Applied Economics Research
Cut Flower Markets and Marketing in the Intermountain West
Cut flowers may be sold in large quantities to wholesale distributors or florists, or they may be sold directly to consumers through farmers markets, community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs or subscription services, or “U-pick” operations.
An Overview of the Cut Flower Industry
For generations, flowers have been used to show affection and appreciation, given as gifts, and used for decoration or ornamentation (Oppenheim, 1996). Defined as flowers, blooms, or buds separated from their bearing plant that may be sold as single stems...
Understanding Cut Flower Consumers
Flowers are most often purchased for personal use, with interior home decoration as the primary reason for cut flower sales in the United States (PR Newswire, 2022; Yue & Hall, 2010). However, gift use is also a significant reason for flower sales, with A...
Adopting Organic Wheat: Grower Motivations and Concerns
This fact sheet provides an overview of the study results by discussing grower motivations for adopting organic methods, as well as grower concerns regarding organic production.
Bakery Organic Wheat Flour Quality and Quantity Requirements
This fact sheet summarizes the findings of a survey conducted with bakery owners and managers to assess their organic wheat flour quality and sourcing needs.
Characteristics of Organic Wheat Growers
This fact sheet provides an overview of the study results and compares and contrasts these results with the results of other studies. It also provides suggestions for outreach to current and potential organic wheat growers.
Does Consumer Knowledge of Organic Production Standards Influence Demand for Organic and Non-GMO Labeled Foods?
This fact sheet summarizes a study conducted on consumer willingness to pay (WTP) for organic and non-GMO labels alone and in combination for bread and cookies, and how consumer knowledge that organic is non-GMO and overall organic knowledge of organic st...
Consumer Taste Beliefs Impact Organic Specialty Baked Good Pricing
In this fact sheet, we discuss how consumer taste beliefs related to organic specialty baked goods differ from their taste beliefs for conventional specialty baked goods, and whether this difference affects the amount consumers are willing to pay for orga...
Do Consumers Who Prefer Gluten-Free Also Prefer Organic?
In this fact sheet, we examine how consumers, who choose to avoid wheat/gluten bakery products for a variety of reasons, respond to organic wheat products relative to those who do not limit their wheat/gluten consumption, and whether organic wheat product...
Drought-Tolerant Options for Southwest Agriculture: Edible Produce
This fact sheet is the second in a series of three that provide an overview of drought-tolerant crops, grasses, and native plants, which may assist in maintaining agricultural production for food and feed and sustain grasslands and rangelands in the arid ...
Drought-Tolerant Options for Southwest Agriculture: Grasses, Grains, and Legumes
This fact sheet is the first in a series of three that provide an overview of drought-tolerant crops, grasses, and native plants, which may assist in maintaining agricultural production for food and feed and sustain grasslands and rangelands in the arid S...
Drought-Tolerant Options for Southwest Agriculture: Ornamentals, Herbs, and Cosmetics
This fact sheet is the third in a series of three that provide an overview of drought-tolerant crops, grasses, and native plants, which may assist in maintaining agricultural production for food, feed, and cosmetics and sustain grasslands and rangelands i...
Estimating Market Size and Price for Fresh Produce Sales
loans. This fact sheet discusses the process and tools available for estimated market size, as well as assessing profitable pricing, along with examples and pricing resources for fresh produce and food products.
Economic Impacts of Drought in Utah: Uintah and Ouray Reservation
The objective of this fact sheet is to illustrate the economic impacts of drought on agriculture and the economy of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation in Utah. Utah is the second driest state in the United States, with average yearly precipitation of 13.34 ...
Farm Shops: A Direct-to-Consumer Extended Season Opportunity
This fact sheet discusses the impact of the expanding food tourism and local food movements on the demand for locally-produced goods, how farms shops can cater to that demand, the advantages and disadvantages of farms shops for both growers and consumers,...
Utah Florist Preferences for Local Cut Flowers
Cut flower production is a small, rapidly growing, and dynamic industry in Utah. Other states are also experiencing tremendous growth and looking to Utah, particularly Utah State University (USU) Extension programs, to meet grower needs.
