Economics for the real world
Deep historical roots.
The Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison was the first such specialized department in the world. Growing from its original focus on issues of land, forests and farm management, the department is continually evolving to address the needs of students, the state of Wisconsin, the nation, and the world.
Ready for the future.
With research, teaching, and outreach focused on environmental and resource economics, agricultural economics, international development, and community economic development, our faculty’s work addresses some of the world’s most pressing current problems. As one of the top departments in the country, the future of AAE is brighter than ever.
Renewable energy on Native American reservations
Profs. Nick Parker and Sarah Johnston estimated the economic potential of wind and solar energy projects on reservation lands, noting the regulatory barriers for tribes wishing to tap into it.
Lorin Rudin-Rush selected as member of 2024 Farm Foundation scholars
Rudin-Rush, a first year PhD student, is one of twenty graduate students who will receive inspiration and training in agricultural policy, commodity market analysis, agricultural finance and other applied fields.
Lending practices of banks and credit unions before and during the Great Recession
Prof. Jordan van Rijn studied how loan decisions affected the performance of two types of financial institutions during an economic crisis.
Spotlight: Alumnus Kat Eugster, B.S. '23 Agricultural Business Management (ABM)
Director of Operations for her family’s farm business, Eugster is a young entrepreneur with her own start-up bouquet business, who found the mix of business and agriculture courses in the ABM major to be a perfect fit for her future career plans.
MSPO Graduates Shine on the Job Market
A recent outcomes survey of graduates of the Professional Master’s (MSPO) students indicate respondents are either professionally employed in their field or are continuing their studies in highly ranked PhD programs.
Do last name initials affect college major choices?
What’s in a name? Prof. Guanming Shi studied this question from an economist’s perspective and through the lens of social justice.
