Ag Econ-O-Gram

February 4, 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 17
March 3 and 17
April 14 and 28
May 12

WELCOME AND THANKS
The Department welcomes Stacey Peterson who joins our staff working with Eric Scorsone and the State and Local Government Program.  Stacey replaces Leslie Barner who resigned her position in order to finish her Master degrees.  Stacey is currently in Room 66 Agriculture Hall; phone:  432-8683; e-mail: peter396@msu.edu.  We will still have Leslie's expertise on a limited basis until the end of spring semester when she graduates; Leslie's new phone number is 355-1699.

Please welcome Stacey and thank Leslie for her dedication to the Program.
 
DEPT’S BEST THESIS
The M.S. Thesis Selection Committee has selected Eli Fenichel's thesis as the department's best thesis.  His thesis is entitled:  "Bioeconomic Models of Bovine Tuberculosis in Michigan White-Tailed Deer:  An Analysis of Ecological Thresholds and Economic Tradeoffs in Wildlife Disease Management.”  Eli's thesis has also been submitted to the AAEA's Outstanding Master's Thesis contest.  Congratulations to Eli and to his advisor, Rick Horan!

WEST CIRCLE DRIVE CONSTRUCTION
On Wed., Feb. 8, 9:00-10:00am in the Atrium, Mike Rice, Dept of Police and Public Safety will update us on West Circle Drive construction over the next two years that will impact everyone working in Ag Hall.  Everyone is welcome; however, we want to make sure that there is a representative from each unit present if at all possible.

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
 
DEPT OF FOOD, SCIENCE & HUMAN NUTRITION
SPRING SEMINAR SERIES 2006
Feb 8 -    “Mechanism of Tree-Nut Induced Systemic Anaphylaxis in Mice,” Dr. Venu Gangur, Assistant Professor, Dept of Food Science & Human Nutrition, MSU

Feb 15 - “International Food Safety Certification Programs: Emerging Scientific and Industrial Administrative Issues,” Dr. William Schwartz, Vice President, Processor Food Safety NSF International.

Feb 22 - “Choosing the Right Barrier for a Food Packaging System,” Dr. Maria Rubino, Assistant Professor, School of Packaging, MSU
 
All seminars will be held at 4 pm in 101 Biochemistry Building.
 
MSU Valentine's Day Rose Sale
Free campus delivery, multiple pick-up locations, beautiful fresh roses!  Buy a bouquet for that special someone, a classmate, colleague or just a good friend. 
                 www.msu.edu/~mortarbd/rose.htm
In tradition, the Mortar Board will be conducting its 2nd Annual Valentines Day Rose Sale on February 14th, 2006 in order to raise money for our numerous community services activities.
     Prices are as follows: single roses ($5), half dozen ($20) and full dozen bouquets ($30). All flowers are arranged with baby's breath and wrapped in a cellophane sleeve.  Orders can be picked up at one of our three locations across campus (Brody Café entrance, East Holmes Hall Lobby, and the International Center) or delivered for free to one of the MSU residence halls on February 14th.  All pre-sale orders are due by February 9th at 5pm.
     Please visit www.msu.edu/~mortarbd/rose.htm for order forms and additional rose sale information.  If you have any other questions or concerns, please email us at mortarbd@msu.edu.  For more information about Mortar Board, please visit www.msu.edu/~mortarbd.
----MSU Mortar Board, 35 E Holmes Hall, mortarbd@msu.edu
* Proceeds from this event will go to support organizations such as Red Cross, American Cancer Society, the Refugee Development Center, Michigan Special Olympics and Hill Academy among many other local and national non-profit organizations.
 
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
Future Step - MCC is seeking for a Program Officer in the Agri. and Rural Economy Programs, Dept. of Operations; located in Washington, DC.  The Program Officer will perform a variety of assignments in the process of developing and implementing the Compact, including assisting in the undertaking of due diligence, assessing economic impact, developing monitoring and evaluation plans, and managing implementation of projects in specific countries. Required:  have a minimum of five years experience to include some field experience in developing countries; e with a private company and/or a donor agency is highly desired; provide independent analysis and interpretation of technical, financial and economic data; knowledge of econ. dev. & poverty reduction strategies; deliver professional deliverables with Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, and Project - desired); foreign language ability preferred and etc.  Must be a U.S. citizen and able to obtain a U.S. government security clearance, advanced degree in environmental or natural sciences, econ., international dev., with a demonstrated emphasis in ag. and rural economy issues.  To learn more about MCC, please visit their website: http://www.mcc.futurestep.com.  The successful candidate will be appointed for a renewable two year term appointment.

