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Aesthetic Qualities Of Websites And Their Effects On Public Perceptions Of Agricultural Issues And Organizations, Chase Tyler Hundley

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study sought to evaluate perceptions of agricultural issues and organizations based on how information is presented visually in websites. Researchers intended the results to be used to help the agricultural industry more effectively communicate information through better website design and increased persuasiveness. The study was conducted through the use of three focus group sessions as mapped out by Krueger (1998a, 1998b, 1998c) and Morgan (1998a, 1998b). The study used non-agriculture students purposively selected from a class in the University of Arkansas School of Human Environmental Sciences as participants in the study. The subject demographics closely resembled the primary demographics …

Feasibility Analysis Of A Microbrewery, Dylan Warren Snyder

Agribusiness

No abstract provided.

Consumer Purchase Decisions Regarding Screw Cap Wines, Lauren M. Jeter

Master's Theses

Screw cap wine closures provide many benefits in maintenance of wine quality over time, however acceptance of their use by purchasers has varied. This work first investigates how factors like age, gender, income and education affect the decision to purchase screw cap wines and to what extent these factors impact consumer decisions to bring screw cap wine to various social settings. The results of a questionnaire pooling attitudes and behaviors of wine purchasers (n=319) indicate that factors such as age, wine knowledge, income and gender influence a consumer’s decision to purchase screw cap wine. Education and income positively impact the …

An Economic Analysis Of Wine Grape Production In The State Of Connecticut, Jeremy L. Jelliffe

Master's Theses

The Connecticut Wine and Vineyard industry has grown at a steady 3.9% per year over the past decade (ATTTB, 2009). Economic models estimate that the wineries sub-sector contributes $38 million dollars to the state economy and direct employment of 106 residents (Lopez et al., 2010). Programs to support and foster further growth of the industry and CT farm vineyard culture include the Department of Agriculture’s CT Wine Trail and the annual CT Wine festival (DOAG, 2010). Farmland preservation groups also support vineyard development since grape growing tends to secure tracts of farmland for long periods of time.

Investment analysis for …

Business Plan For A Commercial Teff Farm In Ethiopia, Ephrem Teklu Phifer-Houseman

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

This senior project was undertaken to determine the feasibility of creating a profitable farm in Ethiopia using commercial farming methods in order to raise the standard of living for Ethiopian subsistence farmers and improve food security in Ethiopia. Initially, a farmer’s cooperative was the model proposed for this farm. However, further research into the realities of Ethiopian agribusiness and the difficulties smallholder farmers face in obtaining capital, along with in-depth financial analysis called for a modification of the business model. Consequently, this senior project discusses the design and delineation of a business plan for a privately-held, commercial, teff grain farm …

Economic Impact Of The Williamson Act In San Luis Obispo County, Hayley Nicole Loehr

Master's Theses

The goal of this research was to analyze the economic impact of the Williamson Act and the agricultural industry in San Luis Obispo County, and to assess the changes in agriculture and the County’s economic structure if a significant proportion of Williamson Act contracts were not renewed. Williamson Act enrollment and agriculture data were analyzed on a zip code level using IMPLAN v. 3.0, an input-output modeling program.

The first round of analysis assessed the baseline economic impact of the agriculture industry in San Luis Obispo County. Then, four regions of the county were established based on Williamson Act enrollment …

"Ag Ed 539 - Graduate Internship Project", Diane B. Friend

Agricultural Education: Graduate Internship Reports

This internship report contains documented evidence required in meeting the quality criteria used to evaluate Community College Programs. These criteria were established by the Agriculture/Natural Resources Advisory Committee and are used to evaluate Community Colleges throughout California. In addition to documented evidence, the internship report also includes a special project on Student Support Programs at College of the Sequoias. The project documents the development and implementation of a viable, organized and structured Ag Business Club to support student leadership programs.

Design, Construction, And Evaluation Of An Automated Chicken Coop Door, Kyle Inks

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

This senior project takes a look into the design, construction, and evaluation of an automated chicken coop door. The idea and need for such a door came from my mother Jan Inks. The parameters for the project include, low production cost, easy installation on existing coops, sleek design, automatically open at a set time in the morning, and automatically close at a set time in the evening.

Feasibility And Economic Viability Of Establishing A Wine Grape Vineyard In Moraga, Ca, Vincent Joseph Bruzzone

Agribusiness

No abstract provided.

A Demand Analysis For The New Dow Agrosciences Insecticide, Sulfoxaflor, Among California Pest Control Advisors, Andre Lima Alves

Agribusiness

No abstract provided.

