels, byt that producers participating in direct markets are more likely to have an operating profit margin in the red zone compared to those participating in intermediated channels. They are in discussions with other members of this group about how to dissiminate results, including integrating findings into beginning farmer and other TA / training programs.  California: The UC Davis/ UC ANR team focused on five main areas of research and outreach related to the Agriculture of the Middle and our NC 1198 project objectives.  These five areas address all Objectives.  They include: (1) farm to school/ farm to institution procurement from regional producers (especially via food hubs); (2) new market development and training for small, mid-scale, beginning and immigrant producers and food hubs; (3) agritourism as a strategy for small and midscale farmers to add value to their operations; (4) food and environmental justice and food security for consumers and economic health for midscale farmers; and (5) food policy/ food system assessment. The multiple projects allowed us to continue to examine perspectives and practices through the supply chain and understand challenges of farmers, distributors, processors, manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and consumers who participate in these values-based supply chains.  In addition to the externally funded projects described below, SAREP distributed ~ $80,000 in small grants to Extension and community stakeholders in California engaged in strengthening sustainable agriculture and food systems.  The first 3 areas are described under Objective 1. Farm to school/institution procurement. They continue to work with institutional buyers, helping to create new relationships between them and small/midscale producers, food hubs and values-based supply chains.  UC SAREP is partnering with the UC Davis Health’s Center for Precision Medicine and Data Sciences to increase purchasing of California grown specialty crops by the medical center. We are also collaborating with Healthcare Without Harm on a national project to build markets between regional legume growers and hospital systems, focusing on high protein specialty crops (beans, nuts). We are currently recruiting small-scale bean producers in California interested in learning how to sell to healthcare and other institutions. Technical assistance and support will be provided to assist with meeting institutional purchasing requirements.  New market development and training for small/midscale producers and food hubs. SAREP and UC Davis food safety academics have been working with food hubs statewide to provide training and technical assistance on FSMA compliance. They have also been working with elderberry growers to establish markets for elderberries that are currently part of hedgerows on their farms. Agritourism and small/ midscale farms. We are evaluating our work on a Western Extension Risk Management project to conduct agritourism “intensive”, multi-day workshops in two regions of the state. We also began a new USDA FMPP funded project to strengthen California local food networks with agritourism and direct sales.  In this first year, 8 webinars on marketing topics and 1 workshop/ field day have been held with agritourism partners in 4 regions of the state.  California has also done a significant amount of work in Food and environmental justice in agricultural and urban communities. SAREP is leading a 6-part webinar series called “Building social equity into Agriculture and Food Systems Extension.”  The first 2 webinars dealt with farmworkers and immigrant farmers. The next 2 webinars are focused on “Retracing the roots of sustainable agriculture” and showcase indigenous perspectives and practices (#3) and leadership and perspectives of farmers of color in sustainable agriculture (#4).  The final two webinars (November/December) will focus on land justice.  SAREP continues to work with extension advisors and community organizations in Sonoma and Marin counties to explore opportunities to make farmers markets more inclusive.  Additional focus groups were conducted to understand how consumers in these communities thought about and were able to access farmers markets during COVID.  We are currently completing in-depth analyses of both quantitative and qualitative data gathered through consumer and vendor surveys as well as the focus groups. Wisconsin: Their work to diagnose the Upper Midwest regional food flow (2013-2016) is now published in Frontiers. It describes the multiple contributions that midscale supply chains play in meeting public goals such as improved labor conditions, reduced GHG emissions, and building community wealth. Our current project is looking at how transportation affects food access in rural and urban communities. There is considerable research done on food access in urban areas, but little on rural areas, and nothing that addresses it from a transportation (distribution) perspective. Midscale supply chains function in the context of national supply chains. To better understand the role that midscale supply chains play, we partnered with Megan Konar at the University of IL to quantify national perishable food flows, and linked this project with a larger project on regional food system resilience led by Hikaru Peterson, University of Minnesota. In the coming months we will analyze the empirical findings using a statistical network analysis for meat and dairy. Megan’s lab is investigating the GHG emissions associated with the national flow of perishable products, with a journal paper in process. Our work on national food flow for perishable products led to research on the role of big data, information asymmetry and food supply management policy, and a journal article in JAFSCD on this topic.  Specific to the policy and communication objective, Lauren Gwin and Kate Clancy led annual meeting discussions to build connections between researchers and policymakers, building the capacity of project members to investigate, address, and communicate policy issues surrounding mid-scale supply chains. For example, we heard presentations from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service on their supply chain work that was mandated by the White House. Additionally, we had a session from the National Sustainable Ag Coalition on cultivating research advocates, and on state policies.  Many of the 1198 working group are actively involved in the Inter Institutional Network for Food and Agricultural Systems (INFAS). Policy work through INFAS has included NSAC training and active participation in the events leading up to the United Nations Food Systems Summit in September. A specific activity was to work with international farm labor organizations to identify ways that agroecology relates to farm labor. This network has actively coordinated interactions, commentary, and input with the United Nations Food Systems Summit (Sept 23, 2021). Wisconsin: Our work on national food flow for perishable products led to research on the role of big data, information asymmetry and food supply management policy, and a journal article in JAFSCD on this topic.  SAREP in California continues to work with food policy councils, particularly the one in Sacramento.  We participated in a USDA AMS Partnership grant to facilitate ~ a dozen food system partners to agree on a set of food systems goals for the region and then developing protocols for gathering input from their communities.  SAREP also worked closely with food system consultants to provide expert advice on legislation to establish Farm to Community Food Hubs.  AB 1009 passed September 14, 2021:<a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB1009"> Bill Text - AB-1009 Farm to Community Food Hub Program. (ca.gov)</a> .  Bill signed by the governor Sept 23, 2021.  $15M appropriated.  Additionally, SAREP is working with two food system consultants/strategists on expanding funding for California’s Farm to School program (currently $10M).  SAREP is part of the evaluation team. In addition, Dr. Brinkley’s team at UC Davis has added five new county community food system guides that aim to highlight the transparent market ties within local food systems. The guides are produced in partnership with the California Agriculture and Natural Resources, Community Alliance with Family Farmers, the Edible Schoolyard Project, and the California Alliance of Farmers Markets. The data we collect represent general trends in local, transparent food supply chains. To gather information on fresh food sales and donations, the research team conducted a web scrape visiting every farm and market webpage to note fresh food sales and donations.

