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Clemson University
college of agriculture, forestry and life sciences clemson university

R. David Lamie

Professor of Agribusiness and Rural Development
Agricultural Sciences Department, Sandhill Research and Education Center

Office: Sandhill REC
Phone: 803-788-5700

Email: dlamie@clemson.edu

 

Educational Background

PhD Applied Economics: Regional Economics Specialization
Clemson University 1996

MS Agricultural Economics:Public Policy Concentration
Purdue University 1989

BS Agricultural Economics
Purdue University 1987

Profile

Dr. Lamie joined Clemson University in 2005. He has previously worked with the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs, Virginia Tech, and Purdue University in Extension/Outreach capacities. His Extension program at Clemson currently focuses on emerging and small farms and local/regional/community food systems initiatives. He also has experience with community, county, and regional level strategic visioning and planning, rural broadband access and effective use, use value taxation, and economic and fiscal impact assessment.

Extension and Outreach

In my capacity as a statewide Agribusiness and Rural Development Specialist, most of my workload is occupied by grantsmanship and program design, coordination, delivery, and evaluation. Though my position was originally focused on community and economic development, I have transitioned toward agricultural and food systems development issues in response to evolving needs of constituencies and directives from the institution. Regional food system development and new/emerging farmer development are the primary focal points of my work currently. Nearly all of my time and effort now is circumscribed by externally-funded programs and projects. I have provided a brief synopsis of these activities, the role I play, and the role I strive to create for others.

Clemson Extension Emerging and Small Farm Programs Director (March 2015 - present) Appointed by Clemson University Director of Extension to develop, plan, and lead this program area. In response, I developed a statewide plan, sought the input from stakeholders, and provided this plan and a budget to the Extension Director. A good portion of this plan falls within the auspices of the South Carolina New and Beginning Farmer Program, that I have directed since 2010. We secured funding for this program through USDA-NIFA, and focus on building capacity in new and beginning farmers through training in a wide variety of farm management, entrepreneurship, and environmental resource stewardship topics; regional production programming, and a farmer mentor program. As program director, responsibilities include managing program staff and volunteers, as well as a ~$250,000 annual budget that involves an array of program partners, sub-contractors; generating program sponsorships; organization
of statewide advisory committee of key stakeholders; development of program components and materials; identification and organization of guest speakers; participant recruitment; organization of farm tours and other learning opportunities for participants; and supervision of evaluation program. Program continues to be very well received by both participants and stakeholder organizations. We currently have approximately 250 program alumni and are developing an advanced program for them. We just received the largest number of applications (~120 applicants) and have invited our largest class ever to participate (~80 participants).

South Carolina Lead on Southern Rural Development Center Local Food Systems Extension Committee (2014 – present, invited). This work has culminated in a regional project, SERA 47: Strengthening the Southern Region Extension and Research System to Support Local and Regional Foods Needs and Priorities -
Developed directory of southern region Land Grant assets involved in local food systems. Helped organize southern region local foods conference near Washington, DC in August 2015 that attracted approximately 80 noteworthy participants. I worked with the Southern Rural Development Center to secure an AFRI planning grant to bring this group together for three additional meetings where we developed a work plan and developed a comprehensive integrated Extension and research project (SERA 47 – approved 11/16) to underpin this Southern region effort. I was selected as the inaugural chair of SERA 47

and led the effort to self-organize into five work groups and to formulate a comprehensive work plan. We recently worked with Southern Rural Development Center to submit a full AFRI grant proposal to continue implementation of our work plan. This project is providing opportunities for research and extension colleagues from across the region and seems to be poised to play an important role in the near-term future. I recently completed my term as chair and am now Co-Chair of one of the committees that is focusing on documenting Land Grant University response to local food systems constituency demands.

South Carolina Lead on Local Food Systems for Extension Agents and other Professionals (2014-present).
Multi-state (NC, VA, SC) collaborative project, funded through a SSARE PDP grant, to develop and implement local food systems graduate level course to county Extension Agents. I serve on the Advisory Committee, several curriculum development sub- committees, and as a presenter of workshops focused on the business development and economic and social impact aspects of local food system development. We have secured a second round of SSARE to develop this into an online course that we plan to blend with in-person field study events and South Carolina-specific content by working with Clemson Broadcast Services to develop video content.

South Carolina Lead on USDA-AMSTA Program (2015-present)
Delivering training for USDA-AMS grant opportunities for community, county, and regional non-profits, government agencies, and activists focused on local food system development and farmers market promotion efforts. First year of programming has significantly increased number of applications to USDA and resulted in at least three funded projects. The second round of funding has allowed us to provide more trainings. A third round of funding is focused on the development of case studies to highlight specific successful projects in SC, NC, and GA.

