Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

The S-1019 meeting was held on November 4, 2007, at the Hotel Monteleone in conjunction with the Food Distribution Research Society meetings in New Orleans. The committee was pleased to welcome two new members and reminded to continue to solicit new members. The committee chair congratulated those committee members who collaborated on the articles that appeared in Choices during 2006. All the committee members presented their involvement and experience with respective state agricultural production and marketing activities. Members also discussed the problems and solutions to current agricultural production and marketing scenarios. The committee members had decided to develop a proposal for the WERA-72 meeting as WERA-72 will host its annual meeting June 18-20, 2008, in Santa Clara, California, and the abstracts are due February 28, 2008. Members briefly discussed other funding opportunities available, including programs in conjunction with each state department of agriculture. Since the 2007 organics proposal was not successful, members discussed the merits of re-submitting during 2008. Finally the committee members decided to revise and resubmit the previous organic proposal in 2008 for a 2009 submission. The S-1019 meeting will be held in Columbus, OH, in October, 2008. Ramu Govindasamy will be stepping down as committee chair. All the members expressed their gratitude for the wonderful job he has done. Dawn Thilmany agreed to become the committee chair from 2008 onwards, while Al Wysocki will continue as vice chair and Cheryl DeVuyst will continue as secretary. Once again members mailing addresses were updated.

Objective 1: To assess the evolution of Supply-Chain Management in the fruit and vegetable sector and identify strategic organizational and marketing implications for diverse firms and specific commodity sub-sectors. Supply Chain Management Activities The main objective of supply chain management is to minimize time and cost from supply chains, improving profitability and/or competitiveness which is possible through utilization of technological advancement such as computing hardware, software, and other current electronic technologies. In supply chain management systems everything from raw materials to finished product is produced on demand and delivered "just in time" to the next stage of production. A Colorado State University study, funded by USDA NRI Small and Midsized Farms Competitiveness grant indicates that producers selling fresh produce direct to consumers may be able to increase patronage by offering diverse, nutritionally enhanced, locally grown produce; located near consumers in target markets; promoting freshness and vitamin content aspects of produce; showcasing colorful produce on-site while enhancing overall visual appeal of offerings; and finally advertising via food and nutrition electronic newsletters and email, blogs, and when practical, local television. Through an interim position with USDA CSREES, a Colorado investigator worked on assessing the marketing barriers for organics and potential policy solutions within a USDA Organic Working Group. Since 2003, Georgia's ongoing research on both edible and ornamental banana production attempting determine hardiness of cultivars to be grown in Georgia is gaining momentum. The researchers are getting closer to finding a cultivar that might become a new potential economic crop for Georgia, and perhaps, neighboring states. The edible crop will target niche and ethnic market chains while the ornamental cultivars will target the green and nursery market. Another study from Georgia concentrates on the "Structure of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Industry." There is no convincing evidence that the market structure of the U.S. produce industry has markedly changed over the past 25 years. While supermarket concentration has increased noticeably, the same cannot be said for produce market intermediaries such as brokers and wholesalers. Increased vertical integration between retailers and packer-shippers via contracts (marketing and production), obviating the need for market intermediaries, has not occurred. There has not been an increase in produce contracting over the study period. Purported increased monopsony power by retailers should have manifested in weakening financials for market intermediaries over the study period. However, the financial analyses did not reveal clear evidence to this end. The census data allowed another view where the produce market intermediaries could be largely delineated in two segments: brokerage versus wholesale firms. Both segments of this intermediary industry were not found to be concentrated, though the brokerage component was shown to be more concentrated than that of wholesalers. Overall, the number of establishments and real sales increased while market concentration increased mildly over the study period. However, when looking at brokerage firms specifically, the number of establishments and real sales declined. It would appear that the wholesale component has been doing well servicing smaller retail food companies and the ever bourgeoning food service sector as the away from home market has continued to grow. Though the census data suggest that the produce brokerage business