Progress 10/01/12 to 09/30/17
Outputs
Target Audience:This work targets a range of actors in small and medium-sized supply chains including consumers. Some of these actors may also be classified as racial minorities and economically disadvantaged persons, as well as other agrifood system stakeholders (e.g., Food Policy Councils). Changes/Problems:Last year a major problem with IRB was reported. Because IRB has continued to be an impediment to reserarch, a sample of research participants was purchased from a third-party vender. This approach was expensive, administratively difficult to manage, and not as representative as desired. However, it was the only way around the unnecessary IRB road-block. A second major change was an outcome of previous research results from a consumer survery. In this case, it was necessary to change data collect procedure so as to seek a different type of data that might tell us what influences consumers to purchase local beef and how they might response to food safety scares and scandles. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?• 1 Ph.D. student (Food Science) has learned how to find, critically read, and to analyze statutes and proposed rules, and how to package the fidings for diverse audiences (i.e., lawyers, horticulatialists). Student has completed 1 dissertation chapter, which has been published, and started on the second on non-water provisions of the Final Rule. Student has also started looking for funding to support microbial testing of the water rule. • 1 Ph.D. student (Applied Economics) has worked to clean primary data for statistical modeling of question responses from a survey. • 1 Ph.D. student (Environmental Sociology) learned how to develop and publish an Experiment Station report. • 1 M.S. student (Rural Sociology) has learned to write a reserarch proposal and to conduct a literature review examining food security and the role of local foods via farm-to-instituion programs (research proposal has been defended). • 1 M.S. student (Rural Sociology) learned to analyze existing social psychological data using a computer assisted data analysis tool (Nvivo) and how to present to different academic audiences. • 1 M.S. student (Rural Sociology) has leared to conduct a "systemaic literature review," analyze the papers, present the data, and develop a manuscript for pubication. • 2 M.S. students (Rural Sociology) have learned how to start a "big data" project on consumer influences on local beef purchases. • 1 B.S. student (Biosystems Engineering) learned how to conduct a community food seurity assessment and to begin analysis of data • 1 B.S. student (Environmental Studies) learned how to collect and to begin analysis of secondary data on food security, which will be presented Dec '17. • 11 students in a food and agriculture class conducted a community food assessment using nearly all steps in the ERS FNS guide. No students in the course had previous research training--formal or informal. • 20 students in an introduction to agriculture course were introduced to the poverty-policy-food security complex. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been presented via (a) conference papers, (b) peer-reviewed publications, (c) a guest lecture, (d) an outreach symposium, (e) participation in a food security visioning session, (f) course lectures and assignments, and (g) an experiment station report. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?1. Continued modification of the community food security project, finish analysis of 1st year data, and collect and analyze 2nd year data. In addition, a manuscript for publication has been drafted and it will be completed. 2. Theses for both 1 B.S. from the Honors College, 1 M.S. in Rural Sociology and 1 M.S. in Agricultural Economics theses focused on food security will be defended. In addition, 1 M.S. in Rural Sociology ona small-scale, multifunctionality, sustainability project will be completed 3. A second chapter and analysis of Food Safety Modernization Act for Food Science Ph.D. will be completed and submitted for publication. 4. Publish farm-to-school systematic literature review; and analyze farm-to-institution data for presentaiona and draft manuscript. 5. Scrape intenet and social media to develop a database of local beef and food safety influence data. 6. Seek additional funding to further analyze the local foods survey and disseminate nationally.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
conducted an analysis of consumer opinions and concerns about local foods and food safety, and began a systematic literature review of farm-to-school programs. 2) Identify community-related goals and needs of values-based supply chains including labor: data collection for several community food security analyses, started new data collection to explain what influences consumer purchases of local foods and their responses to food scandle and scares. 3) Determine how existing policies influence the performance of values-based supply chains: conducted a regulatory analysis of the Food Safety Modernization Act, which identifies some of constituents' key concerns about the water provision of the Final Rule, as well as gaps in the science supporting the rule and challenges for regulators. Outputs includes peer-reviewed publications in (a) Food and Drug Law Journal, (b) Food Quality and Preference, and (c) Appetite; and publication of an Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station report. Presentations at professional and/or academic conferences/meetings including (a) the Southern Association of Agricultural Scientists (Horticulture and Rural Sociology sections), (b) the Rural Sociological Society, and (c) the Professional Agricultural Workers Conference at Tuskeege University. I currently Chair 6 student committees. One is a Food Science Ph.D. student who has completed 1/3 of her Dissertation. Of the 5 students making progress toward the M.S. degree, 1 is currently writing a thesis; 1 is analyszing thesis data; 1 is currently writing a research proposal; and 2 began the program Fall 2017, and they have started data collection. I'm also a committee member for an additional 4 M.S. students, 2 of which recently completed their thesis.
