This study investigates the effects of material and symbolic quality attributes on the Cup of Excellence specialty coffee quality scores and prices. The estimates from the quality score equations suggest that material attributes are important determinants, but symbolic attributes have a greater explanatory power. The hedonic price estimations show that specialty coffee prices are mainly determined by symbolic attributes and market conditions such as the number of coffees in the auction. Overall, the study reveals that fruity, floral, sweet, spice, and sour acid are cuppers' and buyers' most favorite coffee flavors and aromas.

With a population increasing rapidly and agricultural yields almost stagnant over the years, access to food is a major challenge in Burkina Faso. This study investigates households demand for staple cereal commodities in Burkina Faso, using data from the 2009-2010 Integrated Household Living Condition Survey. A complete almost ideal demand system (AIDS) model is estimated taking into account demographics and zero consumption. Results show that maize, millet and sorghum are necessities while rice is considered a superior cereal commodity. Demand for maize, millet and sorghum are less price elastic than rice and these results are consistent for most households except for wealthy, educated households living in urban areas where rice becomes a necessity. The analysis of the evolution of cereal prices shows an overall increase leaving many people in food insecurity and the country in political instability. Therefore, the country must adopt agricultural reforms to boost production and productivity by exploiting unfarmed land, building more storage facilities, roads and rural infrastructure, using improved seeds and more fertilizer, and installing irrigation systems.

With a population increasing rapidly and agricultural yields stagnant over the years, access to food is a major challenge in Burkina Faso. This study investigates households demand for staple cereal commodities in Burkina Faso, using data from the 2009/10 integrated household living condition survey. A complete demand system (AIDS) model is estimated taking into account demographics and zero consumption. Results show that maize, millet and sorghum are necessities while rice is considered a luxury. Demand for maize, millet and sorghum are less price elastic than rice. These results are consistent for most households except for wealthy, educated households living in urban areas where rice becomes a necessity. The analysis of the evolution of cereal prices shows an overall increase leaving many people in food insecurity and causing food riots.

Acknowledging regional differences in the development of Local Food Systems across the United States, Southern Experiment Station Directors and Extension Directors decided to commission the development of an effective collaboration plan between southern Land Grant University (LGU) faculty in the area of Local Food Systems (LFS). The United States southern region’s unique characteristics, such as the historically large concentration of underserved and small farms (Goodwin 2013), could impose unique challenges and opportunities for the development of LFS, and therefore a regional approach to addressing this region’s unique needs may be appropriate. With the support of the Southern Risk Management Education Center (SRMEC), the SRMEC Local Food Systems Work Group was created in 2013. During the first two years, this group identified research and extension priorities for LFS in the south. The ultimate goal of this group is to establish LFS programing that can help the southern LGU system more effectively address key factors supporting the successful development of LFS in this region. This group identified ten research and extension priorities for LFS in the south, also represented graphically in Figure 1, from the perspective of agricultural economics and risk management: 1) market and supply chain logistics; 2) financial and risk management for LFS; 3) economic, social, and environmental outcomes; 4) consumer demand; 5) food safety; 6) financial and risk management for enterprises; 7) food security; 8) food access; 9) food system policies; and 10) general knowledge associated with LFS. A complete discussion of identified priorities one to five was published in an invited issue of Choices entitled “Developing Local Food Systems in the South†(Goodwin 2013). In this issue, the SRMEC LFS Work Group specifically discussed the role of the LGU system in supporting each of the priorities identified. For example, this group highlights the important role the southern LGU system plays in the development of LFS-focused education and capacity building programs to support LFS development (Woods et al. 2013). Additionally, this group acknowledges the importance of creating a network of researchers and extension professionals providing objective feedback on research areas that could guide the allocation of resources for the development of LFS such as the evaluation of social, economic, and environmental outcomes associated with LFS (Lamie et al. 2013). Future plans of the SRMEC LFS Work Group include expanding the discussion of priorities six to ten, as well as the identification and implementation of research and extension outreach collaboration opportunities.

