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Government's Web: Administrative Burden in the Agri-Food System
Hofmeyer, Sarah L.
Hofmeyer, Sarah L.
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Abstract
The food found on one’s plate results from a complex system of agricultural production, food processing, marketing, and distribution in the United States. Multiple layers of government influence this agri-food system, forming a web of policies affecting economic growth and community development. How smaller-scale agricultural producers experience and perceive this web is understudied. This dissertation explores government’s web of agri-food policy in the United States, driven by the urge to reconnect with local, sustainable food systems to counterbalance the industrialized agricultural model.
I focus on the experiences of small-scale agricultural producers and food system stakeholders using the conceptual lens of administrative burden. A qualitative approach delves into their perceptions of administrative costs and government impact at the local, state, and federal levels of government. Through interviews and surveys with producers and stakeholders in the Kansas City metropolitan region, this research identifies key areas where administrative burden is perceived: federal grants, state-federal regulatory compliance, and local policies.
Findings highlight the significant psychological and learning costs imposed on producers within the industrialized agri-food system. Results also highlight the role of administrative literacy and social connections in navigating administrative burden. I offer a nuanced understanding of the interplay between government actions and producer experiences in a web of government policy. My research underscores the importance of addressing these learning, compliance, and psychological costs to reduce administrative burden in grant-seeking, regulatory compliance, and local food production.
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Date
2024-01-01
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University of Kansas
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This item contains archived web content.
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Hofmeyer_ku_0099D_19678.pdf
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Keywords
Public administration, Urban planning, Public policy, administrative burdens, administrative costs, food policy, food systems, local food, sustainable community food systems