Publications

Conference presentations: <ul> <li> Miller, Michelle. “Optimizing agricultural systems scale and structure to reduce climate change impacts”,  Special Session Symposium--the Role of Food Production in Climate Change: Finding New Ground. Tri-Societies International meeting (American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and the Soil Science Society of America). November 9, 2020 </li> <li> Miller, Michelle. “The Power of Connectivity: Broadband Expansion in Rural Communities.” Foodtank / Refresh broadband panel. <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/231-food-tech-panel-discussion-the-power-of/id1434128568?i=1000507544891">https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/231-food-tech-panel-discussion-the-power-of/id1434128568?i=1000507544891</a> February 2, 2021 </li> <li> Miller, Michelle. “U.S. Food Flows: A Cold-Chain Network Analysis of Freight Movements to Inform Local and Regional Food Issues”, USDA-AMS-TSD workshop. February 16, 2017 </li> <li> Miller, Michelle. “U.S. Food Flows: A Cold-Chain Network Analysis of Freight Movements to Inform Local and Regional Food Issues”, Transportation Research Forum. April 7, 2021. </li> <li> Miller, Michelle. “The Next Normal: Restructuring food supply chains”, third in a webinar series “COVID19 and the Food System: Understanding Impacts Exploring Solutions”, offered by the Interdisciplinary Center for Food Security at the University of Missouri. April 15, 2021 </li> <li> Miller, Michelle. “Impact of COVID-19 on food systems: international experiences of vulnerability and resilience”. The USA representative, along with representatives from Sweden, Philippines, Brazil and Mexico. Webinar sponsored by the Stockholm Resilience Center. August 27, 2021 </li> <li> Miller, Emily M., Mary Hendrickson and Philip H. Howard. “The Missouri School: Examining Power in the Agrifood System to Suggest Alternatives.” Presented at Big Ag & Antitrust: Competition Policy for a Sustainable and Humane Food System. Yale Law School, New Haven, CT. January 16, 2021. </li> <li> Stevens, A. W. “Land Tenure and Profitability Among Young Farmers and Ranchers.” Presented at the 2021 Agricultural and Applied Economics Association Annual Meeting, August 3, 2021. </li> <li> Stevens, A. W. “High Stakes: Managing Risk and Policy Uncertainty in the Market for CBD Food Products.” Presented at the 2021 Agricultural and Applied Economics Association Annual Meeting, August 2, 2021. </li> <li> Feenstra, “Engaging actors from farm to fork: Sustainable, equitable food distribution,” organizer and speaker at this session of the Universities Fighting World Hunger Summit, March 26, 2021 </li> <li> Feenstra and Brodt, “Marketing and business management for organic farmers,” presentation with Sonja Brodt as part of the Introduction to Small Scale Organic Farming (for Inland Southern California Farmers), December 15, 2020 (zoom all day workshop) </li> <li> Conner and Feenstra, “Critical success factors for Agritourism: Results of a national survey,” co-organizer and speaker at the Agriculture-Urban and Rural session at the Agriculture, Food and Human Values Society Conference, June 9-15, 2021 </li> <li> Feenstra and Van Soelen Kim,“Farmers Market LIFE: Using participatory research to expand the customer base of farmers market shoppers – Focus group results,” co-organizer and speaker at the Full Access to Fresh, Green Markets session at the Agriculture, Food and Human Values Society Conference, June 9-15, 2021 </li> <li> Feenstra, Van Soelen Kim and Leff, “Using participatory research to expand the customer base of farmers’ market shoppers,” with Julia Van Soelen Kim and Penny Leff, recorded presentation for the Urban Food Systems Symposium, live summaries and Q& A, October 28, 2020 </li> <li> Feenstra and Capps, “Conducting a food system assessment in Butte county,” presentation to the Butte County Food System group, with Shosha Capps, November 19, 2020 </li> <li> Feenstra and Capps, “Conducting a food system assessment in Sacramento County,” presentation to the Sacramento Food System Partnership Project, with Shosha Capps, October 29, 2020 </li> <li> Tanaka, Keiko. 2021. “Leveraging Our Expertise to Support Sustainable Solutions,” a panel organized at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the Southern Rural Sociological Association (Virtual), February 2021. </li> <li> Brinkley, C. Food Banks and Local Food Networks, American Sociological Association (ASA), online-due to COVID-19, August, 2020 </li> <li> Fitzsimmons, J.A.; Peterson, H. H., Lavoie, N.L., Lass, D., King, R.. Farmers' Preferences for Market Channels. Agricultural and Applied Economics Association Annual Meeting Annual Meeting, Austin, TX. 8/1/2021         </li> <li> Fitzsimmons, J.A., Kinchla, A.K. How Did COVID-19 Impact Origin-Identified Food Preferences? Northeastern Agricultural and Resource Economics Association Annual Meeting, 6/15/2021 </li> <li> Fitzsimmons, J.A., Kinchla, A.K. Improving Access and Motivation for Small and Medium Processors in the Northeast to be in Compliance with FSMA’s PC Rule. USDA FSOP Roundtable, 2/4/2021             </li> <li> Fitzsimmons, J.A., Kinchla, A.K., Wormald, C.W. Improving Access and Motivation for Small and Medium Processors in the Northeast to be in Compliance with FSMA’s PC Rule. Northeast Center to Advance Food Safety, 2/16/2021 </li> <li> Wormald, C.W., Fitzsimmons, J.A., Kinchla, A.K. Improving Preventive Controls Prerequisite Education Programs to Address Food Safety Knowledge Gaps for Small and Medium Sized Food Processors. Institute of Food Technologists Annual Meeting, 7/19/2021 </li> <li> Wormald, C.W., Fitzsimmons, J.A., Kinchla, A.K. Improving Preventive Controls Prerequisite Education Programs to Address Food Safety Knowledge Gaps for Small and Medium Sized Food Processors". International Association for Food Protection Annual Meeting, Phoenix, AZ. 7/18/2021 </li> <li> Invited Presentations to Community Groups, Students and Stakeholders: </li> <li> Miller, Michelle. “Optimizing food systems”, PLATO. October 28, 2021 </li> <li> Howard, Philip H. “Concentration and Power in the Food System: Who Controls What We Eat?” Keynote at Organic World Congress. Rennes, France. September 8, 2021. </li> <li> Howard, Philip H. "Focus Tour: Seed Diversity." Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum at Michigan State University. March 24, 2021. </li> <li> Stevens, A. W. “Contemporary Food Policy,” lecture for Wither the State, Participatory Learning and Teaching Organization (PLATO). April 20, 2021. </li> <li> Feenstra, Leff, “Home Cooks Convening,” Oversaw and helped facilitate this 2-day zoom convening for micro-enterprise home cook operations. October 20-21, 2020. </li> <li> Brinkley, C. Keynote for the University of Pennsylvania ‘Farm of the Future’ symposium, September, 2020, <a href="https://vimeo.com/467473880">https://vimeo.com/467473880</a> </li> <li> Brinkley, C. Dr. “Food Shortages in a Pandemic” Robert mondavi Institute Savor Lecture series. May, 2020 <a href="https://savor.ucdavis.edu/savor-food-shortages-pandemic">https://savor.ucdavis.edu/savor-food-shortages-pandemic</a> </li> <li> Journal articles and book chapters </li> <li> Jablonski, B.B.R. and C. Payton Scally. 2021. Beyond GDP: Measuring Rural Assets and Why It Matters. In Investing in Rural Prosperity. Federal Reserve Board. </li> <li> Schmit, T.M., B.R. Jablonski, A. Bonanno, and T. Johnson. 2021. Measuring stocks of community wealth and its association with food systems efforts in rural and urban places. Food Policy. </li> <li> Jablonski, B.B.R., J. Hadrich, and A. Bauman. 2021. The role of Federal crop insurance for farms and ranches that sell through local food markets. Agricultural Finance Review. </li> <li> Didero, N., M. Costanigro, and B.R. Jablonski. 2021. Promoting farmers market via information nudges and coupons: a randomized control trial. Agribusiness: An International Journal. </li> <li> Long, A.B., B.R. Jablonski, M. Costanigro, and W.M. Frasier. 2021. The Impact of State Farm to School Procurement Incentives on School Purchasing Decisions. Journal of School Health. 91(5): 418-427. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.13013">https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.13013</a> </li> <li> Jablonski, B.B.R., J. Casnovsky, J.K. Clark, R. Cleary, B. Feingold, D. Freeman, S. Gray, L. Schmitt Olabisi, X. Romeiko, C. Walsh, A.E. van den Berg. 2021. Emergency food provision for children and families during the COVID-19 pandemic: Examples from five U.S. cities. Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy. https://doi.org/10.1002/aepp.13096 </li> <li> Clark, J., B.R. Jablonski, A. Irish, S. Inwood, and J. Freedgood. 2020. A Contemporary Concept of the Value(s)-added Food and Agriculture Sector and Rural Development. Community Development. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/15575330.2020.1854804">https://doi.org/10.1080/15575330.2020.1854804</a> </li> <li> Jablonski, K.E., J.A. Dillon, J. Hale, B.R. Jablonski, and M.S. Carolan. 2020. One place doesn’t fit all: Improving the effectiveness of sustainability standards by accounting for place. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. 4:145. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2020.557754">https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2020.557754</a> </li> <li> Jablonski, B.B.R., A.G. Bauman, and D. Thilmany McFadden. 2020. Local food market orientation and labor intensity. Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy. 43(3): 916-934. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/aepp.13059">https://doi.org/10.1002/aepp.13059</a> </li> <li> Peterson, H., G. Feenstra, M. Ostrom, Tanaka, C. Brekken, G. Engelskirchen. 2021. “The Value of Values-based Supply Chains: Farmers’ Perspectives.” Agriculture and Human Values. DOI: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10460-021-10255-5">https://doi.org/10.1007/s10460-021-10255-5</a> </li> <li> Prescott, M. R. Cleary, A. Bonanno, M. Costanigro, B.R. Jablonski, and A. Long. 2020. A systematic review of the impact of farm-to-school activities on student outcomes. Advances in Nutrition. 11(2):357-374. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmz094">https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmz094</a> </li> <li> Robinson, K., Conner, D., Baker, D., Tuck, A., Abrams, L., McAneny, A., Frankenfield, R. and Warner, C. (In Press). College Student Demand for Humanely Raised Livestock Product: Evidence from Vermont. Journal of Food Service Management and Education 15 (2). </li> <li> Becot, F., Parker, J. Conner, D., Pivarnik, L., Richard, N. and Hirsch, D. (2021). Financially able and willing to invest in food safety practices? The example of produce growers in New England states (USA). Food Control 119. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2020.107451">https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2020.107451</a> </li> <li> Miller, M. (In Press). Identifying critical thresholds for resilient regional food flows: a case study from the U.S. Upper Midwest. Frontiers. </li> <li> Miller, M. (In Press). Big data, Information asymmetry and food supply chain management. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems and Community Development. </li> <li> Howard, Philip H., Francesco Ajena, Marina Yamaoka & Amber Clark. 2021. “Protein” Industry Convergence and Its Implications for Resilient and Equitable Food Systems. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems (Social Movements, Institutions and Governance section) 5, 684181. </li> <li> Stevens, A. W. and K. Wu (2021). Land Tenure and Profitability Among Young Farmers and Ranchers. Agricultural Finance Review. </li> <li> Stevens, A. W. (2021). Nontraditional Credit in the Wisconsin Dairy Industry. Agricultural Finance Review. </li> <li> Stevens, A. W. and D. W. Bromley (2021). Rural Counties That Rely on Dairy and Animal Agriculture Saw Higher Unemployment Rates due to COVID-19. Choices, 36(3). </li> <li> Stevens, A. W. and J. M. Pahl (2021). High Stakes: Managing Risk and Policy Uncertainty in the Market for CBD Food Products. Applied Economics Teaching Resources. </li> <li> Peterson, H., Feenstra, G., Ostrom, M., Tanaka, K., Anderson Brekken, C., and Engelskirchen, G. (2021). The value of values-based supply chains: Farmer perspective. Agriculture and Human Values <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10460-021-10255-5">https://doi.org/10.1007/s10460-021-10255-5</a>. </li> <li> Dahlquist-Willard, R., Espinoza, M.L.R, Yang, M., Engelskirchen, G., and Feenstra, G. (2020). Challenges and opportunities for small farms marketing dried moringa products in California’s Central Valley. Western Economics Forum. 18(2): 61-64. <a href="https://waeaonline.org/western-economics-forum/">https://waeaonline.org/western-economics-forum/</a> </li> <li> Feenstra, G., Gupta, C., Campbell, D., Van Soelen Kim, J., Sowerwine, J. and Munden-Dixon, K. (2021). Understanding food policy councils: Lessons for extension partners. Journal of Extension, 59(3), Article 9, <a href="https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.59.03.09">https://doi.org/</a><a href="https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.59.03.09">34068/joe.59.03.09</a> </li> <li> Pesci, S and Brinkley, C. (2021). Can a Farm-to-Table restaurant bring about change in the food system?: A case study of Chez Panisse. Food, Culture & Society </li> <li> Brinkley, C.; Pesci, S; Manser, G. (2021) Growing pains in local food systems: a longitudinal social network analysis on local food marketing in Baltimore County, Maryland and Chester County, Pennsylvania Agriculture and Human Values </li> <li> Brinkley, C. and Visser, MA (2021). Socioeconomic and Environmental Indicators for Rural Communities: Bridging the Scholarly and Practice Gap Economic Development Quarterly </li> <li> Francis, K. and Brinkley, C. (2020) Street Food Vending as a Public Health Intervention. California Journal of Health Promotion </li> <li> Extension and outreach materials </li> <li> Hill, A., and B.R. Jablonski. 2021. Documenting selected potential impacts to CO farmers and ranchers of SB21-08 7 Agricultural Workers’ Rights. Policy Brief. https://foodsystems.colostate.edu/research-impacts/agricultural-labor/ </li> <li> Gill, M., and B.R. Jablonski. 2021. Impact of Time Restriction Changes on Market Choices and Food Security. Local Food Systems Response to COVID: Consumer Food Insights. https://lfscovid.localfoodeconomics.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/LFS-CFI-03.pdf </li> <li> Hill, A., and B.R. Jablonski. 2021. Documenting Potential Impacts to CO Farmers and Ranchers of SB21-087 Agricultural Workers’ Rights. Colorado State University Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics Fact Sheet. </li> <li> Thilmany, D., A. Bauman, E. Love, and B.R. Jablonski. 2021. The Economic Contribution of Health Food Incentives. SPUR, Fair Food Network, and UC Davis. https://www.spur.org/sites/default/files/2021-02/economic_contributions_incentives_2_2_21.pdf </li> <li> Love, E., D. Thilmany, A.G. Bauman, B.R. Jablonski. 2020. The Economic Contribution of Nourish Colorado’s Fruit and Vegetable Incentive Program. Colorado State University Regional Economic Development Institute Report. </li> <li> Jablonski, B.B.R. Food Security. Local Food Systems Response to COVID: Consumer Food Insights. https://lfscovid.localfoodeconomics.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/LFS-CFI-03.pdf </li> <li> Sullins, M., B.R. Jablonski, and S. Ehrlich. 2020. Voices from the Field: Stories of Colorado Producers Responding to COVID-19. Colorado State University Task Force on Colorado Food Supply Fact Sheet. https://foodsystems.colostate.edu/covid19/ <ul> <li> Includes 6 fact sheets highlighting producers’ responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. </li> </ul> </li> <li> Thilmany, D., B.R. Jablonski, B. Angelo, S. Low, and D. Tropp. 2020. Mitigating Immediate Harmful Impacts of COVID-19 on Colorado Farms and Ranches Selling through Local and Regional Food Markets. Colorado State University Task Force on Colorado Food Supply Fact Sheet. https://foodsystems.colostate.edu/covid19/ </li> <li> Love, E., D. Thilmany, and B.R. Jablonski. 2020. Colorado Potato Markets During COVID-19 and Producer Implications. Colorado State University Task Force on Colorado Food Supply Fact Sheet. https://foodsystems.colostate.edu/covid19/ </li> <li> Hill, R., A. Hill, D. Thilmany, B.R. Jablonski, J. Bayham. 2020. Workforce changes and the Food Supply Chain: Understanding and Mitigating the Effects of COVID-19 on the Agricultural Workforce. Colorado State University Task Force on Colorado Food Supply Fact Sheet. https://foodsystems.colostate.edu/covid19/ </li> <li> Jablonski, B.B.R., D. Thilmany, A. Bonanno, and A. Bauman. 2020. Farm to School Environment. Local Food Economics Fact Sheet. eXtension Community Local Regional Food Systems. </li> <li> Prescott, M.P., R. Cleary, B.R. Jablonski, A. Bonanno, M. Costanigro, A. Long, and A. Bauman. 2020. Kids Win: Farm to School Activities and Student Outcomes. Local Food Economics Fact Sheet. eXtension Community Local Regional Food Systems. </li> <li> Jablonski, B.B.R., A. Bonanno, S. Mendis, D. Thilmany, A. Bauman, and L. Christensen. 2020. Communities Win. Local Food Economics Fact Sheet. eXtension Community Local Regional Food Systems. </li> <li> Thilmany, D., B.R. Jablonski, B. Angelo, S. Low, and D. Tropp. 2020. Mitigating immediate harmful impacts of COVID-19 on farms and ranches selling through local and regional food markets. Prepared for the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition. </li> <li> Comments <a href="https://cias.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/194/2021/06/USDAsupplychaincomments2021CIAS.pdf">regarding the Executive Order 140147 on “America’s Supply Chains” specifically for the Production of Agricultural Commodities and Food Products published April 21, 2021 in the Federal Register, comments submitted June 22, 2021.</a> </li> <li> Sarah Lloyd & Miller, Michelle. “Food systems, disruptions and resilience”, Wisconsin Public Television, University Place. First aired September 30, 2021. <a href="https://video.pbswisconsin.org/video/food-systems-disruptions-and-resilience-3t4ld4/">https://video.pbswisconsin.org/video/food-systems-disruptions-and-resilience-3t4ld4/</a> </li> <li> Hendrickson, Mary M., Philip H. Howard, Emily M. Miller and Douglas H. Constance. 2020. The Food System: Concentration and Its Impacts. A Special Report to the Family Farm Action Alliance. </li> <li> Howard, Philip H. Giant Meat and Dairy Companies are Dominating the Plant-Based Protein Market. Civil Eats. September 22. </li> <li> Howard, Philip H., & Mary Hendrickson. 2021. Corporate Concentration in the US Food System Makes Food More Expensive and Less Accessible for Many Americans.” The Conversation. February 8. </li> <li> Updated CA Food Hub Network website, with new food safety resources for food hubs: <a href="https://sarep.ucdavis.edu/fs/supply/foodhubs">Food Hubs & Values-Based Supply Chains | Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program (ucdavis.edu)</a> </li> <li> Brinkley, C (2021) <a href="https://theconversation.com/taking-it-to-the-street-food-vending-during-and-after-covid-19-152438">“Taking it to the Street: Food Vending During and After COVID”</a> The Conversation </li> <li> Brinkley, C. (2020) Why community-owned grocery stores like co-ops are the best recipe for revitalizing food deserts, The Conversation, September 2019, <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-community-owned-grocery-stores-like-co-ops-are-the-best-recipe-for-revitalizing-food-deserts-122997">https://theconversation.com/why-community-owned-grocery-stores-like-co-ops-are-the-best-recipe-for-revitalizing-food-deserts-122997</a> </li> <li> Brinkley C. et al. (2020-21) County Community Food Guides in partnership with Community Alliance with Family Farmers, Edible Schoolyard, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources. <ul> <li> Santa Clara County Expanded Community Food Guide (2020). In partnership with UC Agriculture and Natural Resources. </li> <li> Yolo County (2020) </li> <li> Los Angeles County (2020) </li> <li> Santa Clara County (2020) </li> <li> Sacramento County (2021) in Partnership with Valley Vision and the Sacramento Regional Community Foundation to inform the Sacramento Region Food System Action Plan (2021) </li> <li> El Dorado County (2021) in Partnership with Valley Vision and the Sacramento Regional Community Foundation to inform the Sacramento Region Food System Action Plan (2021) </li> <li> R 10. Placer County (2021) in Partnership with Valley Vision and the Sacramento Regional Community Foundation to inform the Sacramento Region Food System Action Plan (2021) </li> </ul> </li> <li> Becot, F.*, Inwood, S.M. Jackson-Smith, D., and A. Katchanova. 2020. “The Status and Changing Face of Ohio Agriculture: Summary of Ohio Farm Trends 1997-2017.” SENR Technical Report. <a href="https://extensionpubs.osu.edu/the-status-and-changing-face-of-ohio-agriculture-summary-of-ohio-farm-trends-1997-2017-pdf/">https://extensionpubs.osu.edu/the-status-and-changing-face-of-ohio-agriculture-summary-of-ohio-farm-trends-1997-2017-pdf/</a> </li> <li> Wormald, C.W., Kinchla, A.K, Fitzsimmons, J.A. Introduction to Preventive Controls Webinar, </li> <li> Wormald, C.W., Fitzsimmons, J.A., Kinchla, A.K, Von Achen, C. 2020. Practical Implementation Food Safety Planning Workshop, </li> <li> Wormald, C.W., Kinchla, A.K, Fitzsimmons, J.A. 2021. Food Safety Plan Development Working Group Sessions, 8-Session Curriculum </li> <li> Fitzsimmons, J.A., Kinchla, A.K, We launched a website host by University of Massachusetts Amherst Center for Agricultural Food and the Environment to provide a clearinghouse for Value-Added foods: https://ag.umass.edu/value-added-food/nifa-planned-extension-initiative/improving-access-motivation-for-small-medium- pro cessors-in-northeast-to-be-in </li> <li> Fitzsimmons, J.A., Kinchla, A.K, University of Massachusetts Amherst Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (CAFE) Website Spotlight Stories. June 10, 2021. "How does Food become value-added?" https://ag.umass.edu/news-events/highlights/food-transformation </li> </ul>

