Announcements

JAFSCD Seeks 600-Word Brief on Evaluating Short Value Chains

June 18, 2026 -- JAFSCD is seeking author partners (grad students, scholars, practitioners) to prepare a 600-word brief on the state of the art in Evaluation of Short Value Chains. This brief should outline how to measure economic and non-economic impacts, build an evidence base for funders and policymakers, and point to more substantive resources on conducting evaluations. (Examples include the USDA’s The Economics of Local Food Systems: A Toolkit to Guide Community Discussions, Assessments and Choices, or other methods, some of which might be found in JAFSCD papers published on the subject.) Briefs are an excellent opportunity for graduate students to hone their analysis and writing skills — and earn a byline!

JAFSCD Program, Policy and Practice Briefs are peer-reviewed and follow a concise format (approximately 600-word narrative, plus a few references and resource links). See the JAFSCD Brief guidelines. An example of a brief is HERE.

VCC Briefs require presubmission evaluation and invitation. To submit a query form and share your draft, CLICK HERE. Associate Editor Anaya Hall will follow up with you within two weeks with a decision on whether you are invited to submit your brief for peer review. For more information about the VCC Editorial Circle or the VCC briefs series, contact the VCC associate editor, Dr. Anaya Hall.