Publications
|
Progress 10/01/16 to 09/30/17
Outputs
Target Audience:This project is strickly research and education and the work generally targets the needs of two groups: (1) small and medium-sized supply chain actors particularly growers, processors, and consumers including the interest of minorities and economically disadvantaged persons; and (2) the food insecure and related professional communities. The primary audiences are students (both undergrad and graduate students), as well as other academics and related professionals including food activists. The primary efforts include both formal and informal education such as classroom instruction with innovative curriculum development and experiential learning components; one-on-one individualized training in research (design, data collection, analysis); and other relevant researchers via conference presentation and publications. In addition to peer-reviewed journal articles, the target audiences have included alumni of the College of Agriculture and the broader local community. Changes/Problems:Last year a major problem with IRB was reported. Because IRB has continued to be an impediment to reserarch, a sample of research participants was purchased from a third-party vender. This approach was expensive, administratively difficult to manage, and not as representative as desired. However, it was the only way around the unnecessary IRB road-block. A second major change was an outcome of previous research results from a consumer survery. In this case, it was necessary to change data collect procedure so as to seek a different type of data that might tell us what influences consumers to purchase local beef and how they might response to food safety scares and scandles. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? 1 Ph.D. student (Food Science) has learned how to find, critically read, and to analyze statutes and proposed rules, and how to package the fidings for diverse audiences (i.e., lawyers, horticulatialists). Student has completed 1 dissertation chapter, which has been published, and started on the second on non-water provisions of the Final Rule. Student has also started looking for funding to support microbial testing of the water rule. 1 Ph.D. student (Applied Economics) has worked to clean primary data for statistical modeling of question responses from a survey. 1 Ph.D. student (Environmental Sociology) learned how to develop and publish an Experiment Station report. 1 M.S. student (Rural Sociology) has learned to write a reserarch proposal and to conduct a literature review examining food security and the role of local foods via farm-to-instituion programs (research proposal has been defended). 1 M.S. student (Rural Sociology) learned to analyze existing social psychological data using a computer assisted data analysis tool (Nvivo) and how to present to different academic audiences. 1 M.S. student (Rural Sociology) has leared to conduct a "systemaic literature review," analyze the papers, present the data, and develop a manuscript for pubication. 2 M.S. students (Rural Sociology) have learned how to start a "big data" project on consumer influences on local beef purchases. 1 B.S. student (Biosystems Engineering) learned how to conduct a community food seurity assessment and to begin analysis of data 1 B.S. student (Environmental Studies) learned how to collect and to begin analysis of secondary data on food security, which will be presented Dec '17. 11 students in a food and agriculture class conducted a community food assessment using nearly all steps in the ERS FNS guide. No students in the course had previous research training--formal or informal. 20 students in an introduction to agriculture course were introduced to the poverty-policy-food security complex. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been presented via (a) conference papers, (b) peer-reviewed publications, (c) a guest lecture, (d) an outreach symposium, (e) participation in a food security visioning session, (f) course lectures and assignments, and (g) an experiment station report. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?1. Continued modification of the community food security project, finish analysis of 1st year data, and collect and analyze 2nd year data. In addition, a manuscript for publication has been drafted and it will be completed. 2. Theses for both 1 B.S. from the Honors College, 1 M.S. in Rural Sociology and 1 M.S. in Agricultural Economics theses focused on food security will be defended. In addition, 1 M.S. in Rural Sociology ona small-scale, multifunctionality, sustainability project will be completed 3. A second chapter and analysis of Food Safety Modernization Act for Food Science Ph.D. will be completed and submitted for publication. 4. Publish farm-to-school systematic literature review; and analyze farm-to-institution data for presentaiona and draft manuscript. 5. Scrape intenet and social media to develop a database of local beef and food safety influence data. 6. Seek additional funding to further analyze the local foods survey and disseminate nationally.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
1) Determine key factors that influence patterns of control and business relationships within values-based supply chains: conducted an analysis of consumer opinions and concerns about local foods and food safety, and began a systematic literature review of farm-to-school programs. 2) Identify community-related goals and needs of values-based supply chains including labor: data collection for several community food security analyses, started new data collection to explain what influences consumer purchases of local foods and their responses to food scandle and scares. 3) Determine how existing policies influence the performance of values-based supply chains: conducted a regulatory analysis of the Food Safety Modernization Act, which identifies some of constituents' key concerns about the water provision of the Final Rule, as well as gaps in the science supporting the rule and challenges for regulators. Outputs includes peer-reviewed publications in (a) Food and Drug Law Journal, (b) Food Quality and Preference, and (c) Appetite; and publication of an Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station report. Presentations at professional and/or academic conferences/meetings including (a) the Southern Association of Agricultural Scientists (Horticulture and Rural Sociology sections), (b) the Rural Sociological Society, and (c) the Professional Agricultural Workers Conference at Tuskeege University. I currently Chair 6 student committees. One is a Food Science Ph.D. student who has completed 1/3 of her Dissertation. Of the 5 students making progress toward the M.S. degree, 1 is currently writing a thesis; 1 is analyszing thesis data; 1 is currently writing a research proposal; and 2 began the program Fall 2017, and they have started data collection. I'm also a committee member for an additional 4 M.S. students, 2 of which recently completed their thesis.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Denny, R.C.H.,* M.R. Worosz, and N.L. Wilson. 2016. Ho the Presence of State Inspection and the HACCP Rule Influence the Number of Federal and Non-Federally Inspected Red Meat Slaughter Facilities. Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn University, AL. (http://aers.auburn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2017/03/Auburn-AFN-Summary-Dec-2015.pdf.)