has experienced a mild decline in recent years, it is entirely plausible, because of market experience, that many of the produce wholesale firm entrants in recent years are former brokerage firms. In Louisiana, information collected in a survey relating to development of supply chains was incorporated in a co-authored article published in Choices. Michigan's blueberry industry is one of the few state green industries to show significant growth during the past five years. Much of Michigan's production is held by recent new entrants and takes place on small farms. Small growers often report limited knowledge and access to agricultural market information. In addition many of the new growers are Latino farmers where barriers such as language and cultural differences may represent an additional marketing challenge. This is an important finding as Michigan seeks to build capacity among small blueberry farmers of Michigan and better position themselves for survival beyond the point where aggregate global economic forces impact the current growth stage (increasing price for increasing volume of sales). The opportune time to address strategic change is before economic crisis and this project seeks to help Michigan's blueberry growers do so, thus contributing to long-run survival of an important green industry. During 2007, New Jersey continued to examine the ethnic produce market in the East coast states of United States, from Florida to Maine. According to the consumer survey conducted in 2006, four ethnicities (Chinese, Asian Indians, Mexicans and Puerto Ricans) top 10 produce item purchases were ranked and these were selected as relevant to production and sale of ethnic fruits and vegetables. Florida, Massachusetts and New Jersey were identified to setup either demonstration and/or research plots during 2007. The main objective of conducting pilot production is to explore the opportunities available for local farmers in the East-coast region to grow and supply ethnic produce items in the local market. In Delaware, consumer surveys were conducted utilizing the following web site: www.ari-culturehealth.com. The produce market survey main objectives are: 1. To conduct an online fresh market consumer preferences survey. 2. Identify the types of farm fresh product offerings preferred by consumers. 3. Identify specific market niches that may be available to farm fresh marketers including online product offerings. 4. Demonstrate the value of www.agri-culturehealth.com to potential users: fresh market growers, farmers markets and consumers. Potential Impact of Supply Chain Management Activities Consumer surveying is important in that it informs producers who are direct marketing about the characteristics of their potential consumers that may be important in effective marketing strategies. Work on organic supply chains may help inform policy and marketing decisions among the organics industry, but its most immediate impact is to raise the profile of the industry and get more Land Grant human and research resources directed at organic research questions. United States remains the largest consumer of banana in the world with an import value of over $1 billion yearly. All the bananas come from either Central or South America (for the Cavendish variety) and from Asia (for the ethnic or exotic cultivars). The ethnic produce sells for $1.79/lb compared to $0.45/lb for the Cavendish cultivar. If locally grown, ethnic and/or exotic banana production and marketing might interest growers seeking to diversify. The economic impact (purchasing of input, labor, ag-equipment etc) will have a spillover effect to other sectors of the economy. The U.S. produce industry continues to be highly competitive allowing ample opportunities to existing and prospective U.S. produce producers and importers. New Jersey's pilot production system will provide information to local producers and marketers to better utilize the local opportunities by growing a variety of fruits and vegetables, in a cost effective manner, to increase the profitability of the produce sector. Maine's blueberry studies impacts include: 1) better understanding of the marketing channels available to small scale blueberry growers; 2) increased opportunities for market access by Latino growers; and 3) expanded outreach from the land grant university to a growing constituency. Objective 2: To analyze the relative costs and competitiveness of fruit and vegetable sub-sectors, either regionally, nationally, and/or globally, using new and established analytical paradigms which incorporate theories from business schools and other fields. Competitiveness The United States' produce sector is under pressure. The competition among retailers and discount chains plays a strong role in the determination of market prices. The increased competitive pressure arising from intra-regional produce trade, particularly, imports from neighboring countries, are making the produce sector more complicated. Changes within the North Dakota and Northern Great Plains potato industry led researchers to investigate regional shifts in United States potato production and processing. Initial results indicate that, although some shifts occurred over the years, potato production has been centered in the same regions and states. While other areas of agricultural