Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/15
Outputs
Target Audience:The project continued to provide interactions between faculty/researchers with innovations applicable to rural firms and potential investors. The project made a presentation to the Michigan Rural Partners conference in April (local leaders). Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?1. Post doctoral fellow. Initially placed at Sam Houston University but now returned to Michigan State University as Assistant Professor. 2. Master's student (student has defended as is working on revisions). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Multiple investor-inventor matching sessions via webinar. Presentation to Michigan Rural Partners conference in spring 2015. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Dr. Maureen Kilkenny produced a report (available on request) of differential modes of university IP offices. Many interactions with faculty and entrepreneurs have deepened our understanding of the land grant-entrepreneur interface, including needs of different types of entrepreneurs. A presentation of major findings is scheduled for North Central AES Directors on September 28, 2015. Our findings indicate that faculty could benefit from training programs on commericialization. We also launched the "Innovations in Agriculture and Rural Development" inventor-investor matching program to mitigate information barriers.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Supporting Rural Business Success Through New Media Marketing Research (5/12/15)
Laura Baker and Hikaru Peterson (Kansas State University) and Cheryl Boyer (Oklahoma State University)
http://ncrcrd.msu.edu/ncrcrd/innovations_in_agriculture_and_rural_development
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Subsurface Water Retention Technology (SWRT) for Crop Improvement on Coarse Textured Soils (4/8/15)
Alvin Smucker, Michigan State University
http://ncrcrd.msu.edu/ncrcrd/innovations_in_agriculture_and_rural_development
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory: From Benchtop to Proof of Concept (4/2/15)
Hans Blaschek & Vijay Singh, University of Illinois
http://ncrcrd.msu.edu/ncrcrd/innovations_in_agriculture_and_rural_development
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Soil functional maps for crop management and planning (12/9/2014)
Phillip Owens, Purdue University
http://ncrcrd.msu.edu/ncrcrd/innovations_in_agriculture_and_rural_development
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
C3d: Moving Laboratory Research on Pathogen Detection into Commercial Practice (11/4/14)
Michael Ladisch and Eduardo Ximenes, Purdue University
http://ncrcrd.msu.edu/ncrcrd/innovations_in_agriculture_and_rural_development
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
The Diverse Roles of Universities in Regional Innovation Ecosystems: Case Studies from University of California Campus (10/28/14)
http://ncrcrd.msu.edu/ncrcrd/innovations_in_agriculture_and_rural_development
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Prairie AquaTech: Improving animal health, nutrition, and production efficiency (10/21/14)
Bill Gibbons and Mike Brown, South Dakota State University
http://ncrcrd.msu.edu/ncrcrd/innovations_in_agriculture_and_rural_development
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Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience: Six different groups were the specific target audiences for the webinars presented (Oct 1, 2014 to Sep 30, 2014), which included stakeholders across the North Central region in the following arenas: 1) beef cattle production; 2) bio-based innovation development (community and university leadership); 3) dairy and other ruminant production; 4) commercial beekeeping; 5) renewable energy from wastewater; and 6) sustainable agriculture systems. For each webinar participants included firms (e.g., representatives from AlAnn Ranch, Dow, Rice Dairy, Dean foods, and Zaiko Energy), small/individual producers (e.g., small farms such as the Baker Farm and Bonnie Brae Farms), industry support organizations (e.g., different state cattlemen associations, dairy associations, and departments of agriculture), entrepreneurs (e.g., scouts from Eli Lilly, Saputo, Inc., or Fuentek, Inc.), rural community leaders (e.g., representatives from Pontiac Area Chamber of Commerce, Mason City Area Chamber of Commerce, or Johnson County Development Corp), extension and faculty (from the 12-statre region as well as many other states outside the region). In all, webinars were viewed by about 500-700 stakeholders. The basic webinar format consists of: 1) a description of the problem in basic scientific terms; 2) the proposed solution, its basic science and empirical application; and 3) the potential business opportunity and/or next step in the development of the technology. The webinar platform provides a means of facilitating two-way communication between the innovation developers (faculty-presenters) and potential technology intermediate/end users. Faculty/faculty interactions regarding the entrepreneurial process were also common, as were some faculty/potential investor interactions. Changes/Problems: There was a shift in the webinar scheduling and marketing efforts, from Carolyn Hatch to John Mann over summer 2014. During the hand-off, momentum for identify new presenters was slowed. More intense effort was initially needed to keep the series on track for fall 2014, and based on the experience with the transition we have now been able to look ahead to the spring and fall 2015 series. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Two post docs received training in university innovation systems. The faculty presenters received coaching on how to market their work to potential customers. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Yes, see above under accomplishments. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? More webinars and grant proposals to deepen our knowledge of university innovation systems.