Clemson Community Food Systems Extension Program (2013-present)
In collaboration with Geoff Zehnder, Kelly Gilkerson, Blake Lanford and others, organized a two-day planning event that culminated in a program plan for the Director of Extension. Prior to this activity, organized a campus-wide Clemson Local Food Systems Summit that involved Research, Teaching, and Extension/Outreach faculty and students working in this emerging area. This earlier work might come into play in South Carolina if Clemson should decide to build a program like many other states are doing (see SERA 47 for the connection).

Stronger Economies Together (SET) Program - Clemson Extension Lead (December 2015 – present) I was appointed by Clemson University Director of Extension to lead a successful grant writing effort in collaboration with USDA-Rural Development, South Carolina State University, and the Southern Rural Development Center. I managed an RFP process in South Carolina resulting in a successful proposal from the 11-county Central South Carolina SET Collaborative. We implemented program and this is

resulting in a harmonized, comprehensive collection of strategic action plans for development in the region. Not surprisingly, these plans now include significant attention to agriculture and food systems development. The Central Midlands Council of Government, who is the local lead agency on this project, was recently awarded a National Association of Development Organizations Innovation Award for their work with us.

Farm to Retail/Farm to Institution/Community Supported Agriculture (2007-2008)
– funded by SCDHEC to work with their Farm to Institution program to facilitate meaningful alliances between farmers and corner store and institutional (schools, hospitals, etc.) market opportunities. I am developing a set of training publications (with Dr. Michael Vassalos), helping to organize in-service training with Extension Agents and SCDHEC Healthy Living/Active Lifestyles regional coordinators, and supporting applied research in support of this effort.

Developing Rural Business and Organizational Capacity USDA-RD Programs in South Carolina (2007) – funded by USDA-Rural Development to assist with strategies to increase awareness of USDA-RD funding opportunities, to build capacity in potential applicants to be successful in their pursuits of this funding, and to increase the overall amount of funding provided in the state. Team members include Stanley Green, Ben Boyles, and Alta Mae Marvin.

Clemson Representative for Regional Research Project S 1067 (formerly S1050) - Specialty Crops and Food Systems: Exploring Markets, Supply Chains and Policy Dimensions (2010 – present) This project meets in conjunction with the Food Distribution Research Society and provides a unique focal point for networking with colleagues from across the country who are working on similar issues. These connections have allowed me to strengthen my programs in many direct and indirect ways through increasing my awareness of program resources, relevant tools, funding opportunities, and cross-state collaboration.

South Carolina MarketMaker Project Leader (2007-present) - Secured funding and coordinating all aspects of the development and deployment of an interactive, database- driven, GIS-capable website to support the food supply chain in South Carolina.
Responsible for inclusion of seafood in national MarketMaker project (Farm Credit Council Innovation Award – 2010). Current focus is to leverage this system to support regional food system development efforts with effective web presence.

South Carolina Agriculture Council – Leadership Committee (2012 – present)
SC Ag Council is a long-standing multi-agency/organization networking organization that facilitates relationships amongst key stakeholders, agency personnel, and retirees interested in the vitality of the agriculture industry in South Carolina. Primary

involvement is to assist with identification of speakers for quarterly meetings and in the development of bi-annual study tours.

Graduate Advisor (2005 – present) - Mentoring and Advising Graduate Students and Supervising Student and Professional Staff. Served as Chair of two doctoral students in the Policy Studies program. Served on several doctoral and MS committees in Applied Economics and Statistics.

European Union/France Study Abroad Team (2007 – present) - Actively involved in relation-building and coordinating with AgroSup-Dijon, one of the five institutions of higher learning in agriculture recognized by the French Ministry of Agriculture as centers of excellence, to institute a study abroad program and to explore additional cultural and knowledge exchange opportunities for Clemson and AgroSup-Dijon students and faculty. Coordinated and financially supported four AgroSup-Dijon interns whose work centered on economic aspects of the Clemson Organic Farm and fruit tree research. Organized and delivered study tours in France, Germany, and Switzerland titled “Local and Regional Food Systems in a Global Economy”, involving students and colleagues from the University of Kentucky.

Significant Activities from Recent Past

American Origin Products Research Foundation Vice President (2015 – 2017) The American Origin Products Research Foundation creates research collaborations contributing to the sustainability of American Origin Products and producer
communities. Involved in Southeast region effort to identify American Origin Products; at national level to provide economic impact evaluation; and as Vice President of AOPRF since early 2015.