AND

Program Officer, Property Rights and Land Policy, Market and Sectoral Assessments located in Washington, DC.  The Program Officer will report to the Director Property Rights and Land Policy and also form part of the agricultural team, and as such report to the managing Director for Agriculture within MSA. The Program Officer is responsible for supporting the Director in the process of developing the Compact, including assisting in the undertaking of due diligence, and managing implementation of projects in specific countries; place strong emphasis on applied research, technical analysis, and process management.  Continued employment is contingent upon successfully completing the Federal security and medical clearance processes. After completion of due diligence, the Department coordinates compact negotiation and works closely with the country during the program's implementation.  Responsibilities include:  providing support to Director; participating in the development of Compacts, including: technical assessment of proposals or concept papers, collecting and analyzing data and info. to finalize proposals, coordinate with contractors or consultants on pre-feasibility and feasibility assessments, perform technical assessments, and perform financial and economic analyses; Undertake research & construct computer models to assist in enhancing the knowledge base and diagnostic tools for MSA.  Required:  ability & effectiveness of working on a wide variety of projects, tasks and activities; provide independent analysis and interpretation of technical, financial and economic data; Working knowledge of property rights & land policy issues; knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint); to master information software (i.e. Document Management); relevant education and/or technical qualification; minimally a masters degree (econ., agri. Econ., or other social sciences) and prior work experience relating to land tenure, land access, land information systems, land conflict resolution, land markets, etc. Project experience is highly desirable as is proficiency in French language. Knowledge or interest in procurement is desirable.  Required:  An advanced degree in Economics, Agri. Econ., or other Social Sciences is highly desired. To learn more about MCC, please visit their website: http://www.mcc.futurestep.com. 

UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA, Dept of Agricultural and Applied Economics, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, seeks for Extension Economist (Public Service faculty track) specializing in conservation economics, production economics, and policy; Full-time, 12 month, non-tenure track.  This position will provide critical applied research and Extension programming support; the development and revision of crop enterprise & conservation budgets; whole-farm budgeting; and econ. analysis of production practices & technologies; required to collect data and conduct analyses; to develop an Extension program for the benefit of the states cotton, peanut, and corn producers through timely applied research & educational programs to improve efficiency, profitability, and resource conservation.  Required:  An M.S. in Ag. Econ. or closely related field is preferred; B.S. required. Experience or working knowledge of production agriculture; possess the ability to apply economic principles and quantitative techniques to solve real- world problems; excellent computer skills including use of spreadsheets (MS Excel) and MS Powerpoint;  Experience in web page design and management; excellent written & oral communication skills.  Some travel is required.  Available:  Immediately.  Deadline:  received by Feb. 15, 2006 are assured full consideration.  The position is partially funded through grants from the Georgia Commodity Commissions for Corn, Cotton, and Peanuts which are annually renewable.  Submit a letter of application, current vita, academic transcripts, and request that 3 letters of recommendation be sent to:  Dr. W. Don Shurley, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, University of Georgia- Tifton Campus, P.O. Box 1209, Tifton, GA 31793;  Phone: 229-386-3512;  Email:  donshur@uga.edu

IFPRI (Int’l Food Policy Research Institute), Leader of Country Strategy Program in NIGERIA (Ref# 05-156)
 seeks a Country Strategy Program Leader at the senior/research fellow ranks who is passionate about ending poverty in Nigeria and can lead in both strategy and development research.  Required:  Ph.D. in econ., ag. econ., public policy, public finance, or related field; three yrs of post Ph.D. research & outreach experience in poverty & econ. dev. Issues; knowledge of & experience working in Africa, or Asia (Nigeria preferred).  Email application to:  MAILTO:IFPRI-HRINTL@cgiar.org  Include job ref #, job title, and three references in your application.  Deadline: Feb. 13, 2006.  For more info, see:  http://www.ifpri.org/careers/careers.htm   or contact:  2033 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20006-1002;  Fax:  202-862-8187;  Web:  http://www.ifpri.org

UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY is seeking for an Assistant Professor (Marketing and Food Systems) -- This is a 12-month tenure track position with 70% of to research & 30% to teaching; to develop a nationally recognized research program in marketing and food systems, publish in peer-reviewed journals, seek extramural funding, teach two or three courses per year, provide quality advising to both undergraduate and graduate students, participate in professional societies, and collaborate with research and extension.  Required:  A Ph.D. in ag. econ., economics or closely related field. Send a letter of application, vita, transcripts of all academic work, and the names/addresses of three references.  Deadline:  April 1, 2006 or until a suitable applicant is found.  For more info, contact:  Dr. Michael R. Reed, Search Committee Chair, Dept of Agr. Econ., Univ. of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546-0276.  Phone:  (859) 257-5762FAX:  (859) 323-1913  e-mail:  mrreed@uky.edu
 
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY – Extension seeks:
POS ID #1483 -  Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development Mentoring Program, Wayne County; located in Detroit, MSUE.  This is a full-time temporary position funded by an OJJDP Congressional Earmark grant and will be renewed annually based on available funding.  Available:  March 1, 2006.  Deadline:  Feb. 20, 2006.
 
