What is the future of agricultural economics departments and the agricultural and applied economics association?

• Published in: Applied economic perspectives and policy Vol. 32; no. 1; pp. 117 - 134
• Main Author: Perry, Gregory M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford University Press 01-03-2010; oxford University Press; Agricultural and Applied Economics Association
• Series: Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy
• Subjects: A20; AE Cluster; Agrarwirtschaft; Agribusiness; Agricultural economics; Agricultural management; Agricultural resources; Berufsverband; Economic theory; Economic trends; experiment station; extension service; Farm economics; fields; Funding; graduate; Macroeconomics; Marketing; Q10; Q16; specializations; Studium; undergraduate; USA; Wirtschaft; Wirtschaftshochschule; Wirtschaftswissenschaftler; Q10; experiment station; specializations; extension service; graduate; Q16; fields; AE Cluster; undergraduate; A20
• ISSN: 2040-5790; 2040-5804; 2040-5804
• DOI: 10.1093/aepp/ppp001

The downward trends in Agricultural and Applied Economics Association (AAEA) membership and faculty numbers nationwide have many departments wondering about the future of agricultural economics. The author examines trends in undergraduate and graduate enrollment, as well as trends in extension and experiment-station funding, to suggest what the prospects are for future survival and growth. Although there exist challenges like shrinking faculty numbers, agricultural economics programs still have a strong undergraduate element and address important research issues. Consequently, agricultural economics should remain viable for many years to come.