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MSU Agricultural Economics | News > Ag Econ-O-Gram Archive > Back Issue |
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October 1, 2004
FACULTY MEETING
Please mark your calendars for upcoming faculty meetings Fall Semester 2004. All meetings will be held at 1:30 pm , Room 75 Agriculture Hall. S. Hanson
Friday, Oct. 1, 15 and 29
Friday, Nov. 12
Friday, Dec. 3 and 17
MSU AG. ECON. PROJECT
On June 8, the Development Gateway Foundation named the MSU Agricultural Economics Depts Mali Market Information Support Project as one of eight finalists for the Petersberg Prize, to be awarded for the most exemplary application of information and communication technology (ICT) in the developing world over the past decade. An independent jury of international experts, led by Jorge Quiroga, former President of Bolivia, selected the finalists from over 220 nominees. The Mali project, known by its French acronym PASIDMA (Projet dAppui au Systme dInformation Dcentralis du March Agricole), was the only finalist selected from Africa.
PASIDMA has helped Malis ag. market information system (MIS) provide farmers & traders throughout Mali with nearly real-time information on prices & other market conditions for their crops & livestock (For details, see http://www.aec.msu.edu/agecon/fs2/mali_pasidma/index.htm). The technological heart of the system is a solar-powered computer network that links local MIS offices across the country through e-mail sent over HF radio. The local MIS offices are in turn tied to local private radio stations that broadcast market reports in French and local languages. PASIDMA is a joint effort of MSUs Dept. of Ag. Econ., USAID, and the Permanent Assembly of the Chambers of Agriculture of Mali (APCAM), and is implemented under the USAID/MSU Food Security III Cooperative Agreement. MSU Ag. Econ. professors John Staatz and Niama Nango Dembl led the effort for MSU in partnership with Abdramane Traor of APCAM.
The Development Gateway Foundation is an independent not for profit organization. It was conceived by World Bank President James Wolfensohn & initially developed in the World Bank. Operations began in July 2001. The foundation is an enabler of development. It helps improve peoples lives in developing countries by building partnerships and information systems that provide access to knowledge for development to: Increase knowledge sharing; Enhance development effectiveness; Improve public sector transparency; and Build local capacity to empower communities. The Petersberg Prize is underwritten by Microsoft and Deutche Telekom.
NEW FACULTY PUBLICATIONS
Reardon, T., C.P. Timmer, and J. Berdegue. 2004. The Rapid Rise of Supermarkets in Developing Countries: Induced Organizational, Institutional, and Technological Change in Agrifood Systems, Electronic Journal of Agricultural and Development Economics e-JADE published by FAO, October, 1(2), http://www.fao.org/>www.fao.org
LIVESTOCK ECONOMIST INTERVIEWS
The Department has invited two candidates to interview for the Livestock Economist faculty position.
Nov. 2: Brenda Boetel, University of Wisconsin-River Falls, will arrive the evening of Nov. 1, present her seminar Nov. 2, and depart Nov. 3.
Nov. 9: Heather Johnson , Oregon State University, will arrive the afternoon/evening of Nov. 8, present her seminar Nov. 9, and depart Nov. 10.
Both seminars will be held on Tuesdays, 10 am, Rm 75 Ag. Hall. Other interview details as well as the candidates' CVs will be forthcoming. --Steve Hanson
CANR HOMECOMING TAILGATE
Dean Jeffrey Armstrong and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources invite you to the CANR Homecoming Tailgate, Sat., Oct. 16, 2004, two hours before the MSU v.s. Minnesota game kick-off at CANR Homecoming Tent on Demonstration Hall Field. Please RSVP by Fri., Oct. 8. $15 per person - Kids 5 and under free! Enjoy roast pork sandwiches, BBQ ribs and chicken, with all the fixings. Please call (517)355-0284 to register or e-mailanralum@msu.edu for a copy of the AutumnFest brochure.