Estimated Sales And Investment Costs To Produce And Retail Gelato In The Petaluma Area, Katherine Camozzi

Agribusiness

Recent events in the California dairy have left many dairy producers with high feed costs, low profits, and low (sometimes negative) margins. Some producers have transitioned to producing value-added or artisanal dairy products to help increase the revenues earned from farm milk, particularly in Sonoma County. Because limited research exists on the business opportunities in response to a rapidly growing market for value-added products, this project explores the feasibility of starting a gelato production and retail business in the Petaluma area. To assess business feasibility, a consumer survey was created to estimate the percent of residents and non-residents who would …

Factors That Create A Positive Tasting Room Experience For The Current Millennial Generation, Lucia Annalicia Janney

Agribusiness

No abstract provided.

Gender Preferences In Wine Marketing, Cristina Lombardo

Agribusiness

When purchasing a bottle of wine, the label is the consumer’s first impression. Previous research about how different target markets react to label design and information cues have proven to have significant differences. This study was undertaken to determine how men and women view these features and cues differently. An online survey was submitted to 100 potential respondents with 69 surveys returned for analysis. Various statistical data analysis was conducted and the results are presented in this report. There was a significant difference across the genders for a label that “is colorful” and for an “organic” information cue. It is …

Job Expectations Of Agribusiness Students, Robert Richard Everett

Agribusiness

No abstract provided.

The Relationship Between Live Music And Enjoyment Of Wine, Janey Helene Cowan

Agribusiness

This study was performed in order to determine the relationship between enjoyment of music in a live setting and enjoyment of wine consumed while at the concert. Surveys were collected from 113 respondents throughout the summer of 2011 at San Luis Obispo’s “Concerts in the Plaza.” J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines was the wine sponsor throughout the summer concert series, which represented a wide variety of musical genres. Overall, 80% of the sample was women, 69% drank white wine, and 93% had tried J. Lohr wines before the event. With regard to wine opinion, 57% of the sample maintained the …

Influences On Wine Purchases: A Comparison Between Millennials And Prior Generations, Kelsea Nissen

Agribusiness

This study was undertaken to determine the factors that influence wine purchases for wine consumers in San Luis Obispo County. The study was performed in order to compare the influential factors between Millennials and prior generations.

This collected data was analyzed through the use of statistical tests. Frequency tests were used to determine which influential factors and demographics made up the largest percentages. Chi-squared tests were performed in order to determine if a relationship between influential factors and generations was present. The statistical tests of independent t-tests and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were performed to determine the differences between generations …

Paired Price Comparisons Of Farmers’ Market And Supermarket Produce In San Luis Obispo County, Paulina Janda Swenson

Agribusiness

This study was undertaken to determine whether farmers’ markets or supermarkets in San Luis Obispo County are a better outlet for purchasing fresh produce based on paired price comparisons. Prices of fifteen produce items were chosen but later reduced to six because of seasonality, were observed and recorded at three farmers’ markets and three paired supermarkets over a period of five weeks.

Once all price data was collected, each farmers’ market was matched against their paired supermarket to find which market offered a lower average price. ANOVA tests were then performed to test the mean prices of the two market …

Redesigned Wine Labels And Consumer Preferences, Alison (Ali) Maddox

Agribusiness

When purchasing a bottle of wine, the first impression the consumer gets is from the wine label. In today’s competitive market, it is important that wineries understand consumer preferences and purchasing decisions when evaluating a wine bottle. This study was undertaken to determine the relationship between redesigned wine labels and consumer preferences. A survey was distributed to residents of San Luis Obispo and 194 people responded. It was found that consumers preferred the original label to the redesigned label. Respondents listed quality, good value, and varietal and the most important wine feature and unique, eye-catching, and colorful as the most …

A Cost-Benefit Analysis Of A Fertilizer Lab On A Produce Farm In Santa Barbara County, California, Tyler Adam

Agribusiness

The purpose of this study was to determine if a fertilizer lab would be a cost beneficial way of reducing nitrogen costs and consumption for a medium-sized produce farm (The Farm) in Santa Barbara County, California. A cost benefit analysis was performed to determine if the lab, installed in 2011, would provide a net positive benefit. The analysis compares the costs of the lab to the benefits of the lab. The costs of the lab are the annualized initial investment costs (based on costs incurred in 2011), the operating costs, and the opportunity costs of the lab. The benefit of …

Partial Budgeting Analysis Of On-Site Calf Raising Versus Off-Site Calf Raising, Ashley Diana Oostdam

Agribusiness

This study examined whether it is more cost effective for a dairyman who operates two dairies (A and B) in west Texas to own-raise or custom raise his dairy calves. The two dairies currently raise calves differently: calves are own raised on Dairy A and custom raised on Dairy B. Existing resources would allow a switch to own raising on Dairy B or custom raising by Dairy A, so an analysis of the comparative costs was appropriate.

This study analyzed information on key costs associated with own raising calves on Dairy A during a 135-day period in 2011. Because differences …

Google+: Are Wineries Willing To Adopt?, Michelle Witherwax

Agribusiness

This study was performed in order to assess wineries’ willingness to adopt the social media platform Google+ as a way to market to consumers. More specifically, the study examined current social media use along with different types of brand personality to determine if these factors had an influence on a winery’s willingness to adopt this platform.

