Dr. Zoë T. Plakias
Assistant Professor
Dept. of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics
(The) Ohio State University
Faculty Affiliate
Member
Current Research Areas
Healthy, sustainable + fair supply Chains
Many people care about the impacts their food purchases have on their health, the environment and other people. I consider who is participating in these supply chains and the individual characteristics and incentives driving their decisions, as well as whether these supply chains are truly meeting their stated goals.
Market power in the aG supply chain
As companies grow in size or market share, they may be able to exercise market power (the ability to set a higher selling price or a lower buying price than the competitive price). I consider the role of market power in the agricultural supply chain in the context of farm organizations, patent licensing and health policy.
Orgs + networks in the ag supply chain
Along with interacting in markets, farmers and food system stakeholders interact within and outside markets in farm organizations, cooperatives and social networks. I examine food system stakeholders' behavior in these settings and how these interactions connect to actions and outcomes in markets.
Peer-reviewed journal article
Direct Marketing Channel Choices Among U.S. Farmers: Evidence from the Local Food Marketing Practices Survey
Journal: Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems
Co-authors: Iryna Demko and Ani L. Katchova
Publication year: Forthcoming in 2019
Working paper (in review)
Tradeoffs in Farm to School Implementation: Larger Foodsheds and Longer Supply Chains Drive More Local Food Expenditures
Co-authors: H. Allen Klaiber and Brian E. Roe
Most recent version: 2018
Working paper (in review)
Voting for Mandatory Agricultural Producer Organizations: New Evidence from California
Co-authors: Rachael E. Goodhue and Jeffrey Williams
Most recent version: 2019
Peer-reviewed journal article
Producer Heterogeneity and Voting Power in Mandatory US Agricultural Marketing Organisations [link to article]
Journal: European Review of Agricultural Economics
Co-authors: Rachael E. Goodhue
Publication year: 2015
Outreach publication
Growers’ Assessments of Challenges Facing the California Rice Industry: Past and Present [link to article]
Journal: ARE Update
Co-author: Rachael E. Goodhue
Publication year: 2016
Outreach publication
The Economic Contribution of Agricultural and Food Production to the Ohio Economy [link to report]
Format: Peer-reviewed department-published research report
Co-authors: Janice DiCarolis, Tim Haab, Ian Sheldon, Brent Sohngen, and Kelli Trinoskey
Publication year: 2017
Working paper
The Mexican PROCAMPO Farmland Subsidy and Its Effectiveness as a Rural Anti-Poverty Program
Co-authors: Ariadna Martínez González (first author) and Mark Partridge
Most recent version: 2019
Working paper
Measuring the Welfare Impacts of Local Food Sourcing by Institutions: A Cost-Benefit Analysis Approach
Co-authors: none
Most recent version: 2019
Outreach publication
Old Dog, New Tricks: The Changing Role of California’s Agricultural Marketing Organizations [link to article]
Journal: ARE Update
Co-authors: none
Publication year: 2013
Teaching + Advising
AEDE 2001: Principles of Food and Resource Economics
Spring Semester
This course serves as an introduction to microeconomics, with an emphasis on food and resource topics. It is a lecture-based course, with in-class activities and additional opportunities for class participation using online tools. This course is open to any undergraduates except those who've taken AEDECON 2001H or ECON 2001 and serves as a Social Sciences GE course (Human, Natural, and Economic Resources category). It is also a required course for the Agricultural and Applied Economics and EEDS majors.
AEDE 5330: Benefit-Cost Analysis
Spring Semester
This course covers the theory and practice of cost-benefit analysis. We analyze real cost-benefit analyses, read economic papers, and discuss timely issues (e.g., marijuana legalization, the opioid crisis, pollinator health, etc.). This course is open to advanced undergraduates who have taken AEDE 4310 (Environmental and Natural Resources Economics), AEDE 4001 (Managerial Economics) or ECON 4001 (Intermediate Microeconomics), as well as graduate students outside AEDE with a quantitative background (with permission).
Undergraduate + Graduate Advising
Year-round
I serve on the dissertation committees for PhD candidates Kathryn Bender and Sahar Yousef. I also advise undergraduate students in the Agribusiness and Applied Economics major and lead the department's PhD job market preparation activities. If you are a current or aspiring undergraduate or graduate student, don't hesitate to contact me about opportunities!
Upcoming + Recent Outreach Events
Challenges + Opportunities for Economic Development in Ohio
Food and Agriculture As Ingredients of Economic Development
May 8, 2019
Pickaway and Ross County Agricultural Outlook
Consumer Trends and Potential Implications for Ohio Agriculture