South Carolina Lead on Southern Risk Management Education Center Local Food Systems Research Committee (2014 – 2016, invited).
Developing monographs and other research-based products for publication on their website and in peer-reviewed outlets. Effort has resulted in several peer-reviewed manuscripts already with several more in the pipeline. Contribution thus far has been an article focused on the need for multi-disciplinary involvement in the evaluation of community food systems development initiatives. The next article will focus on strategic visioning and planning as it relates to community food system development. Tim Woods (University of Kentucky) is leading this effort with the Center.

South Carolina Food Policy Council – Chair (August 2012 – December 2015) Appointed to Board and Elected Chair in 2012. Responsible for overall well-being of collaborative networking organization and for representing organization in public meetings. Led organization to deliver three public events focused on solutions for overcoming food deserts, community food system infrastructure, and statewide networking for enhanced inter-organizational collaboration and communication.

Facilitated the development of the organization’s first strategic plan and put in place
measures to enhance organizational sustainability.

Midlands Local Food Collaborative – Chair (February 2015 – February 2017)
An inter-agency networking organization that facilitates communication and collaboration across agency and organizational stakeholders in the eight-county region in the state capital region of South Carolina.

South Carolina Agribusiness and Farm Expo – Beginning and Small Farms Program Chair (2013-2015) Coordinated and delivered full-day educational programs with involvement from federal, state, and local government and NGO speakers.

Agritourism Projects and Training Coordinator (2008 – 2010)
Worked with multi-state (GA, NC, SC) team to secure USDA-SARE funding for a multi- state train-the trainer program. Identified Clemson Extension Agents and secured funding for their involvement. Secured additional USDA-SARE funding for in-state train- the-trainer agritourism development program. Helped secure funding and coordinating efforts between national MarketMaker, SCMarketMaker, and two multi-county regional agritourism programs to build on-line capacity for marketing agritourism enterprises.

MarketMaker National Evaluation Committee Chair (2007 – 2015)
Developed and implemented evaluation framework for individual state and national efforts. Secured two rounds of USDA-FSMIP funding to operationalize research.
Currently working with colleagues to design and implement continuous improvement process for the MarketMaker program nationally.

ECommerceSC Project Leader (2006 – 2010)
Delivered e-commerce training to small businesses, often as part of FastTrac® small business training courses. Secured funding for purchase of use rights to AccessE.info curriculum offered by the University of Minnesota Extension. Conducted case study research on rural small business adoption of e-commerce strategies for the National e- Commerce Extension Initiative administered by the Southern Rural Development Center.

Economic Development Administration University Center Team (2006 – 2009) Helped secure large grant for this center, conducted research and provided general technical support in the area of communication and information technology for rural areas and e-commerce training for small businesses.

Community Development Extension Program Leader (2006 – 2007)
Responsible for various aspects of strategic planning, shaping of programmatic agenda, staffing, and resource development for CD Program Team composed of county-based CD Extension Agents and campus and remotely-based Specialists. Led effort to develop first strategic plan for CED program.

Publications

Refereed and Reviewed Publications and Technical Reports

Lamie, R. David, et al. Agritourism around the globe: Definitions, authenticity, and potential controversy. Journal of Agricultural and Food Systems Development. January 2021

Chiodo, Emilio; Fantini, Andrea; Dickes, Lori; Arogundade, Temitope; Lamie, R. D.; Assing, Lucilene; Stewart, Corinne; Salvatore, Rita. 2019. "Agritourism in Mountainous Regions—Insights from an International Perspective." Sustainability 11, no. 13: 3715.

Deller, Steven, R. David Lamie, and Maureen Stickel, “Local Foods Systems and
Community Economic Development”, Community Development: The Journal of the Community Development Society, (in press for hardcopy; online version published in September 2017 at Taylor and Francis Online)

Lamie, R. David and Steven Deller, “Motivations for a Special Issue on Local Food Systems Development”, Community Development: The Journal of the Community Development Society, (in press, September 2017)

Lamie, R. David and Steve Deller, editors. Special Issue of Community Development, the Journal of the Community Development Society focused on local/regional/community food systems development and the challenge of interdisciplinary research. (September 2017)

Welborn, Katie and R. David Lamie, “Local Food Distribution in the Midlands: Identifying Barriers to and Opportunities for Food Producing Farmers Entering Wholesale Markets”, Journal of Food Distribution Research. Volume 48, Issue 1. March 2017.