Impact Statements

Date of Annual Report: 07/07/2022

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 05/18/2022 - 05/21/2022
Period the Report Covers: 12/01/2021 - 05/21/2022

Participants

Jill Clark, Ohio State University
Michelle Miller, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Patrick Baur, University of Rhode Island
Julia Freedgood, American Farmland Trust
Becca Jablonski, Colorado State University
David Conner, University of Vermont
Kate Clancy, Johns Hopkins University
Lauren Gwin, Oregon State University
Phil Howard, Michigan State University
Gail Feenstra, University of California, Davis
Michelle Worosz, Auburn University
Sarah Lloyd, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Mary Hendrickson, University of Missouri
Thomas Bass, Montana State University
Marcia Ostrom, Washington State University
Keiko Tanaka, University of Kentucky
Lilian Brislen, Colorado State University
Shoshana Inwood, Ohio State University
Analena Bruce, University of New Hampshire
Nevin Cohen, City University of NY
Molly Anderson, Middlebury University
Seulgi Son, University of Michigan
Hikaru Peterson, University of Minnesota
Florence Becot, Marsh Field Research
Benjamin Cousineau, Emory University
Tricia Kovacs, US Dept of Agriculture
Clare Hinrichs, Penn State University
Kristin Reynolds, New School

Brief Summary of Minutes

As part of the Ag of the Middle Annual In-person meeting, we organized three panel sessions, as well as an annual meeting. The minutes are summarized below.

