 | Purdue Ag Econ NewsFebruary 2026 |  | Billions of tons in food loss and waste at stake in global diets | If historical dietary trends continue, economic modeling shows that food loss and waste could reach 3.26 billion tons by 2050, an increase of 52% over 2014 levels. The modeling also projects that cutting global food loss and waste by half relative to a business-as-usual scenario would boost food availability and lower prices, especially for plant-based foods.
Details of these and other scenarios associated with a global shift to a healthier diet, assessed by Purdue University’s Maksym Chepeliev and Wageningen University’s Alessandro Gatto (now with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development OECD), appeared last October in Lancet Planetary Health. “Combining dietary shift with food loss and waste reduction targets globally reduces food loss and waste by 63.2%,” they reported.
Chepeliev, a research assistant professor in global economic analysis, co-authored four other related studies in the last two years. These include the 2025 EAT-Lancet Report, an update of the landmark 2019 EAT-Lancet Report, and a multimodel assessment of food systems transformation measures, published in Lancet Planetary Health. In 2024, Chepeliev and Gatto also published a study in Nature Food titled “Global food loss and waste estimates show increasing nutritional and environmental pressures,” and another study in Environmental Research Letters that looks into the benefits of reducing global food loss and waste for improving air quality and lowering the risk of premature mortality.
“We are focusing our attention in these studies on understanding the implications of this transition to health, sustainable and affordable diets, highlighting some of its policy needs and potential measures, and implementing some of them in our models,” Chepeliev said.
The 2025 EAT-Lancet report discusses a global shift to a planetary health diet (PHD) that is predominantly plant-based, along with halving food loss and waste by 2050. Chepeliev and Gatto’s Lancet Planetary Health study is the first to assess in detail the interactions between a planetary health diet transition and food loss and waste reductions. | |
|  | A world of opportunity in Agricultural Economics | Growing up traveling the world, Abigail Bothwell always wanted to see how agriculture connects people across borders. At Purdue, she found the perfect place to turn that curiosity into real-world experience.
Bothwell, from Denver, Colorado, is majoring in agricultural economics with a concentration in public policy and pre-law and plans to graduate in May 2026. She originally arrived at Purdue intending to study in a different department, but an introductory agricultural economics class quickly changed her path.
She chose Purdue not only for its academic strength but also for its sense of community. Advisors, faculty and fellow students helped support from the start, even as she adjusted to life far from home.
“I graduated from a small high school in Colorado with just 15 students in my class,” she said. “Coming to Purdue was intimidating at first, but I felt a sense of belonging the moment I toured campus.”
That sense of belonging encouraged Bothwell to say yes to opportunities that pushed her beyond her comfort zone, especially study abroad. She has participated in three international programs through Purdue, including a Maymester in Spain and Portugal, a semester at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand, and, most recently, a winter break program in southern India.
While in India, Bothwell explored food and agriculture systems, toured agricultural industries and visited three universities. The program allowed her to connect with students abroad and compare education systems and trade practices.
“We were able to have real conversations with students about what school looks like for them,” she said. “It was interesting to see how different and similar our experiences were.”
Back on campus, Bothwell stays engaged serving in leadership roles with the Purdue Grand Prix Foundation for three years and as an international agriculture ambassador, encouraging other students to study abroad.
“Watching students take that step and thrive, even on a short trip, has been really rewarding,” she said.
Her advice to students still deciding whether Purdue is the right fit is simple.
“Take the leap,” Bothwell said. “It’s scary, especially if you’re far from home, but find the things that excite you and lean into them. It will pay off.” Looking ahead, Bothwell plans to work in land development as an acquisition analyst, with the possibility of attending law school to focus on real estate or water law for farmers and ranchers in the western United States.
Through Purdue Agriculture, she has discovered that learning does not stop at the classroom door. Sometimes, it takes traveling across the world to find clarity, confidence and a deeper understanding of how agriculture shapes communities everywhere.