Fresh Produce Direct Market Sales Considerations
Due to increased consumer demand for locally produced and organic produce, many consumers are willing to pay a premium for fresh, high-quality, local produce, creating profit opportunities for growers who direct market profits. Also, direct markets allow ...
Impacts of Drought on Tribal Economies in Arizona
The objective of this fact sheet is to illustrate the economic impacts of drought on agriculture and reservation economies in Arizona. Arizona is the fourth driest state in the United States, with an average yearly precipitation of 11.24 inches, and 78% o...
Impacts of Drought on Tribal Economies in Nevada
The objective of this fact sheet is to illustrate the economic impacts of drought on agriculture and reservation economies in Nevada. Nevada is the driest state in the United States, with an average yearly precipitation of 9.96 inches, and 71% of the stat...
Impacts of Drought on Tribal Economies in New Mexico
This fact sheet will illustrate the potential economic impacts of drought on agriculture and reservation economies in New Mexico. New Mexico is the fifth driest state in the United States, with average yearly precipitation of 13.38 inches, and 69% of the ...
Labeling and Product Characteristic Preferences of Organic Food Buyers
This Extension fact sheet discusses the results of an online survey conducted in 2017 across 16 western states via Qualtrics. Just over one thousand residents responded to the survey.
Premium Potential for Organic Wheat Products
This Extension fact sheet provides an overview of the premiums consumers in the Western U.S. are willing to pay for organic wheat products, as well as their knowledge of organic production methods, and opinions and attitudes toward organic food products i...
Target Market Identification and Data Collection Methods
This fact sheet provides information on how to define a target market for a product or service, followed by methods for collecting data on targeted consumer groups.
Targeting Farmers’ Markets in Utah: Understanding Fresh Produce Pricing
This fact sheet focuses primarily on farmers’ market price comparisons to assist fresh produce growers in determining which produce varieties have the highest premiums, the range of prices they can expect, and any considerations for production method, sea...
Consumer Taste Beliefs Impact Organic Specialty Baked Good Pricing
In this fact sheet, we discuss how consumer taste beliefs related to organic specialty baked goods differ from their taste beliefs for conventional specialty baked goods, and whether this difference affects the amount consumers are willing to pay for orga...
Utah Fresh Produce Grower Preferred Drought Management Strategies
This fact sheet, the first in a series of three, examines the preferred drought management strategies of fresh produce growers and how their preferences change depending on drought severity and expected yields. Severe drought in fresh produce production c...
Utah Hay and Forage Grower: Preferred Drought Management Strategies
This fact sheet, the third in a series of three, examines the preferred drought management strategies of hay and forage growers and how their preferences change depending on drought severity and expected yields. Severe drought in forage production causes ...
Utah Livestock Producer Preferred Drought Management Strategies
This fact sheet, the second in a series of three, examines livestock producer preferred drought management strategies and how producer preferences change depending on drought severity and expected grazing efficiency.
What Determines Produce Pricing in Utah?
This fact sheet provides a comparison of fresh produce prices at farmers’ markets and grocery stores in Utah. It also discusses the price impacts for various item characteristics, including variety, market location, seasonality, and production methods (Sa...
Wheat Miller and Distributor Organic Wheat Quality and Quantity Requirements
This fact sheet summarizes the findings of a survey conducted with wheat buyers (millers and distributors) to assess their organic wheat quality and sourcing needs. We examine the importance of various quality measures in miller and distributor decisions ...
Which Factors Influence Consumer Organic Specialty Bakery Product Taste Ratings?
In this fact sheet, we compare consumer taste ratings for organic and conventional specialty bakery products and analyze what factors explain the differences.
Who Are Organic Wheat Consumers?
This fact sheet provides an overview of the socio-demographics, attitudes, and preferences of organic wheat consumers in the Western U.S. It discusses information on what food attributes these consumers value most along with their lifestyle and shopping h...
Who Values Organic Specialty Bakery Products?
In this fact sheet, we examine differences in sociodemographics and lifestyle choices between those who view organic as important when purchasing specialty bakery products and those who don’t, with the aim to identify a target market of consumers who pref...