Ag of the Middle panel 1:

Mary Hendrickson, Gail Feenstra, Kate Clancy

2003-2004 – series of meetings on Ag of the Middle, funded by SARE, every SARE region was represented (1 researcher, 1 farmer, and 1 nonprofit from each region) – unleashing of ideas to support ag of the middle. Early meetings set the course for how Ag of the Middle has done since. Farm involvement early on has set the tone for Ag of the Middle moving forward.

Literature/Timeline Threads:

Literature on problems of the disappearance of midsized farms (Marty Strange, etc.)

First in England and then in US – farm declining share of the retail dollar

Competition and concentration (Doug, Mary, Phil)

Values-based supply chain, alternative supply chain/agriculture

Sustainable food systems

Kirschenmann, Stephenson, Lyson - decision to bring together the sustainable ag directors from Universities from across the country (way before Kelogg) - got to talking a lot about agriculture of the middle

1993- first USDA “systems” grant

Multistate projects existed for many decades prior to creating the Ag of the Middle project (e.g., Local food systems in a globalizing environment - led by Lyson).

50% of AOTM members came from the Local food systems group

SAWGs were very important to the development of ag of the middle

WIllingness of CIAS @ the University of Wisconsin to take on a major role - including the website.

3 components when Ag of the Middle started

Association of family farms - Kirshmann and Yee really wanted mid-scale operations to work together.

Research team - national cadre of researchers dedicated to supporting ag of the middle (always included an advocacy component) - led by Stephenson, Lev, Clancy, King until decision was made to have a rotating chair.

KATE ADD

Insights on Opportunities for AOTM in 4 parts:

Part 1: AOTM research buds and blossoms

Kirschmann paper “why worry about Ag of the Middle”: https://www.leopold.iastate.edu/files/pubs-and-papers/2004-06-why-worry-about-agriculture-middle.pdf

USDA funding track

Funding retreat

Part 2: Early case studies

Organic valley/CROPP, Red Tomato, etc.

Because they were on the website, several individuals started using them in the classes

Part 3: Integration with regional research project

Research and education support for the renewal of an agriculture of the middle - hatch funded

Clancy wrote “A priority research agenda for ag of the middle”

Research topics: Impacts, incentives, scale, value chains

Part 4: Research proliferates

Proposals developed at AOTM middle

Reflections

Extension guides were practical translation of the research - but outreach is a challenge.

How did the research inform policy and practices?

Incentives for manufacturers to carry the information about farm input suppliers aren’t strong enough.

Limited supply chain infrastructure in regions

Literature that came out of Ag of the Middle

Food and the midlevel farm (2008)

2012-2013 - Hardesty/Feenstra - evaluation research across multiple ag of the middle enterprises

Special issue of JAFSCD in 2013

Encyclopedia articles

Since 2017 - research and publication on value-based supply chains from a TransAtlantic perspective, fair labor, specialty foods, values-based supply chain, rural wealth creation, creation of regional food flows

Most recently - COVID, domestic fair trade, value added retail

Now Multi-state group is starting its 4th renewal:

Project focus has shifted over time, but always included local, state, and national policy

Interesting to walk through the objectives and how they have changed over time.

Policy working group existed from the start

NSAC briefing at each annual meeting.

Kate has always provided a Federal policy update

Ag of the Middle Session II

Michelle Miller, Lauren Gwin, Keiko Tanaka, Hikaru Peterson, and Sarah Lloyd

Linking concepts

Want to move beyond certifications/labels

Potential for improvement: how does this work connect to climate change?

Problem statement: “Agriculture of the Middle is Disappearing”

Research questions: How can we renew AOTM and allow small and mid-sized farms to flourish?

How do marketing entities work with small and mid-sized farms?

Methods:

Case studies; interviews-based

Anthropological approach

Databases

Survey

Analysis of secondary data

Place matters

Want to see more representation from researchers that are less represented - including the Rocky Mountain regions.

Regional Food Systems

What historical and contemporary dynamics - sociocultural, political, and economic - share the capacity for building and maintaining vibrant regional food systems?

Business and Market options

Note that this isn’t the figure Sarah presented, but an adapted version of it.

The middle part of this was an original Ag of the Middle figure (originally Stephenson et al.).

Spend a lot of time thinking about the “troubled” or “danger” zone.

Who has the resources and the soft skills of organizing? Critical for strategic alliances and food value chains.

Sarah is a “card carrying pragmatist” because “shit costs money”.

Critical for researchers and Extension to engage in policies:

We are good at evaluating policy

We do provide relevant research that can (or does) inform policy modifications or new policies

Through research we can inform where policy needs to go.

To be effective:

Be clear what your policy related goals are.

Know the pathway for changes and have connections.

Three kinds of academics:

Those who get this.

“My research is important…policymakers should do what I say.”

“I can’t do policy, I’m at a public University” or “its too scary”

AOTM provides training on communicating with policymakers - what can you do legally? How do you write a policy brief? This can empower folks to weigh in on policy.

Updates on Federal policy at the AOTM meeting:

Getting backstory from agency staff

Update on Farmbill, but also beyond

Moving forward…. National Sustainable Ag Coalition (NSAC) and INFAS - cultivating research advocates. NSAC provides guidance to researchers about the things they are hearing on the Hill that could use some research. Or, “you have results, who do you call”? Also, when to engage.

Also, policy isn’t just at the Federal level - really interesting and innovative things happening at the state level. Great to have this group with connections to get insight into what is working in different places.

Discussion re: technological change - “we” seem to take the technician environment as a given, but really there has likely been a lot of change that likely makes it more difficult for mid-scale farms.

Ag of the Middle Annual Meeting:

Findings: What have we learned from 15 years:

The early years: Case studies

Useful to define what is a values-based supply chain.

Value chains are not “pure” – hybrid value chains (Bloom and Hinrichs; King et al. 2010).

Conventional supply chains also include high levels of trust in many cases.

Why wasn’t the association of family farms successful?

National group of family farmers;

Top down…cooperative was imposed on the group of farmers

Not a particular commodity, but marketing “family farmers”, which may mean something different in different places.

Incomplete structure of markets

“Everything stops when you talk about price”

What is our role as academics in describing the story correctly?

We have not gone deep enough in the areas where we are expected to do the work, and we go deep in areas we aren’t expected.

COVID

Mission-oriented businesses had trust built and were well positioned at the beginning of COVID

Under what conditions (history, locations, cropping systems, etc.) are farmers willing to be in cooperative models? Or, under which other outcome happen?

Ideas for outputs:

Update the King et al. (2010) USDA ERS report using case studies and secondary data (that is much improved from 2010)

Funding for Kate Fitzgerald(?) to help us develop policy briefs

Labor specific piece

Teaching modules that incorporate case studies

Lesson plans to talk about case studies

Update website

Including updated data

Two page fact sheet on terms / glossary - including sample language of how this language can be used in papers and grant proposals (would benefit from someone with expertise in communications)

Invite extension folks to say what they think about “ag of the middle” and what are the tools they would need to add this to their work.

Webinars for Extension professionals.

Updated document on what we have learned so far - briefs (including failures - make them constructive)

What are the opportunities to collaborate more with INFAS?

INFAS has funding to provide support.

Shared frameworks - be vulnerable about blindspots (especially at land grant universities)

Early AFRI – some takeaways –

Kate – Case studies – led to the notion hybrids, chose the case studies to represent companies in the areas where we lived, lot of knowledge over a long period of time, challenges, brought all the groups together helped with sharing…. Companies that were very proprietary and didn’t want to be public…interest at USDA was very helpful….

Marcy – importance of case studies helped us conceive of what a VBSC was a different concept – how to use them for teaching…. Rob K was great at that, and students read the case studies and followed them through the visit…..

Lauren – where do we find the parallel case studies of the non VBSC written in the same way – only knowing direct marketing… don’t have the background (vertical integration bad)… Kate – one of the thing we found out EFSNE – conventional supply chains function with the same kinds of trust that naively thought didn’t exist, internalized that in the work.

Clare – hybridity – VBSC are not pure, farm to institution… working through conventional distributors… used the template from the case studies… how it mapped on to these weird value chains…

Single family vertical integration… Tommy

Transparent pricing – that’s when the conversations stopped, the importance of overt mission (Covid-19) credibility that built up…

Structure of markets – and our basic understanding of what family farmers… can’t get apple growers to work with potato growers in the same state – the incomplete analysis worries me, and what is our role as academics in describing and narrating the story that we understand collectively.. drumbeat and what happens when the supply chains crashed, and how capitalism is problematic when you have a community good… deep enough in the areas when we are expected to do the work…

When do you stick together in these VBSCs?

Climate change, when they had to stick together…. Growers lost lots of apples…Duress…. Cooperation that happened then…

Group or summarize conditions under which this happened, but it is movement organizing… because you have to have leadership and process…. What resources were brought to the table…

Brian G. – coops are successful are having the right leader and leadership….

Rob K. 2010 – stories with quantitative data – product….. can we create something like this….

Failures and what didn’t go well… ready to share more on that side of things…

Frameworks that give us way to talk about structures – give a framework… power of social science and economics… what are the vulnerabilities that aren’t included in the frameworks….where did they

Lunch Break:

Tricia K. – talked about the White House Conference on Nutrition and Hunger – and talking about transportation with food and agriculture – who can come supply info about the supply chain for us…. Opening all the boxes and putting the parts together – who will it help….we have a lot of information and sharing that information with state, federal and local governments is important:

Concentration and consolidation – RFI open right now…. Food price effects (meat), viability for producers, regional food systems is one of the solutions…

Investments in infrastructure – direct grants; Food supply chain guarantees; Technical access about how to get into USDA programs etc.

RFI on fertilizer right now… competition in the fertilizer, seeds and other inputs, and retail.

