Bond, Craig A.

December, 2008

By: Bond, Craig A.; McFadden, Dawn Thilmany; Bond, Jennifer Keeling
We examine consumer response to label information using a hypothetical choice experiment on red leaf lettuce attribute bundles. Using survey responses, several mixed logit models with random parameters and varying correlation assumptions are estimated that provide estimated of marginal utilities ( and marginal values) of various attributes related to general health claims, specific nutrition and health claims, certification logos, and certified organic claims (relative to the conventional reference group) for this fresh produce product. We find that consumers distinguish between labeling claims, and that attribute bundling effects are present, suggesting the results from main effects (linear) models may be misleading. Furthermore, the results imply that consumers may value both privately and publicly appropriable benefits of alternative technologies, such as organic production.

August, 2007

By: Bond, Craig A.; Farzin, Y. Hossein
This paper uses a directional output distance function to estimate a multi-output production frontier for a sample of experimental plots grown for the Sustainable Agriculture Farming Systems project at the University of California, Davis. Cross-sectional technical efficiency indices are estimated that take into account two proxies for undesirable output: number of trips across a field as a proxy for air pollution and/or soil erosion, and pints of pesticides applied to account for potential leaching and/or health risks. Shadow price estimates based on marginal rates of transformation ranged from $8-$21 for trips, while shadow prices for pints of pesticides averaged $23-$27.