Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

The meeting was called to order by Jill McCluskey at 10:00 a.m. 

• The minutes from last meeting in Philadelphia, October 2015, were approved.
• Introductions and State Reports. Each member reported on their activities (comments below are brief summaries).

1. Kathy Kelly reported for Stan Ernst who recently joined the faculty at Penn State as an instructor with a 100% teaching appointment. He is looking at handling practices in the food supply chain on leafy greens.  He has also be studying consumer attitudes, knowledge, practices with a variety of food system stakeholders.
2. Kathy Kelly (Penn State), Brad Rickard (Cornell) and Ramu Govindasamy (Rutgers) continue wine market research in the mid-Atlantic region. In addition to their collaboration, they have two graduate students on the project.
3. Margarita Velandia from University of Tennessee has a blend of Research and Extension activities, and she started with discussion of her outreach with farmers markets, in collaboration with Tim Woods (University of Kentucky). Virginia Tech, the University of Kentucky and the University of Tennessee are collaborating on case studies of fruit and vegetable producers.  A food hub feasibility study was completed, with a recommendation to not fund the hub.  She was involved in a willingness to pay study for Tennessee with Dave Hughes (formerly of Clemson University). She worked with Tom Marsh (Washington State University) on biodegradable mulches with a focus on adoption by producers, but will also to estimate consumer WTP.
4. Kim Morgan from Virginia Tech is an Extension faculty member, and most of her work is outreach oriented, including Beginning Farmers, Market Ready (with Tim Woods).
5. Lisa House from University of Florida is new to the group, but has done research on fruits and vegetable marketing all her career. Her primary focus is on fresh produce, labeling (production method, state of origin), and works on citrus which is unique to Florida.  She worked with Greg Fonsah (University of Georgia) on Muscadine grapes and the acceptance of different genetic and breeding practices. Joshua Berning (University of Georgia) and Lisa House proposed a project on food safety training in farmers markets.
6. Lydia Zepeda from University of Wisconsin-Madison is finishing up mobile market and food pantry cooperative agreement with USDA AMS focused on demand for fresh produce. She recently finished a survey of Dane County farmers market and working on study with Second Harvest on those who are food insecure.
7. Jill McCluskey (WSU) served as President of AAEA this past year, so research was impacted a bit, but really led her to grow her government relations role in this research space, which connects with this group. A special issue of Applied Economics Perspectives and Policy will look at Priorities and Solutions for future research, and she will lead the consumer article, and may integrate work from our group.  She is looking at commercialization of new crop varieties with Karina Gallardo (from WSU) and Brad Rickard (at Cornell).  She is studying sustainable wines with a doctoral student, and another student is looking at how the number of American Viticultural Areas in a region impact wine prices.  She is working with Cathy Durham (Oregon State) on organic beer (hops is a fruit.)  She is working on local foods with Phil Watson and Aaron Johnson of University of Idaho.
8. Marco Costanigro is writing a policy piece on the pros and cons of process labeling, joint with collaborators Kent Messer (University of Delaware) and Harry Kaiser (Cornell). He is actively collaborating in two projects exploring consumers’ beliefs and expectations within choice models. The first project is with Yuko Onozaka at the University of Stavanger (Norway). The second project is with Gabriele Scozzafava at the University of Florence (Italy). He is trying to explore how introducing labels may restructure beliefs about products that exist. Another area of ongoing research (Marco Costanigro and Becca Jablonski) is the assessment of how consumers’ negative perceptions of nascent wine regions may lower willingness to pay for Colorado wines.  Finally, a project with Brad Rickard (Cornell University) to examine the effect of laws on where wine can be sold, and it is varied across states.  
9. Kynda Curtis (Utah State) is working on food-based agri-tourism. On fruits and vegetables, she is doing price collection and comparison work across market channels.  She continues work on Farm-to-Fork projects.  She recently submitted grant proposals on tourism on Native American reservations and with sourcing of local foods by national park gateway communities.
10. Cathy Durham (Oregon State University) is working with James Stearns on organic wine, particularly labeling and American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). She works at the Food Innovation Center in cooperation with industry partners.  She is working on a “crop-up” project, partnering with restaurants to introduce these pop-up meals patrons to specialty crops.  She developed a tool to help people conduct market research and make those tools more approachable for food business owners.  She is looking for those who may want to promote and integrate this in work with their outreach producers.
11. Ramu Govindasamy (Rutgers University) is a Department Head and has a three-way appointment split between research, teaching and extension. He noted that with all who are working on wine, we should propose a special issue on wine marketing.  He is part of a new grant on organic produce marketing in the mid-Atlantic states, and surveys are completed, but analysis just beginning.  Also he is working in Africa on nutritional value of new vegetables.  He is working with Michigan State on downy mildew in several produce crops.
12. Tim Woods (University of Kentucky) is working with USDA on Restaurant Rewards (FSMIP funded) promoting those who use local ingredients, and they will now evaluate the economic impact of that program, both on consumer attitudes and on farmers. He is currently exploring employer benefit Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) voucher programs, and analyzed at behavioral changes with control and test groups.  Kynda Curtis recommended connecting with Jane Kolodinsky at the University Vermont.  He is now working on a production-oriented produce project.  He is also working with Brent Ross on applying a legitimacy model to local foods. He is presenting a paper on the possibility of a Local Foods Vitality Index at the FDRS meetings.
13. Greg Fonsah (University of Georgia) is working on the intersection between production and marketing issues on specialty crops. He is focused on high-end winter crops.  He is also working on value chain studies in Africa extending his Georgia work on tomatoes with producers in Burkina Faso.
14. Lurleen Walters (Mississippi State University) is hoping to work with Extension professionals and food hubs on local food markets, including consumers’ willingness to pay and food hubs. She will also analyze contractual arrangements that are emerging in the industry.
15. Dave Lamie (Clemson University) hopes to integrate his work with a Food hub into Agricultural Marketing Service toolkit case studies. He is the lead on a Southern SARE project to coordinate local food activity.  He is leading a Beginning Farmer program as well, so Extension is his main focus.  With the Southern region and North Carolina as lead, he is developing a graduate course on local foods for Extension agents working with many other states, and hopes to turn it into an online course. 

• Review S-1067 2017 objectives and work plans.

1. Organized conference sessions
   1. Labeling workshop in partnership with FAMPS, perhaps endorsed by AAEA. Cathy Durham, Kynda Curtis, Lydia Zepeda, Jill McCluskey and Marco Costanigro will work on this. Alternatively, it could potentially meeting be held with FDRS.  The unifying theme may be labels, consumer behavior or information. 
   2. Principal papers for AAEA in Chicago. Lisa House would combine with Marco Costanigro to propose a Principal Papers session together.
   3. Invited paper session for AAEA in Chicago. Lydia Zepeda to organize with Tim Woods, Kynda Curtis, and Dawn Thilmany on the health impacts of fresh produce purchases through direct markets.
   4. Role in USDA Food Industry Metrics Conference, April 2017 in Washington DC. S-1067 will ask to be part of program. 

