In this volume, an interdisciplinary and internationally- situated group of experts consider the ways in which culture creates and transforms discourses and practices in decisions on agricultural land.

This report is part of a multi-volume technical report series entitled, Running a Food Hub, with this guide serving as a companion piece to other United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports by providing in-depth guidance on starting and running a food hub enterprise. In order to compile the most current information on best management and operations practices, the authors used published information on food hubs, surveyed numerous operating food hubs, and pulled from their existing experience and knowledge of working directly with food hubs across the country as an agricultural business consulting firm. The report’s main focus is on the operational issues faced by food hubs, including choosing an organizational structure, choosing a location, deciding on infrastructure and equipment, logistics and transportation, human resources, and risks. As such, the guide explores the different decision points associated with the organizational steps for starting and implementing a food hub. For some sections, sidebars provide “decision points,” which food hub managers will need to address to make key operational decisions. This illustrated guide may assist the operational staff at small businesses or third-party organizations that may provide aggregation, marketing, and distribution services from local and regional producers to assist with wholesale, retail, and institution demand at government institutions, colleges/universities, restaurants, grocery store chains, etc. Undergraduate students pursuing coursework for a bachelor of science degree in food science, or agricultural economics may be interested in this guide. Additionally, this reference work will be helpful to small businesses within the food trade discipline.

Presents budget-friendly life improvement advice for newly independent women on such topics as achieving financial independence, dating, healthy eating, personal care and hygiene, and fitness.

This book reflects the current state of discussion about agricultural and rural finance in developing and transition countries. It provides insight into specific themes, such as commodity value chains, farm banking and risk management in agricultural banking, structured finance, crop insurance, mobile banking and how to increase effectiveness in rural finance. Case studies illustrate various aspects of agricultural and rural finance in developing economies. The book is based on one of the yearly financial Sector Development Symposia held by the KfW Development Bank.

The financialization, globalization and industrialization of our food systems make it increasingly difficult to access quality fresh food. In fact, the industrialized global food system is creating products that are less food-like, engendering growing questions about the health and safety of our food supply. In addition, the bio-engineering of food commodities is another factor influencing the growth of industrial farming for an increasingly homogenized, globalized market. This book describes the financialization process in commodity futures markets which transformed commodities into an asset class. Incorporated into the portfolio decisions of investors, commodity prices now behave like all asset prices, becoming more volatile and subject to periodic bubbles. As commodity prices were driven higher in the 2000s, farmland became more valuable, setting off a global land grab by investors, nations, and corporations. More recently, under the financialization food regime, slow growth and low returns encouraged merger activity driven by private equity firms, with food industry corporations as prime targets, leading to increased industry concentration. With government policy focused on supporting corporate interests, there has been a global reaction to the current food system. The food sovereignty movement is taking on the interests behind the global land grab, and the regional food movement in cities across the U.S. is hitting corporations at the bottom line. Food corporations are listening. Is the food movement winning? This book is of interest to those who study political economy, financialization and agriculture and related studies, as well as food systems and commodity future markets.

"The conference was organized by the three editors of this book and took place on August 15-16, 2012 in Seattle."--Preface.

Based on the popular QuickieChick website, lifestyle expert Laurel House's new book QuickieChick's Cheat Sheet to Life, Love, Food, Fitness, Fashion, and Finance on a Less Than Fabulous Budget (St. Martin's Griffin/May 2012) offers quick tips for smart, sassy, independent chicks. This is the essential manual on life's lessons delivered in fun, snappy, and instantly-gratifying bites of information. Beyond a fab pair of stilettos, a big shot mentor and a go-to ab workout, QuickieChick reminds us that what every chick really needs are the 3Gs: Gumption, Grace, and Guidance. QuickieChick is filled with professional advice from business entrepreneurs, exclusive tips straight from celebrities, insightful anecdotes from real women who have "been there and done that," end of chapter cheat sheets that simplify the steps to success in concise and actionable advice, and fun quizzes that help you find out who you really are. This is the perfect rescue handbook for post-grad girls about life and how to live it...fabulously on a budget. QuickieChick features practical solutions that guide you through: • How to ace the job interview • How to gain financial independence, move out of your parents' place, and avoid roommate drama • Quickie workouts for every location: in bed, at the office, on an airplane, in the kitchen, and more • How to get a boost of confidence by wearing "power panties" • 1-ingredient refrigerator facials: how to get fab skin by using ingredients found in your fridge • Dating and dumping: when to leave, when to stay, where to meet guys, and how to keep them hooked • Work party protocol: how to dress, what to say, and how to act • How to throw a fab cocktail party on a budget...with no stress • Finding a mentor