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|  | Recap of the 2026 Purdue Ag Alumni Fish Fry | With roots stretching back 150 years, Purdue University’s College of Agriculture continues to honor the victories and heroes that shaped its legacy and those that will define its future. This year’s Fish Fry, held on Feb. 7 at the Tippecanoe Country Fairgrounds, brought together Boilermakers and friends of Purdue from across generations for a celebration hosted by the Purdue Agricultural Alumni Association.
The program opened with a grand procession led by Seth Ariens, a junior studying agribusiness at Purdue University, who welcomed a distinguished lineup of dignitaries, including Jim Baird, U.S. Representative for Indiana’s 4th Congressional District. Following the procession, President Mung Chiang joined Glenn W. Sample Dean of Agriculture Bernie Engel for a discussion about the college’s achievements and broader university initiatives.
“We have several victories in the college – number 3 in the country, number 6 in the world,” said Engel. “We’ve brought some great people to Purdue who are doing outstanding work and will continue to do that to benefit Indiana agriculture.”
“Agriculture is not only the backbone for the culture and economic viability of the state, but it really defines the DNA of this great institution of Purdue University – your university,” added Chiang. “I learned about One Health from our friends in ag – this is really about animal, plant and human health working together in their environment. There’s no better place – whether you’re talking about universities, research or industry – than right here in our own state, along this corridor from Indianapolis to West Lafayette.”
Celebrating victories and heroes in Indiana agriculture, “Victory Vanilla” ice cream from Round Barn Creamery, was served. President Chiang’s dessert was delivered by the Boilermaker Xtra Special Tiny Edition, a robot engineered by a team of Agricultural and Biological Engineering students.
One of the event’s highlights was the 2026 Certificate of Distinction Awards Presentation, hosted by Stephanie Mowery, secretary of Purdue Ag Alumni Association. The Certificate of Distinction is the Purdue Ag Alumni Association’s highest honor, recognizing individuals who have made exceptional contributions to agriculture, forestry or natural resources. The 2026 recipients were Harold Cooper, Larry DeBoer, Barry Delks, Tom Hooper, Jay Hulbert, the late S. Suzanne Nielsen, Karen Plaut and Dan Strahl.
The focus on leadership and impact continued in the keynote address, delivered by Purdue animal sciences alumnus Jim Bishop, executive coach and founder of Conjunction Leadership and author of “When Conflict Is Helpful: Navigating Conflict in Agribusiness and Multigenerational Workplaces.” Bishop highlighted how generational tension and diverse perspectives can spark innovation, strengthen agricultural operations and position farms to thrive for generations to come.
“When internal conflict is resolved, leadership, families and businesses don’t just survive change, they thrive because of it,” said Bishop. “The future of our industry is not going to rely on more technology, capital or innovation alone. It’s going to rely upon the quiet inner lives of those of us who lead it.”
Attendees also explored Purdue Ag Avenue, a pre-event exhibition featuring departments from across the College alongside industry partners. This year, the Department of Food Science offered samples of new, student-created products — popcorn seasoning, muffin mix, chili crisp and jerk seasoning — available exclusively for on-site purchase. Attendees also had the chance to purchase the beloved Purdue-brand hot sauce line, “Boilermaker Hot Sauce: Black Edition and Gold Edition.”
These products are developed collaboratively by students and food and horticulture faculty, using ingredients primarily grown at the Purdue Student Farm. Since 2023, the Purdue Ag Alumni Trust Fund has helped financially support this project.
Following the event, many attendees stayed for a watch party, cheering on the Purdue men’s basketball team in their win against Oregon.
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| | Ag Boilers Abroad: Expanding education across continents | For Hayvn Meihls, studying abroad started with a leap of faith and turned into a passion for seeing agriculture through a global lens.
As a first-generation college student — and the first in her family to travel internationally — Meihls knew stepping outside the country would mean stepping far outside her comfort zone. An agribusiness management major, Meihls was always interested in international travel, but taking that first step felt daunting. No one close to her had studied abroad before. But, with encouragement from friends, Purdue staff and study abroad leaders, she decided to take the chance.