2. Joint grants submitted. Several were referenced in the introductions (see above).

3. Research/outreach activities. Many are listed in the introductions.

4. New members to invite.

a. Jason Winfree (Idaho)

b. Jane Kolodinsky (Vermont)

c. Tina Saitone (UC Davis)

• Plan for 2017 coordinated activities.

1. Theme issue for journal outlet in 2017
   1. A theme issue on wine for Journal of FDR was proposed by Ramu Govindasamy.
   2. Potentially more generalized consumer behavior in Food Policy.
   3. Kynda Curtis and Dawn Thilmany editing a CHOICES Magazine issue on the local food implications.
2. Multi-state grants

a. Several of the partners mentioned the predominance of wine studies, but noted that USDA does not seem to want to support it.

b. Kathy Kelley, Margarita Velandia, Tim Woods, Ramu Govindasamy, Marco Costanigro and Dawn Thilmany have focused on the supply chain behind the wine, beer and spirits industry.

c. The group plans to start discussions about a grant around the connection between public health outcomes consumption of fruits and vegetables. 

3. Plan for 2017 joint presentations and potential meetings.

a. Program role for 2017 FDRS Meeting

b. Track sessions at 2017 AAEA Meeting

c. Other targeted professional events

 4. Continued recruitment of new members through professional affiliations

 5. The meeting was adjourned at noon.

Year-End Report by Objective: 

Objective 1:      Develop demand and market valuation models for the produce sector that can be used to evaluate effects of increasingly complex product differentiation schemes (organic, enhanced health claims, biodynamic), trade, commodity marketing programs, labeling programs (local, food miles, Fair Trade), traceability  systems, and food safety events in the U.S. produce markets. 

Colorado State University

With CSU Colleagues, Thilmany recently published in AgBioForum on a study that used data from a Colorado public attitudes study to consider how trust, information and key policy issues relate to one another, and this Fall, a 2016 update of the survey went out to 1000 Coloradans with even more questions about purchase behavior so more insights for differentiated, specialty crop and local markets can be explored.

In a project focused on Agritourism with UC-Davis, one dimension of the analysis is focused on travelers, so we are using methods similar to those used for product valuation.  Although outdoor amenities and activities are a key driver, we did find that direct sales is also a key driver of agritourism trips, particularly near urban areas.  A PhD student, Anders van Sandt has led that work and received a second place award in AAEA Extension competition with his work on this topic.

Marco Costanigro has been actively collaborating in two projects aiming at developing new methodologies to introduce consumers’ beliefs and expectations within choice models. The objective is to obtain separate estimates of consumers’ beliefs (organic is healthy) and preferences (I am willing to pay more for healthy products. This will enable to more effectively simulate the effect of promotional and informational campaigns altering consumers’ beliefs (but not preferences). The first project is with Yuko Onozaka at the University of Stavanger (Norway). The second project is with Gabriele Scozzafava at the University of Florence (Italy).

Another area of ongoing research (Marco Costanigro and Becca Jablonski) is the assessment of how consumers’ negative perceptions of nascent wine regions may lower WTP for Colorado wines, and how the development of new varietals may help new wine regions.  We recently run one more run of experiments at the Colorado Wine Fest, collecting 100 observations to be added to the results from in-store experiments we collected last year.

Rutgers University

The trades of global organic food and drink touched 80 billion US dollars in 2014 (FIBL-IFOMA Survey 2016). The market has expanded more than three-fold in the past 10 years (2000: 18 billion US dollars). Organic products demand is high in Europe and North America, earning 95 percent of global organic produce income (FIBL-IFOMA Survey 2016). In the past few decades, the growth remains steady in the organic agriculture sector within the US (USDA, 2015a and 2013b). Consumer Willingness-to-Pay (WTP) and Willingness-to-Buy (WTB) studies are often used in determining the market potentials (Govindasamy et al., 2015; Govindasamy et al., 2014; Surendran, and Sekar, 2010; Xia and Zeng, 2008). Many studies find that consumers with higher levels of income and education were more WTP for organic products. Similarly many researchers have hypothesized that consumer socio economic characteristics, awareness and perceptions influence WTP a higher price for organic produce.

In general, farmers in the mid-Atlantic region relatively operate a small piece of land (USDA, 2016b) which often results in increased cost of production. Smaller farm land coupled with higher input cost makes farming a risky business in the mid-Atlantic US. In order to increase farm viability, farmers in many regions are moving towards growing organic niche crops (Govindasamy et al., 2015; Klonsky, 2010). Also organic market infrastructure improvements could increase both the net profits and the viability of small farms in this region. Against this background, this study attempted to predict the factors that influence the consumers’ WTP a high-premium for organic fresh fruits and vegetables. The consumer characteristics such as buying behavior, social economic- demographic attributes and attitudes of organic produce purchasers were analyzed. The results of this study could provide a better understanding of organic consumers’ purchasing behavior to support farmers in the mid-Atlantic region of the US.

In the context of this study, a high-premium is defined as 11% or more for organic in comparison to conventional fruits and vegetables.  Data was collected from 1,100 consumers, using a private online survey company. A logit model was developed to predict who is more likely to pay a high-premium for organic produce. Results show that the overall model is highly significant, with a correct prediction of 71%. Results indicate that those who use food advertisements, certified organic labels and natural labels to purchase produce are more likely to pay a high-premium for organic produce. Those who frequently buy at farm direct markets are more likely to pay a high-premium for organic produce.  As expected, those who consider that organic food tastes better than conventional food and those who switch supermarkets to buy organic produce are more likely to pay a high-premium for organic fresh produce. Those who want to buy organic jam, jelly, marmalade, juices, sauces and dried chips are more likely to pay a high-premium for organic produce. Producers of organic vegetables and fruits can target customers with these specific traits to enhance their profitability. 

University of Maine

Xuan Chen has been developing models to measure the cost and risks of producing wild blueberries in Maine. Working with wild blueberry scientists at University of Maine, he gathered the historic data from USDA-SCRI project and analyzed the risks of different wild blueberry production systems. He is also trying to develop an enterprise budget tool for wild blueberry growers.

Washington State University

Jill McCluskey is supervising a doctoral student who is estimating demand for organic and sustainable wines.  Vicki McCracken and Karina Gallardo are studying consumer demand for apples and other tree fruits.  