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Telligman, A.,! M.R. Worosz, and C. Bratcher. 2017. A qualitative study of Southern U.S. consumers top of the mind beliefs about the safety of local beef. Appetite, 18:1-10 (DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2016.10.031).
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Telligman, A..! M.R. Worosz, and C. Bratcher. 2017. "Local" as an indicator of beef quality: An exploratory study of consumers in the southern U.S. Food Quality and Preference, 57:41-53 (DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2016.11.001).
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Gradl, J.* and M.R. Worosz. 2017. Assessing the scientific basis of the agricultural water Provision of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule. Food & Drug Law Journal, 72(3):451-471.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Gradl, J.*, M.R. Worosz and P. Curtis. 2017. Assessing the Scientific Basis of the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule. Paper presented in the Southern Region-American Society of Horticultural Science (SR-ASHS) section of the annual meetings of the Southern Association of Agricultural Scientists, Mobile, AL, 03 07 Feb.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Olive, L. and M.R. Worosz. 2016. Farm to School: Does it Work? Paper presented at Cultivating a Culture of Success Through Innovation in Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resources during the Professional Agricultural Workers Conference, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL, 04 06 Dec.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Hill, C. and M.R. Worosz. 2016. Depiction of the Environmental Benefits of Local Beef. Poster presented at Cultivating a Culture of Success Through Innovation in Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resources during the Professional Agricultural Workers Conference, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL, 04 06 Dec.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Richardson, D.* and M.R. Worosz. 2017. Social Influence and Local Beef Consumers Understandings of Food Safety: A Case Study in Alabama. Paper presented in the Southern Rural Sociological Association (SRSA) section of the annual meetings of the Southern Association of Agricultural Scientists, Mobile, AL, 03 07 Feb.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Richardson, D.* and M.R. Worosz. 2017. Social Influence and Consumer Decisions to Purchase Beef. Poster presented at Rural Peoples in a Volatile World: Disruptive Agents and Adaptive Strategies, during the annual meetings of the Rural Sociological Society, Columbus, OH, 27 30 Jul.
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Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/16
Outputs
Target Audience:This work generally targets the needs of small and medium-sized supply chain actors, particularly growers, processors, and consumers including the interest of minorities and economically disadvantaged persons. This project is strickly research and education. As such, the primary audiences are students (both undergrad and graduate students), as well as other academics and related professionals. Thus, specific efforts include both formal and informal education such as classroom instruction with innovative curriculum development and experiential learning components; one-on-one individualized training in research (design, data collection, analysis). In addition to peer-reviewed journal articles, the target audiences have included alumni of the College of Agriculture and the broader university community via outreach presentations and publicity about the program of research. Changes/Problems:A major impediment was obtaining Human Subjects IRB approval for a survey asking college students about their choices, preferences and willingness to pay for local foods. Under the best of circumstances, this process can be onerous abd the cause of delay. In this case, it also created a criticl problem with the research design. First, Auburn will not permit us to survey students under age 19, which is an impediment to the research objective (i.e., requiring that we survey students who eat in the campus dining facilities, ost of whom will be freshman) that cannot be resolved at the faculty level. Second, there was another critical layer of complication. The initial research design was to survey students at all institutions across the state. However, Approxiately half of the colleges and universities were not willing to participate, most of whom would not even respond to the initial inquires. Of those that who were willing to participate, another half required that we go through their IRB process even though we had an approved protocal at Auburn. There were problems with follow-through at these other institutions (e.g., unable to find the current IRB Chair, getting into the review stream and obtaining a timely review, unclear forms and instructions). Some institutions also insisted that we secure a collaborator on their campus, only one such person ever responded to a request and agreed. We eventually sub-contracted with Qualtrics to survey students outside of AU, greatly raising the cost of the project. While this approach avoided future entanglements with other institutional IRBs, we had to change our research design and do a modification to the AU protocal, adding yet another delay. As such we were not able to collect the preliminary data necessary for what should have been the appropriate AFRI funding cycled. In the end, IRB cost us an entire year of wasted time, effort, and money. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?As indicated in the impact statement (see above), the training and development of future agrifood system leaders was the most important aspect of the project over the last year. This training included the following: Post Doc Fellow (Environmental Studies) has been working on a local beef consumer attitudes study that includes advanced modeling. Training included seeing the investigator through the peer review process and support for academic conference presentations. Ph.D. student (Food Science) is learning how to find, critically read, and to analyze statutes and proposed rules, and how to package the material for diverse audiences (i.e., lawyers, horticulatialists). Ph.D. student (Applied Economics) has learned how to search the peer-reviewed literature (this is an international student with no previous research experience) relating to statistical modeling and to design a survey and to develop specific questions for a survey. M.S. student (Rural Sociology) has learned to write a reserarch proposal and to conduct a literature review examine food security, and the role of local foods (research proposal has been defended) M.S. student (Sociology) has been introduced to agrifood systems (Rural Sociology) and has begun to analyze existing social psychological data using a computer assisted data analysis tool (Nvivo). B.S. student (Nutrition and Wellness) has leared about role of peer reviewed literature, how to do an exhaustive search, and how to do a qualitative meta-anlysis. B.S. student (Biosystems Engineering) begun a food assessment. Over the next year this project will include all research steps. B.S. student (English-Professional and Technical Writing) begun an information source analysis which will include learning how to do computer assisted data analysis (Nvivo). A class of 11 students in a food and agriculture class conducted a community food assessment using nearly all steps in the ERS FNS guide. No students in the course had previous research training--formal or informal. A class of 15 students in a food and agriculture class (again, no students have experience or coursework in research methods) started a community food assessment. