This Field Can Take You Anywhere

Agricultural and Resource Economics

Major

Agricultural and
Resource Economics

Options

Business Management,
Environmental and
Resource Policy,
Food Production,
International
Agriculture,
Political Process

When deciding to genetically modify a crop or farm organically — or designating land for a park or parking lot — there are always two key considerations: What are the costs and benefits of the decision? And is it the best course of action when compared to the alternatives?

These are important questions to ask, given that the results of public policy decisions impact individuals, businesses, local and global communities and the environment.

Students access hands-on internships

Consistently ranked among the top three departments of its kind nationwide, our Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics gets right down to the business of agriculture and environmental policy. Our faculty conduct world-renowned research in the areas of environmental policy, international economic development, and domestic agricultural policy. Our students are effective problem solvers, an asset they carry into public or private professions or into graduate school.

Most aspects of modern farming are governed by public policy through national law, state

Fiction

Agricultural and
natural resource
economists care
only about crunching
numbers.

Fact

Today's resource
economist is a vital
player in international
markets, government
agencies and industry
associations and works
to improve
agricultural and land
use practices from
field to shipping
to consumption.

regulations or land use restrictions. Our undergraduates work with experts researching land use and farmland preservation or perform economic analyses of alternative agriculture.

Just try it. We provide access to hands-on experience through internships at the WorldBank, the USDA, the EPA and the Department of the Interior. Each opportunity gives our students a head start in building their careers. Specialize. A double major option allows you to combine your Agricultural and Resource Economics program with a foreign language in preparation for a role in international policy.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Weiss

Last updated: 06/11/2008