Objective 2:      Analyze the relative benefits and costs, to producers and consumers, of government and industry-led marketing and policy programs (certifications, Leafy Greens marketing order, Country of origin labeling, farmers markets) using both theoretical approaches and empirical evidence from multi-state applied research projects.

Colorado State University

Under the USDA AMS cooperative agreement with several state partners (New York, Vermont, Iowa State, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Michigan) the Toolkit to Assess the Economic Implications of Food System Innovations was launched in March and several trainings have occurred in support of that new resources.  Although the primary focus is on regional economics, some of the component parts and case studies focused on examples where consumer-oriented market innovations were assessed effectively.

Martha Sullins of CSU is the new lead on an FDA partnership with the Colorado Department of Ag to explore Food Safety regulation compliance across the Colorado produce industry.

Marco Costanigro is working with Mohamud Hussein and Iain Fraser (University of Kent, UK) at a hedonic study investigating the effect of the horse meat scandal on consumer valuation of country of origin information in the UK beef sales. A second major engagement has been writing a policy piece on the pros and cons of process labeling, joint with collaborators Kent Messer (University of Delaware) and Harry Kaiser (Cornell)

Utah State University

US residents do not consume the recommended amounts of fresh produce, and intake has declined in recent years (Lorson et al., 2009; Slining et al., 2013). This trend is concerning, as diets high in fruits and vegetables are naturally high in nutrients and low in energy, resulting in a reduced risk for obesity and related chronic diseases. Studies find that a diet high in fruits and vegetables is associated with lower risk for central obesity (Bradlee et al., 2010), and that dietary interventions for obesity show increasing fruit and vegetable intake is more effective than decreasing fat and sugar (Epstein et al., 2001).

In an effort to increase fresh produce consumption among children and seniors in the US, the USDA implemented the Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Programs, where program participants are allocated coupons to purchase fresh produce at farmers markets. However, research finds that while fresh produce consumption increases among participants, such increases are not statistically significant (Conrey et al., 2003; Johnson et al., 2004). The cause for this is largely due to lack of full participation, as more than 50% of the WIC farmers market coupons go unused (Quandt et al., 2013). More recently, the USDA made funds available for fruit and vegetable incentives for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients through the Food Insecurity and Nutrition Incentive (FINI) grant mechanism. Faculty at Utah State University conducting outreach through the FINI program, have found encouraging SNAP participants to shop at farmers markets difficult, primarily due to the perceived higher cost of produce at markets. 

Kynda Curtis at USU collected data at twelve farmers' markets and grocery stores in four cities in Western Utah weekly from June to October 2016 to compare pricing of twenty-five fresh produce items across market type and production methods (conventional vs. organic). A hedonic pricing model will be used to assess which components of the fresh produce item (conventional vs. organic), market type (farmers market vs. grocery, locally owned vs. national chain), market location (city, rural vs. urban), and etc. most influence end price. Standard difference in means will be used to compare farmers’ market vs grocery store pricing on average for a basket of items for both conventional and organic produce.

Objective 3:      Assess the changing coordination and supply chain management strategies being implemented in the fruit and vegetable sector and identify strategic organizational and marketing implications for a set of firms that are diverse in terms of commodity, marketing approach and size of operation (including small and mid-size farms). 

Colorado State University

CSU has a new Federal State Marketing Improvement program grant with the Colorado Department of Agriculture to do Marketing Channel Assessments, based on a tool and process developed by Matt LeRoux and Todd Schmit at Cornell University. Data was gathered from 25-30 farms in summer 2016 and preliminary results will be presented by Jeremy Christensen, a MS student, at FDRS in 2016.

Through partnerships with Cornell University, USDA-ERS and Oklahoma State University, CSU researchers are creating economic benchmarks of different food marketing strategies, aggregated as direct, intermediated and combined direct-intermediated, but also broken down by scale.  These benchmarks will be useful to those assessing their competitiveness, and lenders who need more information on these business models to evaluate credit worthiness.  Our hope is use the new USDA ERS local foods survey to do more detailed benchmarks in the future as over 15,000 observations will be available.

Utah State University

Kynda Curtis is looking at information and educational needs of consumer, leading to increased fresh produce purchases at direct market outlets such as farmers market and CSA programs among lower income individuals, especially those on federal nutrition assistance programs. Several grants to fund this program were applied to in 2017. 

Washington State University

Jill McCluskey is working with colleagues at the University of Idaho on local food markets and supply chains.

Outputs and Dissemination 

Outreach/Industry Presentations:

