Trade and Agricultural Development in a Challenging Environment: A New Jersey Case Study

<p>NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY:<br/> Despite the benefits of trade, recent research suggests that much work remains to be done to convince New Jersey farmers of its benefits. The project described herein empirically examines the perspectives of agricultural producers in New Jersey on various agricultural trade-related issues.
<p>APPROACH:<br/> An econometric model will be developed from the survey data using the logit model to determine the relationship between the above objectives and the socio-economic variables. That model is chosen for its mathematical simplicity and because its asymptotic characteristic constrains the predicted probabilities to a range between zero and one. The model assumes that the probability of observing a particular outcome is dependent on a vector of explanatory variables.
<p>PROGRESS: 2012/10 TO 2013/09<br/>Target Audience: Nothing Reported Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Work on econometric model and present reults to stakeholders.
<p>PROGRESS: 2011/10/01 TO 2012/09/30<br/>OUTPUTS: The output from this research was widely disseminated to agricultural and academic interests. First, the results were shared with Rutgers Cooperative Extension Specialists and agricultural producers in Atlantic City, NJ. Second, the results were presented at a national conference in Miami and an international conference in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: The results were presented to Extension Specialists, faculty from other institutions and farmers at conferences in Atlantic City, NJ; Miami, Florida and St. Vincent. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
<p>PROGRESS: 2011/09/01 TO 2011/12/31<br/>OUTPUTS: The data source for this study on whether the US should pursue free trade agreements comes from the National Agricultural, Food, and Public Policy Preference Survey. The survey was developed to provide input into the 2007 U.S. Farm Bill and was conducted at the end of 2005. Twenty-seven states participate in the survey. The main areas surveyed were a) Farm Programs and Budget Priorities, b) Commodity Programs and Risk Management Policy, c) Conservation and Environmental Policy, d) Trade Policy, and e) Food System and Regulatory Policy. Nationwide, 1,345,900 farms or 64 percent of total farms in the United States participated in the survey (USDA-NASS, 2006). The sample was stratified across farms, namely "small" - farms with less than $100,000 in agricultural product sales annually, "medium" - farms with $100,000-$250,000
in sales, and "large" - farms with over $250,000 in sales. According to the 2002 Census of Agriculture (NASS), more than 80 percent of the farms in the 27-state survey fell in the "small" farm category. Eight percent of farms fell in the "medium" and "large" farm category. There were 162 total responses from New Jersey, of which 149 were usable and yielded a response rate of 21 percent. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.