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Marketing efforts: one of the biggest challenges we have faced is getting potential intermediate/end users of technology to participate in the live webinars. The second biggest challenge has been getting potential technology investors (entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and large firm technology scouts) to also participate. In our first iteration, our strategy was based on a mass marketing approach as we were not sure what groups would be interested in the webinar. Based on these efforts, we discovered that there were four general groups: 1) small/medium sized operations facing the specific issues addressed; 2) other researchers/technology developers curious about their competition and their colleagues’ entrepreneurial experience; 3) technology scouts interested in the webinar concept; and 4) the lay person simply interested in the science and technology. In our second iteration, we shifted to a more targeted marketing approach. However, we also discovered that we needed to make personal and individual contact with participants in order for them to show up. Further, we identified four effective methods to identify these potential groups of participants: 1) individual and group social media invitations/posts (specifically on LinkedIn); 2) individual emails/phone contact with industry support organizations; 3) faculty/extension individual emails; and 4) broad data mining of the internet (based on key word searchers for specific industries). We have been able to reach the small/medium sized firms directly through LinkedIn (although only a small portion of these firm owners have established LinkedIn accounts—we estimate 25-35%, but this number is growing), through established relationships with support organizations, and via data mining the internet more broadly. We found that faculty and extension are helpful to reach other faculty and extension, but not as helpful at reaching industry. We also have been using LinkedIn and other industry connections to reach out to different entrepreneur groups. Interestingly, the lay person group is finding out about the webinars through word of mouth contact or social media. Based on current efforts the average webinar attendance has increased by an average of 70-80% from the first to second iteration of the series. Format: We have made improvements to the format for this most recent iteration of webinars, as we now are including both faculty-researcher and non-researchers from the tech start-up (e.g., president or CEO) in the presentation. This has added more credibility to the presentation, especially from firm owners’ and entrepreneurs’ perspectives. Our current format is a 50-60 minute presentation on problem, solution, business opportunity/next step, Q & A. Industry connections: We have expanded our database of stakeholder to about 20,000 individuals. Additionally, we have established a number of industry relationships who are very interested in technology transfer and the webinar series concept. One example is Laura Shoppe, CEO of Fuentek, Inc., a university tech transfer consultant. Based on our common interests, we have been given access to tech transfer training and consulting at no charge. Additionally, we are beginning to get input from different industry stakeholders on the types of technology they would like use to present in future webinars. Feedback for developers: All presenters in the series have received valuable feedback regarding their technology and potential applications. This feedback has chiefly been from two groups, small/medium sized firms and other faculty/extension. For example, a number of small livestock producers in our most recent webinar had 2-way interacts with our faculty-presenter which led to a discussion about potential and future technology applications based on producer needs and uses. According to the presenters, this particular type of feedback is normally obtained after products have been on the market for a few years. Interestingly, some of these interactions continued in the days following the webinar. In other webinars, faculty in the audience have learned more about the entrepreneurial process regarding starting firms and some of the obstacles involved in the process. Based on these and earlier interactions, we are developing better strategies to encourage and increase these types of feedback. Additionally, we are using feedback from entrepreneurship groups to identify the types of information and webinar details useful to potential investors. Directions for further study: The next step in the process is to examine stakeholder incentives regarding to development, commercialization, and use of new technologies. Additionally, a more careful examination of the interactions between stakeholder groups can lead to an improve experience for presenters and other stakeholders such that useful interactions and feedback are maximized, given our short timeframe (50-60 minute webinar). This will also help the establishment of a framework for continued dialog after the webinar has concluded.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Pan Genome Systems: Developing a novel and effective vaccine for Johnes Disease (9/24/14)
Dr. Adel Talaat, University of Wisconsin-Madison & Jon Sandbrook, President of Pan Genome Systems
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Responding to an S.O.S. from the Commercial Beekeeping Industry (4/22/14)
Marla Spivak, University of Minnesota
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
High rate renewable energy production with the Static Granular Bed Reactor (SGBR) (4/3/14)
Dr. Tim Ellis (Iowa State University)
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Expediting the Commercialization of Biobased Products via OBICs � "Cell to Sell" Innovation Model (3/27/14)
Dennis W. Hall, The Ohio State University
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Integrating perennial grasses for sustainable agricultural systems to maximize farm profitability (3/11/14)
Dr. DoKyoung (D.K.) Lee, University of Illinois