1. Chen, X., “Maine wild blueberry economics projects”, Maine Wild Blueberry Advisory Committee Meeting, November 16^th, 2016, Orono, ME
2. Govindasamy, R., S., Arumugam, K. Kelley, and A. Miller. Attitude and Preferences of Mid-Atlantic Consumers towards New Jersey Wine. Grape Expectations Symposium, Rutgers Cooperative Extension Meeting, Monroe Township, NJ. 27 February 2016.
3. Govindasamy, R., S. Arumugam, K. Kelley, and A. Miller, “Preference and Attitudes of Mid-Atlantic Consumers towards NJ Wine”, Grape Expectations – A Viticulture and Enological Symposium, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Rutgers University, February 2016, Monroe Township, New Jersey.
4. Govindasamy, R., and S. Arumugam, “Global Organic Products Market: An Update”, Invited Lecture presented at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India. January 5, 2016.
5. Hellwinckel, C., and M. Velandia. February 2016. “Knoxville Regional Food Hub Feasibility Study.” Institute of Agriculture, University of Tennessee; and Knoxville Metropolitan Planning Commission.
6. Jablonski, BBR, D. Thilmany, J. O’Hara and D. Tropp. Assessing the Economic Impacts of Local Food Systems: A Toolkit and Meta-Analysis to Evaluate Ongoing and Future Efforts.  Presented at the 2016 USDA Small Farms Conference.  Virginia Beach, VA. September 2016.
7. Kelley, K. Increasing tasting room visits through social media. Eastern winery Exposition, Lancaster, PA. 8 March 2016.
8. Kelley, K., Miller, A., J. Zelinskie and R. Govindasamy, “Strategies for Encouraging Tasting Room Visits: Results from a Study Conducted with Mid-Atlantic Wine Consumers”, Grape Expectations – A Viticulture and Enological Symposium, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Rutgers University, February 2016, Monroe Township, New Jersey.
9. Kelley, K., J. Zelinskie, A. Miller, and R. Govindasamy. Strategies for Encouraging Tasting Room Visits: Results from a Study Conducted with Mid-Atlantic wine consumers. Grape Expectations Symposium 2016, Rutgers Cooperative Extension Meeting, Monroe Township, NJ. 27 February 2016.
10. LeRoux, M., B. Jablonski, M. Sullins, J. Christensen and D. Thilmany. Market Channel Assessments: Understanding Your Farm’s Profitability by Market. Colorado Fruit and Vegetable Growers Lunch and Learn Webinar. July 2016.
11. Miller, A. and K. Kelley. Developing wine marketing strategies for the mid-Atlantic region. NJ Vegetable Growers Meeting, Atlantic City, NJ. 9 February 2016.
12. Sharma, A.C. Strohbehn, and K. Kelley. 2016. Relevance of local food systems: Challenges and opportunities for foodservice industry and schools. Annual International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education. Dallas, TX.
13. Simon, J.E., S. Weller, D. Hoffman and R. Govindasamy. “Improving Income and Nutrition of Smallholder Farmers in Eastern Africa using a Market Driven Approach to Enhance Value Chain Production of African Indigenous Vegetables”, UC Davis Horticulture Innovation Lab Annual Meeting, Siem Reap, Cambodia, March 2016.
14. Tanaka, K., K. Niewolny, L. MacAuley, H. Hyden, M. Velandia, S. Hodges, E. Sorense, K. Jacobsen, A. Wszelaki, and L. Brislen. “A Systems Approach to Fostering New Farmer Innovation: Exploring the Influence of Social, Cultural and Human Capital Systems for Beginning Farmer Success in Food and Farming Systems.” National Small Farm Conference 2016, September 20 to 22.
15. Thilmany, D.”Preparing for Food Security in an Age of Limited Natural Resources: A Focus on Water.” LiveWell Colorado and Colorado Food Systems Advisory Council Webinar. January 2016.
16. Thilmany, D. “Labor Compliance and Best Practices for Fruit & Vegetable Growers in Colorado.” Presentation at Colorado Produce Day. Colorado Farm Show. January 2016. Greeley, CO. 35 in attendance.
17. Thilmany, D. Overview of a Local Food Economic Assessment Toolkit & Food Marketing Benchmarks. Presentation to American AgCredit Emerging Market Regional Loan officers. August 2016. Greeley, CO.
18. Thilmany, D. Consumer Driven Food Markets. Presentation to the Global IB conference, Farm to Fork: Ethics of Food Sourcing, Production and Consumption. July 2016. Denver CO.
19. Thilmany, D. An Overview of Market and Grant Opportunities for Veteran Farmers. Presentation to the Chatfield Veteran to Farmer Program. July 2016.
20. Thilmany, D. The Dynamics of Colorado Food Markets: Trends and Emerging Strategies. April 2016.  Broomfield CO.
21. Thilmany, D. “Successful Planning for Markets.” Presentation to the Eagle County Building Farmers Program. January 2016. Fort Collins CO.
22. Velandia, M. “Pricing for Farmers Markets.” Rutherford County Farmers Market Vendor Meeting. Murfreesboro, TN, April 19, 2016.
23. Velandia, M., Trejo-Pech, C.O., Morris, D., Wszelaki, A., Niewolny, K., & MacAuley, L. (2016). Evaluating Financial and Economic Factors Contributing to the Sustainability of Beginning Farms in Tennessee and Virginia. Presented at the Eastern, Central, and Western Regions Agricultural Economics Market Outlook In-service training, University of Tennessee; Knoxville, TN, November 1, 2016; Murfreesboro, TN, November 2, 2016; and Jackson, TN, November 3, 2016.
24. Vellangany, I., R. Govindasamy, S. Arumugam and J. Heckman, (2015). “Pesticides Free Produce: An Analysis of consumer Preference in the Mid-Atlantic Region in the USA”, Food Distribution Research Society Conference in New Orleans, LA, USA.

Outreach/Industry Publications:

1. Crassweller, R.M., T.A. Baugher, R.P. Marini, J.R. Schupp, G. Krawczyk, D.J. Biddinger, M. Frazier, J. Hopwood, E. Mader, M. Vaughan, K.A. Peter, B.L. Lehman, M.C. Brittingham, L.F. LaBorde, J.K. Harper, L.F. Kime, M. Sean High, R.H. Pifer, K.M. Kelley, C. Gregory, and C. Jung. 2016-2017 Pennsylvania Tree Fruit Production Guide AGRS-045. 384 pp.  Chapter 10: Marketing.
2. Hellwinckel, C. and M. Velandia. March 2016. “Knoxville Regional Food Hub Feasibility Study.” Final Report. Institute of Agriculture, University of Tennessee; and Knoxville Metropolitan Planning Commission.

Conference Presentations: 

