The Agricultural and Applied Economics Department has well established and strong research programs. Several faculty have recently been recognized for research accomplishments. Gamma Sigma Delta Senior Faculty Award for Research winners include Terry Centner (2004), John Bergstrom (2003), Stanley Fletcher (2002), and James Epperson (1999). Research areas of particular strength for the Department are production, marketing, agribusiness management, environmental and resource economics, international trade, and agricultural policy. Several interdisciplinary research projects have addressed production economics and the interface between production activities and the environment. Research emphasizes risk and uncertainty, sustainability and conservation, and producer response to changes in the economic environment, government policies, and technology.

Much of the Department's research by faculty and graduate students involves marketing and international trade. This research describes and analyzes changing markets for agricultural products and applies productive efficiency to the field of agricultural market analysis and to the improvement of marketing operations. Several commodities in the State depend upon the ability to respond to market opportunities and address market barriers as identified in Agricultural and Applied Economics research. Many of the Department's research programs have an international focus and address problems of industrial organization, commodity marketing, and consumer preferences.

Research on agribusiness management focuses on value-added agriculture, the economics of agribusiness organization and consumer economics applied to food. Much of this research is conducted and/or coordinated by the Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development under the leadership of John McKissick. Dr. McKissick has received considerable University and national recognition for this work, including the 2005 UGA Walter B. Hill Award for Distinguished Achievement in Public Service and Outreach.

Natural resource economics research focuses on the impact of growth in population and economic activity on natural resource use, allocation and management. In the related area of environmental economics our research focuses on valuation, incentives, and consequences of environmental degradation or enhancement and policy. This research involves natural resource valuation and benefit-cost analysis related to agricultural practices, land use, water management and forest, fish and wildlife management. In 2005 John Bergstrom was named the first Richard B. Russell Distinguished Professor of Public Policy for his his research and teaching program which focuses assessing natural resource and agricultural values and applying these values to resource and agricultural policy and management.

Agricultural and Applied Economics undergraduate and graduate students take part in research. Several courses require students to write research papers. Theses and dissertations are an integral component of the Department's research efforts. Our extension faculty have minority research appointments to conduct applied research directly related to their extension responsibilities. Their extension programs take new research knowledge directly to producers and agribusinesses in the State. The merits of this approach is shown by Don Shurley being awarded the 2005 Gamma Sigma Delta Distinguished Extension Award. Agricultural and Applied Economics faculty are being awarded more research contracts and grants than ever before. The Agricultural and Applied Economics research programs address high priority areas needing increased economic intelligence.

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C1 - Research Awards

C2 - Research Impact Statements

C3 - Visiting Scholars

C4 - Current Research Projects