Grantee Research Project Results

Integrating Environmental Decision Making Into a Framework for Farm Policy: Advancing Indicators Programs for Sustainable Agriculture

EPA Grant Number: FP916318
Title: Integrating Environmental Decision Making Into a Framework for Farm Policy: Advancing Indicators Programs for Sustainable Agriculture
Investigators: Humiston, Glenda L.
Institution: University of California - Berkeley
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: January 1, 2004 through December 31, 2006
Project Amount: $109,432
RFA: STAR Graduate Fellowships (2004) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Biology/Life Sciences , Fellowship - Behavioral/Social Sciences , Academic Fellowships

Objective:

Although a great deal of research has been done on agricultural systems and farm policy, past studies have typically focused on narrow slices of the highly complex issue. There is great need for a comprehensive review and analysis of agricultural policies utilizing a multidisciplinary approach. The objectives of this research are to: (1) isolate and evaluate the factors essential for a sustainable form of agriculture; (2) identify indicators that would facilitate ongoing assessments of implementation and goal attainment; and (3) develop a policy framework likely to accomplish a high level of sustainability and gain broad public support.

Approach:

Utilizing an extended case study approach, key components of two existing policies will be analyzed for their potential affect on U.S agricultural sector. These are: multifunctionality and environmental services. Multifunctionality recognizes and rewards the benefits—other than food or fiber—that can come from agriculture, yet often go uncompensated in the marketplace, and that can vary tremendously depending on farming practices. Although very similar to the concept of compensating for environmental services as an instrument to change the means of production toward a more sustainable form, multifunctionality incorporates efforts to deal with socioeconomic concerns and needs.

Supplemental Keywords:

fellowship, agricultural systems, farm policy, multifunctionality, environmental services, sustainable agriculture, socioeconomic research,, RFA, Scientific Discipline, Economic, Social, & Behavioral Science Research Program, Ecology and Ecosystems, decision-making, Agronomy, Economics & Decision Making, Social Science, economic research, decision analysis, decision making, environmental decision making, socioeconomics, environmental policy, agriculture, farm policy

Relevant Websites:

2004 STAR Graduate Fellowship Conference Poster (PDF, 1p., 171KB, about PDF)

Progress and Final Reports:

The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.