Core Research Areas
Research being conducted in the department varies in scope and area. Faculty specialize in and conduct research in the following areas.
Agribusiness
Solving industry problems related to financial analysis, market development, risk management, consumer demand, food product quality, food safety, personnel management, production management, environmental issues, policy and others.
Community and regional economics
Addressing particular issues of concern for rural communities including public finance, economic development, health and education, resource utilization, local governance, and public services.
Natural resources/environmental economics
Addressing critical resource issues including water quality and utilization, land use, waste management, and public policy.
International development, sustainability, and trade
Working with developing countries to enhance agricultural productivity, develop markets, build transportation infrastructure, increase efficiency, adopt technology, and assist in education and training. Investigating international markets, market opportunities and developments, food product regulations, and impacts of trade policy on domestic and international consumers, producers, and industry.
Price Analysis and Marketing
Analyzing agricultural price determinants, price forecasts, market demand, risk management, marketing contracts and alliances, vertical coordination and integration, market structure and competitiveness, marketing strategies, and policy.
Production economics, farm management, and finance
Developing management techniques to increase profitability including financial leverage, capital investment, technology adoption, land valuation, information utilization, efficiency, and agricultural policy.
Policy
Analyzing current policy from development through implementation as well as increasing understanding of various issues, alternatives, and consequences of agricultural policy in assistance, trade, conservation, and other government programming
Consumer economics
Analyzing changing retail markets, solving issues related to consumer services, ecologically beneficial consumption, economic security, entrepreneurship, social and consumer policies.