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?General work on local foods was profiled here: Jackson, K. 2016. The local connection: Locally grown foods can fill community needs. The Season, 2(1):15-18. (https://agriculture.auburn.edu/theseason/the-local-connection/). A class of 11 students in a food and agriculture class conducted a community food assessment that was presented to other academics and subject area specialists: Worosz, M.R. 2015. Community Food Security Assessment in Three Alabama Black Belt Counties. Final presentations for Food, Agriculture and Society (RSOC 3190). Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 02 Dec (21 participants). The pedagogical aspets of the class project were presented at: Worosz, M.R. 2016. Wicked Problems: Sowing the Seeds of Inquiry and Cultivating Reflexivity. Invited poster presented during the annual "Conversations in Celebration of Teaching" symposium. The Office of University Writing and The Biggio Center for the Enhancement of Teaching & Learning, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 29 Jan (200 participants). Worosz, M.R. 2016. A Pedagogical Approach for "Wicked Problems." NACTA Journal 60, Supplement 1:16-17 (ISBN: 978-1-4951-1301-7). And, profiled in the following: Ferrell, B. & C. Jenda. 2016. Academic faculty and library collaboration engages students in active learning. Highlights, Fall: 10-11. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? The course project is currently undergoing modificaton and assessment for effectivness with the intent to publish. Theses for both the Honors College and the College of Agriculture will be completed. Several papers will be presented early in the next FY and there are plans for at least two to be published over the next year. Will seek additional funding to disseminate the local foods survey, nationally. Became a member of the newly formed SERA-47, Strengthening the Southern Region Extension and Research System to Support Local & Regional Foods Needs and Priorities. 2016 - 2020.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Impact Over the last Fiscal Year, the most direct and important impact has been on teaching, particulary for the students who have worked on various aspects of this project both directly and tangentially. Students who have been associated with this program of research have done so because they are interested in becoming agrifood system leaders. Thus, they have been exposed to issues of scale and disparity across the agrifood system giving them a higher level of understanding of the complexities and the resulting impacts on individuals and communities across the state. These points are particulary critical in Alabama, which is decades behind other states in its efforts to understand and improve the outcomes for short supply chain actors such as those interested in production, distribution, and sale of "local foods," farm-to-school foods, food security, and the like. Goals 1) Determine key factors that influence patterns of control and business relationships within values-based supply chains A food security study looking at the role (including barries and constraints) of supply chain actors in Montgomery, AL has been started. The data collection will be completed by Summer 2017. (Note: this sub-project is related to #2, as well). An analysis of the farm-to-school programs was started Spring 16 and the 1st presentation of data will be Dec 2016. (Note: this sub-project is relevant to #2 and #3, as well.) 2) Identify community-related goals and needs of values-based supply chains including labor An analysis of consumers' information sources related to the purchase of local beef and understanding of food safety is associated with the project A Systems Approach to Identifying and Filling Gaps in and Between Knowledge and Practice in Production and Distribution of Local and Regional Foods for a More Secure Food Supply Chain, will be has been started Sept 2016 and preliminary data will be presented Dec 2016. An analysis of the influences on consumer purchasing local beef behavior, associated with the project, also part of the Systems Approach project (noted above) was started in June 16. The 1st presentation of data will be Feb 2017. Two surveys associated with the sub-project Expanding Markets for Small and Mid-Sized Farmers in Alabama were completed. Surveys were distributed/fielded Nov 16 and data collection will be completed by Jan 2017. 3) Determine how existing policies influence the performance of values-based supply chains An analysis of the scientific basis of the Food Safety Modernization Act, with emphasis on the produce rule, was started Feb 16 and the 1st presentation of data will be Feb 2017. Identified will be the key scientific studies necessary to fill gaps in the rule. Outputs Peer-reviewed publications: 2 revise and resubmit (both accecpted Nov 16), 1 published Presentations at professional and/or academic conferences/meetings: 3 Community-related implications of values-based supply chains: (see goals) Graduating M.S. level students: no new graduates to report at this time.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Denny, R.C.H.,? M.R. Worosz, and N.L.W. Wilson. 2016. The importance of governance levels in alternative food networks: The case of red meat inspection rules. Rural Sociology, 81(4):60134 (DOI: 10.1111/ruso.12103).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Worosz, M.R. 2016. A Pedagogical Approach for Wicked Problems. NACTA Journal 60, Supplement 1:16-17 (ISBN: 978-1-4951-1301-7).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Telligman, A.! and M.R. Worosz. 2016. Predicting Intentions to Purchase Local Beef. Paper presented at Understanding Rural Social Class in an Era of Global Challenge, during the annual meetings of the Rural Sociological Society, Toronto, Canada, 07 10 Aug.
