No description available.

Rural areas of New Mexico still exhibit post-colonial political patterns. In terms of its agricultural profile, subsistence farming has only recently (in the past generation) begun to give way to highly specialized, big-business farming interests. Older Hispanic and Pueblo communities struggle to maintain their farming traditions in the face of external economic factors. Now, with the increasing use of genetically-modified seeds on major farm operations and the ongoing development of a transgenic chile seed, a heritage crop, these populations are grappling with intellectual property issues and ecological implications that technological manipulation of native seeds bring. Other growers across the state also have serious concerns about their ability to grow crops from non-genetically modified seeds, as consumers have shown a preference for organic, non-genetically modified foods. Using the guiding analytical tools of Latour and Callon's Actor Network Theory (ANT), I assess the dynamics of power and influence among all agricultural stakeholders to find how a network of disparate elements can achieve “compromise among materially diverse elements” (Rutland and Aylett 2008). This work outlines a framework based on deliberative democratic principles to begin a participatory process that builds upon the disconnected agricultural network of New Mexico. A deliberative process enfranchises previously neglected stakeholders to develop an agricultural policy that deals with genetically engineered crops in a way that reflects the values and goals of the public. / text

Lic.-avh. Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv., 2009. / Härtill 2 uppsatser.

The main aim of my thesis was to assess the current state of organic food selling in retail chains in terms of assortment range, requirements and sale culture and to suggest appropriate measures based on the data obtained. The theoretical part is focused on defining the concept of organic farming, through organic products right to organic food. The empirical part is focused on the evaluation of the supply list with specific types of organic products offered in individual stores, comparing the offer of organic food between retail units, and finally comparing the offer of organic food within the former districts. The analysis contains also summarized findings resulting from a questionnaire survey among retail business organizations. The conclusion of the empirical part is focused on answering presented hypotheses and proposing recommendations.

The goal of this study is to determine whether or not there is an appreciable difference between concentrations of various metal ions present in conventionally grown and processed and organically grown and processed baby foods. Two prominent, commercially available brands were chosen to undergo comparative studies between both their own conventional and organic varieties of second stage green beans and carrots. Samples were tested for cadmium, calcium, iron, lead, nickel, and zinc. Two containers of each variety of baby food were sampled in triplicate, with purchases of foods being made in separate areas to ensure that each set came from different batches. Samples were digested with nitric acid, appropriately diluted, and analyzed for metal content by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy with the regular standard calibration curve and standard addition method. There was little overall difference in metal content between the conventional and organic foods tested.

No description available.

While issues management is an important area of research and practice in organizational communication and public relations, the literature focuses primarily on instrumental applications. Conceiving of issue networks--loose configurations of institutional actors, interest groups, organizations, technical specialists, and concerned citizens--as complex systems of interconnected agents offers a fresh perspective on the ways power and influence are exercised and negotiated among organizations, the media, and policymaking bodies. Combined use of social and semantic network analysis makes it possible to examine complex, dynamic linkages between social relationships and conceptual positions. This paper reports on a study of the organic foods issue network in the United States, based on the minutes of National Organics Standards Board meetings and media coverage of the issue. The use of textual as well as relational data allows for more sophisticated computations of patterns, providing insight on power structures as well as organizational and issue identities. This study is intended as a first step toward understanding the mechanisms of issue emergence and development as an aid for scholars and practitioners of media communication, organizational issues management, cultural economy, and policy studies. / Mass Media and Communication

Preocupados com a segurança dos alimentos, consumidores em todo o mundo estão pagando prêmios de preço por \"alimentos naturais\", supostamente livres de qualquer tipo de contaminador. Nesse cenário, desenvolve-se a chamada agricultura orgânica. Esta pesquisa compreende a análise do sistema agroindustrial do tomate salada orgânico no Estado de São Paulo, sob dois prismas: o comportamento do consumidor, ou seja, o que o consumidor espera desse produto, e como se dá a coordenação desse sistema agroindustrial para atender o consumidor. A primeira parte da pesquisa compreende a análise dos atributos valorizados pelo consumidor de tomate orgânico, com vistas a comprovar ou não a hipótese que este paga um adicional de preço visando ao consumo de um produto seguro. Para isso, foi realizada uma pesquisa empírica com consumidores, com base no método da Conjoint analysis. A segunda parte da pesquisa consiste na descrição e análise da estrutura de governança desse sistema, com o objetivo de identificar os mecanismos de coordenação adotados para garantir a autenticidade e inocuidade dos produtos, benefícios intrínsecos não facilmente observáveis, mas que são exigidos pelos consumidores de tomate orgânico. A base empírica para a análise foi constituída de entrevistas com representantes de vários segmentos que compõem o Sistema Agroindustrial do tomate orgânico. O trabalho revela que o consumidor de tomate orgânico é diferenciado e busca um alimento seguro. No entanto, as estruturas de governança que coordenam esse sistema de produção são frágeis para garantir o que o consumidor deseja. Preservar a reputação e o prêmio de preço em um fraco ambiente regulatório é um desafio real, especialmente para produtos frescos. Esta pesquisa investiga como os agentes gerenciam esse sistema, visando a garantir sua vantagem competitiva. / Concerned with food safety, consumers all over the world are paying price premiums for \"natural foods\", supposedly free of any type of contaminant. In this scenario, the so-called organic agriculture is developed. This research analyzes the agribusiness of the organic salad tomato in the State of São Paulo, through two prisms: consumer behavior, that is, what the consumer expects from this product, and how this agribusiness is coordinated in order to satisfy the consumer. The first part of the research involves the analysis of the attributes valued by the consumer of organic tomato, with a view to showing whether or not the hypothesis that he or she pays a higher price in order to consume a safe product is correct. To this end, an empirical survey was conducted on consumers, based on the method of Conjoint analysis. The second part of the research consists of a description and analysis of the governance structure of this system, with the objective of identifying coordination mechanisms adopted to guarantee the authenticity and innocuity of the produce, intrinsic benefits not easily observable, but that are demanded by the consumers of organic tomato. The empirical basis for the analysis was made up of interviews with representatives of various segments that compose the Agroindustrial System of organic tomato. The work reveals that the organic tomato consumer is differentiated and seeks a safe food. Nevertheless, the governance structures coordinating this production system are too fragile to guarantee what the consumer desires. To preserve reputation and the price premium in a weak regulatory environment is a real challenge, especially for fresh produce. This research investigates how the agents manage this system, aiming at guaranteeing their competitive advantage.