production, such as hog production, have shifted regionally where available land and labor resources are available, potato production is more "sticky" to certain areas. This in part may be due to necessary components for soil types, irrigation potential, growing conditions and other institutional factors. In essence, changes in potato production were quite inelastic to traditional economic factors, including price. Building on the project's initial study results, and understanding the importance of water availability for sustaining a competitive advantage in potato production, researchers investigated the impact irrigation water permits and conditional permits have on the North Dakota potato industry. Florida's project entitled "Systems Approach to Identifying Critical Handling Steps and Cost-effective Technologies to Maintain Quality of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables," funded by the USDA TSTAR Special Research Grants Program, worked on improving quality and freshness of produce to compete with non-local supplies. In addition, researchers conducted a workshop on "Winning the War on Invasive Species" in Miami, November 7-9, 2007. No emerging market has received more attention in recent years than that of China. Rapid growth in exports from China (including agricultural products), a large U.S. bilateral trade deficit, and accession to the WTO (thus gaining access to most-favored-nation tariff rates) have all raised awareness of China as a world competitor. Global industry expansion is a phenomenon that pressures Michigan fruit industries to find new ways of doing business. Ultimately, competitiveness among producing regions in the world will be driven by a combination of production and shipping costs, fruit quality, marketing management (linking with others who have good distribution networks in emerging markets such as Asia, Latin America, and Central/Eastern Europe, and marketing promotion), and organizational approaches such as strategic alliances. This project focuses on evaluation and analysis of a key set of information critical to Michigan horticultural firms seeking to enter the markets in China, or seeking to understand how Chinese produce might enter the U.S. market. A second project examined the status of trade policies (including tariffs) on U.S. tart cherry products moving into the EU, particularly Germany and Belgium. Tariffs are border policies that raise the effective price of imported goods. Governments impose tariffs for a number of reasons including protection for domestic industries and a source of public revenue. The market impact is a pricing distortion when compared with perfectly competitive outcomes. Non-tariff policies include measures such as quotas, subsidies, or phytosanitary standards. These measures can have a trade distorting impact as large, or larger, than traditional tariffs. New Jersey's ethnic NRI project concentrated on local fresh fruits and vegetables made available to East-coast consumers at competitive prices. The project provides significant produce statistics to the local farmers through its research and demonstration plots. The cost and produce figures will be available by the end of 2008. Georgian MALTAG Regional Enterprise Budgets for Organic Vegetables Project budgeting and cash flow analysis are integral parts of assessing costs, financial planning and risk management for agricultural producers. Enterprise budgets are the basic building blocks to this evaluative process. The inter-disciplinary regional project includes six states and provides business planning resources to an underserved audience, specialty crop producers. Enterprise budget uses: (1) Farmers who evaluate their planning and management needs, as well as evaluate new enterprise resource needs, (2) Extension personnel in providing educational programs to farmers, (3) State/federal service providers to estimate crop resources, (4) Landowners who lease to farmers, (5) By lenders as a basis for credit, (6) To inform non-farmers of the costs incurred and methods used by farmers in the production of food and fiber crops. Enterprise budgets to estimate costs of production of vegetable crops were prepared by researchers in Louisiana. Thirty seven combinations of crop, market channel and machinery size were budgeted annually. Multi-state budgeting in cooperation with Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and Arkansas provides a common base of input files to assist with assessment of regional competitiveness. Production practices, machinery and operating inputs and input prices were created and updated as appropriate. A pecan budget is being finalized, intended to represent a small (40 acre) orchard size. Procedures were similar to those used for other orchard crops. Through the Colorado USDA NRI Small and Midsized Farms grant, initial work on comparative enterprise budgets for organic and conventional produce crops are in development. The organic research program for blueberry production in Florida and Georgia focused on field trials with different mulching techniques to determine the most effective and efficient way of growing organic blueberries. Data collected will be subjected to a comprehensive economic analysis aimed at determining cost of production, yields and profitability. The cost analysis will be