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Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/15
Outputs
Target Audience:Overall, this work is generally targeted to the needs of members of small and medium-sized supply chains (e.g., growers, processors, consumers); and the audience does include minorities and economically disadvantaged persons. However, because I do not have an Extension appointment, the primary audience is other academics and related professionals. Thus, specific efforts included both formal and informal education such as classroom instruction that included innovative curriculum development with experiential learning components; one-on-one individualized training; workshop and outreach presentations; and mass media profiles and publicity. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?During this reporting period, across the projects, training and development included: 1 Post-Doc, 1 PhD student (at another institution, thus not included in the FTE table); 1 M.S. student; 5 undergraduate research assistants who received both substantive and methodological training; and a class of 24 undergradate students that received a similar agrifood related research experience. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Media 1 internet profile 1 newspaper article Academic audiences 1 manuscript has been revised and resbumitted 2 manuscripts currently under review 7 presentations at conferences 2 presentations at an university symposium 4 outreach presentations, one of which also reached a more general community audience What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?1) Determine key factors that influence patterns of control and business relationships within values-based supply chains. Campus Kitchen Project: no plans for coming year. Efforts are redirected to the Expanding Markets project. Expanding Markets for Small and Mid-Sized Farmers in Alabama: complete online survey, pre-test instrument, obtain permission to field instrument at 36 institutions (includes IRB approval at each institution), collect data and begin analysis. 2) Identify community-related goals and needs of values-based supply chains including labor. A Systems Approach to Identifying and Filling Gaps in and Between Knowledge and Practice in Production and Distribution of Local and Regional Foods for a More Secure Food Supply Chain (consumer attitudes and perceptions of local beef and local been food safety): bring 2 manuscripts of intercept data to publication, analyze phone survey data, and develop manuscripts. Food Security in Alabama Black Belt Counties: modify project and continue data collection. 3) Determine how existing policies influence the performance of values-based supply chains. Beef Value Chains: Barriers and Constraints between "Farm Gate and Dinner Plate" (red meat access to slaughter): bring manuscript to publication. No further plans for the coming year.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Goals 1) Determine key factors that influence patterns of control and business relationships within values-based supply chains. The Campus Kitchen Project case study revealed a pattern consistant with some previously identified challenges in local agrifood systems including the third-party contracts, the long duration of dining facility contracts, and grades and standards expectations including but not limited to, food safety. However, it was also learned that there are two key, and interrelated, aspects of this supply chain that hold potential for Alabama growers. First, in this case, the buyer (Executive Chef) was willing to incorporate local produce when and where possible, even when it meant that some additional processing may be required. Second, the facilities Director is both charismatic and agressive. As a consequence, he has had success in persuading actors to try new things and renegotiate formal contracts to require a percentage of purchases to be from local sources. Moreover, he is willing to think "outside the box" so as to envision alternatives and to collaborate in formal research projects including some listed in this report. The point of this case study is that charismatic indiviuals may be key to bringing "local" into institutional settings, which is important for producers looking to establish new markets that will be larger and more consistent over time. While the Expanding Markets for Small and Mid-Sized Farmers in Alabama (to examine and measure potential local food markets across the state with an online survey of Alabama college and university students and face-to-face interviews with Dining Facility Directors) is a very new project that was built upon the Campus Kitchen Project (noted above). Formal survey and interview data collection will begin Spring 2016. Regardless, one key aspect that has revealed itself to date, and must be considered in the context of values-based supply chains, is the general disorganization that has been found across, and within institutions. It will be quite challenging for growers and other supply chain actors, who may have much less famaliarity with college and university organizational schemes, to determine who to contact and/or who is able to negotiate. Adding further complication is the high turnover in administrative positions which may be further compounded by changing student tastes and interests. 2) Identify community-related goals and needs of values-based supply chains including labor. A Systems Approach to Identifying and Filling Gaps in and Between Knowledge and Practice in Production and Distribution of Local and Regional Foods for a More Secure Food Supply Chain (consumer attitudes and perceptions of local beef and local beef food safety). Intercept surveys revealed that participants, in the rural South, are less likely to be familar with local foods terminology, and their conception of local foods (regardless of their familarity with the term "local"), is less nuanced than what has been reported in other areas of the United States and European Union. One finding is the tendency of consumers in small rural grocery stores to believe that the beef sold is from animals raised locally, which was found to be true even when a sign above the cooler stated that the meat was a product of another country. A second key finding is that when food is "local" the respondant believes that they "know" more about the item, and in the case of beef, that they "know" what the animal is fed. However, what they "know" (i.e., claims about cattle feed) is not necessarily accurate and tends to be inconsistent across respondents (i.e., belief that "local' means the animal was grain fed; local means it was corn fed, or local means it was grass