Ag Econ-O-Gram

January 20, 2006

FACULTY MEETINGS
Faculty meetings for 2006 Spring semester will be held Fridays, 10:30 am - 12:00 noon, Room 75 Ag Hall on the following dates:

February 3 and 17
March 3 and 17
April 14 and 28
May 12
 
FACULTY PUBLICATIONS
Bitsch, Vera and Michael Hogberg.  2005.  Exploring horticultural employees' attitudes towards their jobs:  A qualitative analysis based on Herzberg's theory of job satisfaction.  Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics 37 (December, 3), 659-71.
 
P. B. Thompson.  2005.  Ecological Risks of Transgenic Crops:  A Framework for Assessment and Conceptual Issues, in Sustainability in Agriculture, R.E. Hester and R. M. Harrison, Eds.  Issues in Environmental Science and Toxicology, Vol. 21, Cambridge, UK:  Royal Society of Chemistry, pp. 16-30.

P. B. Thompson.  2005.  Agricultural Ethics, in Encyclopedia of Science, Technology and Ethics, Vol. 1, Carl Mitcham, Ed. Detroit:  Thomson-Gale, pp.41-47.
 
MSU WEB SITE
On Feb. 2, MSU will launch the next generation of the University web site offering a new look, enhanced navigation and more options up front to get users where they want to go more quickly.  The new site adheres to current web standards.  You can preview the beta site and provide feedback on it at home2006.msu.edu .
--Chris Wolf, Computer Service Manager
 
CALL FOR POSTER ABSTRACTS
The MSU Land Policy Program announces a Call for Poster Abstracts for the 2006 Michigan Land Use Summit: Planning for Prosperity.  The Summit will take place on Monday, March 27th at the Kellogg Center, here at Michigan State Universitys campus.  We ask that interested individuals submit a 300-word abstract electronically to luposter@landpolicy.msu.edu no later than February 1, 2006.  Notification of acceptance into the poster session will be made by February 8, 2006.  Please see the Land Policy Program website for additional information: www.landpolicy.msu.edu. If you have any questions about the abstract process or the Summit poster session, please contact Maulshree Upadhyaya at 517-432-8800 ext. 109 or maulshree@landpolicy.msu.edu. 
 
SEMINARS IN ECON
Feb. 1 - Karna Basu (MIT), "Hyperbolic Discounting and the Sustainability of Rotational Savings Arrangements," at 3:30 pm in the Koo Room.
 
Feb. 3 - Harsha Thirumurthy (Yale), "The Economic Impact of AIDS Treatment: Labor Supply in Western Kenya," at 3:30 pm in the Koo Room.
 
RETIREMENT
Doreen Woodward retired from MSU on Dec. 31, 2005. While we are happy for Doreen and wish her much success and fulfillment in her new life, we are truly
saddened to see her go.  Doreen has been an integral part of every aspect of the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station for more than 20 years.

In retirement, Doreen is pursuing a life-long interest in serving others and her community and has been named executive director of the Michigan Community Action Agency Association (MCAAA).

Doreen is a consummate professional and will be deeply missed by the MAES and all the colleges and departments with which she worked. Please join us in wishing Doreen continued success and happiness in her new role.---Jeff  Armstrong, Dean
 
LUNCHTIME PROGRAMS
Here's a list of upcoming lunchtime programs taking place in January.  All are FREE and open to everyone!!

January 25 - "How to Get Started on eBay," Speaker:  Bill Triola from Triola's; 12-1:00 p.m., MSUFCU Community Room (600 E. Crescent Rd., East Lansing) Whatever you are looking for, you can find it on eBay. Bill Triola will explain the process of getting started, what to look for and what to watch out for with this exciting electronic marketplace. Light refreshments will be provided!  To reserve a space for this program, call MSUFCU at 664-4858, email:  sskillin@msufcu.org  or on-line at www.msufcu.org/seminars.html

January 26 - "Do You Have Too Much Month Left at the End of Your Money?"  12-1:00 p.m.; Speaker:  Michelle Massey, Primerica Financial Services MSUFCU Community Room (600 E. Crescent Rd., East Lansing)  Winning the financial "war" is the result of winning tiny battles day to day.  Your future doesn't have to be a question mark.  Instead of what you're willing to settle for, it can be whatever you're willing to plan and work for.  Come learn the five financial basics and how to use a budget to help you start dreaming again.  Light refreshments will be provided!  To reserve a space for this program, call MSUFCU at 664-4858, email:  sskillin@msufcu.org or on-line at www.msufcu.org/seminars.html

EXPANDING MICHIGAN'S BIO-ECONOMY
President Simon distributed a study conducted by the MSU Product Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources to Governor Granholm and her staff on Tuesday as part of a larger discussion about stimulating Michigan's bio-economy. That important study, conducted by Dr. Chris Peterson and his colleagues, piqued the interest of numerous parties and constituted an important step toward growing the food, fiber and forest products industries.