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) is an underused edible aquatic perennial vegetable currently evaluated as a potential functional food source and promoted in the southeastern United States as a rich source of phytonutrients. There is a paucity of information concerning consumer acceptance and willingness to purchase edible, value-added lotus products in the southeastern United States. The purpose of this exploratory study was to evaluate the potential demand and consumer preference for fresh lotus rhizomes and value-added products namely lotus salad, baked lotus chips, and lotus stir-fry. Results of two taste panels indicated that lotus stir-fry was themost preferred value-added product with 77% of participants strongly liking stir-fry, whereas 92% of the participants were willing to recommend this preparation. Results suggest socioeconomic characteristics such as gender (P = 0.014), age (P = 0.005), income (P = 0.043), education (P = 0.003), shopping habits (P = 0.013), and type of meal purchased (P = 0.004) are the factors affecting consumer choice and willingness to recommend lotus stir-fry. Results provide information on consumer acceptance of fresh lotus rhizomes and valueadded products. Findings of this case study will assist in analyzing consumer behavior and development of sustainable niche markets for locally cultivated fresh edible lotus rhizomes.

©1999–2013 CHOICES. All rights reserved. Articles may be reproduced or electronically distributed as long as attribution to Choices and the Agricultural & Applied Economics Association is maintained. Choices subscriptions are free and can be obtained through http://www.choicesmagazine.org. AAEA Agricultural & Applied Economics Association A publication of the Agricultural & Applied Economics Association

©1999–2013 CHOICES. All rights reserved. Articles may be reproduced or electronically distributed as long as attribution to Choices and the Agricultural & Applied Economics Association is maintained. Choices subscriptions are free and can be obtained through http://www.choicesmagazine.org. AAEA Agricultural & Applied Economics Association A publication of the Agricultural & Applied Economics Association

In the South, turfgrass-sod has been a profitable alternative to row crops for many years. With depressed housing markets and higher crop prices, the current economic competitiveness of turfgrass-sod depends critically on the ability to harvest the crop as soon as it matures, and on input and output prices.

Direct marketing to restaurants has become increasingly popular as chefs desire high quality, fresh foods to meet the demand of their customers who are becoming more health conscious. Restaurants accounted for approximately 70 percent of the 2009 total food expenditures, and as a result represent a tremendous potential for developing a sustainable network with local growers. This study seeks to determine restaurant/chefs’ preferences for local food in Alabama using choice based conjoint analysis, as well as, determine challenges faced by restaurants interested in purchasing locally. Availability and lack of knowledge are found to be the major barriers to purchasing locally. Results also suggest there is great potential for direct marketing to restaurants in Alabama that producers are not currently utilizing.

Based on the Retail Service Quality Scale (RSQS), we develop a tool for managers of local farm cooperative stores to assess which customer service groups matter to their customers. Principal component analysis (PCA) reveals three customer groups. The results of the multinomial logit model showed younger patrons and homeowners are likely to deem customer service and personal interaction as important. Customers, who consider appearance and accessibility as important, are college graduates and persons dependent on farming. Older patrons and wildlife enthusiasts are likely to view the policies and reliability as important factors of service quality.

Greenhouse and nursery contributes significantly to Alabama’s agricultural industry and the nation’s green industry. This industry represents the number one crop sector in Alabama agriculture and ranks 16th in the nation. This paper compared the 2003 and 2008 economic impact of the green industry in Alabama, which showed tremendous growth over the period. The paper also evaluated factors that influence grower optimism for future growth of their firm. It was found that the product type, percentage sales to different states and different wholesale marketing outlet had a significant impact on grower optimism.

Individuals and households reveal their willingness to pay to enjoy environmental and natural resource services by engaging in outdoor recreation activities. The state of Alabama and the Black-Belt region possess significant recreational fishing resources whose qualities could be improved through public and private management innovations. To measure the value of such interventions, a baseline estimate of recreational fishing demand and potential for increasing the demand by on-site improvements needs to established. Using direct mail survey, count data obtained on individual angler characteristics, expenditures on fishing equipment, and destinations and expenditures on time and travel for each trip taken. In addition, the kinds and quantities of fish that anglers sought on each trip were obtained. This paper employs a full a full economic analysis based on recreation demand models—a.k.a. Travel Cost models (TCM). The travel costs’ Negative Binomial regression reveals that the average number of fishing days demanded is 33.17days, while other demographic and site characteristics have varying effects on the number of fishing days demanded.