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Increasing production efficiency through reproductive management (2/18/14)
Dr. Rick Funston (University of Nebraska)
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Progress 01/01/13 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: We reached business decision makers interested in acquiring Land-Grant Technology. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The project provided partial support to a Post doctoral fellow. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? We created a series of webinar. See publications list for the titles and featured faculty. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? The post doctoral fellow was placed into a faculty role at Sam Houston University. A new post doc has been identified and is scheduled to report for work on 11/15/13. We plan to restart the webinar series and add qualitative analysis of the discussions to the activities to better identify sources of bottlenecks in IP dissemination.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
This year we developed an innovative way to better connect Land Grant researchers to potential customers for intellectual property. We canvassed AES Administrators in the 12-state region for nominations of "shelf-ready" innovations by research faculty. We contacted the nominated faculty to determine their willingness to deliver a webinar to potential stakeholders. We then used business information research methods to identify contacts in related industries to notify them of the upcoming webinar. We supplemented this with LinkIn to generate discussion about the upcoming topic. The webinars attracted audiences from the region, nation, and in some cases from foreign countries. Faculty reported great interactions with stakeholders during and after their webinars. AES colleagues reported that the target faculty seem very satisfied with their experiences and better prepared to pitch their products to relevant stakeholders.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Maximizing Bioenergy Production during Wastewater Treatment (5/22/13)
Lance Schideman, Ph.D.Webinar. North Central Regional Center for Rural Development. Published at http://ncrcrd.msu.edu/ncrcrd/innovations_in_agriculture_and_rural_development
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
New Poultry Vaccine Tech: Leadership for Advanced Responses to Animal Diseases (5/14/13). Daral Jackwood, Ph.D. Webinar. North Central Regional Center for Rural Development. Published at http://ncrcrd.msu.edu/ncrcrd/innovations_in_agriculture_and_rural_development
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Thermal Aid: Managing Heat Stress in Cattle (2/12/13)
Don Spiers. Webinar. North Central Regional Center for Rural Development. Published at: http://ncrcrd.msu.edu/ncrcrd/innovations_in_agriculture_and_rural_development
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Working with Distilled Spirits (2/26/13)
Kris Berglund. Webinar. North Central Regional Center for Rural Development. Published at:http://ncrcrd.msu.edu/ncrcrd/innovations_in_agriculture_and_rural_development
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Farm-Based Biocontrol Seed Treatments for Improving Soybean Yields (3/28/13) Brian B. McSpadden Gardener. Webinar. North Central Regional Center for Rural Development. Published at: http://ncrcrd.msu.edu/ncrcrd/innovations_in_agriculture_and_rural_development
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Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Projects this year had two main foci, each with two subprojects: 1) innovation in assessing local assets; 2) strengthening the multi-state MarketMaker system. Under assessing local assets, a team from Iowa State University re-examined how to use public socio economic data for decision support related to underserved populations, while a team from Wisconsin explored how to use public data to develop county-level local foods assessments. In the MarketMaker-related projects, an investigator from the University of Illinois Super Computing lab focused on creating a more flexible data management system in collaboration with the main MarketMaker office, while a team from Iowa State and U. Illinois worked to create a web-based platform to expand MarketMaker into a farm operator-labor matching service. PARTICIPANTS: Liesl Eathington, Iowa State University Daniel Otto, Iowa State University Ray Hansen, Iowa State University Craig Tordsen, Iowa State University Rich Knipe, University of Illinois Dar Knipe, University of Illinois Mike Cokel, University of Illinois Nick Carlson, University of Illinois Barbara Bobb, Iowa Workforce Development Venus Walsch, Iowa Workforce Development Mike Witt, Iowa Workforce Development Marco Adasme, Iowa Workforce Development Steve Deller, University of Wisconsin Anna Haines, University of Wisconsin Laura Brown, University of Wisconsin Greg Wise, University of Wisconsin Jong Lee, Univesity of Illinois TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The Wisconsin team produced an example local foods profile that was well-received when reviewed by representatives from the twelve-state region in a conference call. Profiles for each county in the twelve state region are being finalized and will be published on a web site hosted by U. Wisconsin. The team also identified a large zone in the region which is "local foods rich" and another that is "local foods poor." The Iowa State team developed best practices and case studies of how to format and use data for public decision making. The MarketMaker job board team created an "employment opportunities" functionality within MarketMaker. MarketMaker administrators from Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, and Georgia provided feedback on the approach. The U. Illinois Supercomputing Lab recommended moving MarketMaker from a Microsoft SQL Server in Windows environment to MongoDB and established a protocol for migrating current information to the new support platform.
