Agricultural Economics Department'S EXTENSION PROGRAMS & RESOURCES

Purdue's Agricultural Economics Department covers a wide array of issues from development, trade, macroeconomics policy implications, agribusiness, production and consumption, as well as environmental and resource issues. We pride ourselves on committed Extension programming not only here on campus, but across the state of Indiana. 

What is Extension?

The Cooperative Extension Service is one of the nation's largest providers of scientific research-based information and education. It's a network of colleges, universities, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, serving communities and counties across America. The Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service program areas are: Agriculture and Natural Resources; Health and Human Sciences; Economic and Community Development; and 4-H Youth Development.

Purdue Extension is a service tailored to meet the needs of Indiana, needs we know firsthand. Our educators, specialists, and volunteers live and work in all 92 Indiana counties. We provide the link between Land Grant research and Indiana citizens. In doing that we provide practical solutions to local issues. We provide information and expertise that's available in the form you want, when you want it. That's Purdue Extension, Indiana's home team advantage. Learn more about Extension efforts across the university by visiting the Purdue Cooperative Extension website.

 

Purdue Extension Website

 

Find the right Ag Econ Extension specialist for you!

Our Extension Specialists are experts in their field. Their specialty areas range from policy, agricultural business, farm management, to rural communities and development. Find the right Extension specialist for you by clicking the button below.

 

  Ag Econ Extension Centers    

 

Ag Econ Extension Specialists

 

AG ECON EXTENSION PROGRAMS   

 

AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS' EXTENSION PROGRAMS & RESOURCES

  • Aquaculture Economics & Marketing
    • The proximity of Illinois/Indiana to many major markets, and the abundance of natural and agricultural resources provide tremendous long-term opportunities for aquaculture farms and businesses in these states. Whether you are an aquaculture producer or you are thinking of getting into an aquaculture business, we are here to provide you the best information and education to ensure a productive, innovative and profitable aquaculture business.
  • Horticulture Business
    • Horticulture research focused on the decision-making processes of specialty crop farmers along with customers’ perceptions and preferences. Includes the economic modeling of adoption of new technologies, the development of decision-making tools for specialty crop growers, and the economic impact of growers decision-making processes. The site provides trainings and publications to farmers, business owners, Extension personnel, and policymakers.
  • Law Topics and Estate and Family Business Transfer Planning
    • Learn more about upcoming law, estate and family business transfer planning programs in agriculture.
  • New Ventures Program
    • The Purdue Extension educators and specialists on the New Ventures Team created this site to help you find the answers and information you need to decide whether you should start a new agriculture - or food - related business. 
  • Purdue INventure Business Planner Website
    • This website will help you write a business plan using a question-and-answer format.​
  • Purdue Extension Farm Succession Planning Team
    • The Purdue Succession Planning Team, comprised of Extension Educators and Specialists, was formed in 2011 to address the needs of families planning the continuation of farm businesses. The team mission is to cultivate strong Indiana farm families through the succession planning process by providing educational opportunities and current resources.
  • Small Scale Livestock Enterprise
    • This online resource was developed to assist you with making an entry decision into a small scale livestock enterprise. The Comparative Decision Support (CDS) toolkit provides realistic expectations across multiple livestock enterprises by using your input and returning individualized results.
  • TKI Conflict Mode Instrument Training: 
    • Certified conflict resolution with the Thomas-Kilmann Instrument (TKI). Receive training and guidance on the use of conflict management styles for better conflict management and resolution.

  • Capital Comments
    • A monthly column about Indiana and national economic issues written.
  • On Local Government 
    • A webinar about Indiana state and local policy issues held three times a year.

