Joint grants submitted. Several were referenced in the introductions see above. Many are listed in the introductions. Several of the partners mentioned the predominance of wine studies, but noted that USDA does not seem to want to support it. The group plans to start discussions about a grant around the connection between public health outcomes consumption of fruits and vegetables.
Continued recruitment of new members through professional affiliations. He is examining the health impacts on employees when employers enroll in a wellness program. This is a community economic development tool that seeks to engage communities with the local food system iii He is studying how small producers move into commercial market channels, in collaboration with S members Dawn Thilmany, Margarita Velandia, and Kim Morgan.
Greg Fonsah University of Georgia reported working on research on organic crops specifically i soil-based rotation and ii high-value seasonal organic crops in the southeast. In addition he is working on iii studies determining the profitability of muscadine grapes produced in Georgia, iv pecan economic studies comparing profitability of small versus large-scale pecan growers, and including impact on export markets, and v conducting value chain studies in tomatoes.
There is a boom of wineries in NJ, most with a tourism orientation. This project is led by MSU. Jon Phillips University of California, Pomona. Jon is a teaching faculty and attended the S meeting as a guest. He asked for any interest in submitting proposals for organized symposia. He has an interest in participating in track sessions.
They are conducting a survey with wine club managers. The project is centered on Oregon and Washington club wineries. S member Jill McCluskey expressed interest in collaborating with Cathy on this topic.
