MASTER`S FELLOWSHIPS IN THE ECONOMICS OF ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: OTHER GRANTS
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 0219511
• Grant No.: 2010-38420-20329
• Cumulative Award Amt.: $160,000.00
• Proposal No.: 2009-03241
• Project Start Date: Jan 1, 2010
• Project End Date: Dec 31, 2014
• Grant Year: 2010
• Program Code: [KK]- National Needs Graduate Fellowships Program

Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
888 N EUCLID AVE
TUCSON,AZ 85719-4824

Performing Department
AGRI & RESOURCE ECONOMICS

Non Technical Summary
Hispanic and Native American students have been poorly represented in M.S. student ranks: 3 of 60 entering students in the last five years, and only 1 of 22 in the last two years. Domestic females have been better represented in the last five years but in the most recent two years, only two domestic female students have entered the program out of seven total domestic students. Completion rates for all these underrepresented students are 100 percent; we have had no attrition. Therefore, although the numbers of underrepresented students are low, retention has been excellent. But there is now ample opportunity to actively recruit underrepresented groups, enhance access to graduate study in the department, and build on our previous success in training and placing underrepresented graduate students. The Targeted Expertise Shortage Area is Agricultural Management and Economics. Within this TESA, the specific focus is on resource economics and the economics of alternative energy. Excellent candidates will be recruited through a variety of formal and informal channels and personal contacts. Several alumni from the underrepresented groups have already suggested innovative ways of recruiting prospective students. We believe our previous success with training and placing underrepresented students will provide a modest but important track record to inform prospective students of the opportunities on graduating with a master's degree. Two years of formal academic study, including writing a master's thesis, will be augmented by summer activities which may include one or more of the following: collaboration on multidisciplinary research, active participation in delivery of extension programs off campus, and engagement as a teaching assistant and adjunct lecturer in summer school courses. These summer activities will enhance the opportunities Fellows have to develop research, communication, and leadership skills.

Animal Health Component

100%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

(N/A)

Applied

100%

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
903	6099	3020	100%

Knowledge Area
903 - Communication, Education, and Information Delivery;

Subject Of Investigation
6099 - People and communities, general/other;

Field Of Science
3020 - Education;

Keywords

alternative energy

agricultural economics

Goals / Objectives
The overall goal of the proposal is for Fellows to gain confidence in their own abilities as applied economists with a master's degree in order to think independently, gain confidence in their own abilities, and assume leadership roles. Among other economics and quantitative skills, Fellows will learn how to (i) write an effective grant proposal, (ii) organize and deliver an extension presentation that will engage participants, and (iii) organize and deliver innovative short courses. The program will train 4 master's students. The major measurable benefits of the training program will be to place successfully Fellows in management and leadership positions in tribal organizations, government agencies, educational institutions, and private sector companies. In order to place successfully, Fellows will necessarily have mastered analytical and communications skills as well as have developed the ability to identify problems, formulate solutions, communicate with stakeholders, and manage resources and personnel. A successful NNF grant will result in all 4 Fellows obtaining jobs in the aforementioned sectors with a focus on developing economically viable alternative energy sources. The Targeted Expertise Shortage Area is Agricultural Management and Economics, specifically in resource economics and economics of alternative energy. The economics of alternative energy in Arizona includes biofuels, solar, and wind energy. All Fellows will be expected to obtain jobs directly related to these targeted expertise shortage areas.

Project Methods
The specific steps necessary for a successful program will begin with careful, extensive recruiting. Recruitment of Fellows is the lynchpin in the program. Without able, enthusiastic recruits, no amount of subsequent training and education will be successful. Recruitment will occur through formal and informal channels including contacts at our university, other universities, local and national minority organizations, as well as governmental and nongovernmental agencies. The two year master's program will entail 3 semesters of coursework and 1 semester for thesis work, with a summer session providing opportunities for research, extension, and teaching activities. A key to academic success will be close monitoring of Fellows, particularly in early stages of class work. First year Fellows will be paired with a second-year student who will function as a mentor and advisor. Faculty will also maintain close relationships with Fellows throughout in order to ensure every possibility of academic success. The summer session between the first and second years will provide numerous opportunities for (i) research on energy problems, (ii) work in coordination with extension specialist on development of alternative energy programs, especially in tribal areas, and (iii) in class participation as a teaching assistant and adjunct lecturer in summer school classes. We view the opportunity to participate in extension programs off campus as a unique and highly valuable experience, particularly for Native American Fellows who may work on reservations with alternative energy sources. In addition, there is a plethora of multidisciplinary projects on campus associated with solar and biofuels, which will give Fellows unparalleled experience in alternative energy research. Core competencies to be acquired include (i) econometric applications to resource and energy issues, (ii) work on multi disciplinary teams, (iii) integrated research and extension projects, and (iv) writing for peer reviewed journal publication. Performance metrics include usual grade point average minimum requirements as well as active participation in research, extension and/or teaching activities. Successful completion of the M.S. thesis also constitutes another metric of success. The ultimate metric of success will be placement of Fellows in jobs relating to alternative energy in private, public, and non governmental sectors Pipelining activities include mentoring and oversight of students during their 2 years of study. In addition to usual academic advising and mentoring, formal and informal advising will be available from professional advisors on campus specializing in non traditional and underrepresented students. Fellows will also be paired initially with second year students to provide them peer advice and support. During the summer session between first and second years, Fellows will work with teaching, research, and extension faculty on multidisciplinary projects encompassing alternative energy topics.

Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/14

Outputs
Target Audience: Consistent with the targeted expertise shortage area of Agricultural Management and Economics, the target audience is prospective master's students in agricultural and resource economics. Four students were recruited and three have successfully finished their M.S. degrees as of 2014. One is still writing his M.S. thesis. Changes/Problems: In addition to the monies allocated to cover tuition, $2,000 per student was allocated towards supplemental activities related to outreach activities, publications, and travel to a national meeting of National Needs Scholars to be held in Washington, DC. However, during the course of the 2010-2014 award period while the four students were in residence, no national meeting was held. Accordingly, not all of the supplemental monies were expended. Roughly $6,000 were returned at the end of the award period for that reason. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Apart from the rigorous curriculum pursued as part of their graduate degree, all M.S. students participated in a regular seminar series in which they read academic articles on alternative energy and critiqued them with their peers and selected faculty present to encourage discussion and refinement of arguments. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Results from the published M.S. theses will very likely be translated into peer-reviewed publications. Ms. Marquez and Ms. Pfeiffer collaborated with extension economists as well as professors from other disciplines in the dissemination of research findings to stakeholders in the state of Arizona. Professor Frisvold and Ms. Marquez published a journal article as a result of her thesis work. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Fatima Luna successfully wrote her M.S. thesis, graduated and is currently employed at The Sonoran Institute, Tucson, AZ as program associate. The Sonoran Institute is a non-profit organization promoting the conservation and restoration of natural and cultural assets, with offices in the Northern Rockies, Colorado, the Southwest, and Colorado River Delta. Tatiana Marquez successfully wrote her M.S. thesis, graduated and is currently employed by the National Park Service, Denver, CO as an economist. Georgia Pfeiffer successfully wrote her M.S. thesis, graduated and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Public Policy at the University of Arizona, conducting research using statistical models to track trends in the adoption of solar energy system in major U.S. markets..

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Frisvold, G. B., & Marquez, T. (2013). Water Requirements for Large Scale Solar Energy Projects in the West. Journal of Contemporary Water Research & Education, 151(1), 106-116.

Progress 01/01/13 to 12/31/13

Outputs
Target Audience: Consistent with the targeted expertise shortage area of Agricultural Management and Economics, the target audience is prospective master's students in agricultural and resource economics. Four students were recruited and three have successfully finished their M.S. degrees as of 2013. Changes/Problems: No major changes or problems were encountered. Recruitment of well-prepared applicants presented some challenges insofar as adequate backgrounds in economics, mathematics, and statistics are relatively scarce. As a result of having a cohort of four NNF students together, we implemented colloquia for discussing relevant economics literature on renewable energy sources. These colloquia went beyond our usual M.S. classes and seminars in challenging NNF scholars to think independently and explore the literature in more depth. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Apart from the rigorous curriculum pursued as part of their graduate degree, all M.S. students participated in a regular seminar series in which they read academic articles on alternative energy and critiqued them with their peers and selected faculty present to encourage discussion and refinement of arguments. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Results from the published M.S. theses will very likely be translated into peer-reviewed publications. Ms. Marquez and Ms. Pfeiffer collaborated with extension economists as well as professors from other disciplines in the dissemination of research findings to stakeholders in the state of Arizona. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? The last student, Gouro Camera, has yet to finish the M.S. program but is making steady progress towards finishing his M.S. thesis. He expects to graduate May 2014.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? 1. The second student recruited, Tatiana Marquez, successfully finished the M.S. program in 2013 and is currently employed as an economist for the National Park Service in Denver, CO. 2. The third student recruited, Georgia Pfeiffer, successfully finished the M.S. program in 2013 and is currently employed as an instructor of mathematics at Pima Community College. She has been accepted into the Ph.D. program in Public Policy, where she expects to conduct research using statistical models to track trends in the adoption of solar energy system in major U.S. markets.

Publications

• Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Marquez, Tatiana. Factors Influencing the Deployment of Utility Scale Solar Power in the United States, M.S. Thesis, Dept. of Ag. & Resource Economics, University of Arizona
• Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Pfeiffer, Georgia. Diffusion of Solar Technology in Agriculture, M.S. Thesis, Dept. of Ag. & Resource Economics, University of Arizona

Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12

Outputs
Target Audience: Consistent with the targeted expertise shortage area of Agricultural Management and Economics, the target audience is prospective master's students in agricultural and resource economics. Four students were recruited and one has successfully finished their M.S. degree as of 2012. Changes/Problems: No major changes or problems were encountered. Recruitment of well-prepared applicants presented some challenges insofar as adequate backgrounds in economics, mathematics, and statistics are relatively scarce. As a result of having a cohort of four NNF students together, we implemented colloquia for discussing relevant economics literature on renewable energy sources. These colloquia went beyond our usual M.S. classes and seminars in challenging NNF scholars to think independently and explore the literature in more depth. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Apart from the rigorous curriculum pursued as part of their graduate degree, all M.S. students participated in a regular seminar series in which they read academic articles on alternative energy and critiqued them with their peers and selected faculty present to encourage discussion and refinement of arguments. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Results from the published M.S. thesis will very likely be translated into a peer-reviewed publication. Ms. Luna translated an extension publication on water transfers to disseminate the results to a wider audience in the United States and Mexico. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? An update on Ms. Marquez and Ms. Pfeiffer’s graduation status will be supplied.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? 1. The first student recruited, Fatima Luna, successfully finished the M.S. program in 2012 and is currently employed as Program Associate at the Sonora Institute, Tucson, AZ, where she conducts research and policy analysis on a variety of topic areas including renewable energy, land and water conservation, and pressure on public lands.

Publications

• Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Luna, Fatima. An Economic Evaluation of Alternative Coffee Trading Regimes, M.S. Thesis, Dept. of Ag. & Resource Economics, University of Arizona
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: Schuster, Elizabeth, Bonnie Colby, Lana Jones, and Michael O'Donnell. Entendiendo el Valor del Agua en la Agricultura: Herramientas para Negociar Intercambios de Agua, translated into Spanish by Fatima Luna

Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: As planned, four National Needs Scholars have been supported during calendar year 2012. The first scholar graduated with an M.S. in Agricultural and Resource Economics in December 2012. The other three M.S. candidates are well on track to graduate by May 2013. PARTICIPANTS: George Frisvold, Dept. of Ag. & Resource Economics, University of Arizona, Currently supervising three NNF M.S. candidates and organizing NNF scholar brown bag discussions. Satheesh Aradhyula, Dept. of Ag. & Resource Economics, University of Arizona, Currently serving as thesis committee member on three NNF M.S. candidates and participating in NNF scholar brown bag discussions. Bonnie Colby, Dept. of Ag. & Resource Economics, University of Arizona, collaborated with NNF M.S. candidate on water transfer publication Paul Wilson, Dept. of Ag. & Resource Economics, University of Arizona, supervised NNF M.S. candidate who graduated December 2012. Gary Thompson, Dept. of Ag. & Resource Economics, University of Arizona, serving as thesis committee member on all four NNF M.S. candidate's thesis committees and participant in NNF scholar brown bag discussions. TARGET AUDIENCES: Tohono O'odham Nation Navajo Nation PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: None to report.

Impacts
All candidates are required to write a thesis and/or work on a project relating to alternative energy sources, as outlined in the proposal. The scholar who graduated in December 2012 provided the Spanish translation of "Understanding the Value of Water in Agriculture: Tools for Negotiating Water Transfers," September, 2011 (Spanish translation: Entendiendo el Valor del Agua en la Agricultura: Herramientas para Negociar Intercambios de Agua, October, 2011), part of the Water Transaction Guidebooks for Water Professionals and Stakeholders series. Three theses in the process of being written have the following titles: (i) Diffusion of Solar Power on U.S. Farms; (ii) Utility-Scale Solar Power: Adoption and Implications for Water Resources; and (iii) Return on Investments in Energy Efficiency and Solar Power for the Tohono O'odham Nation. All three theses have entailed original research of economic issues relating to alternative energy adoption and development in three important areas of Arizona's and the national economy: agriculture, water, and Native American lands.

Publications

• "Understanding the Value of Water in Agriculture: Tools for Negotiating Water Transfers," September, 2011 (Spanish translation: Entendiendo el Valor del Agua en la Agricultura: Herramientas para Negociar Intercambios de Agua, October, 2011), part of the Water Transaction Guidebooks for Water Professionals and Stakeholders series

Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10

Outputs
The National Needs Fellowships awarded the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of Arizona were sufficient to support 4 M.S. students, each for 2 years. The first student recruited was successfully recruited in April 2010, began the fall semester in August 2010, has completed the first semester of study and is currently studying in her second semester. The recruit has made adequate academic progress and is expected to choose a thesis topic relating to the economics of alternative energy use later this spring. A second student was successfully recruited in fall 2010 and has now begun his first semester of course work towards a M.S. degree. Having formally started in January 2011, he will likely not choose a thesis topic until some time during the fall semester 2011. In efforts to recruit for a new M.S. cohort for fall 2011, the remaining two fellowships have been offered to prospective students and we are waiting for their responses. We expect to have both of these students signed up no later than April 15, 2011 so that they may begin their course of study in August 2011. PRODUCTS: The products produced are two students successfully recruited and supported toward their M.S. degree with research relating to the economics of alternative energy. OUTCOMES: Given the early stage of the students' academic program, no final outcomes have been realized yet. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: With only two students still in their first year of a two-year M.S. program, no dissemination activities based on their yet-to-be-completed theses have been conducted. FUTURE INITIATIVES: Future initiatives will include research on the economics of alternative energy with publishable output and possible extension and outreach activities.

Impacts
Two students have been able to pursue higher educational opportunities they otherwise would have been unable to attain.

Publications

• Given most thesis work will begin soon, no published products are yet available (2011).