UNL Agricultural Economics

05/08/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Giannakas on being selected as the recipient of the 2026 Darrell W. Nelson Graduate Student Advising Excellence Award!

This recognition highlights his outstanding commitment to graduate student mentoring, guidance, and academic excellence. Thank you for the positive impact you make on students and the university community through your dedication and leadership.

Please join us in congratulating him on this well-deserved honor!

05/08/2026

🎓 We’re excited to share photos from this morning's celebration honoring our graduating graduate students!

Your hard work, dedication, and passion have led you to this incredible milestone. We are proud of all you have accomplished and excited to see the impact you will make in your careers, communities, and beyond.

Thank you for the contributions you’ve made during your time with us. Wishing you continued success as you begin this next chapter!

05/04/2026

We’re proud to share that Dr. Cory Walters, in Agricultural Economics, was recently promoted to Professor!

This well-deserved recognition reflects his dedication to Extension work, impactful research, and commitment to our students and community.

Please join us in congratulating Cory on this outstanding achievement!

05/04/2026

Celebrating Excellence in CASNR! We are proud to recognize 9 outstanding undergraduate students from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources who are graduating with High Distinction!

This honor reflects their exceptional academic achievement and unwavering commitment to excellence throughout their time in CASNR. These students have demonstrated strong critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to tackle complex challenges.
Please join us in congratulating:

Justin Barbee
Cameryn Bellar
Blake Hansen
Jayden Isernhagen
Jeremiah Johnson
Derek Pirak
Emma Wrede
Grace Timm
Sarah Treffer

🔗 Learn more about graduating with distinction: https://casnr.unl.edu/graduating-distinction/

In recognition of outstanding academic excellence, CASNR recommends the bachelors degree With Distinction, With High Distinction, and With Highest Distinction. Recommendations are made by the CASNR committee on Scholarship. To be eligible for consideration by the committee, undergraduate students mu...

03/26/2026

Students from Nebraska FFA chapters across the state arrived in Lincoln this week for the 98th State FFA Convention! We’re excited to welcome these future leaders in agriculture as they connect, compete, and grow through this incredible experience. The future of ag is bright, and it starts right here in Nebraska!

03/18/2026

Reserve the date! Filley-Garey Lecture with, Dr. Madhu Khanna,
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Date: April 10, 2026
Location: Hardin Hall – Auditorium #107
Time: 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Dr. Madhu Khanna is the ACES Distinguished Professor of Environmental Economics in the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics and Alvin H. Baum Family Chair and Director of the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment, at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She received her Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley. Her research is at the intersection of agricultural, energy and environmental economics and has led to more than 180 peer-reviewed publications that are widely cited. She has served on the USEPA Science Advisory Board for 10 years and on the Board of Directors of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association (AAEA) and the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists and as President of AAEA. She is currently on the Board of the International Association of Agricultural Economics and the International Consortium of Applied Bioeconomy Research. She is a University of Illinois Scholar, a Stanford Woods Institute of Environment Leopold Leadership Fellow, and fellow of AAEA and European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists (EAERE).

Abstract:

Circular Bioeconomy Systems: A Paradigm for Sustainability or a Conundrum

Transforming the economic system from a “take-make-waste”¬, or linear production system, to a circular bioeconomy that reduces, recycles, recovers, reuses, and regenerates wastes and transitions from fossil to biobased fuels and products is being hailed as critical for meeting a growing population's food and fuel needs in environmentally sustainable ways. While a transformation towards a circular bioeconomy is an imperative and an appealing strategy to achieve multiple environmental goals, this strategy needs to go beyond a techno-centric focus and adopt an economic value-based lens to balance the desire for circularity with its costs, benefits, and muti-dimensional environmental and distributional effects on society. This talk will provide a perspective on the mechanisms that sustain the existing linear economy, pathways to achieve a sustainable circular bioeconomy and policy choices in a market economy consisting of decentralized decision-makers.

03/12/2026

For those who are interested in attending and learning more:

Husker faculty and students have an important tool for economic analysis thanks to newly acquired university-wide access to the Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP), renowned for its comprehensive data sets and rigorous economic modeling.

03/12/2026

Congratulations to our Outstanding Alumni and Service Award winners:

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Agricultural Economics recognized Mike Miller, VP of Trading and Risk Management for Ardent Mills and Alejandro Plastina, Associate Professor of Ag Finance and RaFF Director, Division of Applied Social Sciences|Rural & Farm Finance Policy Analysis Cen...

03/10/2026

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Alejandro Plastina from the University of Missouri to the UNL Department of Agricultural Economics today. Pictured here is Dr. Plastina with our graduate students after engaging in great conversations and sharing insights. Thank you for your visit!

02/19/2026

Congratulations, Rosalee! 🎉
Rosalee has been awarded the 2026 Family & Friends Recognition Award — marking the 24th time she has received this incredible honor!

The Family & Friends Recognition Awards, organized by Student Life and co-sponsored by the UNL Teaching Council and the UNL Parent & Family Association, celebrate faculty and staff who make a meaningful difference in students’ lives.

These awards give parents, family members, and friends the opportunity to recognize those who have supported, encouraged, and inspired their Husker. They also highlight the powerful impact of strong student–faculty and student–staff connections across campus.

Rosalee’s continued recognition is a true testament to her dedication, care, and commitment to student success. We are so proud and grateful for the positive difference she makes every day! 🌟

02/17/2026

Hello all! Simanti is back with a new episode of Economists Unplugged! In this episode, Simanti has an enjoyable discussion with Dr. Tara Wade, about her work as a research and extension economist with the University of Florida. Tara reflects on what it takes to work in extension with different types of stakeholders producing material which is scientifically accurate but also simple to read. She underscores the trust that needs to be present between the university and stakeholders for successful extension program delivery. She provides valuable guidance for scholars interested in extension, but also encourages periodic reflection of activities to get a sense of one's professional trajectory and accomplishments:

In this episode, Simanti has an enjoyable discussion with Dr. Tara Wade, about her work as a research and extension economist with the University of Florida....