AMS team – lots of great information has come out, at the beginning of the pandemic what do we do to help, CO State, Penn State and UKY are leads on this project, to bring together network sector actors…. 17 partners and 3 universities – some consumer research, there was resilience happening, then what next in terms of recovery and resilience… network of networks analysis – there is funding and more room for other networks and partners…. Really interesting mix of people….

Conversations at sessions and the lessons learned discussions could be useful to include AOTM as part of the networks…. Priority next step to fit this group into the network…

Melissa Bailey led the report on Supply Chain Vulnerabilities and Recommendations… having more of the compiled work around supply chains would be useful (the underlying data) but it was maybe more qualitative than quantitative.

American Rescue Plan investments - $3.6 billion and 2 lines explaining supply chain and funding followed that

Heard regionalized food systems, investments in infrastructure, and infrastructure that can serve a region – lots of values built into these grants

Disaster assistance and relief…. Not creating pathways not helping the small and medium-sized farmers, how can we quantify some of these things….

Michelle – some counties don’t have a transportation plan, and then might not have shovel ready list for the state department?

ARP was so much money; meat and poultry 1 is for shovel ready, and meat poultry 2 is not…. Better tools at the federal level for the infrastructure because could see it coming; interagency taskforce for rural partners network – have embedded staff and a strikeforce…. What should the model look like? Barriers to access $2 Million – very large project with HBCUs evaluating what are the barriers to different communities for the AMS programs; network model; have a little more money than we every have, upped the GS level to keep AMS staff; Lauren – grant accessibility – federal relief programs for farmers, lot of specialty crop farmers (OR) haven’t done crop insurance, can’t find their way in the door for FSA – OR legislature created a disaster relief program, administered by ODA, one of the goals is to get more people plugged into ODA system but they want them to plug into the federal level; competitive RMA NIFA; LAMP regional food systems partnership grants… value chain coordination; investing in meat and poultry infrastructure….

Action Items:

Websites – website committee, student project meetings might be useful

Extension -- ?

Meeting – Qualtrics to put out some suggestions, having virtual and in-person meetings? In-person meetings with some folks; bring in some diversity – slack groups; perhaps organize in work groups so that we can pull things together and maybe make it virtually; webinars?