crucial in determining the market structure and profitability of organic blueberries. Assisting vegetable growers in the adoption of methyl bromide alternatives for weeds, diseases, and nematodes are also focus of this project. Potential Impact of Competitiveness Activities North Dakota's study focused on understanding the impacts of irrigation water permits and conditional availability is paramount to the potato industry. Producers can use this information in planning production and land purchase decisions while policy makers can better understand the impact of granting water permits for irrigation. Processors can use this information to help understand producer constraints and design better contracts to suit processor and producer needs. A better understanding of the differential cash returns to organic produce will be useful to producers in their production planning and market pricing. Colorado State researchers are helping producers to target their marketing and promotional messages to target consumers thereby allowing for more effective marketing, and subsequently, a more competitive fresh produce sector. Impacts from Michigan's study include 1) increased awareness and understanding of China horticultural markets among Michigan produce industries; 2) information and contacts providing potential for Michigan agribusiness firms to explore cross-country alliances that may result in increased fruit exports and/or fruit production; 3) an on-going relationship with researchers in China; 4) recognition of a decrease in EU tariffs on selected products of interest; 5) identification of inconsistency in US HS codes; 6) comparison of tariff and trade flow data from multiple sites to facilitate understanding. The New Jersey's NRI ethnic project is expected to create an impact on the ethnic fruits and vegetables sector in the East-coast region by providing selected ethnic crops information to the local farmers so they will be able to compete with non-local produce suppliers. These production data sheets will provide sufficient information to the farmers to determine profitability of crops. According to a Georgia study, farmers, lending institutions, state/federal service providers, agricultural support industries, educators, and legal advisors are all interested in the cost estimates and resource needs outlined in budgets. Additionally, demands from these audiences for specialty enterprise budgets are increasing as farmers search for effective diversification strategies. As the study from Louisiana indicated, these budgets are intended to assist producers in pricing and negotiation, and in other risk management efforts. Objective 3: Develop demand models for the produce sector that can be used to evaluate trade, commodity marketing programs, labeling programs, traceability systems, and structural changes in the U.S. produce markets. Demand Models Americans have increased their consumption of fruit and vegetables as they are concerned with healthier lifestyles. And also higher consumption of fruits and vegetables is associated with decreased risk for chronic diseases, because fruits and vegetables have low energy density, eating them as part of a reduced-calorie diet can be beneficial for weight management. According to 2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), about 33% of adults consumed fruit two or more times per day and 27% ate vegetables three or more times per day. The results underscore the need for continued interventions that encourage greater fruit and vegetable consumption among U.S. adults. Colorado's consumer survey results suggest that, when targeting consumers, there are four potential consumer clusters to consider: Urban, Assurance Seekers, Quality and Safety Consumers, Price Conscious Consumers and Personal Value Buyers, all with varying perceptions and values, but with the former two representing the greatest short term potential to producers who directly market differentiated fresh produce at a premium. A labeling experiment within the consumer survey found buyers do distinguish between competing claims and logos in Colorado. Claims relating to a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables were most effective in attracting consumers and consumers may look for additional certification standards and scientific evidence that organic products are of higher quality. Maine's agricultural research project developed a seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) model to assess intraregional farm potato price relations in the Northeast production region, which includes four producing areas: Maine, Prince Edward Island (PEI), New Brunswick, and Quebec. Using data between 1980 and 2005, the model was estimated and the price impact of changes in production across the four potato producing areas was analyzed. The North Dakota State project team begun work on determining the consumer's value of a "Northern Great Plains" organic/natural dinner plate. Using local scanner data, demand for organic versus traditional will be revealed. This will be compared to evidence on valuation of organic produce by coastal states and more densely populated areas. The New Jersey study was undertaken to document and quantify the ethnic produce market and to identify opportunities for farmers to grow crops targeted from a demand perspective. The