Category Archives: Economic Development

Value and implications of corn stover removal from Virginia fields

Posted on April 14, 2017 by Jillian Broadwell

Gordon Groover, Extension Economist.

Read the full corn stover publication.

 

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2016 Virginia Market Maker News, Update #1: Virginia Market Maker: A Year in Review.

Posted on February 8, 2016 by Gordon Groover

Kim Morgan (klmorgan@vt.edu), Assistant Professor, Agricultural & Applied Economics (540) 231-3132

MarketMaker, a web-based portal that serves as a virtual marketplace for producers, distributors, and sellers, and buyers of agricultural products, seeks to provide farm-to-fork access to participants in the food supply chain. Currently, alternative online lists and portals are offered that contribute to connecting people and businesses involved in the production, distribution, storage and sales of local food,   and resources produced by Virginia farms and agribusinesses. This purpose of this article is to highlight the unique characteristics of MarketMaker that offer added value to registered businesses and consumers who seek to use the portal as a marketing strategy to improve overall profitability of their operation.

Local Market

Local Market

Continue reading →

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2016 Virginia Market Maker News, Update#2: Virginia Market Maker is on the road and coming to a near you!

Posted on February 8, 2016 by Gordon Groover

Kim Morgan (klmorgan@vt.edu), Assistant Professor, Agricultural & Applied Economics (540) 231-3132

MarketMaker, a web-based portal that serves as a virtual marketplace for producers, distributors, and sellers, and buyers of agricultural products, seeks to provide farm-to-fork access to participants in the food supply chain. Continue reading →

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Virginia Market Maker, Part III: Virginia Market Maker Offers Added Value to Registered Farms and Agribusinesses!

Posted on August 28, 2015 by Gordon Groover

Dr. Kimberly L. Morgan (klmorgan@vt.edu), Assistant Professor, Agricultural and Applied Economics, Virginia Tech

MarketMaker, a web-based portal that serves as a virtual marketplace for producers, distributors, and sellers, and buyers of agricultural products, seeks to provide farm-to-fork access to participants in the food supply chain.

Currently, alternative online lists and portals are offered that contribute to connecting people and businesses involved in the production, distribution, storage and sales of local food, and resources produced by Virginia farms and agribusinesses. This purpose of this article is to highlight the unique characteristics of MarketMaker that offer added value to registered businesses and consumers who seek to use the portal as a marketing strategy to improve overall profitability of their operation. Continue reading →

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Two Virginia regions selected for Stronger Economies Together initiative

Posted on August 18, 2015 by Gordon Groover

Martha Walker (walker53@vt.edu), Community Viability Specialist, Agricultural Law, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Virginia Tech.set

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development and Virginia Cooperative Extension have announced that two Virginia regions were selected for the 2015-16 Stronger Economies Together (SET) initiative. The Eastern Shore, consisting of Accomack and Northampton counties and Tangier Island, and the Mount Rogers Planning District, made up of Bland, Carroll, Grayson, Smyth, Washington, and Wythe counties and the cities of Bristol and Galax, will benefit from a focused initiative to explore regional economic advantages and to formulate economic blueprints for the regions. Continue reading →

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Economic Impact Analysis of the Christiansburg Aquatic Center

Posted on May 28, 2015 by Gordon Groover

Dr. Jim Pease (Professor, Agricultural and Applied Economics), Dr. Scott Greiner (Professor, Animal and Poultry Sciences),  Nick Peavy (Senior, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics), Kyle Ewing , Taylor Delnicki (Senior, Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences), and Ashley Pickett (Senior, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics)

Introduction

Owned and managed by the Town of Christiansburg, the Christiansburg Aquatic Center (CAC) is a public-private partnership between the Town and the Virginia Tech Swimming and Diving program. Its mission is simply, “…to operate a public aquatic facility to increase health, water safety, and the aquatic education of Christiansburg citizens and aquatic organizations.” (Christiansburg Aquatic Center). But what an understatement! The 64,000 square foot facility contains 3 pools, multi-purpose rooms, locker and changing Continue reading →

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Exploring Consumer Interest in Agritourism Venues Located in the New River Valley

Posted on April 8, 2015 by Rose Jeter

Gustavo Ferreira, Assistant Professor, Agricultural and Applied Economics, Virginia Tech
French Price, Undergraduate Student, Virginia Tech
Amanda Mitcheltree, Undergraduate Student, Virginia Tech
Chelsea Abbott, Undergraduate Student, Virginia Tech
Christine Stephan, Undergraduate Student, Virginia Tech
Kim Morgan, Assistant Professor, Agricultural and Applied Economics, Virginia Tech

1. Introduction

Agritourism is a value-added activity that generates additional net farm income and creates a loyal consumer base for branded farm products. Agritourism also allows for diversification of income sources, thus decreasing market risk exposure. Agritourism is a good strategy to cope with bad crop years, disasters, and drought. Other economic and non-economic benefits from agritourism include the preservation of agricultural heritage, maximization of productivity and resources, and improvements in the economic situation of a community. Continue reading →

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