Publications

Economic and Quality of Life Data for the Upper Valley Region of New Hampshire/Vermont

This report presents sustainable tourism indicators identified from public data sources in the Upper Valley region of New Hampshire/Vermont.

Authors: Luyi Han, Stephan Goetz, Daniel Eades, and Doug Arbogast

Publication: Published by NERCRD Date Published: December 12, 2025

Tags: data brief, outdoor recreation, tourism, TRIP

Land Grant Community and Economic Development Capacity in the Northeast

In 2024, NERCRD conducted an inventory of the capacity for research and Extension programming in the Northeast U.S. region that corresponds with NERCRD priority areas.

Authors: Stephen Alessi

Publication: NERCRD publication Date Published: March 30, 2025

Tags: Extension

Fostering Sustainable Growth in Pennsylvania’s Allegheny National Forest

The Allegheny National Forest region offers significant potential for sustainable tourism growth by balancing environmental protection and economic development. Researchers from West Virginia University and Penn State and their local collaborators drew on the perspectives of ANF visitors and residents in a survey conducted in 2024. This article shares key findings from the survey.

Authors: Claudia Schmidt, Douglas Arbogast, Jinyang Deng, and Stephan J. Goetz

Publication: Penn State Extension Date Published: June 25, 2025

Tags: outdoor recreation, tourism, TRIP

Insights on Agritourism Among Producers in Western U.S. States: Evidence from the 2024 National Agritourism Producer Survey

This report presents findings from the 2024 National Agritourism Producer Survey. A total of 136 survey participants identified themselves as being in a Western region states by reporting the postal (ZIP) code of their farm. (To access the national-level findings, visit this page.) This survey is part of a larger project aimed at defining and enhancing the agritourism support system in the United States.

Authors: Jason Entsminger, Claudia Schmidt, Sarah Cornelisse, and Jackie Schweichler

Publication: NERCRD Research Brief Date Published: June 3, 2025

Tags: agritourism, agritourism data brief, data brief

Rural-Surburban-Urban Differences in Caregiving in the Northeast U.S. Region

This “Research Snapshot” describes the caregiving experience for rural, suburban, and urban caregivers in the Northeast region of the U.S., as reported by households as part of the “NER-Stat: Caregiving Survey” — a regional household survey that the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development (NCRCRD) conducted in collaboration with Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development (NERCRD), The Ohio State University and the National Farm Medicine Center. The survey was conducted in 2023 with 4,480 responses from the 13 states of the Northeast Region through a Qualtrics online panel. The dataset that this brief draws upon is also available as an open-access resource.

Authors: Elana Pojman and Florence Becot

Publication: Published by NERCRD Date Published: June 1, 2025

Tags: caregiving

Insights on Agritourism Among Maine Producers: Evidence from the 2024 National Agritourism Producer Survey

This report presents Maine-specific findings from the 2024 National Agritourism Producer Survey, conducted in part to address the type of knowledge gaps just identified. The online survey was open from March through August 2024, and 2,139 agritourism operators across the United States responded. A total of 94 survey participants identified themselves as being in Maine by reporting the postal (ZIP) code of their farm.

Authors: Jason Entsminger (University of Maine); Claudia Schmidt (Penn State and NERCRD); Sarah Cornelisse and Jackie Schweichler (Penn State)

Publication: Published by NERCRD Date Published: May 2, 2025

Tags: agritourism, agritourism data brief, data brief, survey

Insights on Agritourism Among US Producers: Evidence from the 2024 National Agritourism Producer Survey 

This report presents findings from the 2024 National Agritourism Producer Survey. This survey is part of a larger project aimed at defining and enhancing the agritourism support system in the United States. The primary objective of conducting this survey was to identify areas where targeted interventions and programs can support agritourism development across the country.

Authors: Claudia Schmidt (Penn State and NERCRD), Jason Entsminger (University of Maine), Sarah Cornelisse and Jackie Schweichler (Penn State)

Publication: Published by NERCRD Date Published: April 21, 2025

Tags: agritourism, agritourism data brief, data brief, survey

Minority-Owned Businesses: Insights from States in the Northeastern Region

This research report was developed as part of the USDA NIFA-funded project, “Factors Affecting the Success of Female and Minority Rural Entrepreneurs and Rural Economic Vitality.” The project, led by Dr. Heather M. Stephens, West Virginia University, seeks to provide insights into female and minority entrepreneurship to help key stakeholders develop policies and programs to support their success. This report provides detailed information about minority-owned businesses in the Northeast region. By highlighting the differences in minority entrepreneurship across the region, this report can support the development of policies to promote minority business development.

Authors: Xiaoyin Li, Heather M. Stephens, and Stephan J. Goetz

Publication: NERCRD Data Brief Date Published: October 22, 2024

Tags: entrepreneurship, minority entrepreneurship

The Complex Picture of Caregivers’ Health and Well-Being in the Northeast Region

Caregiving can be both a source of joy and stress for caregivers due to the lived realities of care provision and financial implications. In this brief, we explore the emotional and financial well-being of caregivers and assess differences across type of caregiving provided, gender, race-ethnicity, household income level, and geographic location.

Authors: Elena Pojman, Florence Becot, and Shoshanah Inwood

Publication: Published by NERCRD Date Published: October 17, 2024

Tags: caregiving

What supports do caregivers in the Northeast use and what support do they still need?

Providing care to children and adults requires time and resources. This brief explores the supports that caregivers use and the supports they still need. Since the caregiving needs of children and adults vary, this analysis includes variations on supports used based on the type of care provided.

Authors: Emily Southard, Florence Becot, Shoshanah Inwood

Publication: Published by NERCRD Date Published: October 1, 2024