Two newly minted ERS researchers are also delving into Census data—to
examine changes in farm structure and to explain farmers’ production
decisions. Nigel Key and Michael Roberts joined ERS a couple of
years ago and have already received national professional recognition
for their work in agricultural and resource economics. For Nigel,
it was Honorable Mention in the American Agricultural Economics
Association’s 2001 competition for “Outstanding Journal
Article” (on how costs associated with buying and selling affect
farm household production decisions). That same year, AAEA honored
Michael for “Outstanding Dissertation” (on reconciling
the behavior of nonrenewable resource prices with economic theory).
Nigel and Michael, both graduates of the University of California
at Berkeley, are collaborating on research to clarify the role of
risk in agricultural production choices. By merging county-level
data on crop insurance participation with farm-level data from the
Census of Agriculture, they can account for differences in production
decisions at the regional and farm level that may have biased the
findings of earlier studies. In another collaborative effort, they
are exploring the relationship between program payments and structural
changes in the farm sector, again using Census data to control for
farm and locational variations.
Both these economists, report ERS colleagues, take a creative approach
in tackling problems, posing questions, and locating the data that
will best answer the questions. Their collegial, unassuming manner,
say co-workers, reflects a willingness to share ideas and learn
from others. They are adept at working on diverse topics—Nigel’s
current research topics cover farm financial risk and manure management
policies, while Michael’s include farm contracting arrangements
and conservation policy. Rarely reluctant to challenge long-held
ideas, Nigel and Michael are enthusiastic explorers pursuing the
stories behind the statistics. Future research and policy on risk
and conservation will likely be shaped by their innovations.