Her first experience was in Italy during spring break 2024.
“Even though I was nervous, taking that leap to study abroad changed everything for me. That first step into international travel deepened my desire to explore new places and continue expanding my education beyond the classroom,” Meihls said.
Since then, she has studied abroad in Ireland, and most recently returned from a winter break program in Peru.
Choosing Peru felt like the right fit. Meihls had always dreamed of visiting Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. When she learned it was included in the itinerary and that the program aligned perfectly with her winter break schedule, the decision was easy.
The focus on agricultural systems and customs in Peru closely aligned with her academic interests. The experience also helped her see how her degree could open doors beyond her home state or even internationally. One of the most meaningful parts of the trip was the hands-on fieldwork. At El Mangal, Meihls and her classmates harvested mangos, cacao, coffee beans and citrus fruits, many of which she had never harvested before.
"Being immersed in the jungle on a farm that harvests a variety of fruits and medicinal plants was truly remarkable. I had never harvested fruit or coffee beans before, so gaining real experience with tropical fruits and medicinal plants was both meaningful and exciting," she said.
Traveling in Peru also came with challenges. Adjusting to elevations above 13,000 feet was difficult at first, but she learned to listen to her body and give herself time to acclimate. That experience, along with navigating new environments and cultures, helped her build adaptability, problem-solving skills and confidence.
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| | Boilermakers shoot for the moon with innovative solutions during Moonshot Pitch Challenge | Four teams of Purdue University students won a combined $5,500 from Purdue Innovates Incubator during the finals of the Moonshot Pitch Challenge, a semiannual ideation-focused competition.
Fifteen finalist teams had two minutes to pitch their solutions to judges. Winning teams ideated solutions that address challenges to building safety, interactive devices, oyster farming and space travel.
Active Purdue undergraduate and graduate students were eligible to compete. More than 45 teams submitted a two-minute video to explain the problem they were addressing and to propose their solution. Solutions were grouped into one of three categories:
Earth: Ideas primarily focused on addressing social needs and challenges Orbit: Ideas primarily focused on business-to-business solutions Moonshot: Ideas primarily focused on solving a seemingly impossible problem “The Moonshot Pitch Challenge is about ideating bold, audacious solutions to address worldwide challenges,” said Doug Applegate, Incubator associate director. “Purdue students are proving their ability to think critically about problems and then take the next giant leaps to solve them.”
Submissions for the fall 2026 Moonshot Pitch Challenge will be solicited in September.
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|  | Teaching economics on Semester at Sea has been a challenging but rewarding experience. In addition to traditional classroom learning, each course includes a one-day “field class” where students can evaluate classroom concepts with real-world experiences in the port. For my 100-level Economics of Social Issues course, we explored the realities of economic inequality and ethnic diversity in Penang, Malaysia, by visiting a community hospital, a public housing development and a historic mansion. For my 200-level Microeconomics course, we learned about firm-level decision making through a conversation with a restaurant manager in Kochi, India, which was followed (of course) by a delicious lunch. Living on a cruise ship has been quite an adjustment for our family, but we’ve had an amazing time traveling together. Our highlights include snorkeling (and a fish farm) in Langkawi, Malaysia, tea farms and waterfalls in Kerala, India, and a safari in the Masai Mara of Kenya. We are now roughly halfway through our voyage as we motor toward Cape Town, South Africa. |
| Todd KuetheProfessor, Schrader Endowed Chair in Farmland Economics
Todd is currently on sabbatical, teaching Semester at Sea. This monthly series is written by Todd as he and his family explore the world of agriculture. |  | |
| | Alumni Reflections on Careers, Risk and Growth with Neil Mylet (PAEP 121)
In this episode of the Purdue Agricultural Economics Podcast, Valerie Kilders and Brady Wiley sit down with Neil Mylet, agricultural economist, inventor, rural development advocate and proud Purdue alumnus. Growing up on his family’s farm in Camden, Indiana, Neil shares how his time at Purdue was shaped by mentorship, entrepreneurship coursework and hands-on leadership experiences, which sparked his passion for innovation and community impact.