rapid expansion of ethnic population presents significant opportunities for fruit and vegetable producers along the East Coast to take advantage of their close proximity to densely populated areas. The specific ethnic market subjects of study are the Asian and Hispanic segments, chosen for their strong recent growth and continued growth expectations. The top two sub-groups within each of these segments were chosen for the study; Chinese and Asian Indian (Asian sub-groups) and Puerto Rican and Mexican (Hispanic sub-groups). The geographic focus is the East Coast and includes Washington D.C. and sixteen states bordering the East Coast. The consumers' survey collected three types of ethnic consumer expenditures; total produce expenditure, ethnic produce expenditure, and expenditures for specific ethnic produce items. The total demand for ethnic fruits and vegetables of east-coast states will be available by the end of 2008. Domestic wine consumption has increased, along with competition among Pennsylvania wineries and wineries. The best tool for a wine producer, as a method of developing and maintaining the domestic industry, is access to consumer data. Demographic information describing the average U.S. wine consumer exists; however, characteristics specific to those who purchase Pennsylvania wine are not readily available. Since it is anticipated that consumption of wine, wine products, and visits to tasting rooms will continue to increase, current and future wine producers and tasting room operators need to know their customers' interests, attitudes, and behaviors in an effort to stay competitive in the marketplace. Proposals and pre-proposals have been submitted to state and regional funding agencies and to appropriate associations. Other federal funding agencies have been identified and will be targeted in early 2008. Potential Impact of Demand Models Since 2005 there have been collaborative efforts by the United Growers of America and the United Growers of Canada to manage overall potato supply through acreage reduction programs. The estimation result of the Maine's research work can be used to assess the effect of a coordinated acreage reduction programs in the region. In North Dakota, local producers and retailers can use this information to understand consumer purchase habits and demand for an organic dinner, including organic produce. This information will impact the production and selling decisions throughout the Northern Great Plains organic industry. A better understanding of how Colorado consumers process information available on labels, including certification claims, might influence how the industry markets to consumers, and where government marketing programs might need to educate and do consumer outreach based on consumer perceptions. New Jersey's ethnic project will provide information pertaining to the demand for fruits and vegetables. Additional demand analysis will be conducted to model ethnic consumer expenditures and demographics relative to patterns, preferences, and practices. This will support grower efforts to target specific ethnic markets based on unique demographic profiles and help match supply with local demand to optimize marketing efforts. In Pennsylvania the research addressed the following issues: frequency of wine purchases, purpose of purchase (e.g. special occasions or as "everyday" wines), brand and origin preference (e.g. foreign, domestic, or state), varietals in greatest demand, and where products are most likely purchased (e.g. tasting rooms as opposed to Wine and Spirit Shops). Questions will be asked to better understand the most effective and appealing on-site and off-site (e.g. festivals and events) wine-sales opportunities, promotional and experiential strategies, and advertising methods. Surveys will also be designed to understand attitudinal differences between wine consumers and non-wine consumers, to determine how to encourage purchasing by non-wine consumers and what benefits and promotional strategies would most likely appeal to different populations. Planned Work As members discussed, the committee will develop a proposal for the WERA-72 meeting in Santa Clara, California in 2008. Dawn Thilmany and Jennifer Dennis volunteered to explore session topics and areas of collaboration. Considering members opinions, the organic multistate project will be revised and resubmitted for the 2009 competition year. Members of S-1019 planned to meet along with the FDRS annual meeting in Columbus, Ohio in October, 2008. The participants will also be working together to explore new opportunities to help local farmers in the area of production and marketing. Dawn Thilmany will take lead to conduct upcoming S-1019 committee meetings in conjunction with FDRS annual meetings.