fed). These types of findings suggests a lack of transparancy in not only food production and processing, but across the supply chain in general. The phone survey data are currently undergoing analysis. Community Food Security in Alabama Black Belt Counties. This is a very new project focused on persistently poor counties, with high minority populations that have poor health indicators such as high rates of obesity and diabeties. However, there are two key findings to date. First, the food outlets are almost entirely clustered in population centers with essentially no public transportation, even for those who do live within these areas. Moreover, of the five couties examined to date, one assessed the number and type of food pantries. They too were predominately located in the greatest population centers even those with the largest number of household on food assistance were not in that location. Regardless, only one, new, pantry kept any sort of regular schedule. Most were simply unable to serve the population in need. Second, even the best food retail outlets that were in the population centers were unlikley to offer the full range of foods listed on the USDA FNS Thrifty Food Plan Market Basket list. Outside the highest-end grocery stores, which are very rarely available in such regions, the quality of the stores available and what is offered within the stores, declines very rapidly. 3) Determine how existing policies influence the performance of values-based supply chains. Beef Value Chains: Barriers and Constraints between "Farm Gate and Dinner Plate" (red meat access to slaughter). This study finds that governance level matters. State-level red meat inspection is important to small-scale slaughter facilities. However, HACCP, which is often blamed for the decline in small-scale operations (i.e., those that are essential to values-based supply chains), has not had a negative effect on the availability of facilities overall (i.e., while HACCP may have been the reason that some facilities closed, it does not explain the loss in the aggregate). Regardless, while it is important to look at the impact of private and third-party certifications on small and medium-sized supply chain actors, it is also important to pay attention to different forms of governmental governance (i.e., state vs. federal). This is likely to be particularly true of the ongoing rule-making and implementation associated with the new Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), which will have a greater impact on a wider range of foods from small- and medium-sized growers and processors. Outputs Peer-reviewed publications: 3 currently under review. Presentations at professional and/or academic conferences/meetings: 7 (plus another 6 outreach presentations that reached 495 participants). A better understanding of the community-related implications of values-based supply chains: see goals (responses 1 to 3, above). Graduating M.S. level students: no new graduates to report at this time.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Denny, R.C.H., M.R. Worosz, and N.L.W. Wilson. Revise and Resubmit. The importance of governance levels in alternative food networks: The case of red meat inspection rules. Rural Sociology.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Telligman, A., M.R. Worosz, and C. Bratcher. Under Review. US consumers beliefs about the safety of local beef. Appetite.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Telligman, A., M.R. Worosz, and C. Bratcher. Under Review. Defining and using "local" as an indicator of beef quality: US consumer perceptions. Food Quality and Preference.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Johnson, T., N.L. Wilson, M.R. Worosz, D. Fields, and J.K. Bond. 2015. Commodity Highlight: Sweet Potatoes. Vegetable and Pulses Outlook, VGS-354-SA1. Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC (http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/vgs-vegetables-and-pulses-outlook/vgs-355.aspx).
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Walker, D. M.R. Worosz, N. Wilson, Y. Hu, J. Zanzot, C. Bailey, and C. Zizza. 2014. Manuscript in progress. Macon County Community Food Security Assessment, Bulletin. Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn University, Auburn, AL.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Telligman, A. and M.R. Worosz. 2015. Beliefs Underlying the Purchase of Local Beef, A Comparison of Farmers Market and Grocery Store Consumers. Paper presented at Knowing Rural, during the annual meetings of the Rural Sociological Society, Madison, WI, 06 09 Aug.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Telligman, A. and M.R. Worosz. 2015. Salient Beliefs about Local Beef: Results from a Qualitative Study in Rural Grocery Stores. Paper presented at Bridging the Past, Cultivating the Future: Exploring Sustainable Foodscapes during the annual joint meetings of the Association for the Study of Food and Society (ASFS) and the Agriculture, Food and Human Values Society (AFHVS), Chatham University, Pittsburg, PA, 24 28 Jun.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Denny, R.C.H., M.R. Worosz, and N.L.W. Wilson. 2015. The Importance of Governance Levels in Alternative Food Networks: The Case of Red Meat Inspection Rules. Paper presented at Bridging the Past, Cultivating the Future: Exploring Sustainable Foodscapes during the annual joint meetings of the Association for the Study of Food and Society (ASFS) and the Agriculture, Food and Human Values Society (AFHVS), Chatham University, Pittsburg, PA, 24 28 Jun.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Telligman, A., M.R. Worosz and M. Walters. 2015. Understanding the Term Local Beef: A Comparison between Farmers Market and Grocery Store Consumers. Paper presented at the Southern Rural Sociological Association at the annual meetings of the Southern Association of Agricultural Scientists, Atlanta, GA, 31 Jan 03 Feb.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Walters, M., A. Telligman, and M.R. Worosz. 2014. Understanding the Term Local Beef: An Examination of Conceptions from Alabama Farmers Market Consumers. Poster presented at Dr. George Washington Carver Lives On: Changing the World In Uncommon Ways, during the annual meetings of the Professional Agricultural Workers Conference, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL, 07 09 Dec.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Telligman, A.L., M.R. Worosz, and C.L. Bratcher. 2014. Understanding Increased Consumer Demand for Local Beef. Poster presented at Innovate 2014: Global Food Security during the annual meetings of the American Society of Animal Sciences, Brainerd, MN. 05 07 Oct.