There a press release, written and distributed by the Michigan Department of Agriculture. The information in the release was deemed so important that it was included verbatim in a Capitol insider newsletter.
 
From an insider newsletter read by all in the Capitol:
 
STATE AGRICULTURE PROVIDES ONE MILLION JOBS
Today, Gov. Jennifer GRANHOLM said the findings of a study she requested confirm that Michigan's investment in agriculture, as well as its investment in alternative energy and biotechnology sectors, will be high-yield.

The Michigan State University report estimates the current and potential impact of Michigan agriculture on the economy to be more than $60 billion annually and growing. The sector employs more than one million Michigan residents.

"Agriculture is an industry ripe with opportunity, and support from the
21st Century Jobs Fund will position them to be a leader in the
alternative energy and bio-technology arenas," said Granholm. "Michigan is committed to cultivating an economic climate that allows all business to prosper."

The study found that over the last five years, agriculture received $8.6 billion in public and private investment. Experts predict that over the next three to five years, the agriculture and food system will continue contributing significantly to Michigan's economic development, whether investment activity remains at current or increased levels.

The study covered all economic activity associated with food and non-food agricultural commodities such as leather, food, floriculture, ornamentals, turfgrass, and bio-energy industries. The report concluded with discussions on both agri-tourism and the potential of a "bio-economy."

Both of these areas for economic development need additional study before estimates can be made about their potential economic impact.  The potential of the bio-economy may be especially large and cause the report's other estimates of future economic impact to be underestimated.
# # # #

FOOD SECURITY III & RELATED PROJECTS: Recent Outreach and Academic Contributions:
We have added 35 new items to our web site, according to the major headings and subheadings of the site
 
MSU INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
For more info, go to: www.isp.msu.edu/calendar/upcoming.php
 
MSU EVENTS INFO
BRESLIN CENTER
 
PAVILION EVENTS
 
WHARTON CENTER
 
MSU INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
For more info, go to: www.isp.msu.edu/calendar/upcoming.php
 
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
ERASMUS UNIVERSITY ROTTERDAM, Erasmus School of Economics, The Department of Applied Economics, is recruiting an Assistant Professor in the area of Entrepreneurship. The position is held in a recently set up unit which is to develop and conduct research and teaching in the fields of entrepreneurship,  governance, organization and strategy using the economics perspective.  Required:  a PhD in economics, management or a related area; experience with the teaching of entrepreneurship at the micro level (as a management tool in corporations) or at the macro level (entrepreneurship and the macro economy); have experience with the supervision of Master students.
For additional questions, contact:  Ms. A.K. Bachanek,
Email:  MAILTO:bachanek@few.eur.nl  Send your application letter per e-mail, together with your CV, to:
Email:  MAILTO:bachanek@few.eur.nl. Please state 'Vacancy Assistant Professor Entrepreneurship' in the subject of your e-mail. Deadline:  Feb. 15, 2006.
 
THE BROOKINGS INSTITUTION, Saban Center for Middle East Policy, Scholar, Foreign Policy Studies Program, is accepting applications for a scholar to work on Middle Eastern economic reform, especially the relationship between economic reform and other reforms in Arab society and politics, and the role of US policy in regional economic transformation; will work closely with the new Wolfensohn Initiative on Global Development at Brookings.  Areas of scholarly concentration might include:  development and development policy in Arab states;  trade policy; - political economy; - labor,- education, - legal issues related to the economy, - globalization, - privatization, - international trade and investment.  Required:  a Ph.D. in economics, political science, or a related field, and have a proven record of publishing in professional or academic journals, edited volumes, or other publications; expected to work on a policy-related monograph and/or book project as well as write shorter items, conduct meetings, interact with the media, etc.  Appointment will be at the Fellow or Senior Fellow level.  Applicants should send a full resume with a list of publications and a one-page description of research interests and priorities to:  Asst. Dir. of Administration, Saban Center for Middle East Policy, The Brookings Institution, 1775 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036;  Email:  MAILTO:ytse@brookings.edu;  Fax:  202-797-2481

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY – Extension seeks:
POS ID #1480 - Associate Program Leader Ecologist
(one to three positions, based on expected new project funding); located in Stevens T. Mason Building, Lansing MI; with extensive travel throughout state.  Available:  Approximately March 15, 2006 and end date: Dec. 31, 2006. This is 9 month appointment with renewal contingent upon funding.  Deadline:  Feb. 17, 2006. 
 
