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Empowering the Commonwealth from Farm to Fork.
The scope of Agricultural Economics might be broader than you think. Our faculty and students explore the entire 'farm-to-fork' food system, environmental and natural resources issues, and local and international economic development.
As one of the longest-standing departments at the University of Kentucky, we started out as a farm economics department that included rural sociology and have grown to a department of nearly 60 faculty, staff, and instructors, and home to numerous affiliated programs and units. Together we carry out the mission of teaching, extension, and research.
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Undergraduate
Our Undergraduate Program includes a B.S. in Agricultural Economics and an option to minor in agricultural economics, which complements numerous majors from community and leadership development to animal and food science.
Learn MoreGraduate
Our Graduate Program offers an M.S. degree with both thesis and non-thesis tracks, options to further specialize through focus areas, and opportunities to collaborate on grant projects and extension programs including professional conference and presentation opportunities.
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As the outreach component of AEC, our extension faculty and staff work to deliver programming to a wide range of audiences, serve as directors for numerous state-wide programs, and continue to hold leadership roles in national professional organizations.
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With a broad range of interests, our research faculty and staff conduct collaborative and innovative research in areas including regional economics/rural economic development, agricultural marketing/consumer behavior, and production economics.
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Making Opportunities Possible.
AgriBusiness Club: Creating Connections for Students
Agribusiness Club's first meeting featured Abigail Hurst from Consolidated Grain and Barge! As an Ag Econ alumna, she shared insider tips about their Grain Leadership Trainee program and how to land those coveted industry roles.
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Agribusiness & Industry Career Fair Builds Bridges
Check out the highlights from the 2024 Agribusiness and Industry Career Fair! Students got to connect directly with employers, explore diverse career paths, and gain real-world insights beyond the classroom. From networking with top companies like Farm Credit Mid-America to discovering new passions in agriculture, the fair was all about making those career-defining connections.
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Caroline Groth | KDA Internship
Caroline Groth, a sophomore, hopes her name will someday be on the ballot for Kentucky’s Commissioner of Agriculture. Her recent internship with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) was a step toward that “dream job.” The KDA internship was crucial for building Groth’s connections and resume, moving her in the right direction for her future goals. “I’ve learned so much, and I’m very fortunate to have had this opportunity this summer,” Groth said.
Read StoryAg Econ Insider E-newsletter
Keep up with recent graduates, student activities & clubs, departmental updates, extension programs, recent awards, and more in one short, easy read through our triannual e-newsletter.
SubscribeOctober 2024 Newsletter
The latest issue of the Ag Econ Insider is now available and includes our recent graduates, club activities, recent retirements and new faces, extension programming updates, and a spotlight on 2024 alum Braden Porter.
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Extension for Kentucky and Beyond.
Publications
Our peer-reviewed extension publications cover topics to a greater length and in greater detail to fully present the complexities of various management decisions, policy issues, and provide worksheets and walkthrough resources.
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Ag Economic Situation & Outlook
Now available for 2022-2023 to read and download. Publications from previous years are also available to read and download.
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Economic & Policy Update E-newsletter
Each month, extension faculty and staff collaborate on 3-5 short articles on timely topics in our Economic and Policy Update E-newsletter covering market updates, policy changes, human resources, profitability estimates, and much more.
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Extension Programs
We are home to numerous standing extension programs and also host several conferences and extension agent trainings on an annual basis. Extension faculty and staff regularly travel to present regional and county programming.
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Budgets & Decision Tools
Our enterprise budgets provide a foundation for gauging the profitability of specific enterprises such as corn, soybeans, tobacco, etc. We also have decision tools to aid in cost estimations and management decisions.
Browse ResourcesVideo Library
Browse our featured videos and access our full library on our YouTube channel.
@UKYAgEcon YouTube
Our People Making a Difference.
‘Making informed decisions’: University of Kentucky secures USDA grant to investigate impact of food labelling
Yuqing Zheng, Shuoli Zhao, Tyler Mark and Yawotse Nouve received USDA NIFA grant of nearly $800,000 to support a three-year research project aimed at bioengineered (BE) and non-GMO food labeling and its impacts on consumer preferences and producer outcomes.
Read more >>CEDIK leadership aligns with UK Land-grant Engagement, accelerating community and economic development
Alison Davis was named assistant vice president for Land-grant Engagement and Economic Initiatives. In this role, she will continue to lead CEDIK’s mission while providing institutional coordination, leadership and support in land-grant engagement with a priority on economic initiatives.
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Why Agricultural Economics @UK.
Braden Porter, '24
"Ag Econ has the best professors. They are personable, outgoing, and eager to build relationships. My recommendation is to attend office hours and get to know your professors."
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Sarah Bryant, '21
"The connections I made in the department have contributed to my success by allowing me to create a network which I continue to utilize in my current position."
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Grace Jenkins, '23
"The Ag Econ Department has always taken an interest in me and put students in general first. Everyone I know in the Agricultural Economics Department has always tried to help me personally or connect me with others in the industry. If they do not know how to help me, they can get me in touch with someone who can."
100+
Year history as a department at UK
We celebrated our 100-year anniversary as a department at the University of Kentucky in 2014. In those years, we have served Kentucky and evolved to fit the changing needs of the Commonwealth.
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Primary Source
The Department is the state’s primary source of research and extension programming related to the economics of agriculture and rural communities.
Connect with Us.
Ag Econ Insider E-newsletter
Keep up with recent graduates, student activities & clubs, departmental updates, extension programs, recent awards, and more in one short, easy read through our triannual e-newsletter.
SubscribeEconomic & Policy Update E-newsletter
Each month, extension faculty and staff collaborate on 3-5 short, timely articles in our Economic and Policy Update (EPU) e-newsletter. We also include new program and event announcements.
SubscribeContact Us
We are here to help. If you need assistance, don't hesitate to reach out. Faculty, staff, instructors, and graduate students have contact information available through the "Our People" page or connect with us on our socials.
Contact UsDepartment of Agricultural Economics
400 Charles E. Barnhart Building
Lexington, KY 40546-0276
@UKYAgEcon