Zapata, Samuel D. Olga-Isengildina-Massa, Carlos E. Carpio, and R. David Lamie. “Does E-Commerce Help Farmers’ Markets?” Measuring the Impact of MarketMaker”, Journal of Food Distribution Research. Volume 47, Issue 2. July 2016.

Lamie, R. David, “Now more than ever, this planet needs truly inclusive community development efforts that tolerate, embrace – even celebrate – difference”, Presidential Address delivered at the 2015 international annual meeting of the Community Development Society. Community Development: The Journal of the Community Development Society, February 2016.

Lientz, K.M., L.A. Dickes, and D. Lamie, "Does Rural Matter? The Creative Class in South Carolina", American Journal of Entrepreneurship. Special Issue: Rural Entrepreneurship, Vol 7, Issue 2, December 2014

Diamond, Adam, Debra Tropp, James Barham, Michelle Frain Muldoon, Stacia Kiraly, and Patty Cantrell, (Lamie, R. David et al – Contributors)“Food Value Chains: Creating Shared Value to Enhance Marketing Success”, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, May 2014. Web.

Lamie, R. David. Rebecca Dunning, Eric Bendfeldt, Joanna Massey Lelekacs, Margarita Velandia, Lee Meyer, “Local Food Systems in the South: A Call for a Collaborative Approach to Assessment”, Choices. Special Issue. 1st Quarter 2014.

Welch, Mark and R. David Lamie, “Attitudes Toward Risk in a Changing Agricultural Environment”, Choices. Special Issue. 4th Quarter 2013. Edited by Welch and Lamie.

Zapata, Samuel D., Carlos E. Carpio, Olga Isengildina-Massa, and R. David Lamie, “The Economic Impact of the Services Provided by an Electronic Trade Platform: The Case of MarketMaker”, Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Volume 38, Number 3, December 2013.

Carpio, C.E., O. Isengildina-Massa, and R.D. Lamie and S.D. Zapata, “Does E-Commerce Help Agricultural Markets? The Case of MarketMaker”, Choices 28, 4 (4th Quarter 2013).
 
Zapata, S.D., C.E. Carpio, O. Isengildina-Massa, and R.D. Lamie, “Producers’ Willingness to Pay for the Services Provided by an Electronic Trade Platform: The Case of MarketMaker”, Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics 38,3(2013):1-20

Zapata, S.D., C.E. Carpio, O. Isengildina-Massa, and R.D. Lamie, “Do Internet-Based Promotion efforts Work? Evaluating MarketMaker”, Journal of Agribusiness 29,1(2011): 159-180

Lamie, R.D., Isengildina-Massa, O., Carpio, C. and Zapata, S.D. 2011, “Evaluating MarketMaker: Analyzing the Impact of an Electronic Food Marketing Network and its Capacity to Improve Efficient Market Access for Small to Midsized Farmers and Food Entrepreneurs”, USDA Agricultural Marketing Services. Available at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5092120

Dickes, Lori A., R. David Lamie, and Brian Whitacre, “The Struggle for Broadband in Rural America”, Choices: The Magazine of Food, Farm, and Resource Issues. Bringing Broadband to Rural America themed issue. 4th Quarter 2010 25(4)

Zapata, S., D. Lamie, D., C.E. Carpio, and O. Isengildina-Massa “Evaluating the Impact of an Electronic Food Marketing Network”, Research Update. Journal of Food Distribution Research, 41,1(2010):131.

Lamie, R. David, Wallace Campbell, and William Molnar, “The Fiscal-Geographic Nexus: An Overview of Fiscal Impact Assessment in Local Policy Development”, Applied Geography. Volume 32, Issue 1 (2012):54-60

Markley, Deborah M., David L. Barkley, and R. David Lamie, “Case Studies of E-commerce Activity in Rural and Small Town Businesses. Southern Rural Development Center National E-Commerce Extension Initiative”, Available at http://srdc.msstate.edu/ecommerce/curricula/case_studies/index.html. First published as EDA University Center for Economic Development Working Paper 05-2007-02

Barkley, David L., R. David Lamie, and Deborah M. Markley, “E-Commerce as a Business Strategy: Lessons Learned from Case Studies of Rural and Small Town Businesses”, Southern Rural Development Center National E- Commerce Extension Initiative. Available at http://srdc.msstate.edu/ecommerce/curricula/case_studies/index.html. First published as EDA University Center for Economic Development Working Paper 05-2007-03