POS ID #1481 - County Extension Director, Huron County in Bad Axe, MI.  Available to MSUE Staff ONLY.  Available:  Feb. 15, 2006.  Deadline:  Feb. 2, 2006.

POS ID #1482 - Extension 4H Youth Development Educator in Hillsdale, MI.  This position is available to MSUE staff ONLY (Internal).  Available:  Jan. 2, 2006.  Deadline:  Feb. 2, 2006.
 
POS ID #1483 - Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development Mentoring Program, Wayne County;
located in Detroit, Michigan State University Extension.  This is a full-time temporary position funded by an OJJDP Congressional Earmark grant and will be renewed annually based on available funding.  This is an INTERNAL opening, available only to current MSUE staff.  Available:  March 1, 2006.  Deadline:  Feb. 2, 2006. 
 
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:  Web Employment Application process at:  http://www.msue.msu.edu/jobs

UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA is seeking for a Director of Health Car Industry and Social Policy Research Program and Associate Director of the Bureau of Business and Economic Research.  This is an Administrator/Academic with rank position at the Associate or Professor level in the School of Business Admin.  Required:  a Ph.D. in Economics or related field; demonstrated capacity to conduct peer-reviewed research and communicate findings in non-technical language; experience in successful grant writing & research development; excellence in teaching a plus.  Send curriculum vita, copes of completed research & list of references to:  Dr. Paul E. Polzin, Chair, Bureau of Business and Economic Research, School of Business Administration, University of Montana, Missoula, MT  59812-1100;  e-mail:  paul.polzin@business.umt.edu.  Available:  start date Summer 2006; open until filled.  Deadline:  Review will begin Feb. 1, 2006.
 
NORWEGIAN SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, Dept. of Economics, are seeking for Post Doctor Positions in Macroeconomics and International Economics, in Bergen, Norway (http://www.nhh.no ) invites applications for two junior positions (Post Doctor); one in macroeconomics and one in international economics;  for four years duration; involve teaching and some additional graduate supervision within the Department; opportunity to qualify for higher-level positions. Required:  Primarily seeking applicants from top international schools with extensive personal experience in macroeconomics or international economics; demonstrated by existing papers or a dissertation, and ideally by publications in first-rate journals; have completed or be close to completing a Ph.D. in macroeconomics or international economics. The PhD must be completed by the appointment date.  Female applicants will be given preference.  Local research funds will be available for traveling grants for conference and workshop presentations. Good facilities in terms of extensive research library, personal equipment and personal annum for books and journals.

Applicants are requested to present a research project plan with their application. The research plan must specify a four-year research project in macroeconomics or international economics.  This project will be a part of the department's strategy to significantly strengthen its research in the two fields within the next four years.  Emphasis will be placed on the applicant's research profile and ability to contribute to the research environment.  Information concerning professional and teaching education and work experience must be included as well as a list of all publications, testimonials, certificates, and any other documentation which may be useful in the evaluation of the application, such as reference letters and publications.  Four (4) copies of all enclosures be sent to:  Norwegian School of Economics, and Business Administration, Department of Human Resources, Helleveien 30, N-5045 Bergen, NORWAY.  Enquiries may be directed to:  Head of Department, Professor Bertil Tungodden; Email:  MAILTO:Bertil.Tungodden@nhh.no; Tel:  +47 559 59261  or:  Office manager, Trude K. Gudmundset;  Email:   MAILTO:Trude.Gudmundset@nhh.no; Tel:  +47 55 95 93 46.  Deadline:  April 2, 2006.
 
Further details available for 30 days only by contacting Pat Neumann 517-432-0848.

All announcements should be sent to Pat Neumann, Editor, in room 219 Ag. Hall or e-mail: neumannp@msu.edu  NO LATER than 12 noon on Thursday; after 12, they will be in the next BI-WEEKLY edition.