1. Arumugam, S., R. Govindasamy, I. Vellangany and H. Gohil, (2015). “An Analysis of Organic Fresh Produce Choice: A Consumer Preference Study in the Mid-Atlantic USA”, Food Distribution Research Society Conference in New Orleans, LA, USA.
2. Bauman, A., B.R. Jablonski and D. Thilmany. 2016. Evaluating scale and technical efficiency among farms and ranches with a local market orientation. Presentation to the 2016 Ag and Applied Economics Association Annual Meetings. Boston MA.
3. Bonanno A., F. Bimbo and R. Viscecchia “Welfare losses when a credence attribute is “false”: the “100% Italian” extra virgin olive oil case” Selected paper. 153th EAAE Seminar ‘New dimensions of market power and bargaining in the agri-food sector: Organisations, policies and models.’ Gaeta, Italy, June 9-10, 2016
4. Bradshaw, M., K. Curtis, S. Slocum, and R. Bosworth, “The Role of Food and Ag Tourism in the Western US.” Selected paper presented at the 2016 Annual Meeting of the Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, Canberra, Australia, February 2016.
5. Cavallo C., A. Bonanno, R. Viscecchia and T. Del Giudice. “Premium, Where Art Thou? PDOs Price Premium Disparities in the Italian Olive Oil Market.” Selected paper. 153th EAAE Seminar ‘New dimensions of market power and bargaining in the agri-food sector: Organisations, policies and models.’ Gaeta, Italy, June 9-10, 2016
6. Chen, X., Yarborough, D. and D’Appoloonio, J., “Wild blueberry systems approach economic and risk analysis”, XI International Vaccinium Symposium, April 12, 2016, Orlando, FL
7. Christensen, J. BBR Jablonski, D. Thilmany McFadden, and M. Sullins. Assessing Market Channel Performance for Colorado Fruit and Vegetable Producers. Presented at the Food Distribution Research Society Meetings. New Orleans, 2016.
8. Countryman A., J. Hadrich, and A. Bonanno “A COOL Repeal: Potential Outcomes of U.S. Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling Repeal on Dairy and Beef Sectors” Selected paper. AAEA Annual Meeting, Boston, MA, July 31-August 2 2016
9. Costanigro, M. and B. Jablonski. The effect of varietal and regional information on consumer taste perceptions: challenges and opportunities for nascent wine regions. Selected paper at the 2016 WAEA meetings. Victoria BC. June 2016.
10. Costanigro M., Scozzafava G., Casini L. Vertical differentiation and endogenous quality expectations. How the introduction of new labels affects perceptions of previously established quality standards. Selected paper at the 2016 WAEA meetings. Victoria BC.
11. Curtis, K., S. Slocum, T. Teegerstrom, C. Bishop, and M. Landis, “Innovative Food Tourism Development Strategies for Sustainability on American Indian Reservations.” Selected paper presented at the Food Distribution Research Society Meeting, New Orleans, 2016.
12. Curtis, K., K. Allen, and R. Ward, “Food Consumption, Attitude, and Behavioral Change among CSA Members.” Selected Track Session (Transformations in Food Systems: Opportunities and Challenges for Alternative Food Systems) Presentation of the Agriculture and Applied Economics Association Annual Meetings, Boston, MA, August 2016.
13. Curtis, K., R. Ward, and J. Warner, “Building Business Management Capacity for American Indian Agricultural Businesses.” Selected Track Session of the Agriculture and Applied Economics Association Annual Meetings, Boston, MA, August 2016.
14. Curtis, K., M. Bradshaw, and S. Slocum, “The Role of Food Experiences in Destination Loyalty.” Invited presentation, AARES South Australian Branch, Adelaide, Australia, June 2016.
15. Curtis, K., K. Allen, and R. Ward, “Food Consumption, Attitude, and Behavioral Change among CSA Members.” Invited presentation, Department of Economics, the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand, March 2016.
16. Curtis, K., M. Bradshaw, S. Slocum, and R. Bosworth, “The Importance of Good Food Experiences in Destination Loyalty.” Invited presentation, Department of Tourism, the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand, March 2016.
17. Curtis, K., and S. Slocum, “The Role of Sustainability Certification Programs in Reducing Food Waste in Tourism.” Invited presentation of the UNESCO-APEID 2015 International Symposium on Agricultural Education for Sustainable Development, Tsukuba, Japan, November 2015.
18. Everett, C.N., Boyer, C., J. Kimberly, D.W. Hughes, and M. Velandia. “Tennessee Consumers’ Willingness to Pay for Tennessee Wine.” Agricultural and Applied Economics Association 2016 Annual Meeting, July 31-August 2, Boston, Massachusetts.
19. Gallardo, R.K., B.J. Rickard, Jill McCluskey, S.B. Akhundjanov. “Assessing Innovator and Adopter Profit Potential under Different New Plant Variety Commercialization Strategies.” Annual Meetings of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association. Boston, MA. July 31-August 2, 2016.
20. Gallardo, R.K., C. Yue, V. McCracken, J. Luby, J. McFerson. “Are WTP estimates for Fruit Quality Similar between Producers and Consumers? Results of a Choice Experiment on Five Rosaceous Fruit Crops.” Annual Meetings of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association. Boston, MA. July 31-August 2, 2016.
21. Govindasamy, R., S. Arumugam and J.E. Simon. “Global organic produce marketing”, Symposium on Horticultural Sciences Organized by UC Davis Horticulture Innovation Lab at Royal University of Agriculture, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, March 18, 2016.
22. Govindasamy, R., S. Arumugam, I. Vellangany and B. Ozkan, (2015). “Willingness to Pay a High-Premium for Organic Produce: An Econometric Analysis”, Food Distribution Research Society Conference in New Orleans, LA, USA.
23. Hyde, J. and K. Kelley. Integrating Social Media into your everyday work. National Extension and Research Administrative Officers' Conference, Philadelphia, PA. 25 April 2016.
24. Jablonski, B., J. Christensen, M. Sullins, D. Thilmany, and K. Curtis, “Determinants of Effective Beginning Farmer Programming and Implications for Emerging USDA Programs.” Selected paper presented at the Western Agricultural Economics Association Annual Meeting, Victoria, BC, June 2016 (abstract: Journal of Agricultural & Resource Economics 41(3), 2016).
25. Kelley, K. Strategies for using social media to connect with your customers. Long Island Greenhouse and Floriculture Conference, Riverhead, NY. 19 January 2016.
26. Kelley, K., A. Miller, D. Gardner, R. Govindasamy, J. Hyde, B. Rickard, K. Storchmann. Characteristics of wine consumers in the Mid-Atlantic states: A statistical analysis. American Association of Wine Economists, Annual Meeting, Bordeaux, France. 22 June 2016.
27. Kelley, K., A. Miller, D. Gardner, B. Rickard, R. Govindasamy, K. Storchmann, and J. Hyde. “Characteristics of wine consumers in the Mid-Atlantic United States: A statistical analysis”, 10th Annual American Association of Wine Economists, Bordeaux, France, June 2016.
28. McCluskey, J.J. “Changing Food Demand and Consumer Preferences: Opportunities and Challenges,” Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society meetings, Canberra, Australia, February 2-5.
29. Michelle, K. , Pendell D. Costanigro M. and Traub-Dargatz. Equine Daily Use Values and Owner Willingness to Pay for Infectious Disease Treatment Options. Selected paper at the 2016 WAEA meetings. Victoria BC. June 2016.
30. Sullins, M., J. Christensen and D. Thilmany. Exploring the Challenges and Dynamics of Local Food Market Price Reporting: The Case of Colorado. Organized Symposium for the Southern Ag Economics Association. February 2016. San Antonio, TX.
31. Thilmany, D., A. Bauman and B.B.R. Jablonski. 2016. The financial performance implications of differential marketing strategies: Exploring farms that pursue local markets as a core competitive advantage. CRENET Track Session at the 2016 AAEA meetings Boston MS.
32. Thilmany, D. Moderator for Transformations in Food Systems: Opportunities and Challenges for Alternative Food Systems. FAMPS Track Session at the 2016 AAEA meetings Boston MS.
33. Thilmany, D. and R. Hill. Trends in US Agritourism: Exploring Traveler Behavior and Producer Strategies. Moderator and Opening Section of 2016 WAEA Organized Symposium. Victoria BC.
34. Waldrop, M. and J.J. McCluskey, “Impact of Organic, Sustainable, and Salmon-Safe Wine-Making Practices on Wine Prices,” AAEA Annual Meeting, Boston, July 31-August 2, 2016.

