Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics

206 Agriculture Building, (307) 766-2386
FAX: (307) 766-5544
Web site: www.uwyo.edu/agecon
E-mail: ag-econ@uwyo.edu
Department Head: Benjamin S. Rashford

Professors:

MATTHEW A. ANDERSEN, B.A. Colorado College 1991; M.S. Colorado School of Mines 2000; Ph.D. University of California, Davis 2005; Professor of Agricultural Economics 2013, 2007.

CHRISTOPHER T. BASTIAN, B.S. University of Wyoming 1987; M.S. 1990; Ph.D. Colorado State University 2004; Professor of Agricultural Economics 2017, 2005.

ROGER COUPAL, B.S. Utah State University 1978; M.S. University of Arizona 1985; Ph.D. Washington State University 1997; Professor of Agricultural Economics 2015, 1997.

DON MCLEOD, B.S. St. John’s College 1982; M.S. Oregon State University 1987; Ph.D. 1994; Professor of Agricultural Economics 2015, 1995.

JOHN RITTEN, B.S. Arizona State University 2001; M.B.A. New Mexico State University 2004; Ph.D. Colorado State University 2008; Professor of Agricultural Economics 2020, 2008.

L. STEVEN SMUTKO, B.S. Colorado State University 1978; M.C.R.P. North Dakota State University 1982; Ph.D. Auburn 1995; Spicer Chair of Collaborative Practice, Professor of Agricultural Economics 2009.

Associate Professors:

MARIAH D. EHMKE, B.S. Kansas State University 1997; M.S. Ohio State University 2001; Ph.D. Purdue University 2005; Associate Professor of Agricultural Economics 2012, 2005.

KRISTIANA M. HANSEN, B.A. Reed College 1996; M.S. University of California, Davis 2003; Ph.D. 2008; Associate Professor of Agricultural Economics 2016, 2009.

CHIAN A. JONES-RITTEN, B.S. Northern Arizona University 2003; M.A. Colorado State University 2007; Ph.D. 2011; Associate Professor of Agricultural Economics 2013.

BENJAMIN S. RASHFORD, B.S. University of Wyoming 1999; M.S. 2001; Ph.D. Oregon State University 2006; Associate Professor of Agricultural Economics 2012, 2006.

Assistant Professor:

VARDGES HOVHANNISYAN, B.S. Armenian State University of Economics 1999; M.S. Armenian State Agrarian University 2002; Ph.D. University of Wisconsin-Madison 2012; Assistant Professor of Agricultural Economics 2015.

ANDERS VAN SANDT, B.A. Linfield University 2012; Ph.D. Colorado State University 2018; Assistant Professor of Agricultural Economics 2020.

Academic Professionals:

JEFFERSON G. EDGENS, B.A. Presbyterian College 1989; M.P.A. Coastal Management University of West Florida 1992; Ph.D. Michigan State University 1998; Senior Lecturer 2017.

COLE EHMKE, B.A. Bethany College 1997; M.S. University of Sydney, Australia 1999; Associate University Extension Educator 2011, 2005.

BRIDGER M. FEUZ, B.S. University of Wyoming 1994; M.S. 1996; Senior Extension Educator 2012, 2004.

THOMAS FOULKE, B.A. University of Montana 1985; M.S. University of Wyoming 1992; Senior Research Scientist 2010, 1998.

LETICIA HENDERSON, B.S. New Mexico State University 2010; M.S. 2012; Assistant Lecturer 2019.

JOHN HEWLETT, B.S. Montana State University 1985; M.S. Oregon State University 1987; Senior Exension Educator 1987.

BRIAN LEE, B.S. University of Wyoming 2010; M.S. 2012; Research Scientist 2012.

AMY NAGLER, B.A. University of Wyoming 1996; M.S. 2002; Assistant Research Scientist 2016.

DUANE D. WILLIAMS, B.S. Oklahoma State University 1981; M.S. 1983; Ph.D. Kansas State University 1995; Senior Academic Professional 2014.

Temporary Lecturer:

JIM THOMPSON, B.A. Occidental College; M.A., Ph.D. University of Illinois-Chicago.

Professors Emeritus:

Nicole Ballenger, Edward Bradley, Larry J. Held, James J. Jacobs, Dale Menkhaus, Carl Olson, Alan C. Schroeder, David T. Taylor, Glen D. Whipple

The Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics offers three concentrations within the agricultural business bachelor of science degree program. They are agribusiness management, farm and ranch management, and livestock business management. All three concentrations focus on the development of critical thinking, research, and communication skills for students interested in

1. agricultural operations,

2. small rural businesses,

3. community economics,

4. financial institutions,

5. agricultural and natural resources development, and

6. other pursuits where applied economic tools will be useful.

