Extension Program Emphasis

My Extension activities are currently centered around two thrust areas:

Economic information for clientele in agricultural and related businesses. A major emphasis in this area is managing the methods and operations of our Economic Information Office. We are in the final phase of upgrading our computer systems. We now have a web-based electronic means for gathering and disseminating economic-related information: the Oregon Agricultural Information Network (OAIN). The new system incorporates a computerized update for our county ag statistics and user-manipulated enterprise budgets. County estimates by about 70 OSU faculty statewide and cooperation with the USDA Oregon Agricultural Statistics Service (OASS) are a major focus. The URL for this site is: http://oregonstate.edu/oain/.

Marketing and management education for clientele in agricultural and related businesses. I emphasize activities in this area that lead to presentations, publications and related communications. From time-to-time I work with agents on projects. Prior to its closure after its 30th Resident Session in 2004, I served as the Educational Director of the Western Agricultural Banking School. Endorsed by the bankers associations of 12 western states, this school provided advanced educational training for experienced agricultural lenders - mostly banker, regulator and USDA personnel. I work closely with the Agricultural Cooperative Council of Oregon (ACCO) and do associated projects from time-to-time. This industry group has been a big supporter of both our Extension and classroom educational programs. I work with agents and clientele who are interested in educational information and programming related to forming or revitalizing agricultural cooperatives. I participate in WCC-72, Agribusiness Research and Education Emphasizing Competitiveness and Profitability. I review enterprise budgets, general Extension manuscripts, and research papers at the request of the department or outside clientele/colleagues.

Biographical Sketch

I completed my B.S. in agricultural business management with honors at California Polytechnic State University, Pomona in 1973. It was during that time that I had the opportunity to manage the production and marketing activities of a family avocado operation. Following that experience, I completed both an M.A. and Ph.D. in agricultural economics at Washington State University. There, I emphasized the areas of farm management, agricultural finance and marketing. My master's thesis focused on finding alternatives to open field burning of grass seed fields in eastern Washington and northern Idaho. My doctoral dissertation was in the area of agricultural tax management emphasizing cash versus accrual method alternatives for farmers and ranchers.

Since coming to Oregon State University in 1979, I have emphasized the areas of agribusiness management, agricultural finance, economic information, small business management, and farm-direct & horticultural marketing in my Extension educational program. I served for many years as the Educational Director of the Western Agricultural Banking School. My teaching assignments have been in the areas of agribusiness management, agricultural marketing, farm management and agricultural finance. In addition, I have served as the chair of both the departmental Undergraduate Committee and the Awards and Recognition Committee. I currently chair the AREc Internship Committee and serve on a variety of graduate committees.

Selected Publications

Hamlin, David and Larry Burt. "The Oregon Agricultural Information Network (OAIN): A Users Guide." Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Oregon State University. Staff Paper No. AREc 04-102, October 2004.

Burt, Larry. "Using Case Studies as an Educational Tool: Applications to Classroom and Extension Settings." Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Oregon State University. Staff Paper No. AREc 04-101, August 2004.

Burt, Larry. "A Brief Introduction to Agricultural Cooperatives." Oregon State University Extension Service Bulletin EM 8665, Revised March 2004.

Burt, Larry and Ross Penhallegon. "Economic Evaluation of Lingonberry Production in Oregon." Oregon State University Extension Service Bulletin EM 8847, December 2003.

Burt, Larry. "Ag Personnel Management: Developing and Using Case Studies." Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Oregon State University. Staff Paper No. AREc 03-104, September 2003.

Burt, Larry, Shelby Filley, Mike Gamroth, David Hamlin, Gene Pirelli and Peter Schreder. "The Oregon Agricultural Information Network Extension Project: Estimating County Livestock Inventory, Production and Sales." Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Oregon State University. Staff Paper No. AREc 03-103, August 2003.

Burt, Larry. "Ag Cooperatives Education: Developing and Using Case Studies." Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Oregon State University. Staff Paper No. AREc 03-102, August 2003.

Burt, Larry. "Oregon Christmas Trees: Economic Trends and Marketing Alternatives." Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Oregon State University. Working Paper No. AREc 03-102, April 2003.

Burt, Larry and Ross Penhallegon. "Lingonberries: Exploring Enterprise Opportunities." Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Oregon State University. Staff Paper No. AREc 03-101, March 2003.

Burt, Larry and Rhonda Grassel. "The Oregon Agricultural Information Network Extension Project: Collecting and Reconciling County Data ." Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Oregon State University. Staff Paper No. AREc 02-102, March 2002.

Burt, Larry and Rhonda Grassel. "Overview of the Oregon Agricultural Information Network Extension Project." Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Oregon State University. Working Paper No. AREc 01-102, September 2001.

Burt, Larry. "Exploring Agricultural Cooperatives Through the Use of Case Studies." Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Oregon State University. Working Paper No. AREc 01-101, June 2001.

Burt, Larry. "Major Hand-Harvested Crops in Oregon: Preliminary Data for 1999." Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Oregon State University. Working Paper No. AREc 00-101, August 2000.

Burt, Larry, Jim Kropf and Curt Moulton. "Marketing Alternatives for Specialty Produce." Pacific Northwest Regional Extension Publication PNW 241, Revised April 2000.

Current AREc Courses and Other Academic Program Responsibilities

(AREC 372: Agricultural Cooperatives) This course includes distinguished industry speakers on subjects related to cooperative principles of membership and business control, management perspectives, and relationships anlinkages between cooperatives. Related case studies and an industry tour are a part of the class structure.

AREC 476: Agricultural Personnel Management) This course also includes a number of distinguished industry speakers on a variety of subjects including the hiring process, performance appraisal, wage & benefit compensation, promotion/termination, personnel management from the employer perspective, and personnel management from the employee perspective. Related case studies are a part of the class structure.

I serve as the Head Advisor for our Agricultural Business Management undergraduate degree program. Included in that assignment is service on the AREc Undergraduate Committee.