Dream Weaver An Entrepreneurial Approach to Design, Implement, and Promote Successful Integrated Programs Chyi-Lyi (Kathleen) Liang Professor of Entrepreneurship and Applied Economics The University of Vermont College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Community Development and Applied Economics

 Introduction – Personal and Professional Background  Path of Career Development  Foundation of Integrated Programs – Research, Extension, Teaching  Comparison of State and Regional Initiatives  Examples of Integrated Projects/Programs  Inter-disciplinary, trans-disciplinary, cross-institutional approach  Challenges and Opportunities  As a Faculty  As a Director for SRDC Presentation Outline

Personal and Professional Background Taiwan

Land area: 12,456 sq mi (32,261 sq km); 70% mountains Population (2012 est.): 23,234,936 Key industries: Manufacturing, Tourism, Agriculture

 PhD and MS – Purdue University, Agricultural Economics General Equilibrium Modeling, Fertilizer Tax Simulation, Nonpoint Pollution, FINPACK/EPIC/IMPLAN The first Ag Econ Graduate Instructor to teach Business Statistics at Krannert Graduate School of Business, and won Outstanding Graduate Instructor Award  BS – National Taiwan University, Agricultural Economics Benefit-Cost Analysis for Tourism and Nuclear Power Plants, National Seashore Preservation and Evaluation Path of Career Development

 University of Nebraska, Panhandle Research and Extension Center, Scottsbluff, Nebraska Research and Extension – economic analysis, experimental design winter wheat, sunflower, alfalfa, corn, soybean, livestock, buffalo + prairie dogs, dry edible beans, water distribution for irrigation Teaching – Agricultural Economics, joint appointment with Western Nebraska Community College Path of Career Development

Foundation of Integrated Programs What  Why  How  So  Next Step Health Education Employment Quality of Life Sustainability Feasibility Profitability Availability Accessibility Accountability Affordability Observe Trends Solve Problems Dream Concepts Extension/Outreach Social Aspects Economic Aspects Ecological Aspects Political Aspects Research Observe New Trends Solve New Problems Dream New Concepts Research Technology Resources Opportunities Strategies Engagement Teaching Extension/Outreach

Comparison of State and Regional Initiatives  Needs and Priorities  Culture  Endowment  Capacity  Infrastructure  Opportunities  Social Characteristics  Economic Characteristics  Ecological Characteristics  Political Characteristics Issues and Concerns for Rural America

Examples of Integrated Programs Multifunctional Agriculture in the United States Project Funded by USDA AFRI Program, No (7/2011-6/2014) Co PI – Mary Ahearn (USDA ERS), Jason Brown (Federal Reserve), and Stephan Goetz (Penn State University) Background  There has been a significant change in the farming activities among small and medium sized farms in the United States (USDA, 2012).  About 60% of the farms were very small, generating gross cash farm income of less than $10,000 annually (USDA, 2012)  The number of small farms, particularly the non-commercial farms, has slowly increased since 2002 (USDA, 2012), and many of them are engaged in multifunctional operations.  There has been limited information to assess farms’ contribution to community viability beyond traditional production of food and fiber.

Objectives  To design a framework to study multifunctional agriculture in New England and other regions in the U. S.  To examine the relationship between the multifunctional agriculture and farm profile, entrepreneurial characteristics, financial situations, reasons, challenges, risks, networks, expectations, and future outlook.  To integrate multiple sources of information to conduct research at state, regional, and national levels.  Primary field surveys (producer, enterprise, institution, and consumers), Census, National Agricultural Statistic Services, USDA Agricultural Risk Management Survey  Stakeholders, researchers, extension educators, service providers, USDA experts, community organizations (non-profit and for-profit), and government agencies at local, state, and national levels.

Findings and Work in Progress  Top reasons for farmers to choose multifunctional operations – income, connection with customers and community, promotion and education, health care.  The major issues for farmers - access to labor, financing, working capital, markets, and customers  education, training, financial and risk management, user friendly tools for marketing, and reaching the balance between accessibility, affordability, and availability.  Multifunctional agriculture has significant impacts on state economic development, not at regional level.  We need better information to represent local and regional characteristics by sectors for rural areas.  We need to find a better way to compare and consolidate different sources of information representing enterprises and individual households at state and regional level.

USDA Foundational Program, Entrepreneurship Division (PI) Understanding and Designing Long-Term Resilience in the US Food System: the Role of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Supporting Regional Food Networks $500,000July 2014 – June 2017 USDA Foundational Program, Rural Development Division (with University of New Hampshire and University of Maine) Sustaining and Enhancing Local Agriculture in Rural Areas: Assessing Key Producer and Consumer Issues in Northern New England $500,000July 2014 – June 2017 USDA Foundational Program, Small and Medium Sized Farm Division (University of Vermont and other 5 institutions) Examining Farm Labor Decisions on Long-term Profitability and Farm Enterprise Development $500,000July 2014 – June 2017 Design and Implement New Ideas

National Science Foundation (with Dartmouth College) Biophysical and Social Interdependence of Integrated Food Energy Systems $700,000July 2014 – June 2019 USDA Food Security Conference Grant (University of Vermont) Enhancing food security and rural viability through innovative food system practices and opportunities $50, Design and Implement New Ideas (Under Review)

Understanding and Designing Long-Term Resilience in the US Food System: the Role of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Supporting Regional Food Networks

Networks for Collaborations and Interdisciplinary Approach Hawaii

L isten, observe, and learn from others; and ask a lot of questions O btain teamwork and consensus building activities; and offer support and guidance V alue and respect diversity of individuals, ideas, and contributions E valuate and explain objectives and priorities, delegate tasks to other people, and reward good performance How I Operate

Challenges and Opportunities As a Faculty  Goals and Objectives – personal and institutional  Priorities – personal and institutional  Flexibility  Choices and Alternatives As a Director  Goals and Objectives – SRDC  Priorities – SRDC  Time Management and Commitment  Collaboration and Networks  Explicit Leadership and Mentoring Position Desire, Discipline, Determination  Dream Comes True!

Dream Weaver An Entrepreneurial Approach to Design, Implement, and Promote Successful Integrated Programs Chyi-Lyi (Kathleen) Liang Professor of Entrepreneurship and Applied Economics The University of Vermont College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Community Development and Applied Economics