Neil walks listeners through the origins of Camden Castle, a bold effort to restore a historic opera house into a hub for technology, arts and opportunity in rural Indiana. From global partnerships and cultural exchanges to expanding digital infrastructure and inspiring young people to see what’s possible, Neil explains how entrepreneurship and connectivity can help rural communities not just survive but thrive.
A thoughtful and inspiring conversation, this episode is perfect for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, rural development, technology and the lasting power of the Boilermaker network.
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| Sonny Beck on Leadership and Agriculture (PAEP 122)
In this episode of the Purdue Agricultural Economics Podcast, Reagan and Brady are joined by Sonny Beck, Purdue alumnus, CEO of Beck’s Hybrids, and a member of Purdue’s Board of Trustees. Sonny shares how growing up on a family farm and his time at Purdue shaped his leadership philosophy and commitment to agriculture.
The conversation focuses on values over numbers, as Sonny reflects on his guiding principles of faith, family, and farming. He discusses building strong relationships with farmers and employees, leading with integrity, and giving back to the ag community through practical research and service-driven leadership.
This episode offers meaningful insights for students, alumni, and agricultural professionals interested in purpose-driven leadership and what it truly means to be a Boilermaker in agriculture.
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AWARDS AND APPOINTMENTS
| Ro & Shorty Whittington Matching Program
The College of Agriculture is excited to offer a unique opportunity for donors to double their impact through the newly available Ro & Shorty Whittington Student Experience matching Program to create new Student Experience Endowments. These endowments, which begin at $50,000, provide life‑enriching support that allows undergraduates to grow beyond the classroom through national conference travel, professional development workshops, off‑campus learning experiences, capstone projects, judging teams, undergraduate research, community‑building events, and more. Every new student experience endowment will be matched dollar‑for‑dollar up to $200,000, making now an especially powerful moment to invest. Our long‑term goal is to establish a Student Experience Endowment in every department across the College of Agriculture to ensure all students benefit from enhanced experiential learning. If you are interested in creating a new endowment, please reach out to Luke Brenneman, Development Officer, at LDBrenneman@purdueforlife.org or 765-494-3717. And remember, we offer a five‑year pledge period, so your gift can be fulfilled over time—you don’t have to fund it all at once. Your contribution doesn’t just support programs; it opens doors, launches careers, and truly changes lives. | |
|  |  | Climate and Health Award: Wellcome Trust Grant
Congratulations to Jonathan Bauchet and Jacob Ricker-Gilbert on securing an approximately $800,000 grant from the Wellcome Trust to lead a one-year project examining the impacts of climate change on foodborne diseases in low- and middle-income countries. Co-led with colleagues from the International Food Policy Research Institute and partners across Egypt, Kenya, Malawi and Senegal, the consortium will work through March 2027 to co-produce a research agenda for Africa. The project brings together a strong network of current students, staff and alumni, highlighting Purdue Agricultural Economics’ leadership at the intersection of climate, health and global food systems. | |
|  | IFAMA Board Member
Congratulations to Trey Malone on being appointed to the International Food and Agribusiness Management Association (IFAMA) board. |
AG ECON IN THE NEWS
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Here is a sampling of recent news reports about Purdue Ag Econ from the college and media across the nation.