POS ID #1484 - District Extension Sea Grant Educator for the Southeast Region; located in Detroit, MI.  Internal/External Posting.  Available:  March 1, 2006.  Deadline:  Feb. 20, 2006.  Apply by using the Web Employment Application process at:
http://web2.canr.msu.edu/personnel/vacancies.cfm.  For more information:  Marie A. Ruemenapp or Kay Pratt, Southeast Regional Office, Michigan State University Extension, 28115 Meadowbrook Road, Novi, MI 48377-3128;  Phone:   (248) 380-9100; Fax:   (248) 380-9194; E-mail:   msusereg@msu.edu
 
POS ID #1485 - Extension Educator, Horticulture, Oakland County located in Pontiac, MI.  This position is renewed annually based on available funding.  It is currently available internally to MSU Extension Staff.  Available:  Feb. 15, 2006.  Deadline:  Feb. 15, 2006.
 
POS ID #1486 - Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development; located in Wayne, MI.  This position is renewed annually based on available funding.  It is currently available internally to MSU Provost Appointed Staff.   Available:  March 1, 2006.  Deadline:  Feb. 10, 2006.
 
EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY ,Greenville, NC,  Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences Tenure-Track Position in Economics D8; Q54 Microeconomics: Information, Knowledge and Uncertainty; Climate, Natural Disasters  E1; E3 Macroeconomics:  Aggregative Models, Prices and Business Cycles.  We are particularly interested in candidates with research and teaching interests in the theory of risk and its applications, especially relating to natural hazards; will consider candidates with teaching & research interests in dynamic stochastic general equilibrium models.  Required:  a PhD in economics, have an active research agenda, & effective teaching and service.  This tenure-track position (1) in one of these fields at the assistant professor level will begin August 21, 2006.  Send curriculum vitae, one current research paper, and arrange for submission of three current letters of recommendation.  Electronic submissions are encouraged. Deadline:  remain open until filled; screening will begin on Feb. 15, 2006.  Contact:  Tenure-Track Search Committee, Department of Economics, Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences, Brewster Building A-427. East Carolina University, Greenville, NC  27858-4353;  Fax:  252-328-6743;   Email:  MAILTO:harringtonp@ecu.edu
 
OECD - Public Governance & Territorial Development Directorate is seeking an Economic Researcher for a 12 month post dealing with rural development issues; to work on OECD Rural Policy Reviews & conduct rural development research focusing on competitiveness and governance issues.  Required:  Economics PhD or Master Degree, or other closely related field, preferably with a specialization on rural development, and sound skills in econometric and statistical analysis.  Language requirement:  Excellent knowledge of one of the two official languages of the Organization (English & French) and the ability to draft in that language.  Good knowledge of the other. Knowledge of Spanish and/or German is advantageous.  Send a cover letter and CV to Nicola.Crosta@oecd.org and Brian.McCauley@oecd.org.
 
The Pennsylvania State University seeks for an Extension Associate in Agricultural Environmental Policy, (Job #21660); Conduct an extension program on econo. & policy issues relating to agriculture and the environment.  Issues include:  the impacts of food and agricultural system and societal changes on the environment, economy and communities; strategies for managing land, water (nutrients) or air resources and their benefits/costs; and educating about opportunities for making input into environmental decisions at the local, state and national (farm bill) levels.  Required:  Masters degree in Ag. or Resource Econ., Natural Resources Mgmt., Policy Analysis, or related field, plus two (2) years of experience or an equivalent combination of education & experience. Excellent communication (written, oral, interpersonal), teaching, organizational, and problem-solving skills; experience with computers (word processing, spreadsheets, web-pages) and electronic communication; knowledge of needs assessment, program evaluation and data collection/analysis methods is desired.  This is a fixed-term position funded for one year from date of hire with excellent possibility of re-funding.  Deadline:  Feb. 16, 2006.  For more info, go to www.psu.edu/emplment  Interested individuals must apply for this position on line to be considered for this position.
 
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS at Pine Bluff, is seeking for a Assistant Professor – Aquaculture Marketing (tenure track); research (75%), teaching (25%);   Research studies will be undertaken on marketing problems and issues important to Arkansas catfish processing and fish farmers; includes consumer preference studies, demand & price analysis, market testing of new products, and other studies related to markets for and marketing of aquaculture products.  Required:  a Ph.D. degree in Ag. Econ., agribusiness, or a related field; ability to conduct scholarly quantitative research; effectively communicate practical research; desire to apply rigorous economic analysis towards the market issues and problems of the aquaculture industry; must demonstrate the ability to develop effective interdisciplinary working relationships.  Send letter, resume, official college transcripts, and three letters of recommendation to:  Dr. Carole R. Engle, Director, Aquaculture/Fisheries Center, Mail Slot 4912, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, 1200 N. University Drive, Pine Bluff, AR   71601;  Tel:  (870) 575-8523;  FAX:  (870) 575-4637;  E-mail:  cengle@uaex.edu (e-mail address is provided only for questions; all application materials must be submitted as hard copies).  Deadline:  March 1, 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.