Publications
- Brown, Laura, Anna Haines, Greg Wise, and Steve Deller. 2012. Food Systems Profile, Pointers County, Wisconsin.
- Eathington, Liesl, and Daniel M. Otto. 2012. Profiles Using Socio-Economic Data for Economic and Community Development Decision Making. 2012 NCRCRD Special Studies Report. Iowa State University.
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Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The project engaged Dr. Maureen Kilkenny as a visiting specialist to conduct an assessment of potential mechanisms for inter-state land grant technology transfer and expertise sharing. Kilkenny started her work in May and concluded in October. Kilkenny interviewed an array of players in the system, including administrators, faculty, extension professionals, and tech transfer officers. She also developed methods for assessing university comparative advantage in various types of technology. Experiment Station and Extension administrators were invited to join a "sneak peek" webinar of her results in early November. A public webinar was completed on November 30. Dr. Kilkenny completed a draft report that was reviewed by Loveridge. Loveridge's recommendation was to reformat the draft into three separate reports: A) Assessing University Research Capacity; B) Exemplar technology transfer programs; C) Recommendations for region-wide activities. As of the date of this report, she is working to complete the reformatting. At that time, the various reports will go out for peer review. PARTICIPANTS: Scott Loveridge, Director, North Central Regional Center for Rural Development coordinated the work and provided input into the study design. Maureen Kilkenny executed the study. TARGET AUDIENCES: The direct target audiences are university administrators. The indirect target audiences are university faculty, outreach and extension personnel, and businesses. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Techniques Dr. Kilkenny developed for assessing universities should help administrators decide which areas represent university strengths and also help identify where to look for partners in certain areas.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 10/01/10 to 12/15/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: This project is just starting due to delays in appointing the Director of the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development. The Director was appointed on November 1, 2010. A position description for a visiting professor to help the project achieve the goals is under review. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: The project is now underway after delays associated with appointing the full time permanent director of the Center.
Impacts
At this point there are no outcomes or impacts because the project funding started October 1, 2010.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Project activities focused on conducting a needs assessment to help Michigan State University prepare and execute the transition of the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development (NCRCRD) from Iowa State. Each state in the twelve state region received a visit to facilitate discussions of the future work and mode of operation of the Center. PARTICIPANTS: Persons visited during the site visits included AES administrators, CES administrators, faculty, Extension field staff, and other stakeholders. TARGET AUDIENCES: Land Grant personnel. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
All twelve states in the region participated in a competition for the Center's small grants program, announced under the themes developed during site visits.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The project outputs continue to be dialog on the importance of fostering better systems of entrepreneurial development to create jobs and alleviate poverty. The work continues to inspire MSU Extension Service projects to do this. In late 2008, the PI helped plan a Creating Entrepreneurial Communities conference that drew 300 participants from around Michigan. Attendees were community leaders. Attendees are invited to participate in an intensive coaching program to help them devise stronger entrepreneurial systems in their communities. In addition to the publications listed below, a three papers were presented at the Regional Science Association International annual conference, two journal articles are in review, one is in revise and resubmit stage, and another is conditionally accepted (resubmitted). PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Community leaders. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Evaluations of the first round of the creating entrepreneurial communities program were very positive. The main criticism was that the eighteen months of the program was too short. Communities wanted a longer duration of their interaction with coaches. In addtition to the publications mentioned below, The PI also has two articles in review, one article conditionally accepted (resubmitted), and another in revise and resubmit stage. A fifth paper was presented at the Regional Science Association International annual conference.