Preocupados com a segurança dos alimentos, consumidores em todo o mundo estão pagando prêmios de preço por \"alimentos naturais\", supostamente livres de qualquer tipo de contaminador. Nesse cenário, desenvolve-se a chamada agricultura orgânica. Esta pesquisa compreende a análise do sistema agroindustrial do tomate salada orgânico no Estado de São Paulo, sob dois prismas: o comportamento do consumidor, ou seja, o que o consumidor espera desse produto, e como se dá a coordenação desse sistema agroindustrial para atender o consumidor. A primeira parte da pesquisa compreende a análise dos atributos valorizados pelo consumidor de tomate orgânico, com vistas a comprovar ou não a hipótese que este paga um adicional de preço visando ao consumo de um produto seguro. Para isso, foi realizada uma pesquisa empírica com consumidores, com base no método da Conjoint analysis. A segunda parte da pesquisa consiste na descrição e análise da estrutura de governança desse sistema, com o objetivo de identificar os mecanismos de coordenação adotados para garantir a autenticidade e inocuidade dos produtos, benefícios intrínsecos não facilmente observáveis, mas que são exigidos pelos consumidores de tomate orgânico. A base empírica para a análise foi constituída de entrevistas com representantes de vários segmentos que compõem o Sistema Agroindustrial do tomate orgânico. O trabalho revela que o consumidor de tomate orgânico é diferenciado e busca um alimento seguro. No entanto, as estruturas de governança que coordenam esse sistema de produção são frágeis para garantir o que o consumidor deseja. Preservar a reputação e o prêmio de preço em um fraco ambiente regulatório é um desafio real, especialmente para produtos frescos. Esta pesquisa investiga como os agentes gerenciam esse sistema, visando a garantir sua vantagem competitiva. / Concerned with food safety, consumers all over the world are paying price premiums for \"natural foods\", supposedly free of any type of contaminant. In this scenario, the so-called organic agriculture is developed. This research analyzes the agribusiness of the organic salad tomato in the State of São Paulo, through two prisms: consumer behavior, that is, what the consumer expects from this product, and how this agribusiness is coordinated in order to satisfy the consumer. The first part of the research involves the analysis of the attributes valued by the consumer of organic tomato, with a view to showing whether or not the hypothesis that he or she pays a higher price in order to consume a safe product is correct. To this end, an empirical survey was conducted on consumers, based on the method of Conjoint analysis. The second part of the research consists of a description and analysis of the governance structure of this system, with the objective of identifying coordination mechanisms adopted to guarantee the authenticity and innocuity of the produce, intrinsic benefits not easily observable, but that are demanded by the consumers of organic tomato. The empirical basis for the analysis was made up of interviews with representatives of various segments that compose the Agroindustrial System of organic tomato. The work reveals that the organic tomato consumer is differentiated and seeks a safe food. Nevertheless, the governance structures coordinating this production system are too fragile to guarantee what the consumer desires. To preserve reputation and the price premium in a weak regulatory environment is a real challenge, especially for fresh produce. This research investigates how the agents manage this system, aiming at guaranteeing their competitive advantage.

<p>The aim was to study consumer attitudes to and perceptions of organic and genetically modified (GM) foods and factors influencing the purchase/non purchase of these two types of foods. Data were collected by two questionnaire surveys (random nation-wide samples of 2000 consumers, response rate 58% and 39% respectively) and one interview study (n=40).</p><p>A majority of the consumers had positive attitudes towards purchasing organic foods but few reported purchasing organic foods regularly. The most common beliefs about organic foods were that they are more expensive and healthier. Choice of organic foods was related to the perceived consequences for human health and to environmentally friendly behaviour. Perceived positive health consequences appeared to be a stronger motive for purchasing organic foods than were environmental benefits.</p><p>Attitudes towards genetic engineering (GE) appear to be dependent on the application area. Medical applications were generally more easily accepted than were food and agricultural applications. However, all medical applications were not equally accepted. Consumers had generally rather negative attitudes towards GM foods, which were perceived as not being healthy. GM of animals for food production was perceived more negative than GM of plants. Tangible benefits of GM foods, like being better for the environment or healthier, seemed to have a potential to increase willingness to buy.</p><p>The results indicate that the attitudes to organic and GM foods differ: the attitude to organic foods is positive while the attitude to GM foods is more negative. Further, the perceptions of organic and GM foods are opposed in relation to health. The purchase of organic foods and the potential willingness to purchase GM foods appear to be related to positive consequences for health and the environment.</p>