Research Accomplishment Reports 2011

Rural Change: Markets, Governance and Quality of Life

D. Freshwater, D. Debertin, A. Davis
Department of Agricultural Economics

 

Non-Technical Summary

Research will examine the role of labor market policy as it affects the supply and demand of workers in rural areas. A specific example of the work will be an analysis of local labor markets in rural Newfoundland and their adaptation to economic change. In many rural areas there is a considerable mismatch between the number of jobs and the number of workers. This can reflect an excess supply of workers or it may indicate a skill mismatch that can be resolved through training programs and targeted recruitment of firms.

2011 Project Description

• Conducted surveys on the impact of broadband availability on farmers.
• Conducted a survey to determine the value of the fine arts extension program in Kentucky.
• Hosted the Kentucky Tennessee Institute for Sustainable Development in May.
• Conducted an evaluation of the University of Kentucky Health and Wellness program.
• Conducted the Stronger Economies Together program in 2 regions of Kentucky.
• Completed an evaluation of the Kentucky Healthcare Economy.
• Information was disseminated through the CEDIK quarterly newsletter, Choices journal, professional reports, peer-reviewed journal articles, workshops, conferences and trainings all across Kentucky.

2011 Impact

• Improved understanding of regional economy and the industries that support regional clusters.
• A shift in focus from industrial attraction to workforce development.
• Creation of partnerships across county lines.
• A better understanding of how farmers use broadband and the willingness to pay by different types of farmers for high speed internet.
• Community has better understanding about the value of the University of Kentucky's fine arts extension program in addition to the costs associated with employing a county agent in this area.
• The University of Kentucky's HMO decided to invest in the Wellness Program at UK because of the realized cost savings to them.

2011 Publications

Davis, A and Frank. S. 2011. CEDIK quarterly newsletter

Jeffcoat, C., Davis A., Hu, W. 2012. An Evaluation of Broadband Use and Access for Kentucky Farmers, Selected Paper Journal of Agriculture and Resource Economics. Accepted.

Jeffcoat, C. and Davis A., 2012 Farmers and Broadband Needs, Invited Paper Choices. Accepted.

He, X. and Davis A. 2011. Why Rural Kentucky Patients Bypass Local Critical Access Hospitals, Journal of Rural Health. Pending.

He, X. and Davis, A. 2011. Hospital Choice Behavior, Submitted to Health Services Research, Pending.

Kibler, M. and A. Davis. 2011. Evaluation of Employer Wellness Programs, Submitted to the American Journal of Public Health. Pending.

Davis, A. and Bowker, S. 2011. Kentucky Healthcare Market Report. Submitted to the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky

Icazza-Lara, C, McMaster I., Freshwater D., and Neuwaler C. 2011. OECD Territorial Reviews: NORA Region. OECD: Paris. Freshwater, D and Bryce, B. 2011. OECD Rural Policy Reviews: England, UK. OECD: Paris