State, Station or Agency: Boudreaux, J. and R. Hinson. 2007. "Commercial Vegetables Situation and Outlook" in 2007 Outlook For Louisiana's Agriculture". Louisiana State University AgCenter, Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Staff Paper SP 2007-03, March 2007, 52 pp. Gordon, Ronald M., and John J. VanSickle. "Perception of Firms and Policy Makers of the Impact of CARICOM Policy Measures on The Business Environment of Selected CARICOM Countries." International Trade and Policy Center Monograph 07-01. Govindasamy, R., R. VanVranken, W. Sciarappa, A. Ayeni, V. Puduri, K. Pappas, J. E. Simon, F. Mangan, M. Lamberts and G. McAvoy. "Survey Methods and Identification of Ethnic Crops in the +SA: A Procedural Synopsis," New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, P-02903-1-07, May 2007, 46 pp. Hinson, R. and J. Boudreaux. Projected Costs for Selected Louisiana Vegetable Crops - 2007 Season. AEA No. 246, Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, LAES, LSU AgCenter, La. State Univ., Baton Rouge, 89 pp. Sears, Amanda, Joe Masabni, Kenny Seebold, Ric Bessin, Timothy Woods, and Terry Jones, "Ornamental Gourd Production in Kentucky", University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Extension Publication ID-119, March, 2007. Thornsbury, S. and M. Woods (2007). "Background Information on the Chinese Fruit Sector," Michigan State University Department of Agricultural Economics Staff Paper 2007-03. Thornsbury, S., T. Nagai, M. Cooper, and M. Woods. "Finding and Using Trade Data- a Non-exhaustive Overview," Brown bag presentation, Department of Agricultural Economics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI January 30, 2007. Timothy Woods and Larry Jones, "Economic Impact of Agriculture in Fayette County and the Immediate Area" University of Kentucky, Dept of Ag Economics Extension Numbered Series: 2006-04, August, 2006. Timothy Woods, Matt Ernst and Jim Mansfield, "2006 Kentucky Produce Planting and Marketing Intentions Survey and Outlook", University of Kentucky, Dept of Ag Economics Extension Numbered Series: 2006-02, April, 2006. Timothy Woods, Matt Ernst, and Jeffrey Herrington, "2006 Kentucky Restaurant Produce Buyer Survey", University of Kentucky, Dept of Ag Economics Extension Numbered Series: 2006-01, April, 2006. Walters, Lurleen M., Robert D. Emerson, and Nobuyuki Iwai "Implications of Proposed Immigration Reform for the U.S. Farm Labor Market" International Trade and Policy Center, Policy Brief 07-01. Wysocki, A. "Developing & Communicating a Business Plan for Your Agri-Tourism Operation." Extension presentation as part of an Agri-Tourism In-service training, Live Oak, FL, January 9, 2007. Wysocki, A. "Cooperatives in the Sunshine State." Extension presentation to members of GROWMARK cooperative meeting, Marco Island, FL, January 23, 2007. Wysocki, A. "Pricing for Profit." Extension presentation to small farmer as part of the Small Farms Extension program, Live Oak, FL, February 20, 2007. Wysocki, A. "Connecting with Your Customers." Extension presentation to members of Florida Nurserymen's Growers Association meeting, Sun City, FL, April 2, 2007. Wysocki, A. "Fruit and Vegetable Marketing." Extension presentation to the Small Farms Conference, Opapka, FL, May 16, 2007. Wysocki, A. "Branding Your Product and Your Business." Extension presentation to small farmer as part of the Small Farms Extension program, Live Oak, FL, August 22, 2007. Wysocki, A, and E. Knight. "Displays: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly." Extension presentation to small farmer as part of the Small Farms Extension program, Live Oak, FL, September 5, 2007. Wysocki, A, and E. Knight. "Cultivating and Keeping Loyal Customers." Extension presentation to small farmer as part of the Small Farms Extension program, Live Oak, FL, September 19, 2007. Wysocki, A., and E. Knight. "Advertising Tools and Tips." Extension presentation to small farmer as part of the Small Farms Extension program, Live Oak, FL, October 17, 2007. Outreach/Industry Publications Fonsah, E.G., F. Funderburk and K. Taylor (2007). "Enterprise Cost Analysis for Middle Georgia Peach Production". Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Georgia (forthcoming). Fonsah, E. G. (2007). "2007 Georgia Vegetable, Fruit and Nut Situation and Outlook," In: Georgia ag 2007forecast. Department of Agriculture and Applied Economics, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of Georgia, pp 31-33. Fonsah, E.G. (2006). "Effect of the New Immigration Regulations On the Financial Conditions of the Fruits and Vegetables Industry," The Georgia Economic Issues Newsletter, 22 (3): 2-5. Hollis, P. L. (2007). "Changes ahead for vegetable industry", Southeast Farm Press, based on summary of a study by E. G. Fonsah, April 2. Rainey, R, D. Fields, J. Black, E. Fonsah, C. Hall, and R. Hinson. Regional Enterprise Budgets for Fruit and Vegetable Crops. A poster presented at National Risk Management Education Conference, Phoenix, AZ 4/17/07. Schupska, S. (2007). "Organics could boost Georgia's blueberry industry", The Tifton Gazette, based on interview of G. Krewer, H. Scherm and E.G. Fonsah, February 20. Thilmany, D., J. Keeling-Bond, and C.Bond. Buy Local, Buy Fresh? Exploring Local Fresh Produce Consumer Motivations and Interests, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University. ABMR 07-03 May 2007. 7 pp. Thilmany D., "Effective Assisting Direct Marketing Procedures: What is the Role of Cooperative Extension and Government Outreach Professionals", Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University,ABMR 07-02 March 2007, 4 pp. Thilmany D., Going Greener: The Emerging Organic Sector in the Green Industry, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University, ABMR 07-01, January 2007. 