Poster Presentations:

1. Kelley, K., A. Sharma, and C. Strohbehn. 2016. A survey of Iowa and Pennsylvania fruit and vegetable growers: Identifying barriers to serving schools. School Nutrition Association Annual Conference. San Antonio, TX.
2. Strohbehn, C., A. Sharma, and K. Kelley. 2016. Views of Iowa and Pennsylvania school foodservice directors on local food purchasing. School Nutrition Association Annual Conference. San Antonio, TX.
3. Strohbehn, C., A. Sharma, and K. Kelley. 2016. Effects of producers’ perceptions of costs and experiences on selling to schools. National Farm to Cafeteria Conference. Madison, WI.

Refereed Journal Articles:

1. Angelo, B, B. Jablonski and D. Thilmany. 2016. “Meta-analysis of U.S. intermediated food markets: Measuring what matters.” British Food Journal. 118(5):
2. Ariyawardana, A., R. Govindasamy and A. Lisle, 2015. “Capturing the Consumer Value: the Case of Red Lentils,” British Food Journal, 117: 1032 – 1042.
3. Bauman, A and D. Thilmany. In press. “Exploring Localized Economic Dynamics: Methods Driven Case Studies of Transformation and Growth in Agricultural and Food Markets.” Economic Development Quarterly.
4. Bimbo F., A. Bonanno, and R. Viscecchia. In press. “Do Health Claims add Value? The Role of Functionality, Effectiveness and Brand.” European Review of Agricultural Economics.
5. Bonanno A. 2016. “A Hedonic Valuation of Health and Non-health Attributes in the U.S. Yogurt Market.” Agribusiness: an International Journal 32 (3) 299-313.
6. Centenari, M., K. Kelley, B. Hed, A. Miller, and A. Patel-Campillo. 2016. “Assessing growers’ challenges and need to improve wine-grape production in Pennsylvania.” Journal of Extension 54(3). http://www.joe.org/joe/2016june/rb6.php
7. Chen, X., Yarborough, D. and D’Appoloonio, J., in press, “Wild blueberry systems approach economic and risk analysis”, Acta Horticulturae.
8. Curtis, K., and S. Slocum, (2016). “The Role of Sustainability Certification Programs in Reducing Food Waste in Tourism.” Journal of Developments in Sustainable Agriculture, 11(1), 1-7.
9. Edwards, M., M. Velandia, D. M. Lambert, W. H. Pepper, C. D. Clark, and K. L. Jensen. 2016.  “Production Liability Insurance use Among Tennessee Fruit and Vegetable Farmers.”  Journal of Food Distribution Research 47(2): 127- 137.
10. Gallardo, R.K., J.F. Brunner, S. Castagnoli. 2016. “Capturing the Economic Value of Biological Control in Western Tree Fruit.” Biological Control. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1049964416300846
11. Gallardo, R.K. and D. Zilberman. 2016. “The Economic Feasibility of Adopting Mechanical Harvesters by the Blueberry Industry.” HortTechnology 26: 299-308.
12. Hoogeveen, A.R., H.J. van der Fels-Klerx, A. Bonanno, and M. Bremer. 2016. “Profitability of allergen free preparation in a catering business.” Quality Assurance and Safety of Crops & Foods. 8 (2): 301-308.
13. Jablonski, BBR, J. O’Hara, D. Thilmany McFadden and D. Tropp. In press. “Evaluating the economic impact of local food system initiatives: A USDA funded toolkit.” Journal of Extension.
14. Johnson, M.D., Miller, R.K., Morrill, J.C., Anderson, D.P., Wickersham, T.A., Sawyer, J.E., Richardson, J.W., and M.A. Palma. 2016. “The influence of taste in willingness-to-pay (WTP) valuations of sirloin steaks from post-extraction algal residue (PEAR) fed cattle.” Journal of Animal Science 94(7): 3072-3083.
15. Jones, V., N. Mills, J. Brunner, D. Horton, E. Beers, T. Unruh, P. Shearer, J. Goldberger, E. Milickzy, S. Steffan, K. Amarasekare, U. Chambers, A. Gadino, R.K. Gallardo, and W. Jones. 2016. “From Planning to Execution to the Future: An Overview of a Concerted Effort to Enhance Biological Control in Apple, Pear and Walnut Orchards in the Western U.S. Biological Control.” Biological Control http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1049964416300421
16. Gumirakiza, J.D., K.R. Curtis, and R. Bosworth, (in press). “Consumer Preferences and Willingness to Pay for Bundled Fresh Produce Claims at Farmers’ Markets.” Journal of Food Products Marketing.
17. Li, Y., Palma, M.A., Towne, S.D., Warren, J.L., and M.G. Ory. 2016. “Peer Effects on Childhood Obesity from an Intervention Program.” Health Behavior and Policy Review 3(4): 323-335.
18. Martin, M., R. Hill, A. Van Sandt and D. Thilmany. 2016. “Colorado Residents Trusted Sources of Agricultural, Biotechnology and Food Information.” Ag BioForum 19:1:1-10.
19. McCluskey, J.J., N. Kalaitzandonakes, J.F.M. Swinnen, 2016. “News Media Coverage and Public Perceptions: Insights from New Food Technologies.” Annual Rev. of Resource Econ. 8(1): 467-486.
20. Mosier, S. and D. Thilmany. 2016. “Diffusion of Food Policy in the US: The Case of Organic Certification.” Food Policy 61:80-91.
21. Onyango, B. R. Govindasamy, and C. Michelle Alsup-Egbers. “Uncovering Success Attributes for Direct Farmers’ Markets and Agri-Tourism in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States” International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, 18 (2015): p 63-78.
22. Palma, M.A., in press. “Improving the Prediction of Ranking Data.” Empirical Economics.
23. Palma, M.A., Behe, B.K., Hall, C.R., Huddleston, P.T., and T. Fernandez. In press. “Tracking Position Premiums in Discrete Choice Experiments.” Applied Economics Letters.
24. Palma, M.A., Ness, M.L., and D.P. Anderson. In press. “Fashionable Food: a Latent Class Analysis of Social Status in Food Purchases.” Applied Economics.
25. Palma, M.A., Ribera, L.A., and R.D. Knutson. 2016. “The Era of the Functional Consumer.” Journal of Food Products Marketing 22(5): 555-570.
26. Perez, M., Palma, M.A, Behe, B., and C.R. Hall. 2016. “Structural Breaks and Future Growth of the Green Industry.” Journal of Environmental Horticulture 34(2): 52-55.
27. Rajo, L.A., Arias, F., Segovia, M., and M.A. Palma. 2016. “Willingness to Pay for an Educational Label: The Zamorano University Brand.” International Food and Agribusiness Management Review 19(1): 113-126.
28. Ribera, L.A., Paggi, M.S., Anderson, D.P., Palma, M.A., and R.D. Knutson. 2016. “Potential Impacts of Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP) on the Fresh Vegetable and Beef Trade.” Journal of International Food and Agribusiness Marketing 28(2): 177-190.
29. Sciarappa, W., J. Simon, R. Govindasamy, R. van Vranken, F. Mangan, K. Kelley, G. McAvoy, Q. Wu, D. Byrnes, A. Ayeni, S. Zang, S. Komar, E. Dager, S. Arumugam, P. Nitzsche, W. Reichert, B. Schilling, and C. Park. (Accepted). “Asian crop overview: Consumer preference and cultivar growth on the east coast of the United States.” HortScience.
30. Segovia, M.S., and M.A. Palma. 2016. “Buying Your Way into a Healthier Lifestyle: A Latent Class Analysis of Healthy Food Purchases.” Applied Economics. 48(21): 1965-1977.
31. Slocum, S., and K. Curtis, (2016). “Assessing Sustainable Food Behaviours of National Park Visitors: Domestic/On Vacation Linkages and their Implications for Park Policies.” Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 24(1), 153-167.
32. Wang, J., C. Yue, R.K. Gallardo, V. McCracken, J. Luby, and J. McFerson. In press. “What Consumers are Looking for in Strawberries: Implications from Market Segmentation Analysis.” Agribusiness: an International Journal.
33. Winfree, J.A. and J.J. McCluskey, in press. “The Economics of GM Labeling and Implications for Trade,” Journal of Agricultural and Food Industrial Organization.
34. Xu, P., and M.A. Palma. “Consequential egalitarianism vs. accountability principle: an experimental investigation” Applied Economics Letters. 23(8): 562-565.
35. Zhang, Y., Palma, M.A., and Xu, P. 2016. “Unintended Effects of the Alabama HB 56 Immigration Law on Crime: A Preliminary Analysis.” Economics Letters.147: 68-71.
36. Zheng, X., C. Yue, R.K. Gallardo, V. McCracken, J. Luby, and J. McFerson. 2016. “What Attributes Are Consumers Looking for in Sweet Cherries? Evidence from Choice Experiments.” Agricultural and Resource Economics Review, 45(1):124-142.