A brief description of minimum course requirements for each of the three concentrations in agricultural business is given below. In addition, professional advisers will work with students to tailor a curriculum to individual interests and goals.

Agribusiness Management Concentration

This curriculum is for students preparing for careers in the agribusiness field. Applied agricultural economics courses are supplemented with marketing, management, finance and other courses from the College of Business and production-oriented courses from other departments in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Minimum Course Requirements for Agricultural Business (B.S.) Majors within the Agribusiness Management Concentration¹

Hrs.

First-Year Seminar (FYS)……………………………3

Writing ………………………………………..9

ENGL 10102 (COM1), Communication II (COM2), AGEC 4965 or AGEC 4970 (COM3)

Quantitative (Q) (required for major)…………7

MATH 1400; 2350

Science (PN) ………………………………………..6

Human Culture (H) …………………………………..6

U.S. & Wyoming Constitutions (V)……………3

Agricultural Economics …………………………. 24

1010, 1020, 3400, 4050 or MKT 3210 (count for either upper-division AGEC or business credit, but not both), 4060, 4500; either 4450 or 4830 or 4840 or 4880; 3 hours of AGEC electives

Supporting Agriculture ………………………………9

AG College hours other than Agricultural Economics

Statistics ………………………………………..4

Computers ………………………………………..3

Supporting Economics……………………………….6

ECON 3010 and 3020

Business ………………………………………15

ACCT 2010 and 2020; and 9 hours of 3000-4000 level business courses

Electives …………………………………….. 25

Total Hours 120

¹ A minimum of 42 credits must be at the 3000 and 4000 level for graduation. At least 30 of the 42 credits must be earned from UW.

²Recommend or equivalent COM1 course.

³ Credits earned in USP approved science courses offered within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources shall also serve as Supporting Agriculture credits.

H requirement cannot be fulfilled with AGEC or ECON courses; USP-approved H language courses are recommended.

24 credit hours in Ag Econ beyond those earned to satisfy University Studies requirements. 18 of these 24 credit hours must be at the 3000-4000 level.

COSC 1200 recommended, or IMGT 2400.

Farm and Ranch Management Concentration

This curriculum is for students intending to become operators or professional managers of farms, ranches or feedlots. It is also well suited for students interested in the field of agricultural finance, or a minor in biological fields such as agroecology or range management. In this concentration, courses in farm and ranch management, finance, and marketing are supplemented by courses in crops, range management, veterinary sciences and animal science, with electives in other areas.

Minimum Course Requirements for Agricultural Business (B.S.) Majors within the Farm and Ranch Management Concentration ¹

Hrs.

First-Year Seminar (FYS)……………………………3

Writing ………………………………………..9

ENGL 10102 (COM1), Communication II (COM2), AGEC 4965 or AGEC 4970 (COM3)

Quantitative (Q) (required for major)…………7

MATH 1400; 2350

Science³ (PN)

CHEM 1000 or 1020 or 1050……………………..4

SOIL 2010 ………………………………………..4

One additional PN course ………………………….3

Human Culture (H) …………………………………..6

U.S. & Wyoming Constitutions (V)……………3

Agricultural Economics …………………………. 28

1010, 1020, 2020, 3400, 4640, 12 hours AGEC electives

Supporting Agriculture …………………………… 12

SOIL 2010 and 8 AG College hours other than Agricultural Economics

Statistics ………………………………………..4

Computers ………………………………………..3

Supporting Economics……………………………….6

ECON 3010 and 3020

Business ………………………………………..3

ACCT 2010

Electives …………………………………….. 29

Total Hrs. 120

¹A minimum of 42 credits must be at the 3000 and 4000 level for graduation. At least 30 of the 42 credits must be earned from UW. ² Recommend or equivalent COM1 course. ³ Credits earned in USP approved science courses offered within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources shall also serve as Supporting Agriculture credits. H requirement cannot be fulfilled with AGEC or ECON courses; USP-approved H language courses are recommended. 24 credits in Ag Econ beyond those earned to satisfy University Studies requirements. 18 of these 24 credit hours must be at the 3000-4000 level. COSC 1200 recommended, or IMGT 2400.