6 pp. Woods, M., S. Thornsbury, and T. Nagai (2007). "Eye on Economics: HS Codes and their Impact on Your Business" Blueprints, The Produce Professionals' Quarterly Journal. April, forthcoming. Woods, Timothy "Preliminary Results of the 2006 Produce Planting and Marketing Intentions Survey", West Kentucky Vegetable Growers Newsletter, 1(1):4-6, July, 2007. Woods, Timothy "2006 Regional Winegrape Price Survey", Wine East, pp.26-30, September-October, 2006. Refereed Conference Proceedings Andrews, E., G. Krewer, G. Fonsah, J. Jacobs, D. Stanaland, B. Mullinix and J. Clark. 2006, "Improved methods of replanting blueberries," p.87-89, In: D. Scott NeSmith (ed.), Proc. 10th N. A. Blueberry Research and Extension Workers' Conference, Tifton, Ga. Baker, G., A. Wysocki, L. House, and J. Batista. "Industry-Academic Partnerships." Selected Paper presented at the Western Extension and Research Activities Committee on Agribusiness Annual Meeting, Las Vegas, NV, June 17-19, 2007. Brown, B., and W. Kassen. "The Economics of Managing Invasive Species in the Caribbean Basin: Scope, Achievements and Challenges" T-STAR Workshop: Winning the War on Invasive Species, Miami, FL, November 7-9, 2007. Cuda, J.P., L. S. Osborne, C. A. Jacoby and K. A. Langeland. "Establishment of the University of Florida Invasive Species Coordinating Council" T-STAR Workshop: Winning the War on Invasive Species, Miami, FL, November 7-9, 2007. Dahl, C., A. Wysocki, L. House and T. Taylor. "The Commercial Viability of Pre-cooling Mature Green Tomatoes." Selected Paper presented at the Western Extension and Research Activities Committee on Agribusiness Annual Meeting, Las Vegas, NV, June 17-19, 2007. Fonsah, E.G., C. Escalante, S. Culpepper, D. Langston, M. Bryd (2007), "Economics of Methyl Bromide Alternative in Pepper," Proceedings of the 2007 Southeast Regional Vegetable Conference, Savannah International Trade & Convention Center, Savannah, Georgia, Jan 4-7, Pp. 87-90. Fonsah, E.G., (2007), "Future Trends in Southeast Vegetable Markets," Proceedings of the 2007 Southeast Regional Vegetable Conference, Savannah International Trade & Convention Center, Savannah, Georgia, Jan 4-7, Pp. 17-19. Fonsah, E.G. (2007), "Economic Cost Returns for Rabbiteye Blueberry Production in Georgia," Proceedings of the 13th Biennial Southeast Blueberry Conference, Savannah International Trade & Convention Center, Savannah, Georgia, Jan 4-7, Pp. 77-82. Gonzalez, M., S. Thornsbury, and D. Twede (2007). "Packaging as a Tool for Product Development: Communicating Value to Consumers," Journal of Food Distribution Research 38(1): 61-66. Govindasamy, R. "The World Crops: Opportunities Created by Ethnically Diverse Communities and Threats to Successful Marketing of Ethnic Crops," National Research Initiative Project Directors Meeting, Washington DC, March 8-9, 2007. Govindasamy, R., and V. Puduri. "Hispanic Consumers Perceptions towards Locally Grown Ethnic Produce: A study from the East-coast U.S.," Northeastern Agricultural Economics Association Annual Meetings, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, June 10-13, 2007. Govindasamy, R., and V. Puduri. "Hispanic Consumers Behavior and Perceptions towards Buying Genetically Modified Ethnic Produce: A Case Study From the United States." 11th International Conference of the International Consortium on Agricultural Biotechnology Research (ICABR), Ravello (Scala), Italy, July 26 - July 29, 2007 on Agricultural Biotechnologies: New Frontiers and Products - Economics, Policies and Science. Govindasamy, R., V.S., Puduri, and Simon, J.E. "Hispanic Consumers Perceptions towards Organically Grown Ethnic Produce: A Logistic Analysis" Food Distribution Research Society, November 3-7, 2007 New Orleans, Louisiana Keeling-Bond, J., D. Thilmany, K. Ryan and C. Bond. Where Do Consumers Shop for Fresh Produce and Why?. Proceedings of the WERA-72 Annual Meetings. Forthcoming Fall 2007. Kelley, K.M. 2007. Promotional strategies for your horticultural business. 2007 Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention, pgs. 55-56. Romero Leon, K., J. Houston, and J.E. Epperson. 2006. Diversification in Low-Grade Coffee Growing Areas of Veracruz, Mexico: Market Possibilities. J. Food Distr. Res., 37(1):143-148. Thilmany, D., J. Keeling-Bond, C.Bond, C. Stushnoff, Frank Stonaker, P. Kendall and Marisa Bunning. Eat Your Fruits and Veggies: Exploring Fresh Produce Market Choices. Proceedings of the 2006 Food Distribution Research Society meetings in Quebec-city, Quebec. Published Spring 2007. Toensmeyer, Ulrich C., "Expanding Farm Fresh Direct Marketing Opportunities in the 21st Century" paper presented at FDRS Conference, New Orleans, November 3-7, 2007. Woods, Timothy, "Path Dependence and Regional Marketing Systems" paper presented at the International Conference on Competitiveness and Stability in the Knowledge-Based Economy. Sponsored by University of Craiova, Romania, Nijmegen School of Management, The Netherlands, and University of Corsica, France, in Craiova, Romania, (10/06). Woods, Timothy and Fabien Tondell, "Supply Chain Management and the Changing Structure of U.S. Organic Produce Markets", selected paper, American Agricultural Economics Association annual meeting, Long Beach, CA, (7/06). Refereed Journal Aslihan Spaulding and Timothy Woods, "An Analysis of the Relationship Between Supply-Chain Management Practices and New Product