What is the Future of Agricultural Economics Departments and the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association?

摘要

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 graduateenrollment, 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.