Chapter 10

Economics, Management, Policy and Trade for Agribusiness and Communities:

Goal:  Enhance focus and depth in undergraduate education, graduate education, research, and outreach in the economics and business aspects of agricultural business firms and industries and be recognized nationally for these contributions.  This will include experiential learning in the BS degree in Agribusiness offered on its own or as a double major with agricultural sciences, natural resources, and human nutrition.  Research and graduate education will focus on marketing strategy, financial and risk management, and firm responses to agricultural and trade policies.  Outreach will include marketing, finance, risk and production management, and policy response for agricultural input, production, and processing/merchandizing businesses of Colorado.

Strategic Initiatives: 

• Grow the faculty to reflect growth in student demand.

• Strategically develop double majors with other disciplines and on-line courses.

• Host a high-profile policy conference attracting regional and national figures.

• Connect the department to the Office of Economic Development, Colorado Institute of Public Policy, and the Community Development Core Area.

Critical Resource Growth:

• Add three faculty positions in agribusiness to reflect student demand and complement the graduate program with differentiated Ph.D. classes.

• Add a $100,000 annual fund to support graduate student first year stipends.

• Secure two endowed chair positions for the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics.

• Enhance departmental operating support by $70,000 annually.