Lamie, R. David, David L. Barkley, and Deborah M. Markley,“2007 E-Commerce Case Studies Guidebook and Program Delivery Manual”, Southern Rural Development Center National E-Commerce Extension Initiative. Available at http://srdc.msstate.edu/ecommerce/curricula/case_studies/index.html. First published as EDA University Center for Economic Development Working Paper 05-2007-04

Non-Refereed Publications and Technical Reports



Green, Stanley and R. David Lamie. An Analysis of Opportunities for Increased Participation in and Barriers for USDA-RD Renewable Energy for America Program and Value-Added Producer Grant Program. Produced in Support of Rural Development Cooperative Agreement July 28, 2017 (in process)

Webb, Sara and R. David Lamie. AMSTA Case Studies and Good Practices Guidebook. Development of seven case studies of USDA Local Food Promotion Program and Farmers Market Program grants in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. (in process)

SantaMarta, Leticia Chico, R. David Lamie, and Sean Gaule. Desafíos y opportunidades para un desarrollo viable y sostenible en la agricultura mundial (Challenges and opportunities for sustainable and sustainable development in world agriculture), Las Tierras de Castilla y Leon. Available online at https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/revista?codigo=9495 (in review)

Lamie, R. David. Letter to Senate Ag Committee in support of the Farm Credit System. Written at the request of Mr. Gary Matteson, VP Young, Beginning, Small Farmer Programs and Outreach The Farm Credit Council. August 2016.

2016 Food Access Update: Evaluating Access to Healthy Food in South Carolina. Co- authored report of SC Food Access Task Force available at http://sccommunityloanfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/2016-Task-Force-Report- Update.pdf

Diamond, Adam, Debra Tropp, James Barham, Michelle Frain Muldoon, Stacia Kiraly, and Patty Cantrell, (Lamie, R. David et al – Contributors) “Food Value Chains: Creating Shared Value to Enhance Marketing Success”, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, May 2014. Web.

Lamie, R. David, Approximately twelve monthly articles written while President of the Community Development Society, Vanguard, official newsletter of the Community Development Society, 2014-15.

Lamie, R. David, et al., Conference program for 2014 international annual meeting of the Community Development Society. Dubuque, Iowa. Summer 2014.

Zehnder, Geoff, R. David Lamie, Blake Lanford, “A New Clemson Extension Extension Initiative – Community Food Systems, Recommendations from Participants at the Clemson Community Food Systems Planning Retreat”, Prepared for Chief Operating Officer, Clemson Extension, 18 April 2013.

Lamie, R. David, Samuel Zapata, Olga Isengildina-Massa, Carlos Carpio, “Evaluating Marketmaker: Analyzing the Impact of an Electronic Food Marketing Network and it Capacity to Improve Efficient Market Access for Small to Mid-Sized Farmres and Food Entrepreneurs.” Prepared for Enhancing Local and Regional Food Systems: Exploring the Research, What Works, and What We Need to Learn, Northeast Rural Development Center, Kerhonkson, NY 19-20 May 2009.

Lamie, R. David, et al., “ Broadband Investment for Economic Recovery: Perspectives of an Ad-Hoc Group of State Broadband Entities”,  Submitted to President Barach Obama, The Honorable Nancy Pelosi and The Honorable Harry Reid. February 2009

Lamie, R. David, Bill Molnar, Wallace Campbell, “An Assessment of the Fiscal Impact of Projected Population Growth in Anderson County, South Carolina 2008-2028”, A Report to the Anderson County Council. Clemson Institute for Economic and Community Development and the EDA University Center for Economic Development. November 2008.

Lamie, R. David, Matt Benson, Jim Pease, “The Economic Impact of the Agricultural Sector on Clarke County Virginia, 2005”, Technical Report produced for the Clarke County Farm Bureau. June 2008.

Barkley, David L., R. David Lamie, and Deborah M. Markley, “Case Studies of E-Commerce in Small and Medium- Sized Enterprises: A Review of the Literature”, UCED Working Paper 05-2007-01, EDA University Center for Economic Development, Clemson University, May, 2007.

Beaulieu, Lionel J. (Bo), In collaboration with the state rural development roundtable coordinators Alan Barefield, James Barnes, Gae Broadwater, Hank Cothran, Albert Essel, Lori Garkovich, Ed Jones, Dave Lamie, John McKissick, Tammy Seefeld, George Smith, Joe Sumners, Greg Taylor, Crystal Tyler-Mackey, Louis Whitesides, Michael Wilcox, and Mike Woods, “Blueprint for the Rural South, Discovering New Ideas, Applying New Strategies: A Five-Year Strategic Plan for the Southern Rural Development Center”, Southern Rural Development Center, Mississippi State University. July 2007


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