Dream Weaver
An Entrepreneurial Approach to Design, Implement,
and Promote Successful Integrated Programs
Chyi-Lyi (Kathleen) Liang
Professor of Entrepreneurship and Applied Economics
The University of Vermont
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Department of Community Development and Applied Economics
Presentation Outline
 Introduction – Personal and Professional Background
 Path of Career Development
 Foundation of Integrated Programs – Research, Extension,
Teaching
 Comparison of State and Regional Initiatives
 Examples of Integrated Projects/Programs
 Inter-disciplinary, trans-disciplinary, cross-institutional approach
 Challenges and Opportunities
 As a Faculty
 As a Director for SRDC
Personal and Professional Background
Taiwan
Land area: 12,456 sq mi (32,261 sq
km); 70% mountains
Population (2012 est.): 23,234,936
Key industries: Manufacturing,
Tourism, Agriculture
Path of Career Development
 PhD and MS – Purdue University, Agricultural Economics
General Equilibrium Modeling, Fertilizer Tax Simulation,
Nonpoint Pollution, FINPACK/EPIC/IMPLAN
The first Ag Econ Graduate Instructor to teach Business Statistics
at Krannert Graduate School of Business, and won Outstanding
Graduate Instructor Award
 BS – National Taiwan University, Agricultural Economics
Benefit-Cost Analysis for Tourism and Nuclear Power Plants,
National Seashore Preservation and Evaluation
Path of Career Development
 University of Nebraska, Panhandle Research and Extension
Center, Scottsbluff, Nebraska
Research and Extension – economic analysis, experimental
design
winter wheat, sunflower, alfalfa, corn, soybean, livestock,
buffalo + prairie dogs, dry edible beans, water
distribution for irrigation
Teaching – Agricultural Economics, joint appointment with
Western Nebraska Community College
Foundation of Integrated Programs
Extension/Outreach
Extension/Outreach
Teaching
Research
Health
Education
Social Aspects
Employment
Economic Aspects
Quality of Life
Ecological Aspects
Sustainability
Political Aspects
Feasibility
Technology
Observe Trends
Profitability
Resources
Solve Problems
Availability
Opportunities
Dream Concepts
Accessibility
Strategies
Accountability
Engagement
Affordability
What  Why
Research
Observe New Trends
Solve New Problems
Dream New Concepts
 How  So  Next Step
Comparison of State and Regional Initiatives
 Needs and
Priorities
 Culture
 Endowment
 Capacity
 Infrastructure
 Opportunities
Issues and Concerns
for Rural America
 Social
Characteristics
 Economic
Characteristics
 Ecological
Characteristics
 Political
Characteristics
Examples of Integrated Programs
Multifunctional Agriculture in the United States
Project Funded by USDA AFRI Program, No 2011-67023-30106 (7/2011-6/2014)
Co PI – Mary Ahearn (USDA ERS), Jason Brown (Federal Reserve), and Stephan Goetz (Penn State University)
Background
There has been a significant change in the farming activities among small
and medium sized farms in the United States (USDA, 2012).
About 60% of the farms were very small, generating gross cash farm
income of less than $10,000 annually (USDA, 2012)
The number of small farms, particularly the non-commercial farms, has
slowly increased since 2002 (USDA, 2012), and many of them are engaged in
multifunctional operations.
There has been limited information to assess farms’ contribution to
community viability beyond traditional production of food and fiber.
Objectives
 To design a framework to study multifunctional agriculture in New
England and other regions in the U. S.
 To examine the relationship between the multifunctional agriculture
and farm profile, entrepreneurial characteristics, financial situations,
reasons, challenges, risks, networks, expectations, and future outlook.
To integrate multiple sources of information to conduct research at
state, regional, and national levels.
 Primary field surveys (producer , enterprise, institution, and
consumers), Census, National Agricultural Statistic Services, USDA
Agricultural Risk Management Survey
 Stakeholders, researchers, extension educators, service providers,
USDA experts, community organizations (non-profit and for-profit),
and government agencies at local, state, and national levels.
Findings and Work in Progress
 Top reasons for farmers to choose multifunctional operations – income,
connection with customers and community, promotion and education,
health care.
The major issues for farmers - access to labor, financing, working capital,
markets, and customers
 education, training, financial and risk management, user
friendly tools for marketing, and reaching the balance between
accessibility, affordability, and availability.
Multifunctional agriculture has significant impacts on state economic
development, not at regional level.
We need better information to represent local and regional
characteristics by sectors for rural areas.
We need to find a better way to compare and consolidate different
sources of information representing enterprises and individual households
at state and regional level.
Design and Implement New Ideas
USDA Foundational Program, Entrepreneurship Division (PI)
Understanding and Designing Long-Term Resilience in the US Food
System: the Role of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Supporting
Regional Food Networks
$500,000
July 2014 – June 2017
USDA Foundational Program, Rural Development Division (with
University of New Hampshire and University of Maine)
Sustaining and Enhancing Local Agriculture in Rural Areas: Assessing Key
Producer and Consumer Issues in Northern New England
$500,000
July 2014 – June 2017
USDA Foundational Program, Small and Medium Sized Farm Division
(University of Vermont and other 5 institutions)
Examining Farm Labor Decisions on Long-term Profitability and Farm
Enterprise Development
$500,000
July 2014 – June 2017
Design and Implement New Ideas
(Under Review)
National Science Foundation (with Dartmouth College)
Biophysical and Social Interdependence of Integrated Food
Energy Systems
$700,000
July 2014 – June 2019
USDA Food Security Conference Grant (University of Vermont)
Enhancing food security and rural viability through innovative
food system practices and opportunities $50,000 2014-2015
Understanding and Designing Long-Term Resilience in the US Food System:
the Role of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Supporting Regional Food Networks
Networks for Collaborations
and Interdisciplinary Approach
Hawaii
How I Operate
Listen, observe, and learn from others;
and ask a lot of questions
Obtain teamwork and consensus building activities;
and offer support and guidance
Value and respect diversity of individuals, ideas,
and contributions
Evaluate and explain objectives and priorities, delegate tasks
to other people, and reward good performance
Challenges and Opportunities
As a Faculty
 Goals and Objectives – personal
and institutional
 Priorities – personal and
institutional
 Flexibility
 Choices and Alternatives
As a Director
 Goals and Objectives – SRDC
 Priorities – SRDC
 Time Management and
Commitment
 Collaboration and Networks
 Explicit Leadership and
Mentoring Position
Desire, Discipline, Determination  Dream Comes True!
Dream Weaver
An Entrepreneurial Approach to Design, Implement,
and Promote Successful Integrated Programs
Chyi-Lyi (Kathleen) Liang
Professor of Entrepreneurship and Applied Economics
The University of Vermont
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Department of Community Development and Applied Economics