An easy way to support America in Bloom

Posted on by
AgriLife Logo

As many of you are aware, America in Bloom(AIB) promotes nationwide beautification through education and community involvement by encouraging the use of flowers, plants, trees, and other environmental and lifestyle enhancements. One of the ways that AIB raises funds (besides sponsorships) is to hold an annual raffle. Wouldn’t it feel good to put $5,000; $1,000, or even $500 in your pocket? If you purchase an AIB raffle ticket you just might be one of the lucky cash prize winners! The 2010 raffle generated over $30,000 in funding for… Read More →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

New Estimates of the Housing Wealth Effect

Posted on by
AgriLife Logo

A new report from the NBER by Charles W. Calomiris, Stanley D. Longhofer, and William Miles shows that “on average, a single dollar increase in housing wealth raises consumption by between five and eight cents.” If the value of a homeowner’s house rises by one dollar, how much will that homeowner increase spending on consumption? In The Housing Wealth Effect: The Crucial Roles of Demographics, Wealth Distribution, and Wealth Shares (NBER Working Paper No. 17740), authors Charles Calomiris, Stanley Longhofer, and William Miles determine that the impact of… Read More →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Relationship between tree canopy and crime

Posted on by
AgriLife Logo

Publication year: 2012 Source:Landscape and Urban Planning Austin Troy, J. Morgan Grove, Jarlath O’Neil-Dunne The extent to which urban tree cover influences crime is in debate in the literature. This research took advantage of geocoded crime point data and high resolution tree canopy data to address this question in Baltimore City and County, MD, an area that includes a significant urban–rural gradient. Using ordinary least squares and spatially adjusted regression and controlling for numerous potential confounders, we found that there is a strong inverse relationship between tree canopy… Read More →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

New water-related survey for nursery and greenhouse growers

Posted on by
AgriLife Logo

The University of Maryland is involved (along with several land-grant university partners) in a USDA-funded project to determine how new sensor-based irrigation networks can benefit the ornamental plant production industry.  We would like your help to better understand current practices in the industry, and have developed a survey that asks questions about water, nutrient, and runoff practices in the industry, and about how the industry can take advantage of recent and anticipated advances in sensor-based irrigation networks. The goal of this research is to use your answers, along with… Read More →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Valentine’s Day Consumer Insights 2012

Posted on by
AgriLife Logo

Valentine’s Day Consumer Insights 2012 | Think Insights with Google. Interesting insights from Google regarding online Valentine’s Day shopping behavior.  

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Discover the Surprising Side of Plants

Posted on by
AgriLife Logo

America in Bloom has announced the release of a 12-page, full color educational brochure titled, “Discover the Surprising Side of Plants.” Based on research and publications by America in Bloom (AIB) board member Charles Hall, PhD of Texas A&M and others, the brochure summarizes benefits of plants “beyond pretty” for people, communities, neighborhoods, and even offices. Illustrated with photos from many participating America in Bloom towns, the brochure concludes that “quality landscapes are a necessity, not a luxury.” A PowerPoint presentation based on the brochure is available for… Read More →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Bernanke to deliver lecture series

Posted on by
AgriLife Logo

The Federal Reserve Board announced on Thursday that Chairman Ben S. Bernanke will deliver a series of lectures aimed at college students. Beginning on March 20, he will lead four classes on “The Federal Reserve and the Financial Crisis” as part of a course offered to undergraduates at the George Washington University School of Business. The class will feature a variety of speakers who will discuss central banking. Chairman Bernanke’s lectures are scheduled for March 20, 22, 27 and 29 and will begin at 12:45 pm EDT. To… Read More →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Abbott & Costello Economics

Posted on by
AgriLife Logo

Unemployment is dropping — as explained by Bud & Lou: COSTELLO: I want to talk about the unemployment rate. ABBOTT: Good Subject. Terrible times. It’s 9%. COSTELLO: That many people are out of work? ABBOTT: No, that’s about 20%. COSTELLO: You just said 9%. ABBOTT: 9% Unemployed. COSTELLO: Right 9% out of work. ABBOTT: No, that’s about 20%. COSTELLO: Okay, so it’s 20% unemployed. ABBOTT: No, that’s 9%… COSTELLO: WAIT A MINUTE. Is it 9% or 20%? ABBOTT: 9% are unemployed. 20% are out of work. COSTELLO: IF… Read More →

Posted in Content | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Fight of the Century: Keynes vs. Hayek Round Two

Posted on by
AgriLife Logo

An entertaining parody of the mindset of many of today’s economists. Also a great illustration of network externalities.

Posted in Content | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

$5 Gas Not Likely, Says Texas A&M Expert

Posted on by
AgriLife Logo

Having to dig deeper to fill up the gas tank? You are not alone as gas prices have steadily risen in the past few weeks, but the possibility of gas hitting $5 a gallon by summer as many analysts are predicting is very unlikely, says a Texas A&M University economist who has studied oil prices for decades. John Moroney, professor of economics and an oil analyst for more than 30 years, says the possibility of gas reaching $4 a gallon from its current national average of around $3.45… Read More →

Posted in News | Tagged , , | Leave a comment