Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Award Date

2017

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Economics

First Advisor

Evert Van der Sluis

Keywords

acreage, certified farmers, organic, subsidies, transitional cost, USDA

Abstract

This thesis examines the importance of conversional subsidies in accounting for an increase in organic acreage in the 12 North-Central States in the United States. Monthly time series data that spans from January 2002 to December 2014 was used in the analysis. Empirical evidence suggests that increase in organic acreage is due in part to the availability of conversion subsidies. Without government assistance, most small-scale farmers are not sufficiently motivated to switch to organic production due to the high initial costs involved in transitioning. Further, increased institutional support could facilitate organic adoption and its absence is detrimental to increasing the rate of adopting organic production methods.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Agricultural subsidies -- Middle West.
Organic farming -- Middle West.
Organic farming -- Middle West -- Costs.

Description

Includes bibliographical references (pages 68-73)

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

85

Publisher

South Dakota State University

Download

Share

COinS
 

Rights Statement

In Copyright