About

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The Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics (AFRE) at Michigan State University is a globally renowned leader in agricultural and applied economics. AFRE is dedicated to addressing real-world problems by linking cutting-edge research with policy and business challenges. With more than 5000 alumni and a faculty made up of dynamic researchers, teachers, and informed practitioners, AFRE prepares the next generation of applied economists and managers to meet the needs of economic systems in Michigan and across the globe.
 
AFRE's faculty and graduate students are at the forefront of research in the following areas:
 
  • Global Food Production
  • Intuitional and Agricultural Policy
  • Nutrition and Health
  • Consumer Behaviors
  • Managerial Economics
  • Agribusiness Finance and Management
  • Development Economics
  • Climate Resiliency
  • Environmental Economics
  • Natural Resource Economics
  • Energy Economics
  • Regional Economics
  • Local Government Finance and Policy
  • Applied Econometrics
Supported by a renowned faculty with strengths in empirical research methods, AFRE is consistently ranked as the top academic department in the world for its excellence in agricultural and applied economics research papers and articles.
 
AFRE's graduate program equips students to conduct pioneering and impactful research in food and agriculturedevelopment, and environmental & natural resource economics, preparing them to become leaders in the field. As part of their education, AFRE graduate students work closely with faculty, extension experts, business owners, and public officials to produce cutting-edge research. Our alumni have secured teaching and research positions at many of the world’s top universities, including the University of Virginia, University of California Berkeley, University of Arizona, Purdue University, University of Washington, University of Florida, Tufts University, The Ohio State University, Amazon, and others. Notable alumni include prominent economists and influential policymakers.
 
AFRE also offers three Bachelor of Science degrees focused on different areas of managerial economics:
 
As of 2021, the department has formally reaffirmed its commitment to Michigan State University’s core values of Excellence, Inclusiveness, and Connectivity through the creation of the AFRE Community Norms.  These community norms were adopted unanimously by the department on September 15, 2021, and support AFRE’s Core Mission and Values which are, broadly, to contribute to Michigan, the nation, and the world through a program of excellence in research, teaching, and outreach.