Livestock Business Management Concentration

This curriculum is for students intending to work in any sector of the livestock and meat industry, ranging from input suppliers, to ranches, feedlots, meat packing companies, marketing and sales agents, futures/commodities exchange groups, policy makers, and international trade organizations. In this option, courses in farm and ranch management, agricultural finance, marketing, and trade are supplemented with courses in animal science, biology, range management, food science, data analysis, and other disciplines. Students may pursue a minor in Animal Science as part of this option, but can choose the non-minor version instead. Students will gain a broad understanding of both the business and science of the livestock industry.

Minimum Course Requirements for Agricultural Business (B.S.) Majors within the Livestock Business Management Concentration¹

Hrs.

First-Year Seminar (FYS)² …………………………..3

Writing - Communication² …………………………9

COM1² , COM2² , COM3 - AGEC 4965 or AGEC 49702

Quantitative (Q) ………………………………………..7

MATH 14002 ; 2350

Science (PN)³ ………………………………………..8 CHEM 1000; LIFE 1010

Human Culture (H)³ …………………………………..6

U.S. & Wyoming Constitutions (V)……………3

Agricultural Economics …………………………..31

AGEC 1010, 1020, 2020, 4640, 3400 or 4710, 4060, 4050 or MKT 3210, AGEC 4830 or 48405 , 4880 or 4280 or ECON 4720, AGEC 4500

Additional Quantitative Skills…………………..10

STAT 2050 or 2070; COSC 1200 or IMGT 2400 or AGRI 10106 ; AGEC 4230 or 4840 or STAT 3050 or IMGT 2400 or 3400 or MATH 2355 or ACCT 2010 or 2020

Biology of Livestock………………………………….17

LIFE 2022, 3050, FDSC 2040, 3060, ANSC 4540

Additional Biology of Livestock (for Animal Science minor7 ) ……………………………………..19

ANSC 2010, 3010, 3100, 4120, PATB 4110, ANSC 3150 or 4220 or 4230 or 4240

Additional Biology of Livestock (for nonminor) …………………………………….. 20

ANSC 1010, 2020, 4050, REWM 2000, 4100, REWM 4000 or PATB 4110

Supporting Economics……………………………….3

ECON 3020

Electives …………………………………….3-4

Total Hrs. 120

¹A minimum of 42 credits must be at the 3000 and 4000 level for graduation. At least 30 of the 42 credits must be earned from UW. ² Must earn a “C” or better. ³PN and H may not be fulfilled by AGEC or ECON courses. 31 credits in Ag Econ beyond those earned to satisfy University Studies requirements; 21 of these 31 credit hours must be earned at the 3000-4000 level. AGEC 4840 may not be double-counted towards both Agricultural Economics and Quantitative Skills. Suggest COSC 1200 for most, or IMGT 2400 (for advanced users). Must earn a “C” or better in all courses required in the minor to earn the minor.

Environment and Natural Resources

Students interested in natural resource or environmental issues or careers may complete any of the four options within agricultural business offered by the department with an environment and natural resource emphasis. Inquiries about environment and natural resource concentrations in agricultural business should be directed to the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics.

Minor Programs

The department also offers five minor programs. These five minors are to give students majoring in other undergraduate curricula in the university a concentration of work in any of the specialized undergraduate curricula offered by the department or in general agricultural economics. Each minor requires 27 hours in prescribed course work including 6 hours in supporting agriculture. Students need to plan their course work to meet course prerequisites.

Agricultural Business Minor. AGEC 1010, 1020, 4050 or MKT 3210, and 4060; ACCT 2010; 6 additional hours in upper-level agricultural economics courses; 6 hours in supporting agriculture courses.

Farm and Ranch Management Minor. AGEC 1010, 1020, 2020 and 4640; 9 additional hours in upper-level agricultural economics courses; 6 hours in supporting agriculture courses.

International Agriculture Minor. AGEC 1010, 1020, 3860 and 4880; 6 additional hours in upper-level agricultural economics courses; 3 hours in foreign culture or language; 6 hours in supporting agriculture courses.

Natural Resource Economics Minor. AGEC 1020, 3750, 4700, 4720; choose 9 additional hours from: AGEC 4450, 4600, 4710, ECON 2400, 4400, 4410, 4520 (note: College of Business prerequisites), ENR 4500.

General Agricultural Economics Minor. AGEC 1010, 1020 and 15 additional hours in agricultural economics courses with 12 hours at the upper-level; 6 hours in supporting agriculture courses.

Graduate Study

The Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics offers graduate work leading to the Master of Science degree. Students may choose among major options in the areas of agricultural and applied economics and agricultural business. The Plan A agricultural economics major emphasizes research with any of the following focus areas:

production economics and management, marketing and market analysis, resource and environmental economics, international agriculture, and economic and rural development.

