Food and Resource Economics
"FRED" departmental programs reflect the diversity of Florida's agriculture which has more than 50 major commodities. The Department has 32 faculty members involved in a full range of research, extension, and teaching programs including Agricultural Marketing and Policy, Production/Farm Management, International Trade and Development, Marine Economics, Natural Resources, Community/Regional Development, and Labor Economics. In addition to 30 faculty members located at the main campus in Gainesville, three faculty are found at research and education centers located throughout the state. --- Food and Resource Economics Department website
Useful Links
Editorial Team
- Billie Maciunas - Assistant
- Lisa House - Chair, Approver
- Susan Gildersleeve - ICS Editor
- Bill Messina, Jr. - Editor
RECENT & REVISED PUBLICATIONS
The Cost of High Tunnel and Caterpillar Tunnel Establishment for Vegetable Production
FE1135/FE1135by Yefan Nian, Zhifeng Gao, Xin Zhao, Ruojin Zhao, Shufang Tian, Isaac Vincent, and Zachary RayJuly 17th, 2023Due to increasing marketing and production risks in specialty crop production, a shift toward more protected culture systems such as a high tunnel production system is crucial to keep specialty crop farms profitable and sustainable in the United States. In this publication, we analyzed the cost of constructing high tunnels and caterpillar tunnels in Florida and examined the major contributors to their establishment costs. The findings are intended to assist farmers in deciding whether or not to add high tunnel or caterpillar tunnel systems to their farming operations.Critical Issue: Agricultural and Food Systems
Economic Contributions of the Agriculture, Natural Resource, and Food Industries in Florida, 2019
FE1136/FE1136by Christa D. Court, João Pedro Ferreira, Robert Botta, and Kelsey McDaidJuly 13th, 2023This publication provides a summary of the economic contributions of the agriculture, natural resource, and food industries in the state of Florida in calendar year 2019. Additional details on the data sources, methodologies, and results are published in an annual report from the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Economic Impact Analysis Program. This information is intended to be used in support of informed decision making related to these industries. Critical Issue: Agricultural and Food Systems
Specialty Crops and the Farm Bill
FE1138/FE1138by Suzanne D. ThornsburyJuly 13th, 2023This publication provides Florida specialty crop producers with an overview of major policy approaches in the Farm Bill and a description of how they have evolved over time to address some of the unique characteristics of specialty crops.Critical Issue: Agricultural and Food Systems
A Review of Watermelon Production and Price Trends from 2010 to 2021
FE1137/FE1137by Tara Wade, Kelvin Amon, Kevin Athearn, and Craig FreyJune 23rd, 2023Eight states produce most US watermelons. Most of the fruit (almost 80%) are grown in California, Florida, Georgia, and Texas, with Florida leading in domestic production. In 2019, Florida’s watermelon output accounted for 25.2% of total US production, 24.7% of national watermelon acreage, and 29.6% of the overall US crop value. The value of Florida's watermelon output accounted for 13.2% of the state's total vegetable production. This publication provides information on both seeded and seedless conventional watermelon acreage, volume, and pricing for California, Florida, Georgia, and Texas from 2010 through 2021. It is one of a series illustrating trends in Florida’s five most economically important specialty crops, excluding citrus: tomatoes, bell peppers, watermelons, sweet corn, and strawberries. This information will be useful to producers, Extension agents, and others interested in specialty crop commodities trends.Critical Issue: Agricultural and Food Systems
Estimación de costos de producción de maracuyá morada en sur de Florida
FE1134/FE1134by Trent Blare, Victor Contreras, Fredy H. Ballen, Joshua D. Anderson, Jonathan H. Crane, Nicholas Haley, y Andrés BejaranoApril 27th, 2023Esta publicación examina los costos estimados y los rendimientos de una plantación de maracuyá morada establecida en el sur de Florida. La información presentada en este documento se recopiló a través de entrevistas de campo con productores y especialistas en la industria. Se basa en una variedad de prácticas de producción en producciones a pequeña escala (1-2 acres). La información en este documento está destinada solo como una guía para estimar los requisitos financieros de una plantación ya establecida de maracuyá. Estimamos un rendimiento neto de $2.772/acre/año o $0,98/libra el cual es un retorno económico muy atractivo comparado al de otras frutas tropicales de la zona.Critical Issue: Agricultural and Food Systems