Development Time: A Case of the North American Confectionery Manufacturers", Journal of Food Distribution Research, Volume 37, Number 2, 2006. Byrd, M.M., C. L. Escalante, E.G. Fonsah, and M.E. Wetzstein (2007). "Feasible Fumigant-Herbicide System Alternatives to Methyl Bromide for Bell Pepper Producers," Journal of Agribusiness 25 (1): 31-45. Charles Hall, John Brooker, David Eastwood, James Epperson, Ed Estes, and Timothy Woods, "A Marketing Systems Approach to Removing Distribution Barriers Confronting Small-Volume Fruit and Vegetable Growers", Choices, An AAEA publication, 21(4):259-264, 2006. Cheng Hsiang-tai "Potato Production and Farm Price Responses in Northeastern America", "Journal of Food Products Marketing" (Forthcoming). Fonsah, E. G., G. Krewer and R. Wallace (2007). "Banana Production: An Alternative Crop for Niche and Ethnic Market in Georgia," Journal of Food Distribution Research, 38 (3): (Forthcoming - November). Fonsah, E.G. and J. Hudgins (2007), "Financial and Economic Analysis of Producing Commercial Tomatoes in the Southeast," Journal of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers 70 (1): 141-148. Fonsah, E.G., C.A. Adamu, B. Okole, and B. Mullinex (2007). "Field Evaluation of Two Conventional and Three Micropropagated Cavendish Banana Cultivars Over A Six Crop Cycle In A Commercial Plantation in The Tropics," Journal on Fruit Crops in Temperate, Mediterranean, Subtropical and Tropical Regions, 62 (4): 205-212. Fonsah, E. G., G. Krewer, K. Harrison and M. Bruorton (2007). "Risk Rated Economic Returns Analysis for Southern Highbush Blueberries in Soil in Georgia". Journal of American Society for Horticultural Science, HortTechnology 17:571-579. Fonsah, E. G., G. Krewer, K. Harrison and D. Stanaland (2007). "Economic Returns Using Risk Rated Budget Analysis for Rabbiteye Blueberries in Georgia," Journal of American Society for Horticultural Science, HortTechnology (Accepted). Govindasamy, R., A. Kumaraswamy, V. Puduri and B. Onyango. "An Analysis of Demographic Characteristics of Consumers Who Read Grocery Brochures Regularly and Those Who Are Willing to Switch Supermarkets to Buy Advertised Specials," Journal of Food Products Marketing, 13 (2007). Govindasamy, R., and, K. Pappas and V. Puduri. "Demand for Ethnic Produce in the Eastern U.S.: Results from Asian and Hispanic Survey," Journal of Food Distribution Research 38(1): p 208, March 2007. Govindasamy, R. and S. Thornsbury. "Fresh Produce Marketing: Critical Trends and Issues," Choices, 21(2006): 225-227. Govindasamy, R., A. Nemana, V. Puduri and K. Pappas. "Ethnic Produce Marketing in the Mid-Atlantic States: Consumer Shopping Pattern and Willingness to Pay Analysis," Choices, 21(2006): 237-241. Hall, C., J. Brooker, D. Eastwood, J. Epperson, E. Estes, and T. Woods. 2006. A Marketing Systems Approach to Removing Distribution Barriers Confronting Small-Volume Fruit and Vegetable Growers. Choices, 21(4). http://www.choicesmagazine.org/2006-4/produce/2006-4-11.htm Hinson, R., C. Motsenbocker, and J. Westra. "Management Challenges in a Maturing Industry: A Teaching Case Study of Melon Farming in Latin America". HortTechnology 17(2)262-268, 2007. Summary included in the journal's Spotlight section. Keeling-Bond, J, D. Thilmany and C. Bond. "Direct Marketing of Fresh Produce: Understanding Consumer Purchasing Decisions." CHOICES. 21(4) Fall 2006. 1-6. Online at http://www.choicesmagazine.org/2006-4/ Krewer, G, E.G. Fonsah and R. Wallace (2007). "Evaluation of Commercial Banana Cultivars in South Georgia for Ornamental and Nursery Production," Journal of American Society for Horticultural Science, HortTechnology (Accepted). Love, L. Ann, J. Sterns, T. Spreen, and A. Wysocki. "When Consumers Diet, Should Producers Care? An Examination of Low-Carb Dieting and U.S. Orange Juice Consumption" Journal of Food Distribution Research. 37, 3: 68-76. Thornsbury, S., R.Hinson, L.Martinez, and D. W. Reaves. "Fresh Produce Intermediaries in Away-from-Home Food Markets." Choices, 21(4) pp 253-257, 2006 in pdf. Zhang, F., C.L. Huang, B.H. Lin, and J.E. Epperson. 2008. Modeling Fresh Organic Produce Consumption with Scanner Data: A Generalized Double Hurdle Model Approach. Agribusiness: An International Journal, 24(forthcoming). Book Chapters Dutcher, J.D., E.G. Fonsah, and W. G. Hudson. (2006). Integrated Pest Management of Insect and Mite Pests in Pecan Orchards. IN: Recent Research Development in Entomology. Research Signpost. Vol. 5. pp 95-110, ISBN: 81-7736-246-1 Govindasamy, R. V. Purduri, R.W.Van Vranken W. Sciarappa, A. Ayeni, J.E. Simon, F. Mangan M. Lamberts, and K. Pappas. "A Market Driven Approach to Ethnic Crop Production for the US East Coast" In: Janick, J and Whipkey (eds), The 6th New Crops Symposium: Creating Markets for Economic Development of New Crops and New Uses: In: Janick, J. and Whipkey (eds), The 6th New Crops Symposium: Creating Markets for Economic Development of New Crops and New Uses,2007. Park, C.H., P. Tannous, J.E. Simon, T. Kwon, W. Sciarappa, L.E. Craker, R. Van Vranken, W. Kline, P.J. Nitzche, H.R. Juliani and R. Govindasamy. "Korean Herbs and Greens: Chives and Perilla" New Fresh Produce for the Emerging Ethnic Markets. In: Janick, J and Whipkey (eds), The 6th New Crops Symposium: Creating Markets for Economic Development of New Crops and New Uses, 2007.