UF IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department

UF IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department The Food and Resource Economics Department is in the UF/IFAS College of Agriculture & Life Sciences All FRED comments are made by FRED designees.

The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is a federal-state-county partnership dedicated to developing knowledge in agriculture, human and natural resources, and the life sciences, and enhancing and sustaining the quality of human life by making that information accessible. As a department in UF/IFAS and the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS),

the Food and Resource Economics Department engages in teaching, research, and Extension. Our focus is the acquisition of production inputs such as land and labor to the marketing and consumption of final food products. Our courses explore the business and economics of agriculture, environmental policy, international trade, natural resource management, and human resource management. The University of Florida IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department (FRED) intends to educate, inform and provide updated
information on the Food and Resource Economics Department (FRED) activities and to support and promote the Food and Resource Economics Department's (FRED) objectives for these activities through its social media site. This site is not a public forum. Social media users may share ideas through commentary
that is consistent with and furthers the objectives of a FRED post and the University of Florida IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department (FRED) reserves the right to remove any comments that do not fall within this purpose. By posting a comment on this social media site, users agree to follow the terms of use of the site, Florida and
federal laws and University of Florida regulations and policies, including but not limited to the University’s
Acceptable Use of Computing Resources Policy. The Food and Resource Economics Department reserves the right to remove from the site
any comments that violate these requirements.

From presenting our economics research and sharing about the online Master of Agribusiness program to hearing the latest...
06/12/2026

From presenting our economics research and sharing about the online Master of Agribusiness program to hearing the latest in Horticultural Sciences, our faculty and staff had a great time at the Florida State Horticultural Society annual meeting earlier this week!

Calling all Santa Fe College Students! Are you interested in exploring topics like marketing, business, economics, food,...
06/09/2026

Calling all Santa Fe College Students!

Are you interested in exploring topics like marketing, business, economics, food, and agriculture?

Whether you’ve already decided on transferring into the FRE program and want to make sure you’re on the right track, or you want to explore your options and learn more about the careers paths available in our field, come visit the UF at Santa Fe Center TOMORROW, June 10th, from 12:30 - 2 P.M.

Our undergraduate advisor Michelle Baldwin will be on hand to answer any questions you may have!

For UF Food and Resource Economics (FRE) undergraduate advisor Dr. Misti Sharp, mentorship is all about listening to her...
06/08/2026

For UF Food and Resource Economics (FRE) undergraduate advisor Dr. Misti Sharp, mentorship is all about listening to her student's individual stories.

You can learn more about Dr. Sharp's own story, and her approach to undergraduate advising and mentorship for which she was recently recognized by the University of Florida College of Agricultural and Life Sciences in our latest blog post: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/fredept/2026/06/08/dr-misti-sharp-receives-cals-outstanding-undergraduate-advising-mentor-award/

We hope you'll join us in celebrating this well-deserved recognition of all she does to help FRE's students shine inside and outside the classroom!

06/04/2026

How often are you thinking about food safety?

In the latest episode of our FRE Lunch Podcast, Professor of Food and Resource Economics Suzanne Thornsbury breaks down why what can often be a back of the mind issue for consumers is a top level concern for food businesses.

Full episode available now on all podcasting platforms and at the link below:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2375738/episodes/19202339

06/02/2026

One of the best parts of undergraduate research in FRE and across CALS is seeing the unique ways students will apply the same classroom lessons to an endless amount of topics based on their own real world interests!

Learn more about Morgan and how she was able to determine the impact a Food Safety Recall can have on a business’s brand and their bottom line in the latest episode of the FRE Lunch Podcast

🎧Streaming Now at the Link Below:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2375738/episodes/19202339-the-ruckus-about-restaurant-recalls-how-food-safety-issues-can-impact-consumer-perceptions-and-the-bottom-line

Food safety shapes our everyday lives in ways we might not often think consciously about. That is, until something goes ...
05/29/2026

Food safety shapes our everyday lives in ways we might not often think consciously about. That is, until something goes wrong. For her honors undergraduate thesis project, UF Food and Resource Economics (FRE) alumni Morgan Smith combined her interests in policy, market research and food safety to figure out the impact that recall events can have on a Food Business, from shifts in consumer perception reflected in Google Trends data to measurable financial impacts.

Join us in the latest episode of the FRE Lunch podcast for a conversation with Morgan and her advisor, FRE Professor Dr. Suzanne Thornsbury, about the projects findings, as well as both the challenges and rewards of participating in research as an undergraduate student.

Listen now on our podcast website or your favorite podcast platforms: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2375738/episodes/19202339

“You will be my student for a short time and my colleague forever.”These wise words from her MS Thesis advisor at Cornel...
05/28/2026

“You will be my student for a short time and my colleague forever.”

These wise words from her MS Thesis advisor at Cornell University have stuck with FRE Professor Jaclyn Kropp throughout her entire academic journey. Today, they shape her own approach with the students she teaches and oversees in their research.

Recently, Dr. Kropp was recognized by the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences with the 2025-2026 Outstanding Graduate Advising/Mentor of the Year Award.

We hope you’ll join us in congratulating her on this well-deserved recognition of all she does for our students!

For more info, check out our spotlight blog below:

https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/fredept/2026/05/28/fre-graduate-faculty-member-jaclyn-krop-receives-advising-mentoring-award/

05/27/2026
Congratulations to all of the FRE faculty and students who were recognized for their hard work, leadership and accomplis...
05/26/2026

Congratulations to all of the FRE faculty and students who were recognized for their hard work, leadership and accomplishments at this year’s CALS Awards!

Keep an eye on our pages for select highlights of some of our individual award winners over the next few weeks!

From sharing the latest applied economics research to highlighting legislative and industry perspectives, our annual Flo...
05/20/2026

From sharing the latest applied economics research to highlighting legislative and industry perspectives, our annual Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference covered a wide range of hot topics impacting Florida agriculture.

Thanks to the UF IFAS Mid-Florida Research & Education Center for hosting us, all of our presenters for sharing their expertise, and everyone who attended to participate in the conversation about how policy can be used to move Florida agriculture forward! 🌾

Address

1195 McCarty Hall A
Gainesville, FL
32611

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+13522947639

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