Publications
- Loveridge, Scott, Strategies for Economic Development Partnerships with Institutions of Higher Learning. In Nizalov, Denys, Laura Reese and Howard Ockman (eds.), Municipal Development Toolkit. http://www.municipaltoolkit.org/en/about/. March 2008.
- Loveridge, Scott, Development, Rural. In Darity, William Jr. (ed.), International Encylopedia of the Social Sciences, Vol. 2, 2nd Edition. Detroit: MacMillan Reference USA. 2008. 341-342.
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The research on entrepreneurship has informed discussion within the Extension system and elswhere on how to improve Michigan's performance in encouraging new business formation and expansion of existing businesses. The outputs have been shared with the Advisory Board of the Michigan Small Business Technology Development Center, the Office of the Small Business Advocate of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and Edward P. Lowe Foundation. The research on advances and declines of the rural working poor, presented at Regional Science Association International academic meeting, has helped identify a method for more intensive study of case counties by the researchers and peers in the North Central region.
TARGET AUDIENCES: Public officials and peer researchers
Impacts
The research helped inspire the MSU Extension service to focus Economic Development efforts on community based entrepreneurship. Questions developed as part of the research are being incorporated into a community assessment tool for local leaders in a pilot program with nine Michigan communities.
Publications
- Loveridge, S. (2007) Getting Started in Community-Based Entrepreneurship. Chapter 13 (pp.255-273) in Walzer N., (ed.) Creating Entrepreneurial Approaches to Local Economic Development. Lexington Books Lanham.
- Loveridge, S., Lobao, L., Goe, R., Thomas, P., Bradshaw, N., Bokemeier, J., Brooks, W.T., Hess, D., and McCurry, M. (2007). Advances and Declines in the Rural Working Poor: Complementing Traditional Econometric Results with Case Analysis. Review of Regional Studies.37(3).
- Loveridge, S., Bokemeier, J., and Kakela, P. (2007). Jobs Today, Later, or Never? An Exploration of Resistance to Economic Change in Communities. Community Development: Journal of the Community Development Society. 38(2): 16-32.
- Loveridge, S., and Nizalov, D. (2007). Operationalizing the Entrepreneurial Pipeline Theory: An Empirical Test of the Optimal Size Distribution of Local Firms. Economic Development Quarterly. 21(3): 244-262.
- Loveridge, S., and Nizalov, D. (2007). Increasing the Equity and Efficiency of Tax Abatement Programs. Journal of Regional Analysis and Policy. 37(1):10-14.
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
The PI contributed to a multi-state proposal to the USDA National Research Initiative. The proposal was highly ranked but was not funded. The multi-state group implemented a multi-state study of counties that do not fit a quantitative model of the growth of the working poor. Results were presented in a session entitled Factors Contributing to Decereasing Working Poor in Rural Counties: Comparative Case Studies organized by the multi-state group at the at Regional Science Association International meetings in Toronto Canada. Based on that session, the co-PIs are developing manuscripts for the Review of Regional Studies. The manuscripts will also serve as foundational material for a proposal to the National Science Foundation, to be submitted under the "Human and Social Dynamics" competition in February.
Impacts
The project will help us understand factors associated with change in communities' numbers of working poor.
Publications
- Flora, G., Goe, R. Loveridge, S. Lobao, L., Yadav, V., Thomas, P., and Schleshinger, N. 2006.Exploring County Outliers in Selected States. Presentation at the Regional Science Association International annual conference, Toronto, ON.
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
The project team met in person and by telephone to conceptualize a multi-state research proposal around the the theme of the multi-state project. We are developing a proposal for the National Research Initiative due in February.
Impacts
Better understanding of the factors determining performance of the community's economy in alleviating poverty.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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