Understanding American Agriculture
Understanding American Agriculture

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2007-11-07

Total Pages: 214

ISBN-13: 0309178991

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The Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS) is the federal government's primary source of information on the financial condition, production practices, and resource use on farms, as well as the economic well-being of America's farm households. ARMS data are important to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and to congressional, administration, and industry decision makers when they must weigh alternative policies and programs that touch the farm sector or affect farm families. ARMS is unique in several respects. As a multiple-purpose survey with an agricultural focus, ARMS is the only representative national source of observations of farm-level production practices, the economics of the farm businesses operating the field (or dairy herd, greenhouse, nursery, poultry house, etc.), and the characteristics of the American farm household (age, education, occupation, farm and off-farm work, types of employment, family living expenses, etc.). No other data source is able to match the range and depth of ARMS in these areas. American agriculture is changing, and the science of statistical measurement is changing as well. As with every major governmental data collection with such far-reaching and important uses, it is critical to periodically ensure that the survey is grounded in relevant concepts, applying the most up-to-date statistical methodology, and invested with the necessary design, estimation, and analytical techniques to ensure a quality product. ARMS is a complex undertaking. From its start as a melding of data collected from the field, the farm, and the household in a multiphase, multiframe, and multiple mode survey design, it has increased in complexity over the decade of its existence as more sophisticated demands for its outputs have been made. Today, the survey faces difficult choices and challenges, including a need for a thorough review of its methods, practices, and procedures. Understanding American Agriculture : Challenges for the Agricultural Resource Management Survey summarizes the recommendations of the committee who wrote the survey.

Spiritual Trilogy
Spiritual Trilogy

Author: Stephen W. Hiemstra

Publisher: T2Pneuma Publishers LLC

Published: 2018-02-16

Total Pages: 595

ISBN-13: 1942199279

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This trilogy combines three books published previously: A Christian Guide to Spirituality, Life in Tension, and Called Along the Way. Together they chronicle a spiritual journey during the period from 2013 through 2017. The first two books focus on the question—who is God?—while the third book focuses on the question—who are we? The call to faith and ministry is personal but it is also corporal, being informed by the community of faith at one time and in one place. The original books have been reproduced as published. Offering them together makes them available more economically and draws attention to their common purpose. Because spirituality is lived belief, it is important to reflect on what we say we believe and what we actually practice. This reflective process is inherently stressful but it is a normal part of our Christian journey as we prepare in this life for the next. Hear the words; walk the steps; experience the joy! Author Stephen W. Hiemstra (MDiv, PhD) is a slave of Christ, husband, father, tentmaker, writer, and speaker. He lives with Maryam, his wife of 30+ years, in Centreville, VA and they have three grown children. Key words for this book include: Beatitudes, Christianity, spirituality, memoir, Christian memoir, Jesus, Bible, devotion, spiritual growth, and faith. Other books by T2Pneuma Publishers LLC include: A Christian Guide to Spirituality (2014) Una Guía Cristiana a la Espiritualidad (2015) My Travel Through Life (2016) Oraciones ( 2016) Prayers (2016) Life in Tension (2016) Prayers of a Life in Tension (2016) Called Along the Way (2017) See: T2Pneuma.com for more details. ****************** What people are saying... Stephen provides a helpful, accessible guide using the classic catechetical structure of the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments. - David A. Currie, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (In reference to A Christian Guide to Spirituality) We live in a fallen world. It leads to life in tension, and sometimes a life full of stress. Stephen Hiemstra takes us on a needed tour of the kind of character it takes to face such a life. - Darrell L. Bock, Dallas Theological Seminary (In reference to Life in Tension) Have you ever wondered if the church in America is mortally wounded? Is God really dead as the infamous 1966 Time magazine cover reported? This memoir offers evidence to the contrary. — Aaron Gordon, Pastor (In reference to Called Along the Way)