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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 (ABC) takes North Carolina
In case you missed it, our students took over our Instagram during our Agribusiness Club's out-of-state trip to North Carolina in April. Their trip had many stops along the way including BASF, John Deere Turf, and meeting up with the Agribusiness Management Club of NC State! Check out all of the photos they shared and the full trip on our Instagram account!
AEC Academic Team @ SAEA Conference 2023
The AEC Academic Team spent several days at the Southern Agricultural Economics Association (SAEA) Annual Meeting competing in the Quiz Bowl Competition with Jakob Furnish’s team coming in first. They networked with students from across the southern conference area, visited popular tourist destinations like the Oklahoma National Stockyards, and made some memories they’ll carry with them through the years.
Mason Hamilton @Beam Institute Industry Conference
Mason Hamilton expanded his research to the extension stage as he gave a top-notch presentation, "Reclaiming Your Competitive Advantage," at the James B. Beam Institute Industry Conference this spring. His presentation focused on the application of his research on price premiums resulting from marketing characteristics used on product labels in the distilling, wine, and brewing industries.
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.
SubscribeJune 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 2021 alumna Sarah Bryant.
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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.
UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment appoints new Agricultural Economics Chair
The UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE) announces the appointment of alum Aslıhan Spaulding as the new chair of the Department of Agricultural Economics, starting on September 1.
Read more >>Resilient by nature: Martin-Gatton CAFE professor transforms lives through outdoor adventure
Roger Brown, Ph.D., University of Kentucky alumnus and now faculty member, has supported the Life Adventure Center (LAC) through many stages. The Life Adventure Center of the Bluegrass is a nonprofit organization in Versailles that uses outdoor adventure and reflection to foster resilience in individuals affected by trauma.
Read more >>
Why Agricultural Economics @UK.
Nate Brunner, '14
"The knowledge and exposure into the broader Agriculture Industry was extremely beneficial. Understanding global markets and the impact that agriculture ultimately has internationally was valuable information that I was able to carry into the professional work space."
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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