INTERNAL RESEARCH PROGRAM
The Office of the John A. Hannah Distinguished Professor in Land Policy and the Land Policy Program are conducting a series of internal research & outreach projects, some are foundational to policy decisions on land use in the state of Michigan. Recognizing the synergy between farmland preservation & urban revitalization, six projects have been designed to address short-term policy development needs related to both topics. We have met with the Governors staff, the Agri. Preservation Fund Board, and Michigan government representatives in Washington D.C. to provide progress reports on the projects. This initiative is made possible through contributions from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, with matching funds from MSU units, including MSUE, MAES and the Office of the Provost. In addition to leading these short-term projects, Dr. Soji Adelaja, the Hannah Distinguished Professor in Land Policy, presented two papers at the AEEA meeting, one titled, The Political Economy of Downzoning (with Paul Gottlieb), and the other titled, Surviving the Challenge: Priorities for Departments of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness. He also served as session moderator. Ongoing research projects cover other areas such as Economics of Upzoning and Population Dynamics and Land Use in Michigan. If you would like to receive more information about the Land Policy Program internal research & outreach projects, please contact Mary Beth Lake, Research Program Coordinator, at 517-432-8800 ext. 104.
Urban Experiment Station Initiative
The MAES has asked Dr. Soji Adelaja to spearhead a new initiative called the Urban Experiment Station. The objective is to conceptualize & implement a new generation of experiment stations that focus on urban issues and located in urban centers. The Urban Experiment Station Steering Committee has conceptualized a process that will lead to the development of the research agenda for the Urban Experiment Stations. A fact finding committee is working on stakeholder assessment. Potential exists for new centers to be created in southeastern & southwestern Michigan, and are being examined. Similar centers have significantly leveraged funding from non-traditional AES funding sources, such as Empowerment Zones, city partners, and Federal grant dollars.
MSU CRIME STATISTICS REPORT
The Michigan State University annual crime statistics information and security report is now available at: http//www.msu.edu/dig/safety/. The report contains valuable information concerning security on the MSU campus and neighboring areas. It has statistics of reported crimes on campus & certain non-campus property for the 2001, 2002, and 2003 calendar years and of arrests and disciplinary referrals for liquor law, drug law, and illegal weapons possessions violations. It describes MSU police and public safety resources and explains where and how to report crimes, fires, and medical emergencies on and off campus. It includes information on crime prevention and victim support services, as well as on campus and residence hall security.
BRESLIN CENTER
For information, go to: http://www.breslincenter.com
PAVILION EVENTS
For information, go to: http://www.msu.edu/~pavilion/
WHARTON CENTER
For info, go to https://www.whartoncenter.com
CALL FOR PAPERS
The University of North Carolina's Eighth Annual Tax Symposium, Chapel Hill, North Carolina on April 1 & 2, 2005. The annual symposium is designed to bring together leading tax scholars from economics, accounting, finance, law, political science, and related fields. The symposium will be sponsored by the KPMG Foundation. The goal is to bring together scholars from different areas who share a common interest in current tax research. Papers should be well developed, but at a stage where they can still benefit from the group's discussion. The symposium will include no more than six papers. Travel and lodging expenses for presenters will be reimbursed up to $500. Please submit an electronic version of the paper no later than January 14, 2005 to: Professor Ed Maydew; Email: Edward_Maydew@unc.edu; Postal: Kenan-Flagler Business School, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Campus Box 3490, McColl Building, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3490. Paper selection will be finalized by Feb. 4, 2005.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
CLAREMONT MCKENNA COLLEGE , Dept. of Economics, is seeking for two tenured or tenure track positions.
