Indiana Land Values and Ag Enrollment

November 16, 1991

PAER-1991-15

Author: Unattributed

The Indiana agricultural economy experienced massive economic adjust­ments during the 1980s. These dramatic transitions were reflected in Indiana land values, which declined from 1981 to 1987 after the steep rise from the early 1970s. From their low value of $913 per acre in 1987, land values have risen 36% to $1,245 per acre in Purdue’s 1991 survey.

In a similar manner, the Purdue School of Agriculture was not spared the heartbreak of the 1980s. Under­graduate enrollment dropped throughout the decade to a low of 1,655 students. The lowest enrollment was in 1987, the same year land values hit bot­tom. Since that time, Purdue ag enroll­ment has recovered 19%.

Currently, there are good employment opportunities for ag graduates, and projected needs through 1995 look favorable. With these encouraging prospects, continued recruiting efforts by Purdue staff, alumni, and friends will be needed to keep young people aware of the opportunities.

The interesting parallel of these two items shows the impact of the broader macroeconomic condition of agricul­ture, a condition which has stabilized greatly from the trauma experienced in the 1980s.

Figure 1. Indiana Land Values and Ag Enrollment

Figure 1. Indiana Land Values and Ag Enrollment

Tags

Publication Appeared Within:

Latest Articles:

The Outlook for the U.S. Economy in 2025

January 31, 2025

Amid much policy uncertainty, output will likely grow about 2.2% in 2025, a bit slower than in 2024. Inflation should fall gradually to 2.4%, the unemployment rate should remain unchanged, and the Fed will cut interest rates more slowly than previously expected.

READ MORE

Interesting Times for U.S. Trade Policy

January 31, 2025

The President-elect’s trade policy is likely to be at least as harmful in his second term in office as it was in his first term. Export-oriented agriculture will bear a disproportionate share of the costs from another trade war.

READ MORE

Farm Policy Outlook

January 31, 2025

In this outlook we examine the agricultural policy implications of a new Trump administration, focusing on the potential passing of a 2025 farm bill and its impact on the sector. We consider how the farm safety net will address new policy agendas such as federal budget priorities and broader economic issues such as trade, immigration, and energy.

READ MORE

Delivered right to your inbox

The Purdue Agricultural Economics Report is a quarterly publication written by faculty and staff from the Department Agricultural Economics at Purdue University.

By joining this mailing list, you will receive an email when a new publication is released. This mailing list is kept solely for the purpose of sharing the report and is not used for any other purposes.