Experts help analyze what the election means for agriculture, the economy and the environment

Halfway through his presidency, Donald Trump increased import tariffs on certain Chinese goods, resulting in changes within United States agriculture. His decisions involving climate change included withdrawing from the Paris Agreement and rolling back Environmental Protection Agency regulations. Researchers at Purdue’s College of Agriculture have closely studied the impact of trade, agricultural and environmental policies during the last four years on the Midwest and beyond. In the wake of the 2020 general election, these experts are available to consider what election results could mean at the state and national levels.

  • Larry DeBoer, professor of agricultural economics: DeBoer’s research focuses on public policy at the state and national level. DeBoer can address the broad impact of government policy on the economic outlook as well as on local issues such as Indiana school referendum votes.
  • Jeff Dukes, director of Purdue Climate Change Research Center, professor of forestry and natural resources and biological sciences: Dukes can discuss how government policies directly and indirectly will affect the environment over the coming months, years and decades.
  • Jayson Lusk, department head and distinguished professor of agricultural economics: Lusk studies what we eat and why we eat it. He can answer questions about regulatory policy and how proposed polices might affect consumers.
  • Maria Marshall, director of North Central Regional Center for Rural Development, the James and Lois Ackerman Professor of Agricultural Economics: Marshall researches rural economies in America, specifically small and family-owned farms and businesses. Marshall can discuss how policies might impact this population.
  • Jim Mintert, director of Center for Commercial Agriculture, professor of agricultural economics: An expert on U.S. livestock markets, Mintert also compiles the Ag Economy Barometer, a measure that indexes the overall health of the agricultural economy.

Featured Stories

Dean Zimmerman holds a wild turkey in 1996; Zimmerman stands in a prairie; Zimmerman seines a stream with his grandson using a kick net.;
Meet Dean Zimmerman: 2025 Chase S. Osborn Award Winner

Although Dean Zimmerman (BS Wildlife 1971) retired in 2015 after spending 43 years with the...

Read More
The cover of Jessica Gurevitch's Book Life on Our Dynamic Planet; A headshot of Dr. Jessica Gurevitch
Gurevitch Explores Science Questions, Environment, Earth System in New Book

Dr. Jessica Gurevitch invites readers into a deeper understanding of the Earth system and its...

Read More
Ag Barometer
Optimism grows in October as current conditions improve

Farmer sentiment improved in October as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rose...

Read More
Woman teaching students at Purdue.
Zhao Ma’s journey to her life’s work

Zhao Ma started her academic path pursuing a degree in material physics from the University of...

Read More
Hayley Sutherland
Hayley Sutherland - Graduate Ag Research Spotlight

Hayley Sutherland has always loved taking care of animals. As a child, she adored her Alaskan...

Read More
Trees with fall colors around the pond at Martell Forest
Residents, Alumni Invited to Share Indiana Natural Resource, Spaces, Species Memories

Do you have a favorite place, species, landscape or natural phenomenon in Indiana? Share it with...

Read More