Accomplishments

<h3><a name="_Toc86949507"></a>1.      Investigate key factors that influence economic performance and viability of mid-scale farms/ranches and their supply-chain partners.</h3> <h3> </h3> <h3>Colorado: Becca Jablonski and colleagues have been doing a significant amount of work looking at the performance of mid-scale farms and ranches selling through local food markets. First, they worked with the USDA Risk Management Agency to understand utilization of Federal crop insurance programs by operations that sell through local food markets. Results show that small and mid scale producers are much less likely to take advantage of Federal insurance programs regardless of the market channel that they utilize. In other words, small and mid scale producers are much less likely to use Federal insurance programs. Results are published in Agricultural Finance Review. Second, they have been exploring utilization of alternative financing options, although with a focus on beginning operations. Finally, they have looked at profitability impacts of sales through local food markets. They find that there are local food producers with operating profit margins in the green zone (low risk) across all market channels, byt that producers participating in direct markets are more likely to have an operating profit margin in the red zone compared to those participating in intermediated channels.</h3> <h3> </h3> <h3>California: This year, our UC Davis/ UC ANR team focused on five main areas of research and outreach related to the Agriculture of the Middle and our NC 1198 project objectives.  These five areas address all Objectives.  They include: (1) farm to school/ farm to institution procurement from regional producers (especially via food hubs); (2) new market development and training for small, mid-scale, beginning and immigrant producers and food hubs; (3) agritourism as a strategy for small and midscale farmers to add value to their operations; (4) food and environmental justice and food security for consumers and economic health for midscale farmers; and (5) food policy/ food system assessment.  Our multiple projects allowed us to continue to examine perspectives and practices through the supply chain and understand challenges of farmers, distributors, processors, manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and consumers who participate in these values-based supply chains.  In addition to the externally funded projects described below, SAREP distributed ~ $80,000 in small grants to Extension and community stakeholders in California engaged in strengthening sustainable agriculture and food systems.  The first 3 areas are described under Objective 1.</h3> <h3> </h3> <h3> </h3> <h3>Farm to school/institution procurement.  We continue to work with institutional buyers, helping to create new relationships between them and small/midscale producers, food hubs and values-based supply chains.  UC SAREP is partnering with the UC Davis Health’s Center for Precision Medicine and Data Sciences to increase purchasing of California grown specialty crops by the medical center. We are also collaborating with Healthcare Without Harm on a national project to build markets between regional legume growers and hospital systems, focusing on high protein specialty crops (beans, nuts). We are currently recruiting small-scale bean producers in California interested in learning how to sell to healthcare and other institutions. Technical assistance and support will be provided to assist with meeting institutional purchasing requirements.</h3> <h3>New market development and training for small/midscale producers and food hubs.  SAREP and UC Davis food safety academics have been working with food hubs statewide to provide training and technical assistance on FSMA compliance.  We have also been working with elderberry growers to establish markets for elderberries that are currently part of hedgerows on their farms.</h3> <h3>Agritourism and small/ midscale farms. We are evaluating our work on a Western Extension Risk Management project to conduct agritourism “intensive”, multi-day workshops in two regions of the state. We also began a new USDA FMPP funded project to strengthen California local food networks with agritourism and direct sales.  In this first year, 8 webinars on marketing topics and 1 workshop/ field day have been held with agritourism partners in 4 regions of the state.</h3> <h3><a name="_Toc86949508"></a>2.      Identify and assess the possibilities of mid-scale supply chains to contribute to community goals and needs</h3> <h3>Wisconsin: Our work to diagnose the Upper Midwest regional food flow (2013-2016) is now published in Frontiers. It describes the multiple contributions that midscale supply chains play in meeting public goals such as improved labor conditions, reduced GHG emissions, and building community wealth. Our current project is looking at how transportation affects food access in rural and urban communities. There is considerable research done on food access in urban areas, but little on rural areas, and nothing that addresses it from a transportation (distribution) perspective.</h3> <h3> </h3> <h3><a name="_Toc86949509"></a>3.      Identify and assess the environmental and natural resource contributions of mid-scale supply chains.</h3> <h3>Wisconsin: Midscale supply chains function in the context of national supply chains. To better understand the role that midscale supply chains play, we partnered with Megan Konar at the University of IL to quantify national perishable food flows, and linked this project with a larger project on regional food system resilience led by Hikaru Peterson, University of Minnesota. In the coming months we will analyze the empirical findings using a statistical network analysis for meat and dairy. Megan’s lab is investigating the GHG emissions associated with the national flow of perishable products, with a journal paper in process.</h3> <h3> </h3> <h3><a name="_Toc86949510"></a>4.      Examine and assess governance structures and mechanisms of mid-scale supply chains and their role in mediating, communicating, and implementing values around food quality, economic performance, social equity, and environmental sustainability.</h3> <h3>Wisconsin: Our work on national food flow for perishable products led to research on the role of big data, information asymmetry and food supply management policy, and a journal article in JAFSCD on this topic.</h3> <h3> </h3> <h3>California: Food and environmental justice in agricultural and urban communities. SAREP is leading a 6-part webinar series called “Building social equity into Agriculture and Food Systems Extension.”  The first 2 webinars dealt with farmworkers and immigrant farmers. The next 2 webinars are focused on “Retracing the roots of sustainable agriculture” and showcase indigenous perspectives and practices (#3) and leadership and perspectives of farmers of color in sustainable agriculture (#4).  The final two webinars (November/December) will focus on land justice.  SAREP continues to work with extension advisors and community organizations in Sonoma and Marin counties to explore opportunities to make farmers markets more inclusive.  Additional focus groups were conducted to understand how consumers in these communities thought about and were able to access farmers markets during COVID.  We are currently completing in-depth analyses of both quantitative and qualitative data gathered through consumer and vendor surveys as well as the focus groups.</h3> <h3> </h3> <h3><a name="_Toc86949511"></a>5.      Build the capacity of project members to investigate, address, and communicate policy issues surrounding mid-scale supply chains.</h3> <h3>Lauren Gwin and Kate Clancy led annual meeting discussions to build connections between researchers and policymakers. For example, we heard presentations from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service on their supply chain work that was mandated by the White House. Additionally, we had a session from the National Sustainable Ag Coalition on cultivating research advocates, and on state policies.</h3> <h3> </h3> <h3>Many NC1198 participants responded to the Administration’s call to provide comments on supply chains and competition.</h3> <ul> <li> <h3>MN:</h3> </li> <li> <h3>WI: [url coming soon]</h3> </li> <li> <h3>..Mary?</h3> </li> </ul> <h3> </h3> <h3>Many of the 1198 working group are actively involved in the Inter Institutional Network for Food and Agricultural Systems (INFAS). Policy work through INFAS has included NSAC training and active participation in the events leading up to the United Nations Food Systems Summit in September. A specific activity was to work with international farm labor organizations to identify ways that agroecology relates to farm labor. This network has actively coordinated interactions, commentary, and input with the United Nations Food Systems Summit (Sept 23, 2021).</h3> <h3> </h3> <h3>Wisconsin: Our work on national food flow for perishable products led to research on the role of big data, information asymmetry and food supply management policy, and a journal article in JAFSCD on this topic.</h3> <h3> </h3> <h3>California: Food policy/ food system assessment.  SAREP continues to work with food policy councils, particularly the one in Sacramento.  We participated in a USDA AMS Partnership grant to facilitate ~ a dozen food system partners to agree on a set of food systems goals for the region and then developing protocols for gathering input from their communities.  SAREP also worked closely with food system consultants to provide expert advice on legislation to establish Farm to Community Food Hubs.  AB 1009 passed September 14, 2021: <a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB1009">Bill Text - AB-1009 Farm to Community Food Hub Program. (ca.gov)</a> .  Bill signed by the governor Sept 23, 2021.  $15M appropriated.  Additionally, SAREP is working with two food system consultants/strategists on expanding funding for California’s Farm to School program (currently $10M).  SAREP is part of the evaluation team.</h3> <h3> </h3> <h3>In addition, Dr. Brinkley’s team at UC Davis has added five new county community food system guides that aim to highlight the transparent market ties within local food systems. The guides are produced in partnership with the California Agriculture and Natural Resources, Community Alliance with Family Farmers, the Edible Schoolyard Project, and the California Alliance of Farmers Markets. The data we collect represent general trends in local, transparent food supply chains. To gather information on fresh food sales and donations, the research team conducted a webscrape visiting every farm and market webpage to note fresh food sales and donations.</h3> <h3> </h3> <h3> </h3> <h3>Outputs:</h3> <h3> </h3> <h3><a name="_Toc86949512"></a>Conference presentations:</h3> <h3><a name="_Toc86949513"></a>●       Miller, Michelle. “Optimizing agricultural systems scale and structure to reduce climate change impacts”,  Special Session Symposium--the Role of Food Production in Climate Change: Finding New Ground. Tri-Societies International meeting (American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and the Soil Science Society of America). November 9, 2020</h3> <h3><a name="_Toc86949514"></a>●       Miller, Michelle. “The Power of Connectivity: Broadband Expansion in Rural Communities.” Foodtank / Refresh broadband panel. <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/231-food-tech-panel-discussion-the-power-of/id1434128568?i=1000507544891">https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/231-food-tech-panel-discussion-the-power-of/id1434128568?i=1000507544891</a> February 2, 2021</h3> <h3><a name="_Toc86949515"></a>●       Miller, Michelle. “U.S. Food Flows: A Cold-Chain Network Analysis of Freight Movements to Inform Local and Regional Food Issues”, USDA-AMS-TSD workshop. February 16, 2017</h3> <ul> <li> <h3>Miller, Michelle. “U.S. Food Flows: A Cold-Chain Network Analysis of Freight Movements to Inform Local and Regional Food Issues”, Transportation Research Forum. April 7, 2021. </h3> </li> <li> <h3>Miller, Michelle. “The Next Normal: Restructuring food supply chains”, third in a webinar series “COVID19 and the Food System: Understanding Impacts Exploring Solutions”, offered by the Interdisciplinary Center for Food Security at the University of Missouri. April 15, 2021</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Miller, Michelle. “Impact of COVID-19 on food systems: international experiences of vulnerability and resilience”. The USA representative, along with representatives from Sweden, Philippines, Brazil and Mexico. Webinar sponsored by the Stockholm Resilience Center. August 27, 2021.</h3> </li> </ul> <h3><a name="_Toc86949516"></a>●       Miller, Emily M., Mary Hendrickson and Philip H. Howard. “The Missouri School: Examining Power in the Agrifood System to Suggest Alternatives.” Presented at Big Ag & Antitrust: Competition Policy for a Sustainable and Humane Food System. Yale Law School, New Haven, CT. January 16, 2021.</h3> <h3><a name="_Toc86949517"></a>●       Stevens, A. W. “Land Tenure and Profitability Among Young Farmers and Ranchers.” Presented at the 2021 Agricultural and Applied Economics Association Annual Meeting, August 3, 2021.</h3> <h3><a name="_Toc86949518"></a>●    Stevens, A. W. “High Stakes: Managing Risk and Policy Uncertainty in the Market for CBD Food Products.” Presented at the 2021 Agricultural and Applied Economics Association Annual Meeting, August 2, 2021.</h3> <ul> <li> <h3>Feenstra, “Engaging actors from farm to fork: Sustainable, equitable food distribution,” organizer and speaker at this session of the Universities Fighting World Hunger Summit, March 26, 2021</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Feenstra and Brodt, “Marketing and business management for organic farmers,” presentation with Sonja Brodt as part of the Introduction to Small Scale Organic Farming (for Inland Southern California Farmers), December 15, 2020 (zoom all day workshop)</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Conner and Feenstra, “Critical success factors for Agritourism: Results of a national survey,” co-organizer and speaker at the Agriculture-Urban and Rural session at the Agriculture, Food and Human Values Society Conference, June 9-15, 2021</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Feenstra and Van Soelen Kim,“Farmers Market LIFE: Using participatory research to expand the customer base of farmers market shoppers – Focus group results,” co-organizer and speaker at the Full Access to Fresh, Green Markets session at the Agriculture, Food and Human Values Society Conference, June 9-15, 2021</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Feenstra, Van Soelen Kim and Leff, “Using participatory research to expand the customer base of farmers’ market shoppers,” with Julia Van Soelen Kim and Penny Leff, recorded presentation for the Urban Food Systems Symposium, live summaries and Q& A, October 28, 2020</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Feenstra and Capps, “Conducting a food system assessment in Butte county,” presentation to the Butte County Food System group, with Shosha Capps, November 19, 2020</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Feenstra and Capps, “Conducting a food system assessment in Sacramento County,” presentation to the Sacramento Food System Partnership Project, with Shosha Capps, October 29, 2020</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Tanaka, Keiko. 2021. “Leveraging Our Expertise to Support Sustainable Solutions,” a panel organized at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the Southern Rural Sociological Association (Virtual), February 2021.</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Brinkley, C. Food Banks and Local Food Networks, American Sociological Association (ASA), online-due to COVID-19, August, 2020</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Fitzsimmons, J.A.; Peterson, H. H., Lavoie, N.L., Lass, D., King, R.. Farmers' Preferences for Market Channels. Agricultural and Applied Economics Association Annual Meeting Annual Meeting, Austin, TX. 8/1/2021        </h3> </li> <li> <h3>Fitzsimmons, J.A., Kinchla, A.K. How Did COVID-19 Impact Origin-Identified Food Preferences? Northeastern Agricultural and Resource Economics Association Annual Meeting, 6/15/2021</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Fitzsimmons, J.A., Kinchla, A.K. Improving Access and Motivation for Small and Medium Processors in the Northeast to be in Compliance with FSMA’s PC Rule. USDA FSOP Roundtable, 2/4/2021            </h3> </li> <li> <h3>Fitzsimmons, J.A., Kinchla, A.K., Wormald, C.W. Improving Access and Motivation for Small and Medium Processors in the Northeast to be in Compliance with FSMA’s PC Rule. Northeast Center to Advance Food Safety, 2/16/2021</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Wormald, C.W., Fitzsimmons, J.A., Kinchla, A.K. Improving Preventive Controls Prerequisite Education Programs to Address Food Safety Knowledge Gaps for Small and Medium Sized Food Processors. Institute of Food Technologists Annual Meeting, 7/19/2021</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Wormald, C.W., Fitzsimmons, J.A., Kinchla, A.K. Improving Preventive Controls Prerequisite Education Programs to Address Food Safety Knowledge Gaps for Small and Medium Sized Food Processors". International Association for Food Protection Annual Meeting, Phoenix, AZ. 7/18/2021</h3> </li> </ul> <h3> </h3> <h3><a name="_Toc86949519"></a>Invited Presentations to Community Groups, Students and Stakeholders:</h3> <h3><a name="_Toc86949520"></a>●       Miller, Michelle. “Optimizing food systems”, PLATO. October 28, 2021</h3> <ul> <li> <h3>Howard, Philip H. “Concentration and Power in the Food System: Who Controls What We Eat?” Keynote at Organic World Congress. Rennes, France. September 8, 2021.</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Howard, Philip H. "Focus Tour: Seed Diversity." Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum at Michigan State University. March 24, 2021.</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Stevens, A. W. “Contemporary Food Policy,” lecture for Wither the State, Participatory Learning and Teaching Organization (PLATO). April 20, 2021.</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Feenstra, Leff, “Home Cooks Convening,” Oversaw and helped facilitate this 2-day zoom convening for micro-enterprise home cook operations. October 20-21, 2020.</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Brinkley, C. Keynote for the University of Pennsylvania ‘Farm of the Future’ symposium, September, 2020, <a href="https://vimeo.com/467473880">https://vimeo.com/467473880</a></h3> </li> <li> <h3>Brinkley, C. Dr. “Food Shortages in a Pandemic” Robert mondavi Institute Savor Lecture series. May, 2020 <a href="https://savor.ucdavis.edu/savor-food-shortages-pandemic">https://savor.ucdavis.edu/savor-food-shortages-pandemic</a></h3> </li> </ul> <h3> </h3> <h3> </h3> <h3> </h3> <h3>Multi-state AOTM partnerships: </h3> <h3>Apple to glass: improving orchard profitability through developing regional craft ciders 6/1/18 - 4/30/22</h3> <ul> <li> <h3>Marcy Ostrum, Washington State, lead PI</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Phil Howard, Michigan State</h3> </li> <li> <h3>David Connor, University of Vermont</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Michelle Miller, University of Wisconsin</h3> </li> </ul> <h3> </h3> <h3>U.S. Food Flows: A Cold-Chain Network Analysis of Freight Movements to Inform Local and Regional Food Issues  8/18/20 - 1/31/22</h3> <ul> <li> <h3>Michelle Miller, University of Wisconsin, lead PI</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Andrew W. Stevens, University of Wisconsin</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Lindsey Day Farnsworth, University of Wisconsin</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Hikaru Peterson, University of Minnesota</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Zhaohui Wu, Oregon State University</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Plus additional academics and practitioners not affiliated with AOTM</h3> </li> </ul> <h3>Lessons from COVID-19: Positioning Regional Food Supply Chains for Future Pandemics, Natural Disasters and Human-made Crises  9/15/20 - 9/14/22</h3> <ul> <li> <h3>Hikaru Peterson, University of Minnesota, lead PI</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Michelle Miller, University of Wisconsin</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Andrew W. Stevens, University of Wisconsin</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Lindsey Day Farnsworth, University of Wisconsin</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Zhaohui Wu, Oregon State University</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Plus additional academics and practitioners not affiliated with AOTM</h3> </li> <li></li> </ul> <h3>Impacts and Implications of Transportation Networks on Food Distribution and Accessibility: Rural vs. Urban 8/5/21 - 8/31/22</h3> <ul> <li> <h3>Michelle Miller, University of Wisconsin, lead PI</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Plus additional academics and practitioners not affiliated with AOTM</h3> </li> </ul> <h3>Sacramento food System Assessment and Partnership Project 9/29/20 - 3/29/22</h3> <ul> <li> <h3>Gail Feenstra, UC SAREP, subcontract to Sacramento Food Policy Council/ GreenTech.</h3> </li> </ul> <h3>Strengthening California Local Food Networks with Agritourism and Direct Sales 9/30/2020 - 9/29/23</h3> <ul> <li> <h3>Gail Feenstra, UC SAREP, lead PI</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Plus ANR extension agents and agritourism organizations in 4 regions</h3> </li> </ul> <h3>Expanding Opportunities in Hospital Food Service for Small and Midscale California Specialty Crop Growers 11/1/20 - 4/30/23</h3> <ul> <li> <h3>Gail Feenstra, UC SAREP, subcontract with UC Davis Medical Center</h3> </li> </ul> <h3>Farm Succession and Transfer Dynamics: Sustaining an Agriculture of the Middle in the U.S.   2021-2023.</h3> <ul> <li> <h3>Hinrichs, C., Penn State Lead PI</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Joannides, J., Renewing the Countryside</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Ostrom, M. University of Washington</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Fitzsimmons, J.A., University of Massachusetts Amherst</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Ruhf, K., Land for Good</h3> </li> </ul>

