Rebich-Hespanha, Stacy (author), Rice, Ronald E. (author), Montello, Daniel R. (author), Retzloff, Sean (author), Tien, Sandrine (author), and Hespanha, João P. (author)
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
2014-12-03
Published:
USA: Taylor & Francis Group Ltd., 2 Park Square Oxford OX14 4RN United Kingdom
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 166 Document Number: D08436
34 pages, This paper uses data on broadband connections and the production and sales of agricultural products to empirically estimate the impact of improved connectivity on U.S. farming outcomes. The Federal Communications Commission has detailed data on broadband subscriptions from its semi-annual Form 477 collection. The USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) releases a complete census of agriculture every five years to measure agricultural activity. By pairing periodic releases of the Form 477 data collection with information on farm production expenses and crop yields from corresponding releases of the Census of Agriculture, the analysis directly evaluates the benefit of rural broadband development on the U.S. farming industry. Overall, I find evidence of crop yield improvements from increased Internet penetration rates at thresholds of 25 Megabits-per-second download and 3 Megabits-per-second upload speeds. Among the findings, doubling the number of 25+/3+ connections per 1000 households is associated with a 3.79% increase in corn yields, as measured in bushels per acre. I also find some evidence of cost savings at thresholds of 10 Megabits-per-second download and 0.768 Megabits-per-second upload speeds. Doubling the number of 10+/0.768+ connections per 1000 households is associated with a 2.41% decrease in operating expenses per farm operation. The paper also provides an introductory look at changes in the composition and speed thresholds of connectivity available for selected field crops over time.
17 pages., Lab grown meat is a new technology being developed as a potential alternative protein source. Although some research has been done about public perception of lab grown meat, no studies to date have observed the effects of message themes on public perception of lab grown meat. The study sought to better understand measures of uncertainty and risk and benefit perceptions after viewing a themed blog post about lab grown meat. Participants were randomly assigned one of three themed blog posts - against lab grown meat, neutral, or support lab grown meat. Perception questions were asked after viewing the blog post, and a total of 238 responses were collected. Results indicated the message theme had a statistically significant effect on risk perception, benefit perception, and intention to consume, but not on message evaluation or measures of uncertainty. Further discussion as well as suggestions for future research are included.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 123 Document Number: D11168
Notes:
See a summary of the project in the "Abstract" section of this citation. See the broader "International" projects section in records of the Agricultural Communications Program, University of Illinois., 32 pages., This file involves an early effort to form an international network of agricultural journalists and communicators in the Oceania region. Project file, entitled "International Agricultural Communications Network" is from the "International" section of the Agricultural Communications Program, University of Illinois. File contains Edition No. 1 of the Network newsletter ("Agricultural Communications"), a two-page Newsletter Poll, and biographical information from 28 originating professionals in the Network from Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Fiji, Mauritius, Western Samoa, Tonga, and USA.
Online via Ebscohost. 1 page., Author discusses aspects of the importance of membership and active involvement in organizations like North American Agricultural Journalists and the American Agricultural Editors' Association for farm editors and writers to present real stories and struggles of farmers in the U.S. and Canada.
