Fritz M. Roka

Examining the Use of National Databases in a Hedonic Analysis of Regional Farmland Values

Hedonic techniques have attracted the interest of economists as a means of measuring values of nonmarket goods. By studying the market transactions of differentiated products such as automobiles and houses, implied values and corresponding demand schedules can be estimated for underlying characteristics such as automobile safety features, two-car garages, and air quality of residential neighborhoods. The subject of this paper is farmland and estimating the values of characteristics such as soil productivity and erodibility. In 1974, Rosen and Freeman independently developed theoretical models for differentiated consumer products that now serve as the basis for empirical estimates of marginal prices of product characteristics. Procedures to estimate demand schedules of underlying characteristics were outlined in Palmquist (1984). Palmquist (1989) further extended Rosens theoretical model to consider land as a differentiated factor

Determining Machine Efficiency Parameters for a Citrus Canopy Shaker Using Yield Monitor Data

A yield monitoring system was used to collect yield data from a commercial citrus canopy shaker during the 2008 harvesting season. A computer algorithm was developed to preprocess the yield data before estimating field efficiency (Ef) and field machine index (FMI) measures of the mechanical harvesting equipment. Total time of the harvesting operation was calculated and divided into primary and support functions, which corresponded to the effective harvesting time and machine time losses, respectively. Time losses related to row-end turning were determined using an algorithm based on linear regression and geometrical methods. Each component of the harvesting operation was then expressed as a percentage of total field time. It was observed that FMI varied from 80% to 98% with 4% standard deviation. Turning time varied from 3% to 8% of the total operational time. Further data analysis showed an exponential relationship between FMI and row-end turning time with R2=0.97. It was also observed that the actual travel distance and the effective time of operation have linear relationships with the theoretical distance of operation with R2=0.96 and 0.93, respectively.

Improving Health and Safety Conditions in Agriculture Through Professional Training of Florida Farm Labor Supervisors

ABSTRACT Because farm labor supervisors (FLSs) are responsible for ensuring safe work environments for thousands of workers, providing them with adequate knowledge is critical to preserving worker health. Yet a challenge to offering professional training to FLSs, many of whom are foreign-born and have received different levels of education in the US and abroad, is implementing a program that not only results in knowledge gains but meets the expectations of a diverse audience. By offering bilingual instruction on safety and compliance, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) FLS Training program is helping to improve workplace conditions and professionalize the industry. A recent evaluation of the program combined participant observation and surveys to elicit knowledge and satisfaction levels from attendees of its fall 2012 trainings. Frequency distributions and dependent- and independent-means t-tests were used to measure and compare participant outcomes. The evaluation found that attendees rated the quality of their training experience as either high or very high and scored significantly better in posttraining knowledge tests than in pretraining knowledge tests across both languages. Nonetheless, attendees of the trainings delivered in English had significantly higher posttest scores than attendees of the trainings delivered in Spanish. As a result, the program has incorporated greater standardization of content delivery and staff development. Through assessment of its program components and educational outcomes, the program has documented its effectiveness and offers a replicable approach that can serve to improve the targeted outcomes of safety and health promotion in other states.

Pre-employment costs associated with H-2A agricultural workers and the effects of the ‘60-minute rule’

Agricultural employers increasingly are turning to the foreign guest worker program, known as H-2A, as a means to secure a legal workforce. This paper outlines the procedural aspects and costs of recruiting and hiring H-2A workers. Cost data is from a 2014 survey of citrus harvesters and defines pre-employment costs as filing fees, advertising, surety bonds, travel, and housing. The pre-employment costs associated with guest workers are estimated to be nearly

Improving Health and Safety Conditions in Agriculture Through Professional Training of Florida Farm Labor Supervisors: Preliminary Findings of a Program Evaluation

2,000 per worker. The survey was motivated by the ‘60-minute rule’ imposed by the U.S. Department of Labor prior to the 2012-13 citrus harvesting season. Cost data were collected across two crop season, 2012-13 and 2013-14, to analyze the cost implications of the rule. We found that the 60-minute rule significantly increased filing fees. These fees, however, represent a very small share of total costs and overall pre-employment costs associated with the H-2A program did not significantly change.

Hog Operations, Environmental Effects, and Residential Property Values

This project aims to assist the development of a formal Position Paper with the National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE)∗ addressing employment of young workers. Position statements will encompass age-appropriate assignments, training needs for adolescent workers, ideal supervision, and mentoring by adult workers. The result will be a template for use by NCAE members “as is” or as a model to customize for their own businesses. The overarching goal is to improve agricultural working conditions for youth by guiding supervisors/employers responsible for job assignments. If successful, young people will have greater opportunities for safe, positive work experiences; while employers augment their labor pool and strengthen local economies. During the NCAE Annual Meeting in February 2013, nearly 100 attendees expressed strong support for developing a Young Worker Position Paper; and volunteers for advising the project were identified. Via teleconferences and email, the Advisory Group will identify typical jobs of employed youth and draft recommendations for best practices, reflecting conditions not covered by existing regulations. From March through July the position paper is being drafted; then during August-September NCAE members will modify and approve the final document. This first of its kind Position Paper will be released at the North American Agricultural Safety Summit along with resources for training and supervision. The process and results will inform NCAE leaders on how best to help their members address ideal work conditions for hired adolescents. In the absence of updated child labor in agriculture regulations, it is hoped this Position Paper will provide guidance regarding “best practices.” First, it is expected that NCAE members (employers) will be encouraged to adopt the Position Paper in their businesses. They will be notified of its availability via their weekly newsletter and website access. Subsequent dissemination may include the new www.cultivatesafety.org website of the National Children’s Center and announcements in relevant agricultural media outlets. The upcoming Agricultural Safety Summit offers an opportunity to interact with employer and supervisors of young workers, safety professionals, insurance providers, and farm organization representatives to facilitate discussion regarding best practices, as well as collaboration on future initiatives for outreach and education.