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Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience: This work is related to members of small and medium-sized supply chains (e.g., growers, processors, consumers). The audience for some of this work includesracial minorities and economically disadvantaged persons, as well as other agrifood system stakeholders (e.g., Food Policy Councils). Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? This work has provided training for several undergraduate students in the form of survey data collection and analysis;one M.S. graduate student who learned multi-method data collection; and twoM.S. students who learned about both the written and oral presentation of research results and written and oral communicationwith diverse audiences.The a Post-Doctoral Fellow has leared high level, complex, survey design (methods), which included context prepration (local foods sector, meat production and processng, food safety). Three undergraduates were also provided with an opportunity to learn about survey research and data collection. A forth undergraduate (intern)worked on written communication andlearned aboutthedetails associated with reports prepared for the federal government. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Anundergraduate student submitted a final draft of a manuscript that will become an entry ina USDA ERS Outlook Report. One M.S. student published part of his thesis as a chapter in a book (Auburn Speaks) designed for outreach audiences. Another is currenting writing her thesis,drafted an Agricultural Experiment Station Report, and presented her preliminary data at two academic and two outreachconferences. Thesurvey pre-test data has been presented at two conferences (1 rural sociology and 1 animal science) and one seminar (1 animal science). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Continue the current program of research with emphasis on pushing current manuscrpts through to publication. In addition, start a project looking at the barriers and constraints to buying and offering local foods in institutions (e.g., colleges and university).
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
1) Determine key factors that influence patterns of control and business relationships within values-based supply chains: there are important, actors in the agrifood system that are typically ignored such as the role of Chef's in promoting and creating meanings are food, particularly at the local level, which influences consumer demand and preferences, the types of values-based foods offered, and the acutal values associated. Other factors that influence relationships include both race and ethnicity and socieconomic statusof the actor in question; as well as their knowledgeabout the status of other actors within the supply chain, the ways in which the supply chain operates, and thier perceived ability to influence that operation and/or associated relationships. 2) Identify community-related goals and needs of values-based supply chains including labor.Some agrifood system actorstend to be ignored in researchsuch as various racial and/or economically disadvantaged actors. Among many things, what they bring to the table is information aboutvalues-based supply chain mechanisms not previously examineds. 3) Determine how existing policies influence the performance of values-based supply chains. Work inprocess.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Prevatt, C.,* J. Novak, W. Prevatt, M.R. Worosz, K. Balkcom, W. Birdsong, B. Gamble, and J. Howe. 2013. A return-risk analysis of Southern row-crop enterprises and the sod-based rotation. Journal of Agribusiness, 31 (1 & 2): 35-45.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Wilson, N.L.W. and M.R. Worosz. 2014. Zero tolerance rules for food safety and quality. Food Policy, 45: 112-115 (DOI: 10.1016/j.foodpol.2013.11.004).
- Type:
Book Chapters
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Worosz, M.R. and D. Stuart. 2014. Invited. Food safety and the structure of the agrifood system. Pp. 103-120 in Rural America in a Globalizing World: Problems and Prospects for the 2010s, edited by C. Bailey, L. Jensen, and E. Ransom. West Virginia Press (ISBN: 978-1-9404-2510-8).
- Type:
Other
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Johnson, T. N.L. Wilson, M.R. Worosz, and D. Fields. 2014. Sweet Potato. Vegetable and Pulses Outlook: Report. Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
- Type:
Book Chapters
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Thomas, W.*, N. Wilson, and M.R. Worosz. 2014. Democratization of the Food System: Interests in a Food Policy Council in Alabama. Pg. 18-25 in Auburn Speaks: Food, edited by P. Curtis and J. Lamar. Auburn University, Auburn, AL (ISBN: 978-0-615-97504-7).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Telligman, A.!, M.R. Worosz, and C. Bratcher. 2014. Beliefs Underlying Purchases of Local Beef. Paper presented at Equity, Democracy, and the Commons: Counter-Narratives for Rural Transformation, the annual meetings of the Rural Sociological Society, New Orleans, LA, 30 Jul 03 Aug.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Walker, D.* and M.R. Worosz. 2014. The Role of Chefs and Restaurant Owners in Alabamas Local Foods Movement. Paper presented at Equity, Democracy, and the Commons: Counter-Narratives for Rural Transformation, the annual meetings of the Rural Sociological Society, New Orleans, LA, 30 Jul 03 Aug.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Walker, D.,* Y. Hu,* M.R. Worosz, N. Wilson, J. Zanzot, C. Bailey, C. Zizza. 2014. Access to Nutritious Foods in Macon County Alabama. Poster presented at Collaboration and Innovation Across the Food System, the annual joint meetings of the Association for the Study of Food and Society (ASFS) and the Agriculture, Food and Human Values Society (AFHVS), Burlington, VT, Jun 18-22.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Yeomans, D.,* M.R. Worosz, Y. Hu,* J. Zanzot, N. Wilson, C. Bailey and C. Zizza. 2013. Macon County Community Food Security Assessment. Poster presented at Women and Youth: Changing the Landscape of Agriculture, the 71st Professional Agricultural Workers Conference, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL, 08 10 Dec.