Publications

<h3><a name="_Toc86949521"></a>Publications:</h3> <h3><a name="_Toc86949522"></a>Journal articles and book chapters</h3> <h3> </h3> <ul> <li> <h3>Jablonski, B.B.R. and C. Payton Scally. 2021. Beyond GDP: Measuring Rural Assets and Why It Matters. In Investing in Rural Prosperity. Federal Reserve Board.</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Schmit, T.M., B.R. Jablonski, A. Bonanno, and T. Johnson. 2021. Measuring stocks of community wealth and its association with food systems efforts in rural and urban places. Food Policy.</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Jablonski, B.B.R., J. Hadrich, and A. Bauman. 2021. The role of Federal crop insurance for farms and ranches that sell through local food markets. Agricultural Finance Review.</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Didero, N., M. Costanigro, and B.R. Jablonski. 2021. Promoting farmers market via information nudges and coupons: a randomized control trial. Agribusiness: An International Journal.</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Long, A.B., B.R. Jablonski, M. Costanigro, and W.M. Frasier. 2021. The Impact of State Farm to School Procurement Incentives on School Purchasing Decisions. Journal of School Health. 91(5): 418-427. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.13013">https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.13013</a></h3> </li> <li> <h3>Jablonski, B.B.R., J. Casnovsky, J.K. Clark, R. Cleary, B. Feingold, D. Freeman, S. Gray, L. Schmitt Olabisi, X. Romeiko, C. Walsh, A.E. van den Berg. 2021. Emergency food provision for children and families during the COVID-19 pandemic: Examples from five U.S. cities. Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy. https://doi.org/10.1002/aepp.13096</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Clark, J., B.R. Jablonski, A. Irish, S. Inwood, and J. Freedgood. 2020. A Contemporary Concept of the Value(s)-added Food and Agriculture Sector and Rural Development. Community Development. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/15575330.2020.1854804">https://doi.org/10.1080/15575330.2020.1854804</a></h3> </li> <li> <h3>Jablonski, K.E., J.A. Dillon, J. Hale, B.R. Jablonski, and M.S. Carolan. 2020. One place doesn’t fit all: Improving the effectiveness of sustainability standards by accounting for place. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. 4:145. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2020.557754">https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2020.557754</a></h3> </li> <li> <h3>Jablonski, B.B.R., A.G. Bauman, and D. Thilmany McFadden. 2020. Local food market orientation and labor intensity. Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy. 43(3): 916-934. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/aepp.13059">https://doi.org/10.1002/aepp.13059</a></h3> </li> <li> <h3>Peterson, H., G. Feenstra, M. Ostrom, Tanaka, C. Brekken, G. Engelskirchen. 2021. “The Value of Values-based Supply Chains: Farmers’ Perspectives.” Agriculture and Human Values. DOI: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10460-021-10255-5">https://doi.org/10.1007/s10460-021-10255-5</a></h3> </li> <li> <h3>Prescott, M. R. Cleary, A. Bonanno, M. Costanigro, B.R. Jablonski, and A. Long. 2020. A systematic review of the impact of farm-to-school activities on student outcomes. Advances in Nutrition. 11(2):357-374. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmz094">https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmz094</a></h3> </li> <li> <h3>Robinson, K., Conner, D., Baker, D., Tuck, A., Abrams, L., McAneny, A., Frankenfield, R. and Warner, C. (In Press). College Student Demand for Humanely Raised Livestock Product: Evidence from Vermont. Journal of Food Service Management and Education 15 (2).</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Becot, F., Parker, J. Conner, D., Pivarnik, L., Richard, N. and Hirsch, D. (2021). Financially able and willing to invest in food safety practices? The example of produce growers in New England states (USA). Food Control 119. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2020.107451">https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2020.107451</a></h3> </li> <li> <h3>Miller, M. (In Press). Identifying critical thresholds for resilient regional food flows: a case study from the U.S. Upper Midwest. Frontiers.</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Miller, M. (In Press). Big data, Information asymmetry and food supply chain management. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems and Community Development.</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Howard, Philip H., Francesco Ajena, Marina Yamaoka & Amber Clark. 2021. “Protein” Industry Convergence and Its Implications for Resilient and Equitable Food Systems. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems (Social Movements, Institutions and Governance section) 5, 684181.</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Stevens, A. W. and K. Wu (2021). Land Tenure and Profitability Among Young Farmers and Ranchers. Agricultural Finance Review.</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Stevens, A. W. (2021). Nontraditional Credit in the Wisconsin Dairy Industry. Agricultural Finance Review.</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Stevens, A. W. and D. W. Bromley (2021). Rural Counties That Rely on Dairy and Animal Agriculture Saw Higher Unemployment Rates due to COVID-19. Choices, 36(3).</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Stevens, A. W. and J. M. Pahl (2021). High Stakes: Managing Risk and Policy Uncertainty in the Market for CBD Food Products. Applied Economics Teaching Resources.</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Peterson, H., Feenstra, G., Ostrom, M., Tanaka, K., Anderson Brekken, C., and Engelskirchen, G. (2021). The value of values-based supply chains: Farmer perspective. Agriculture and Human Values <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10460-021-10255-5">https://doi.org/10.1007/s10460-021-10255-5</a>.</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Dahlquist-Willard, R., Espinoza, M.L.R, Yang, M., Engelskirchen, G., and Feenstra, G. (2020). Challenges and opportunities for small farms marketing dried moringa products in California’s Central Valley. Western Economics Forum. 18(2): 61-64. <a href="https://waeaonline.org/western-economics-forum/">https://waeaonline.org/western-economics-forum/</a></h3> </li> <li> <h3>Feenstra, G., Gupta, C., Campbell, D., Van Soelen Kim, J., Sowerwine, J. and Munden-Dixon, K. (2021). Understanding food policy councils: Lessons for extension partners. Journal of Extension, 59(3), Article 9, <a href="https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.59.03.09">https://doi.org/</a><a href="https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.59.03.09">34068/joe.59.03.09</a></h3> </li> <li> <h3>Pesci, S and Brinkley, C. (2021). Can a Farm-to-Table restaurant bring about change in the food system?: A case study of Chez Panisse. Food, Culture & Society</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Brinkley, C.; Pesci, S; Manser, G. (2021) Growing pains in local food systems: a longitudinal social network analysis on local food marketing in Baltimore County, Maryland and Chester County, Pennsylvania Agriculture and Human Values</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Brinkley, C. and Visser, MA (2021). Socioeconomic and Environmental Indicators for Rural Communities: Bridging the Scholarly and Practice Gap Economic Development Quarterly</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Francis, K. and Brinkley, C. (2020) Street Food Vending as a Public Health Intervention. California Journal of Health Promotion</h3> </li> </ul> <h3> </h3> <h3> </h3> <h3><a name="_Toc86949523"></a>Extension and outreach materials</h3> <h3> </h3> <ul> <li> <h3>Hill, A., and B.R. Jablonski. 2021. Documenting selected potential impacts to CO farmers and ranchers of SB21-08 7 Agricultural Workers’ Rights. Policy Brief. https://foodsystems.colostate.edu/research-impacts/agricultural-labor/</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Gill, M., and B.R. Jablonski. 2021. Impact of Time Restriction Changes on Market Choices and Food Security. Local Food Systems Response to COVID: Consumer Food Insights. https://lfscovid.localfoodeconomics.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/LFS-CFI-03.pdf</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Hill, A., and B.R. Jablonski. 2021. Documenting Potential Impacts to CO Farmers and Ranchers of SB21-087 Agricultural Workers’ Rights. Colorado State University Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics Fact Sheet.</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Thilmany, D., A. Bauman, E. Love, and B.R. Jablonski. 2021. The Economic Contribution of Health Food Incentives. SPUR, Fair Food Network, and UC Davis. https://www.spur.org/sites/default/files/2021-02/economic_contributions_incentives_2_2_21.pdf</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Love, E., D. Thilmany, A.G. Bauman, B.R. Jablonski. 2020. The Economic Contribution of Nourish Colorado’s Fruit and Vegetable Incentive Program. Colorado State University Regional Economic Development Institute Report.</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Jablonski, B.B.R. Food Security. Local Food Systems Response to COVID: Consumer Food Insights. https://lfscovid.localfoodeconomics.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/LFS-CFI-03.pdf</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Sullins, M., B.R. Jablonski, and S. Ehrlich. 2020. Voices from the Field: Stories of Colorado Producers Responding to COVID-19. Colorado State University Task Force on Colorado Food Supply Fact Sheet. https://foodsystems.colostate.edu/covid19/</h3> <ul> <li> <h3>Includes 6 fact sheets highlighting producers’ responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.</h3> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <h3>Thilmany, D., B.R. Jablonski, B. Angelo, S. Low, and D. Tropp. 2020. Mitigating Immediate Harmful Impacts of COVID-19 on Colorado Farms and Ranches Selling through Local and Regional Food Markets. Colorado State University Task Force on Colorado Food Supply Fact Sheet. https://foodsystems.colostate.edu/covid19/</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Love, E., D. Thilmany, and B.R. Jablonski. 2020. Colorado Potato Markets During COVID-19 and Producer Implications. Colorado State University Task Force on Colorado Food Supply Fact Sheet. https://foodsystems.colostate.edu/covid19/</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Hill, R., A. Hill, D. Thilmany, B.R. Jablonski, J. Bayham. 2020. Workforce changes and the Food Supply Chain: Understanding and Mitigating the Effects of COVID-19 on the Agricultural Workforce. Colorado State University Task Force on Colorado Food Supply Fact Sheet. https://foodsystems.colostate.edu/covid19/</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Jablonski, B.B.R., D. Thilmany, A. Bonanno, and A. Bauman. 2020. Farm to School Environment. Local Food Economics Fact Sheet. eXtension Community Local Regional Food Systems.</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Prescott, M.P., R. Cleary, B.R. Jablonski, A. Bonanno, M. Costanigro, A. Long, and A. Bauman. 2020. Kids Win: Farm to School Activities and Student Outcomes. Local Food Economics Fact Sheet. eXtension Community Local Regional Food Systems.</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Jablonski, B.B.R., A. Bonanno, S. Mendis, D. Thilmany, A. Bauman, and L. Christensen. 2020. Communities Win. Local Food Economics Fact Sheet. eXtension Community Local Regional Food Systems.</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Thilmany, D., B.R. Jablonski, B. Angelo, S. Low, and D. Tropp. 2020. Mitigating immediate harmful impacts of COVID-19 on farms and ranches selling through local and regional food markets. Prepared for the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Comments <a href="https://cias.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/194/2021/06/USDAsupplychaincomments2021CIAS.pdf">regarding the Executive Order 140147 on “America’s Supply Chains” specifically for the Production of Agricultural Commodities and Food Products published April 21, 2021 in the Federal Register, comments submitted June 22, 2021.</a></h3> </li> <li> <h3>Hikaru Peterson, University of Minnesota</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Sarah Lloyd & Michelle Miller, University of Wisconsin</h3> </li> <li></li> <li> <h3>Miller, Michelle. “Food systems, disruptions and resilience”, Wisconsin Public Television, University Place. First aired September 30, 2021. <a href="https://video.pbswisconsin.org/video/food-systems-disruptions-and-resilience-3t4ld4/">https://video.pbswisconsin.org/video/food-systems-disruptions-and-resilience-3t4ld4/</a></h3> </li> <li> <h3>Hendrickson, Mary M., Philip H. Howard, Emily M. Miller and Douglas H. Constance. 2020. The Food System: Concentration and Its Impacts. A Special Report to the Family Farm Action Alliance.</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Howard, Philip H. Giant Meat and Dairy Companies are Dominating the Plant-Based Protein Market. Civil Eats. September 22.</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Howard, Philip H., & Mary Hendrickson. 2021. Corporate Concentration in the US Food System Makes Food More Expensive and Less Accessible for Many Americans.” The Conversation. February 8.</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Updated CA Food Hub Network website, with new food safety resources for food hubs: <a href="https://sarep.ucdavis.edu/fs/supply/foodhubs">Food Hubs & Values-Based Supply Chains | Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program (ucdavis.edu)</a></h3> </li> <li> <h3>Brinkley, C (2021) <a href="https://theconversation.com/taking-it-to-the-street-food-vending-during-and-after-covid-19-152438">“Taking it to the Street: Food Vending During and After COVID”</a> The Conversation</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Brinkley, C. (2020) Why community-owned grocery stores like co-ops are the best recipe for revitalizing food deserts, The Conversation, September 2019, <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-community-owned-grocery-stores-like-co-ops-are-the-best-recipe-for-revitalizing-food-deserts-122997">https://theconversation.com/why-community-owned-grocery-stores-like-co-ops-are-the-best-recipe-for-revitalizing-food-deserts-122997</a></h3> </li> <li> <h3>Brinkley C. et al. (2020-21) County Community Food Guides in partnership with Community Alliance with Family Farmers, Edible Schoolyard, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources.</h3> <ul> <li> <h3>Santa Clara County Expanded Community Food Guide (2020). In partnership with UC Agriculture and Natural Resources.</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Yolo County (2020)</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Los Angeles County (2020)</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Santa Clara County (2020)</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Sacramento County (2021) in Partnership with Valley Vision and the Sacramento Regional Community Foundation to inform the Sacramento Region Food System Action Plan (2021)</h3> </li> <li> <h3>El Dorado County (2021) in Partnership with Valley Vision and the Sacramento Regional Community Foundation to inform the Sacramento Region Food System Action Plan (2021)</h3> </li> <li> <h3>R 10. Placer County (2021) in Partnership with Valley Vision and the Sacramento Regional Community Foundation to inform the Sacramento Region Food System Action Plan (2021)</h3> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <h3>Becot, F.*, Inwood, S.M. Jackson-Smith, D., and A. Katchanova. 2020. “The Status and Changing Face of Ohio Agriculture: Summary of Ohio Farm Trends 1997-2017.” SENR Technical Report. <a href="https://extensionpubs.osu.edu/the-status-and-changing-face-of-ohio-agriculture-summary-of-ohio-farm-trends-1997-2017-pdf/">https://extensionpubs.osu.edu/the-status-and-changing-face-of-ohio-agriculture-summary-of-ohio-farm-trends-1997-2017-pdf/</a></h3> </li> <li> <h3>Wormald, C.W., Kinchla, A.K, Fitzsimmons, J.A. Introduction to Preventive Controls Webinar,</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Wormald, C.W., Fitzsimmons, J.A., Kinchla, A.K, Von Achen, C. 2020. Practical Implementation Food Safety Planning Workshop,</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Wormald, C.W., Kinchla, A.K, Fitzsimmons, J.A. 2021. Food Safety Plan Development Working Group Sessions, 8-Session Curriculum</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Fitzsimmons, J.A., Kinchla, A.K, We launched a website host by University of Massachusetts Amherst Center for Agricultural Food and the Environment to provide a clearinghouse for Value-Added foods: https://ag.umass.edu/value-added-food/nifa-planned-extension-initiative/improving-access-motivation-for-small-medium- pro cessors-in-northeast-to-be-in</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Fitzsimmons, J.A., Kinchla, A.K, University of Massachusetts Amherst Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (CAFE) Website Spotlight Stories. June 10, 2021. "How does Food become value-added?" https://ag.umass.edu/news-events/highlights/food-transformation</h3> </li> </ul> <h3> </h3> <h3> </h3> <h3> </h3> <h3><a name="_Toc86949524"></a>Grants:</h3> <h3> </h3> <h3>Listed here are the major grants, both new and ongoing, involving NC-1198 project members.  Several members have also written and submitted other grant proposals with collaborators from outside NC-1198 on issues related to AOTM that are not listed here. </h3> <h3> </h3> <ul> <li> <h3>Bruce, A.B., I. Leslie, and J. Carson. Increasing Consumer Participation in Alternative Food Networks to Support Small and Medium-Sized Farms. U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, $299,723, 2022-2025</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Jablonski, B.B.R, Sullins, J. Martin, C. Gifford, and T. Bass. Strengthening Opportunities Along the Meat Supply Chain to Promote Sustainable Agriculture in Intermountain States, Western SARE Research and Education, $349,994, 2021-2024</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Jablonski, B.B.R. Exploring the Scale, Scope and New Supply Chain Linkages in the Local Food Sector, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, $166,000, 2021-2024</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Jablonski, B.B.R., M. Carolan, Z. Plakias, J. O’Hara, and A. Chaifetz. The Impact of Farm to School Legislation on Farmers, Supply Chain Businesses, Rural Communities and Economics, U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, $499,574, 2021-2024</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Jablonski, B.B.R., and J. Hadrich. Profitability of U.S. Beginning Farmers and Ranchers. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, $116,998, 2020-2022</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Jablonski, B.B.R., M. Sullins, and D. Thilmany. Meeting risk management training needs for direct market/short supply chain producers. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Extension Risk Management Education, $50,975, 2020-2021</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Inwood, S.M. Plakias, Z., and Clark, J. and Ohio Emergency Management. “Ohio Emergency Management food System Research Proposal.” OSU InFACT Linkage & Leverage Grant. 2021. $34,866.</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Schuster, E., and S. Lyon Planning Committee and Project Team: Gwin, B., Hill, M., Hunt, T., Inwood, S.M., and L. Shoup. 2020. “Non-Conventional Partnerships Can Secure Food, Environment and Rural Economies.” OSU InFACT Linkage & Leverage Conference Grant. $9,360.</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Breger, D. Fitzsimmons, J.A., Mupambi, G., Clay, C., Sandler, H., Cole, E. Impacts of Dual- Use Solar on Crop Productivity and the Agricultural Economy in Massachusetts and Beyond. U.S. Department of Energy. $1,819,996. 2021 – 2024.</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Fitzsimmons, J.A., Kinchla, A.K. Improving Access and Motivation for Small and Medium Processors in the Northeast. USDA FSOP. $368,120. 2019-2022</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Davidson, R., Cornman, K. Kinchla, A., Fitzsimmons, J.A. Exploring the Feasibility of a Massachusetts Shared-use Dairy Processing Facility, USDA AMS. $175,353.00. 2019-2022.</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Nolden, A., Fitzsimmons, , Kahl, K., Kinchla, A. Consumer and fisherman attitudes towards sustainable local seafood, NSF ADVANCE. $15,000. 2019-2021</h3> </li> <li> <h3>Fitzsimmons, J., Nolden, A., Kahl, K., Kinchla, A. Sustainable Local Seafood. $7,500. 2021-2022</h3> </li> </ul>