Chapter 11

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

Goal: Colorado State University will enhance its focus and depth in undergraduate education, graduate education, research, and outreach in the economic and business aspects of agriculture, its’ business firms, industries and policy issues, 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. Moreover, the educational focus will be additionally on the role of natural resources in policy and agricultural performance. Outreach will include marketing, finance, risk and production management, and policy responses for agricultural input, production, and processing/merchandizing businesses of Colorado.

Strategic Actions:

• Grow the faculty to reflect growth in student demand and increased university emphasis on economic development and outreach
• Strategically develop double majors with other disciplines and on-line courses (certification and degree completion).
• Host a high-profile policy conference attracting regional and national figures by 2010.
• Enhance the connection between the department and the Office of Economic Development, Colorado Institute of Public Policy, and the Community Development Core Area.
• Promote and enhance closer connections with the College of Business.

Critical Resource Growth Needs:

• Add three faculty positions in agribusiness (economic development identified as one) to reflect student demand, increased emphasis on economic development and outreach, 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.