A survey was given to 50 wineries located in San Luis Obispo County, and this survey data was taken and analyzed using statistical tests. Frequency tests were used in order to determine which responses were most frequently answered and to determine the percentage each …

Swot Analysis For The Installation Of The Teleflora Direct Marketing System For April Flowers, Rae Marie Boghossian

Agribusiness

This project aims to determine the benefits of installing a direct marketing system for April Flowers, a small flower shop in San Luis Obispo. Through the increased use of wire-in, meaning through the use of internet communication, floral design, where individual shops can send orders that are out of area to a local florist instead, there is a broader sense of community amongst florists of all styles. In the shop, there is already an existing wire-in system established through Teleflora, one of the newer aspects of the floral industry, leading the way in the advancement of florists around the country. …

Migrant Farmworkers' Access To Medical Care In The U.S., Jeffrey Mccauley

Agribusiness

This is a meta data analysis of migrant and seasonal farmworkers in the United States to see if they receive adequate medical care when it is required. Not a lot of information is known about this population, and this study is trying to bring to light the problems that migrant and seasonal farmworkers are facing with respect to medical care. Studies were collected from across the United States and analyzed to see if migrant and seasonal workers are having difficulties obtaining medical care. It was found that the majority of migrant and seasonal farmworkers do not receive adequate medical care …

Internship With Mission Produce, Inc., Joshua Elias Krueger

Agribusiness

No abstract provided.

Testing Overreaction And Under-Reaction In The Commodity Futures Market, Jingyu Dai

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

Results from previous studies testing for under-reaction and overreaction in the commodity futures market are mixed and inconclusive. Using a data of more than 20 categories of future contacts ranging from agricultural, metal and energy, we have found significant evidence of under-reaction in food and agricultural commodities but not in the energy and metal sector. It is also found that those relatively inactive commodity future contracts tend to have a stronger tendency to under-react than commodity future contracts are very actively traded. The result also agrees with the behavioral hypothesis that under-reaction is caused by gradual incorporation of information among …

Economic Modeling & Optimization Of A Region Specific Multi-Feedstock Biorefinery Supply Chain, William H. Faulkner

Theses and Dissertations--Manufacturing Systems Engineering

The objective of this thesis is to include strategic and tactical level decisions into the biorefinery supply chain design for a specific region while comparing multiple conversion technologies and biomass feedstocks. The allocation of biomass feedstocks, products, and the respective supply chain configuration locations are determined while ensuring the regions monthly biomass availability and product market demand constraints are met. This research considers all actions required to bring the bio-based products to market from harvesting, storing, and processing the biomass to market distribution. Two different conversion technologies are chosen for comparison: one advanced conversion technology and one conventional technology. Potential …

The Role Of Local Food In Increasing Access To Healthy Food In Indianapolis, Indiana, Anna Hostetter

Capstone Collection

In the United States today, incidents of obesity are on the rise, currently more than one-third, or 35.7% of U.S. adults are considered obese, up from 30.5% in 2000. These startling numbers are causing news institutions and politicians to refer to it as the “obesity epidemic”.

Obesity is linked to multiple health problems including Type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, hypertension, and breast cancer (Aronne, L.J., 2002). There are numerous causes of obesity, including genetics, yet high rates of obesity have also been positively linked with a diet high in processed foods and low in fruits and vegetables (Drewnowski, A. …

Disruptive Innovation In Agribusiness, Tyler Mcgee

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

The purpose of this thesis is to analyze how the process of disruptive innovation will impact the agribusiness industry, and how this transition will take place. This analysis will be demonstrated through scenario analysis, with three potential scenarios being demonstrated and explained. This project was developed using research from a broad range of sources over the course of several years, as well as studies conducted within the industry itself through firsthand experience gained while working for one of the largest firms operating in this industry. While disruptive innovation has been a phenomenon studied in several industries and areas, it has …

Diseño Y Desarrollo De Un Plan De Manejo Para Posicionar La Finca La Esperanza Como Una Unidad Productiva Rentable Y Eficiente, Mejorando Los Procesos Y Comercializando Adecuadamente Sus Productos, Elsa Constanza Rey Zuluaga

Zootecnia

Este trabajo tiene como objetivo general desarrollar un plan de manejo para posicionar la Finca La Esperanza como una unidad productiva rentable y eficiente, mejorando los procesos y comercializando adecuadamente sus productos porque en el año 2009 el negocio no era auto sostenible económicamente; bajo cinco objetivos específicos se contemplan los principales parámetros que se analizaron y desarrollaron para el cumplimiento de la propuesta: 1- Mejorar el manejo de praderas y suelos, 2- Desarrollar un plan de desarrollo del recurso humano, 3- Diseñar y mejorar el uso de la información, 4- Revisar y proponer alternativas para mejorar los parámetros productivos …