The Plan B agricultural business option offers advanced skills to students who desire professional careers in the business sector. Students in the agricultural business option may concentrate their coursework and writing in management, marketing, or finance. Dual majors in water resources, and environment and natural resources are also offered.

Finally, the Department offers a graduate minor in applied economics. This program is for currently enrolled graduate students in other disciplines seeking a foundation in economics as well as their major discipline.

Program Specific Admission Requirements

Undergraduate major in agricultural economics or economics is not required.

Students may be required to complete program prerequisite courses, without graduate credit, that were not completed in their undergraduate education.

Specifically, students who have not completed at least one course in calculus, statistics, and intermediate microeconomic theory may be required to complete these courses without graduate credit during their first semester in residence.

Program Specific Degree Requirements

Master of Science in Agricultural Economics

The following courses constitute the M.S. in Agricultural Economics core requirements and are required of all Plan A candidates (22 hours).

Economic Theory

AGEC 5310 Theory of Producer Behavior…3

AGEC 5630 Advanced Natural Resource Economics ………………………………………..3

AGEC 5710 Advanced Agricultural Market Theory ………………………………………..3

AGEC 5740 Theory of Consumer Behavior ………………………………………..3

Quantitative Methods

AGEC 5230 Intermediate Econometric Theory ………………………………………..3

AGEC 5320 Quantitative Methods in Agricultural Economics………………………….3

Research

AGEC 5650 Communicating Research………3

AGEC 5880 Advanced Seminar…………………1

Plan A (thesis):

Minimum of 30 credit hours including AGEC M.S. core requirements, thesis hours and electives. No more than three hours of AGEC coursework numbered below 5000-level count toward the 30 hour requirement. Achieve a cumulative 3.000 GPA in the AGEC M.S. core requirements. The student’s graduate committee, nominated by the major professor, the student, and the department head determine the final program of study and thesis research topic. Presentation of research results at a formal public seminar. Completion of an oral examination covering the student’s thesis research administered by the student’s graduate committee.

Plan B (non-thesis):

Minimum of 32 hours of coursework; Non-thesis business analysis paper accepted by the student’s graduate committee. Minimum of 13 credit hours of agricultural economics coursework numbered at the 5000-level are required, including:

AGEC 5310

AGEC 5740

AGEC 5880

AGEC 5630 or 5710

AGEC 5320 or 5230

In addition, students are required to complete 3 credit hours from each of the following three areas:

Management:

AGEC 4060, 4640 or 5460; or MGT 4410, 4420, 4440, 4470, or 4520

Marketing:

AGEC 4050, 4830, 4840, 4880, or 5710; or MKT 4240, 4430, 4520, or 4540

Finance:

AGEC 4500; or FIN 4510, 4520, 4610, 4810; or ECON 4740

Remaining credit hours will be filled with electives. The student’s graduate committee, nominated by the major professor, the student and the department head determine the final program of study and business analysis topic. Presentation of the business analysis paper at a formal public seminar. An internship experience is strongly encouraged as part of the agricultural business option (AGEC 5990).

Master of Science in Agricultural Economics/ Water Resources; Plan A (thesis):

Students must complete the 20 credit hour agricultural and applied economics M.S. core requirements plus 4 thesis hours and 10 credit hours in water resources approved courses. Please refer to Water Resources Degree program in this Catalog for updated degree requirements. Achieve a cumulative 3.000 GPA in the AGEC M.S. core requirements. The student’s graduate committee, nominated by the major professor, the student and the department head determine the final program of study and business analysis topic, which must be in the water resources area. Presentation of research results at a formal public seminar. Completion of an oral examination covering the student’s thesis research administered by the student’s graduate committee.

Master of Science in Agricultural Economics/Environment and Natural Resources (ENR); Plan A (thesis):

Students must complete the 20 credit hour agricultural and applied economics M.S. core requirements plus 4 thesis hours and 15 credit hours in environment and natural resources, as approved by the student’s committee and the ENR academic adviser. Achieve a cumulative 3.000 GPA in the AGEC M.S. core requirements. The student’s graduate committee, nominated by the major professor, the student and the department head determine the final program of study and business analysis topic, which must be in the area of environment and natural resources. Presentation of research results at a formal public seminar. Completion of an oral examination covering the student’s thesis research administered by the student’s graduate committee.

Graduate Minor in Applied Economics:

Graduate standing. AGEC 4640, AGEC 5310 or 5740, AGEC 5320 or 5230, and 6 additional credits of approved courses. Committee selection for the student’s major thesis or dissertation committee should include at least one faculty member from AGEC.

Programs

Major

Minor

Graduate