Department of Agricultural Economics

Program Aims


Programmatic aims and purposes of the Agricultural Economics Department and Agricultural Business Program are rooted in the Mission Statement and are an extension of its components. The elements include to:

  1. Provide a quality degree program in general agricultural business that attracts well-prepared students and affords graduates excellent job prospects and career opportunities within the broadly defined agricultural sector inclusive of farm input supply industries, crop and livestock production industries, commodity processing and food manufacturing industries as well as supportive distribution and service industries throughout the value-added food and fiber supply chain.
  2. Establish a close working relationship between faculty and students through academic advising, career counseling, course tutoring, co-curricular programs, student mentoring, and joint participation in student club activities.
  3. Enable students to see the "big picture" of the agricultural sector and to understand its component parts and appreciate the unique features of agricultural industries.
  4. Emphasize the importance and value of strong economic analysis and quantitative reasoning abilities as crucial aids to intelligent decision making in business and government.
  5. Stress the need to understand and utilize subject matter content/knowledge and complementary technical skills/talents in order to comprehend and manipulate the world in which we live and work.
  6. Offer students curricular, co-curricular, and extra-curricular opportunities for applied learning and practical experience, through which knowledge and skills can be jointly employed and mastered.
  7. Ensure students have ample opportunities to interact with industry and government professionals through field trips, internships, guest speakers, research projects, etc.
  8. Build a keen awareness among employer constituents and prospective students about the Agricultural Business Program and its ability to educate and train well-qualified professionals who can solve problems and exploit opportunities in an effective and efficient manner.