  • Ag Barometer
    • The Purdue/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer provides a nationwide measure of farmers’ perspective on the health of the U.S. agricultural economy. The ag barometer is based on results from a monthly survey of 400 agricultural producers from across the nation. The ag barometer is designed to create a new and important tool for producers, economists, traders, finance industry professionals and journalists interested in understanding the agricultural industry from producers’ perspective.
  • Cash Rents articles 
    • A series of articles on cash rents. (also see "leasing" articles below)
  • Crop Basis Tool
    • The Purdue Center for Commercial Agriculture Crop Basis Tool is a web-based tool (https:purdue.edu/cropbudget) that provides access to weekly historical and contemporaneous corn and soybean basis data regionalized by crop reporting district for Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio.
  • Crop Cost and Return Guide 
    • A series of articles related to crop cost and returns. (also see "leasing" articles below)
  • Crop Share articles 
    • A series of articles related to crop share. (also see "leasing" articles below)
  • Farm Management Tour
    • The Purdue Farm Management Tour provides an early summer tour of innovative Indiana farms. Host farmers share keys to their farms’ success and explain how their operation’s management is changing in response to the ever-evolving agricultural economy.
  • Financial Management series
    • Financial management involves the evaluation of liquidity and solvency, financial planning, acquisition and use of financial resources, asset purchases and farm growth, and relationships with agricultural lenders.  This series starts by taking a deep dive into the key components of financial statements such as a market value balance sheet, an income statement, a sources and uses of funds statement, and a statement of owner’s equity.
  • Indiana Farmland Values and Cash Rents Survey
    • Results of an annual survey of Indiana Farmland Values and Cash Rents. Conducted by Purdue University each June and released in late Summer.
  • Leasing articles
  • Managing Farm Risk
    • A partnership between the Center, the Indiana Soybean Alliance and the Indiana Corn Marketing Council, the farm risk management website offers information and tools to help producers better understand risk and develop an integrated approach to managing risk. Case studies and videos provide farmers insight into ways they can improve their farm’s risk management.
  • Purdue Agricultural Economics Report
    • A quarterly publication with articles covering all aspects of the agricultural economy.
  • Top Farmer Conference
    • Purdue’s Top Farmer Conference is one of the most successful and longest-running management programs geared specifically for farmers. Each year, the conference addresses timely marketing, financial and production-oriented topics to farm decision makers.

  • Digital Inclusion 
    • As the socioeconomic landscape continues to digitize, digital exclusion is the number one threat to community and economic development. For this reason, Purdue's Center for Regional Development created a suite of educational/training programs, technical assistance/planning, metrics, and tools to help your community or region become digitally inclusive. Courses include:
      • Digital Ready Businesses: Curriculum helps employees, entrepreneurs, and small business owners understand the basic components of an online presence.
      • Digital Ready Community: Builds capacity and empowers communities by identifying and mobilizing digital assets to increase communication, responsiveness, trust and civic engagement.
      • iFront Door: program for communities, regions, or organizations interested in assessing and proactively managing their online reputation.
  • Business Retention and Expansion
    • Vibrant communities often have a healthy economy with a diverse set of economic activity occurring related to job growth, business growth and attraction and a sustainable infrastructure. Business Retention & Expansion (BR&E) is an economic development strategy of proactively connecting with existing businesses to understand and respond to their needs. Purdue Extension offers BR&E as a targeted program for small companies (between 10 and 99 employees) as a method to help Indiana communities understand local business needs and respond, so that businesses grow, stay and become more committed to the community.
  • Enhancing the Value of Public Spaces
    • Public spaces play a vital role in all our lives. They are the paths we bike on, the public parks we play in and the town centers where we shop. Decisions about how to design and manage these spaces can have long-term impacts on the social, economic and environmental health of our communities. The Purdue University Extension program, Enhancing the Value of Public Spaces, addresses public spaces and their role in enhancing the quality of place by helping regions, communities and neighborhoods plan and prepare for a sustainable future. 
  • Creating Healthy Communities
    • In Indiana, community leaders make decisions about public spaces such as parks, trails, farmers markets, schools, and Main Streets every day that affect the health and wellness of the community. Using Purdue Extension’s Enhancing the Value of Public Spaces: Creating Healthy Communities program, facilitators coach communities through development of a high quality action plan for their public spaces. The plan can guide decisions and better position communities to take advantage of opportunities to promote healthy eating and active living.