Bills, Nelson Lawrence

Professor
Nelson Bills joined the Cornell faculty in 1985 after an 18-year career with the USDA?s Economic Research Service. He conducts research and extension programs on a variety of subjects related to rural land use and public policy. A particular interest is land and water issues encountered in farm and food production. His research program focuses on state and local farmland protection programs, property taxation, farmland markets and values, and regional economic analysis. Current projects also deal with prospects for agricultural-based economic development, landscape management concerns in the Northeastern U.S., and assessment of behaviors in residential property markets.

research

research and scholarship focus

With an integrated applied research and outreach program, I am able to infuse policy discussions with incisive, timely information on agri-environmental policy options and their likely economic and social consequences. My leadership efforts are multifaceted and are designed for impact both inside and outside the University community. I concentrate on holistic approaches to social problems and opportunities to interpret the fragmented, piecemeal academic literature and associated economic intelligence for lay people, elected officials, and agency operatives at the local and state level who are concerned about farm, food, and the fate of rural communities but often plagued with low levels of literacy regarding the structure and performance of farm and food industries

research areas

international geographic focus

domestic geographic focus

affiliations

faculty appointment in

member of graduate field

service

outreach focus

With an integrated applied research and outreach program, I am able to infuse policy discussions with incisive, timely information on agri-environmental policy options and their likely economic and social consequences. My leadership efforts are multifaceted and are designed for impact both inside and outside the University community. I concentrate on holistic approaches to social problems and opportunities to interpret the fragmented, piecemeal academic literature and associated economic intelligence for lay people, elected officials, and agency operatives at the local and state level who are concerned about farm, food, and the fate of rural communities but often plagued with low levels of literacy regarding the structure and performance of farm and food industries

background

awards and distinctions

  • NAREA Outstanding Public Service Through Economics Award, 2007
  • USDA Merit Pay Cash Award, 1984
  • ERS Administrator's Award for Special Achievement, 1984
  • Fellowship, Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science, 1990 
  • Award for Outstanding New Extension Publication, The New York State Association of County Agricultural Agents, 1991
  • Fulbright Award, 1992-93, research study leave at Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
  • John C. Walsh Professional Assistance Award, Institute of Assessing Officers, New York State Assessors' Association, 1993
  • Award for Outstanding New Extension Publication, The New York State Association of County Agricultural Agents, 1996
  • Award for Distinguished Extension Program, American Agricultural Economics Association, 1997
  • Innovators Award, Community and Rural Development Institute (CaRDI), Cornell University, 1998
  • Honorary Member, Institute of Assessing Officers, New York State Assessors' Association, 1998
  • Visiting Scholar, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Tokyo, 2000

publications

selected publications (listing in progress)

  • Poe, G., N. Bills, B. Bellows, P. Crosscombe, R. Koelsch, and P. Wright. 2001. Will voluntary and educational programs meet environmental objectives? Evidence from a survey of New York dairy farms. Review of Agricultural Economics 23(2):473-91.
  • Bills, N. 2001. Agriculture-based economic development: Trends and prospects for New York. EB 2001-18, Department of Applied Economics and Management, Cornell University, December, 69 pp.
  • Bills, N., and J. Maestro Scherer. 2001. Market enhancement programs operated in New York’s key competitor states and provinces. EB 2001-19, Department of Applied Economics and Management, Cornell University, December, 310 pp.
  • Lubben, B., C. Simons, N. Bills, N. Meyer, and J. Novak. 2001. The 2002 Farm Bill: U.S. producer preferences for agricultural, food, and public policy. National Public Policy Education Committee, Publication No. 2001-02, Farm Foundation, Chicago, IL, September.
  • Robb, M. Maloney, and N. Bills. 2001. Farmland protection planning in New York. EB 2001-04, Department of Applied Economics and Management, Cornell University, April, 22 pp.
  • Streeter, D., and N. Bills. 1998. Information strategies for agricultural exporters. International Food and Agribusiness Management Review 1(1):25-40.
  • Hirschl, T. A., and N. L. Bills. 1994. Urban influences on farmland use in New York State. Population Research and Policy Review 13:179-94.
Keywords: ag-based economic development, agricultural economic development, applied economics, farmland protection, land use, public policy, rural development, soil conservation, water quality