Date of Award
8-2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Applied Economics and Statistics
Committee Chair/Advisor
Felipe de Figueiredo Silva
Committee Member
Michael Vassalos
Committee Member
Anastasia Thayer
Abstract
This two-chapter thesis evaluates the motivations and determinants of the central figures in farmers’ markets and organic markets. The first chapter explores the rise of farmers’ markets popularity through an in-person survey that was designed and distributed to 274 farmers' market consumers. Logit and ordered logit regressions were used to identify the motivations and characteristics that affect the likelihood of being a frequent farmers’ market customer (visiting 5 times or more per season) and spending over $50. The second chapter investigates the organic markets for cucumber and kale, which are dominant specialty crops on today’s grocery shelves. To identify the motivations and characteristics that affect the likelihood a specialty crop farmer produces organically in the eastern US, a survey was designed and distributed to 166 farmers. A double-hurdle regression was employed to estimate the likelihood of a farmer adopting organic practices and, if so, how many acres in the organic specialty crop. A major motivation is to determine if farmers' environmental awareness affects their decision to adopt organic practices. The analysis of the results provides substantial information for policymakers, farmers’ market managers, and farmers.
Recommended Citation
Arnold, Jane, "Exploring the Motivations and Determinants of Farmer’s Market Consumers and Organic Specialty Crop Producers" (2024). All Theses. 4377.
https://open.clemson.edu/all_theses/4377
Included in
Agribusiness Commons, Agricultural Economics Commons, Behavioral Economics Commons, Econometrics Commons, Environmental Studies Commons