We are especially interested in international & development econ. and seek excellent teachers with established research programs. Junior candidates must have successfully completed their final Ph.D. defense by June 30, 2005. These positions offer competitive compensation packages and teaching responsibilities that will enable the incumbents to maintain high impact research programs. Junior candidates will be interviewed at the January 2005 AEA/ASSA meetings in Philadelphia. Please submit cover letter, C.V., course evaluations, three reference letters and copies of at least two publications and/or working papers by Dec. 1, 2004. Contact: Chair, Economics Search Committee, Dept. of Economics, Claremont McKenna College, 500 E. Ninth St., Claremont, CA 91711-6400
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY is seeking for a Assistant Professor of Agricultural Economics (Agribusiness); twelve month, tenure track research & teaching position involving decision science applications, in particular to the problems facing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the global food and fiber industry. Research may be pertinent on a variety of topics. The candidate is expected to develop a nationally recognized research program, which includes publication of scholarly articles in peer reviewed journals and the ability to compete for extramural funds; expected to teach at least two courses per year, and also be expected to collaborate with extension counterparts and to develop relations with scientists in other departments, including the business school. Required: Ph.D. in Ag. Econ.; Strong quantitative skills and business expertise is preferred, a MBA degree is desirable. Deadline: Review will begin Oct. 8, 2004. Applications will be accepted until a qualified candidate, fulfilling the requirements of this position, is selected. Forward a vitae, transcripts and names and addresses of three references to: Lynn W. Robbins, Professor and Chair, Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546-0276; Phone(859) 257-5762; FAX(859) 323-1913; e-mail: lrobbins@uky.edu
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY is seeking for a Regional Coordinator, in Southern Africa, in Partnerships for Food Industry Development - Fruits & Vegetables project at MSU. The position is funded by a grant from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for a five-year period. The project seeks to enhance demand for fruits & vegetables through linkages with wholesalers, processors, and retailers both in Africa and outside and to enhance supply by incorporating more small-scale farmers into the market, thereby raising their incomes. The Regional Coordinator, under the general supervision of the PFID F&V Director at MSU, will be: responsible for exercising leadership & management of the Partnerships regional program in S. Africa; will work closely with professionals in S. Africa, the U.S., NGOs, producers, exporters and all those pursuing similar goals and objectives. Although the Regional Coordinator will be headquartered in Botswana, this position requires regional travel as well as travel abroad. Required: MA, MS, MBA or higher degree; experience in the agriculture/food industry sector; a min. of five yrs project administration; fluency in English; the ability to work in multiple countries; and an understanding of cultural differences. Desired: experience with Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary standards; with working within a university setting; evidence of innovative and strategic approaches; knowledge of intl development issues and experience with intl agencies; entrepreneurial drive; interpersonal communications skills: verbal, written & computer; and a commitment to the mission of PFID F&V that of reducing poverty among small stakeholders in the horticultural sectors of developing countries. Deadline: Oct. 15, 2004. Women are encouraged to apply. Late submissions will be considered if a suitable candidate pool is not identified by the deadline. Send applications by mail, fax, or email, including a cover letter outlining qualifications and professional goals, and vita with three references to: Dr. Dave Weatherspoon, Director, Partnerships for Food Industry Development Fruits & Vegetables, 416 Agricultural Hall, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; Tel. 1-517-353-9850, FAX 1-517-353-5149, Email: weathe42@msu.edu For further information on the Partnership for Food Industry Development Fruits & Vegetables, please refer to the web site at: http://www.pfid.msu.edu
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY - Extension seeks:
POS ID #1412 - #1412 Extension Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent - Swine AoE, Southwest/West Central, Michigan; located in Cassopolis, MI. Appointment is on an annual renewable basis with continuation contingent upon renewed funding through May 31, 2007. Available: Aug. 1, 2004. Deadline: Extended to Oct. 29, 2004
POS ID #1414 - Extension Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent, Dairy AoE, Multi-County, located in Hillsdale, MI. Available: Sept. 1, 2004. Deadline: Extended to Oct. 29, 2004.
POS ID #1425 - County Extension Director, Tuscola County; located in Caro, MI. Available to MSUE STAFF ONLY (Internal Posting), Full-time Position, Eligible for Continuing Employment. Available: Dec. 1, 2004. Deadline: Oct. 11, 2004. Apply for above at web site: http//www.msue.msu.edu/jobs
Further details available for 30 days by contacting Pat Neumann.
All announcements should be sent to Pat Neumann, Editor, in room 219 Ag. Hall or e-mail: <neumannp@msu.edu> NO LATER than 12:00 noon on Thursday; after 12, they will be in the next BI-WEEKLY edition.