Category Archives: food system

economic benefits and measurement error

Posted on February 22, 2013 by admin

I am attending the annual project directors’ meeting for the Small and Medium Sized Farms research grants, awarded by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.  The meeting consists of a mixture of ‘big picture’ talks by the NIFA program … Continue reading →

Posted in buy local, food system, multiplier, regional food systems | 2 Comments

thoughts on a few food documentaries

Posted on February 12, 2013 by admin

I’ve been on a food documentary watching kick lately, and have viewed old favorites and some new films (this is what I do for entertainment and relaxation). The one “oldie but goodie” documentary is King Corn, which provides a nice, … Continue reading →

Posted in agriculture, biodynamic farming, Food studies, India, sustainable agriculture | Leave a comment

day 7 in Puebla

Posted on January 9, 2013 by admin

Meat, meat, meat. That was the day’s theme. The other aspect made very clear is how globalized our markets are. The first stop of the day was an industrial pig farm, RYC, where we were given a wonderful tour by … Continue reading →

Posted in animal welfare, Food studies, food system, Puebla, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

In Memphis!

Posted on September 20, 2012 by admin

I am at the Small Farm Conference in Memphis TN. This is my first trip to Memphis, and last night I saw a lot of motorcycles and ate some heart-stopping food (meaning high in saturated fat) with colleagues at Blues … Continue reading →

Posted in beginning farmers, buy local, food system, regional food systems | 2 Comments

Philabundance

Posted on September 18, 2012 by admin

On Thursday morning (9/13), I attended the Philabundance Hunger Symposium. The event was inspiring – the on the ground movement to feed hungry people in Philadelphia is tremendous. The activists partner with businesses (think Bank of America, Vanguard, Target, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Cities, food availability, food system, Philadelphia, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

in Northern California – just for fun

Posted on August 12, 2012 by admin

I’ve been traveling around the Bay Area (will post on that tomorrow), and right now I am in Mendocino County. We’re staying at a small inn that has chickens and a garden.  Tom, one of the owners, took a group … Continue reading →

Posted in buy local, California, food system | Leave a comment

jobs, jobs, jobs

Posted on April 27, 2012 by admin

Does anything surpass “jobs” in terms of importance in the current environment?  For those following economic policy, there is an odd sense of irony about the current attention. After all, the debate about how much money to inject into the … Continue reading →

Posted in farm bill, food policy, food system, organic food | Leave a comment

regional food systems – a look ahead or a look back?

Posted on March 30, 2012 by admin

History provides a useful perspective on modern society: where we have been does matter. While current conditions (such as prices, tastes and preferences, technology, inputs) are clearly influential, previous choices are equally important. Economic historians refer to this phenomenon as … Continue reading →

Posted in food system, regional food systems | Leave a comment

I’m back online

Posted on March 15, 2012 by admin

Whew. Spring break at last, after a whirlwind of activity during the first two weeks of the month. The recently released Know Your Farmer Compass is on my mind. Because I am writing a full discussion of the release for … Continue reading →

Posted in beginning farmers, food policy, food system, organic food, sustainable agriculture | Leave a comment

blending academic and practical knowledge

Posted on February 27, 2012 by admin

My Food Systems II course this spring focuses on organic food systems. As I have mentioned in previous postings, the course covers organic agriculture from its philosophical roots to its current role in the market. Complementing the readings and discussions … Continue reading →

Posted in Food studies, food system, organic food, Snug Harbor Farm | 4 Comments