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Progress 10/01/12 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: This work is related to members of small and medium-sized supply chains (e.g., growers/fishers, processors, consumers). The audience for some of this work has also been racial minorities and economically disadvantaged persons, as well as other agrifood system stakeholders (e.g., Food Policy Councils). Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Three M.S. students who worked on variouys aspects of values-based supply chains have already graduated. A fourth student is currently writing her thesis and a fifth has already started her data collection. In addition, a post-doc was recently been hired to develop two key aspects of this work, one of which is a consumer study of locally purchased beef products that looks at how their behavior may change when there are large-scale food scares (e.g., are they more or less likley to seek out local beef when there is a high profile E. coli outbreak?). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? As a member of the Alabama Food Policy Council, I am in regular contact with key actors who are engage in values-based supply chains. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
1) Determine key factors that influence patterns of control and business relationships within values-based supply chains: * At the grower/fisher level there is a lack of, or very limited, organization (such as co-ops). As a consequence, they have little barganing power that would allow them to engage in the market in a meaningful way or represent their sector interests in larger debates. 2) Identify community-related goals and needs of values-based supply chains including labor * nothing to report for this goal. 3) Determine how existing policies influence the performance of values-based supply chains. * Food safety rules, in general (i.e., not just HACCP) have had a negative impact on small-scale processors. In addition to the outputs listed in previous sections of this report, there are several manuscripts that are under development and several peer-reviewed publications that are in-press; as well as several presentations at professional and/or academic conferences that have already taken place and will be included in the Oct 2013 - Sept 2014 report.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Stuart, D. and M.R. Worosz. 2013. The myth of efficiency: Technology and ethics in industrial food production. Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics, 26(1): 231-256 (DOI: 10.1007/s10806-011-9357-8).
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Stuart, D. and M.R. Worosz. 2012. Risk, anti-reflexivity, and ethical neutralization in industrial food processing. Agriculture and Human Values, 29:287-301 (DOI: 10.1007/s10460-011-9337-7).
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Worosz, M.R. and N.L.W. Wilson. 2012. A cautionary tale of purity, labeling and product literacy in the gluten-free market. Journal of Consumer Affairs, Summer:288-318 (DOI: 10.1111/j.1745-6606.2012.01230.x).
- Type:
Book Chapters
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Denny, R.* and M.R. Worosz. 2012. Meat inspection regulations: The federal state relationship. Pp. 170-180 in Empowering Underserved Farmers and Rural Communities by Changing Legislation, USDA Eligibility Requires, and Program Delivery, edited by T.M. Hargrove, N.O. Tackie, R. Zabawa, and W.A. Hill. Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL, (ISBN: 1-891169-16-2).
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Thomas, W.*, N. Wilson, and M.R. Worosz. 2013. Coming to the Table: The Alabama Food Policy Council. AARP, Montgomery, AL and Auburn University College of Agriculture, Auburn, AL.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Hite, D., T. Hansen, L. Marzen, M. Worosz, D. Robinson,* and S. Christensen.* 2012. Learning from the Past: Planning for the Future. Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Project Assessing Status of Gulf Coast with an Eye on the Future Fish. Auburn University College of Agriculture.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Christensen, S.* and M.R. Worosz. 2013. The Commercial Seafood Industry in Alabama & Mississippi after the Deepwater Horizon Disaster. Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill and Ecosystem Science Conference, Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative, New Orleans, LA, 21 23 Jan.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Christensen, S.* and M.R. Worosz. 2012. Just the facts? Stakeholders opinions on media coverage of the Deepwater Horizon oil spills impact on seafood safety. Paper presented during the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Science session at the annual Alabama-Mississippi Bays & Bayous Symposium, Biloxi, MS, 14 15 Nov.
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Christensen, S. 2013. Surviving the Spill: Stakeholder Perceptions of Commercial Seafood Supply Chain in Alabama & Mississippi after the Deepwater Horizon Disaster. M.S. Thesis, Auburn University.
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Prevatt, C. 2013. A Return-Risk Analysis of Traditional Row-Crop and Sod-Based Rotation Enterprises in the Wiregrass Region of Alabama. M.S. Thesis, Auburn University.
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Thomas, W. 2013. Community Governance, Contingent Valuation, and Food Policy Councils: The Case of the Alabama Food Policy Council. M.S. Thesis, Auburn University.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Thomas, W.C.,* N. Wilson, and M.R. Worosz. 2012. Food Policy Councils in Alabama. Paper presented at the ASAN Food and Farm Forum, Orange Beach, AL, 30 Oct (25 participants).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Wilson, N., M.R. Worosz, and W. Thomas.* 2013. Coming to the Table: Alabama Food Policy Council. Poster Presented at the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group Conference, Little Rock, AL , 23 - 26 Jan (500 participants).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Wilson, N., W. Thomas,* and M.R. Worosz. 2013. Presented during The cupboard is bare: Food insecurity among older adults session at Share the Vision: Moving Alabama Forward, Arise Citizen Policy Project Conference. Auburn University Montgomery Taylor Center, Montgomery AL, 08 Feb (25 participants).
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