Books and Book Chapters:

1. Curtis, K., R. Bosworth, and S. Slocum. “Drink Tourism: A Profile of the Intoxicated Traveler.” Accepted for publication as a chapter of Craft Beverages and Tourism, Volume 2 – Environmental, Societal, and Marketing Implications.
2. Curtis, K., and R. Brain. “Utah Farm-Chef-Fork: Linking Rural Growers with Urban Chefs to Enhance Local Food Sourcing,” Accepted for publication as a chapter of Linking Urban and Rural Tourism.
3. McCluskey, J.J., M.P. Squicciarini, and J. Swinnen, in press 2016. “Information, Communication and Agricultural and Food Policies in an Age of Commercial Mass and Social Media, Handbook of International Food and Agricultural Policies, Blandford, ed., Oxford University Press.
4. McCluskey, J.J. and J.A. Winfree, eds., in press 2016. The Economics of Reputation. Edward Elgar Publishing: Northampton, MA.
5. Slocum, S., and K. Curtis, “The Role of Food Entrepreneurs – Suburban Farm Shops in the UK.” Accepted for publication as a chapter of Linking Urban and Rural Tourism.

Extension Publications:

1. Curtis, K. and T. Knudsen, (2016). “Northern Utah Grass-Fed Beef Production Costs & Returns, 2016.” Utah State University Fact Sheet, Applied Economics/2016-XXpr.
2. Curtis, K. and T. Knudsen, (2016). “Southern Utah Grass-Fed Beef Production Costs & Returns, 2016.” Utah State University Fact Sheet, Applied Economics/2016-XXpr.
3. Galinato, S. and R.K. Gallardo. “2015 Cost Estimates of Establishing, Producing and Packing Sweetheart Sweet Cherries in Washington"– TB34E, October 2016.
4. Galinato, S., R.K. Gallardo, and Y. Hong “2015 Cost Estimates of Establishing, Producing and Packing Organic Highbush Blueberries in Eastern Washington"– TB28E, Sept. 2016.
5. Galinato, S. and R.K. Gallardo. “2015 Cost Estimates of Establishing, Producing and Packing Fuji Apples in Washington"– TB29E, September 2016.
6. Galinato, S. and R.K. Gallardo. “2015 Cost Estimates of Establishing, Producing and Packing Bing Sweet Cherries in Washington." Washington State University Extension Factsheet. TB22E, July 2016.
7. Galinato, S., R.K. Gallardo, Y. Hong. “2014 Cost Estimates of Establishing, Producing and Packing Gala Apples in Washington." Washington State University Extension Factsheet. TB18E, July 2016.
8. Galinato, S., R.K. Gallardo, Y. Hong. “2014 Cost Estimates of Establishing, Producing and Packing Organic Gala Apples in Washington." Washington State University Extension Factsheet. TB19E, June 2016.
9. Galinato, S., R.K. Gallardo, Y. Hong. “2014 Cost Estimates of Establishing, Producing and Packing Organic Red Delicious Apples in Washington." Washington State University Extension Factsheet. TB12E, June 2016.
10. Gallardo, R. K., and S. Galinato. “2014 Cost Estimates of Establishing, Producing, and Packing Red Delicious Apples in Washington.” Washington State University Extension Factsheet. TB07E, May 2016.
11. Knudsen, T., K. Curtis, J. Reeve, and B. Black, (2016). “Northern Utah Peach Orchard Costs and Returns Comparison by Management Strategy, 20 Acres, 2015.” Utah State University Fact Sheet, Applied Economics/2016-XXpr.
12. Knudsen, T., K. Curtis, J. Reeve, and B. Black, (2016). “Northern Utah Conventional Peach Orchard Costs and Returns, 20 Acres, 2015.” Utah State University Fact Sheet, Applied Economics/2016-02pr.
13. Knudsen, T., K. Curtis, J. Reeve, and B. Black, (2016). “Northern Utah Organic Peach Orchard Costs and Returns, 20 Acres, 2015.” Utah State University Fact Sheet, Applied Economics/2016-01pr.
14. Mandal, B., M. Brady, R. K. Gallardo. “Reactions to the Employer Mandate in Washington State’s Labor-Intensive Agriculture Industry.” – TB33E, September 2016.
15. Mandal, B., M. Brady, R. K. Gallardo. “Trends in Health Insurance and Health Care Access in Rural Washington.” – TB30E, September 2016.
16. Van Sandt, A. and D. Thilmany. Agritourists in the West. CSU Extension QuickFacts. 2016. http://agritourism.localfoodeconomics.com/quick-facts/
17. Van Sandt, A. and D. Thilmany. Mapping the Western US Agritourism Industry: How do Travel Patterns vary by Location? CSU DARE Economic Developmment Report. July 2016.
18. Velandia, M., Trejo-Pech, C., Morris, D., Wszelaki, A., Niewolny, K., & MacAuley, L. 2016. “Evaluating Financial and Economic Factors Contributing to the Sustainability of Beginning Farms in Tennessee and Virginia.” Extension Publication, University of Tennessee Extension.

