Student Enrollment Continues to Grow

In the last five years, the number of undergraduate students enrolled in the Agricultural and Applied Economics Department increased from 140 in fall 1999 to 219 in fall 2004. In fall 2004, 175 of these students majored in Agribusiness and Agricultural Economics, and 44 students majored in Environmental Economics and Management. The department also had 24 M.S. students and 17 Ph.D. students in fall 2004, which was similar to five years earlier. The graduate program experienced a slight upward trend in Ph.D. students (13 in 1999 and 17 in 2004).

This department generates more student credit hours than any other department in the college. The number of student credit hours increased from 3467 in FY 2000 to 4928 in FY 2005, which is a 42% in the last five years. The department generated over 15% of the college's student credit hours in FY 2005, compared to 12% five years earlier.

Two New Endowed Professorships in Policy and Marketing

In 2005, John Bergstrom was named the first Richard B. Russell Distinguished Professor of Public Policy. This professorship was made possible by a generous contribution from the Richard B. Russell Foundation. Dr. Bergstrom's research and teaching program focuses on concepts and techniques for assessing natural resource and agricultural values, and applying these values to resource and agricultural policy and management. His research record includes over 100 refereed publications and $2.5 million in research contracts and grants. Dr. Bergstrom teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses in natural resource and agricultural economics and management. He coordinates the Environmental Economics and Management Internship program, and is an active undergraduate and graduate student academic advisor.

The Agricultural and Applied Economics Department has received UGA approval to establish an Agricultural Marketing Professorship. An endowment was established to supplement the compensation of a Professor of Agricultural Marketing in the Agricultural and Applied Economics Department. The Milton M. Ratner Foundation provided an initial contribution to begin the endowment fund. More than a quarter of a million dollars has been accumulated for this proposal. The Agricultural Marketing Professorship aims to provide faculty with additional resources for the continuation of their professional development and success during their tenure in the Department. Eligibility for the award shall be limited to tenure-track faculty in the Agricultural and Applied Economics Department holding the rank of professor with exemplary scholarship and achievements related to agricultural marketing in research, teaching, and/or extension. The Department is presently in the process of identifying the best candidate for the professorship.

Creating Community

Our alumni represent a unique and valuable resource for the Department. They provide up-to-date subject matter content as guest lecturers in classes. They provide career guidance to students as speakers at clubs and one-on-one discussions. They help students obtain internships and jobs. Also, their expertise is used to guide academic program development. Tapping into this resource has resulted from re-connecting alumni with the department's students, faculty and staff.

During the last few years, the Department has used many approaches to involve alumni in our programs. The department regularly communicates with alumni through newsletters and development brochures. Several special events, including banquets, lectures, and recreational activities, were scheduled for alumni, students, faculty and staff. Alumni careers and accomplishments have been described and promoted.

Students benefit greatly from involvement with alumni. They obtain a better understanding of career alternatives in Agricultural and Applied Economics. They are able to network with potential employers. They can pursue internships and jobs with alumni who are well acquainted with the merits of our academic programs.

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