Refereed Conference Proceedings:

1. Velandia, M., T. Woods, E. Bendfeldt, J. Lelekacs, R. Holcomb, M. Palma, D. Lamie, R. Dunning, L. Meyer, H.L. Goodwin Jr., R. Rainey, A. Collart, and D. Fields. 2016. “Opportunities for Local Food Systems Research and Extension in the South – A Land Grant University System Initiative.” Journal of Food Distribution Research 47 (1): 73 - 75. 

State, Station or Agency

1. Thilmany McFadden, D., D. Conner, S. Deller, D. Hughes, K. Meter, A. Morales, T. Schmit, D. Swenson, A. Bauman, M. Phillips Goldenberg, R. Hill, B. B.R. Jablonski and D. Tropp. 2016. The Economics of Local Food Systems: A Toolkit to Guide Community Discussions, Assessments and Choices U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service Report. 128 pp. Posted at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/Toolkit%20Designed%20FINAL%203-22-16.pdf

Blogs

Penn State Wine & Grape U. blogs (http://psuwineandgrapes.wordpress.com)

1. Zelinskie, J. and K. Kelley. 2016. Mid-Atlantic wine consumer participation in wine trails and wine clubs. September 30, 2016.
2. Kelley, K. 2016. Take a tour of La Cite du Vin. August 26, 2016.
3. Zelinskie, J. and K. Kelley. 2016. Wine tourism and the Mid-Atlantic wine consumers’ interest in tasting room activities. July 29, 2016.
4. Kelley, K. 2016. Offering tasting room visitors an experience. June 24, 2016.
5. Zelinskie, J. and K. Kelley. 2016. Factors that impact Mid-Atlantic wine consumer purchasing decisions. June 17, 2016.
6. Kelley, K. and J. Zelinskie. 2016. Talkin’ ‘bout my (wine consuming) generation. May 27, 2016.
7. Kelley, K. 2016. Social media analytics, Part 2. 22 April 2016.
8. Kelley, K. 2016. Social media analytics, Part 1. 1 April 2016.
9. Kelley, K. 2016. Social media strategies for winery tasting rooms. 26 February 2016.
10. Zelinskie, J. and K. Kelley. 2016 Consumer Behaviors and Attitudes Towards Wine Purchasing and Marketing Specific to New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Demographics of Super Core, Core, and Marginal Survey Participants. 19 February 2016.
11. Kelley, K. 2016. Tasting room odds and ends. 29 January 2016.
12. Kelley, K. 2015. Customer survey opportunity for wineries. 18 December 2015.

Active Grants

1. Curtis, K.R.,Principal Investigator. Utah Extension Program Grant, 2016-2017. $10,000. Fresh Produce Price Comparisons among Direct and Traditional Markets in Northern Utah.
2. Curtis, K.R.,Co-Principal Investigator: USDA Specialty Crops Program, 2015-2017. $10,462. Legume Understory Cover Crops for Sustaining Soil Fertility, Tree Growth and Yield in Mature Peach Orchards.
3. Curtis, K.R.,Co-Principal Investigator (Utah): NIFA – Water for Agriculture, 2015-2020. $4.5 million. Enhancing Climate Resiliency and Agriculture on American Indian Lands of the Great Basin Region.
4. Curtis, K.R.,Co-Principal Investigator: USDA Specialty Crops Program, 2014-2016. $35,081. Utah Farm-Chef-Fork: Furthering farm to restaurant communication and local sourcing statewide.
5. Curtis, K.R.,Co-Principal Investigator: NIFA - Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI), 2014-2019. $1.7 million. Compost Carryover and Cover Crop Effects on Soil Quality, Profitability, and Cultivar Selection in Organic Dryland Wheat.
6. Curtis, K.R.,Co-Principal Investigator/Project Director: Western SARE PDP Grant, 2014-2017. $75,000. Building Business Management Capacity for American Indian Agricultural Businesses.
7. Velandia, M., Principal Investigator, et al. “Enhancing Tennessee Small-scale Fruit and Vegetable Farms’ Ability to Manage Marketing and Financial Risks.” Southern Extension Risk Management Education Center, 2016- 2017 [$49,034] Center for Profitable Agriculture, University of Tennessee. 
8. Hayes, D. et al with Margarita Velandia. “Performance and Adoptability of Biodegradable Plastic Mulch for Sustainable Specialty Crop Production.” NIFA, USDA, September 2014 – September 2019 [$4,884,791].
9. WATFRC, “Evaluation of Fungicide Application Methods for Improved Fruit Quality”, PI: A. Amiri. Amount assigned to Gallardo’s program: $6,967, 03/16-02/17,
10. WATFRC, “Economic Impact of Apple Maggot Infestation”, PI: K. Gallardo $30,887. 03/16-02/17,
11. WSU-ERI, “Sensor Based Precision Orchard Management”, PI: D. Brown. 05/16-05/17.
12. USDA-AFRI, “Center of Excellence for Food Safety Technologies using Microwave Energy”, J. Tang. Amount assigned to Gallardo’s program: $278,791. 10/15-09/19.
13. WSDA Specialty Crops Block Grant, “Sliced Pears: A Novel Avenue for Pear Consumption in the U.S.” PI: A. Dhingra. Amount assigned to Gallardo’s program: $41,497, 10/15-09/17.
14. WSDA Specialty Crops Block Grant, “Cosmic Crisp^®: Training System and Orchard Management to Optimize Vigor Control and Quality”, PI: Musacchi. Amount assigned to Gallardo’s program: $25,453, 10/15-03/18.
15. USDA-SCRI, “RosBREED: Combining Disease Resistance With Horticultural Quality in New Rosaceous Cultivars” PI: A. Iezzoni, 9/14-8/17.
16. USDA-SCRI, “Scale Neutral Harvest Aid System and Sensor Technologies to Improve Harvest Efficiency and Handling of Fresh Market Highbush Blueberries”, PI: C. Li. Amount assigned to Gallardo’s program: $144,526, 9/14-9/19.
17. WATFRC, “Developing a Management Strategy for Little Cherry Disease”, PI: E. Beers. Amount assigned to Gallardo’s program: $9,521. 3/14-2/17.
18. WATFRC, “WA38: Evaluation of Rootstocks and Training Systems”, PI: S. Musacchi. Amount assigned to Gallardo’s program: $13,312, 3/14-2/17.