Ag Week Not every certification pays: The uncertain economics of food labels about farm practices, Valerie Kilders (published February 21, 2026)
Precision Farming Dealer Does Autonomous Equipment Make Economic Sense Today?, Chad Fiechter (published February 5, 2026)
Hoosier Ag Today From Farm Fields to Lasting Legacy: The 8 Trailblazers Celebrated at Purdue Ag Alumni’s Fish Fry (published February 7, 2026)
Red River Farm Network A Food Fad or a Long-Term Trend, Valerie Kilders (published February 21, 2026)
GBH The Medicated Appetite: How GLP-1s Are Reshaping the Food System, Trey Malone (published February 24, 2026)
Farm Talk Podcast/AgNews890 Episode 02-17-26 Dr. Valerie Kilders of Purdue University on Navigating the Modern Food Value Chain
WV News Financial stress, labor decisions, and farm resilience - tools to evaluate your operation, Michael Langemeier (published February 18, 2026)
Investigate Midwest ‘This is my ‘80s’: As Trump’s tariffs upend trade, farmers endure instability, Joana Colussi (published February 20, 2026)
KPC News Farm income outlook for Indiana, Michael Langemeier (published February 21, 2026)
Successful Farming Soybean Production Costs Compared Between U.S. and Brazil Farms Reveal Key Profit Differences in 2020-2024, Joana Colussi and Michael Langemeier (published February 27, 2026)
Indiana Prairie Farmer Is diversification the answer to reducing risk?, Michael Langemeier (published February 26, 2026)
Fine Day Radio Record Brazilian Soybean Harvest Could Drive Down U.S. Crop Prices by 2026, Joana Colussi (published February 26, 2026)
The Exponent Former Colorado politician makes a sweet visit to Earhart Hall, Channing Arndt (published February 24, 2026)
Brownfield Ag News Brazil Expected to Produce Record Soybean Crop in 2026, Analysts Say it Could Pressure U.S. Prices, Joana Colussi (published February 26, 2026) |
UPCOMING EVENTS
| Save the Date: 2026 James C. Snyder Memorial Lecture
Please join us for the 51st Snyder Memorial Lecture, with guest lecturer Mary Kay Thatcher. Be sure to check the website for additional details on the day's events.
April 17, 2026 | 1:30 pm This event is free and open to the public Location: Pfendler Hall, Dean's Auditorium #241
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| Save the Date: 2026 AAEA Annual Meeting
Mark your calendars for the 2026 AAEA Annual Meeting, happening July 26–28 at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown! The event features a mix of invited paper sessions, case study papers, organized symposia, lightning and paper sessions, poster sessions, and more.
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CENTER AND EXTENSION NEWS
|  |  | Farmer sentiment drops sharply at start of 2026 as economic concerns increase | Farmer sentiment weakened sharply in January as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer ddropped from 136 in December 2025 to 113 in January 2026 (see Figure 1). The Current Conditions Index dropped 19 points while the Future Expectations Index dropped 25 points (see Figure 2). Among the five indices that make up the AEB Index, the largest decline was in the question asking participants whether U.S. agriculture would have good times or bad times in the next five years. The index for this question fell from 122 to 88, marking its lowest point since September 2024. Respondents also expressed greater concerns about agricultural exports compared to last month. The January barometer survey took place from January 12-16, 2026. As a point of reference, the January WASDE report was released on January 12.
The report was covered by: Ink Free News, Inside INdiana Business, Farm Policy News, Grain Journal, Farms.com, Brownfield Ag News, KPCNews, Capital Press, farmdoc daily, Successful Farming, Farm Policy News - University of Illinois, Investing News Network, RFD-TV, Sioux County Radio, 1280 NewsTalk KIT, PR Newswire, Michigan Farm News, Pro Farmer, Agri-View, and Hoosier Ag Today.
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| Are Autonomous Farm Machines Economically Ready Yet?Chad Fiechter and Josh Strine | Autonomous farm machinery is advancing quickly — but is it ready to pencil out on commercial grain farms?
Autonomous machinery continues to draw attention as a potential solution to labor constraints and operational efficiency challenges in production agriculture. A recent study evaluates whether large-scale autonomous machinery systems are economically competitive with conventional, human-operated equipment under current conditions.
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| When Will Autonomous Farm Equipment Actually Pay? | AgCast #206Podcast | Are autonomous tractors and farm automation actually cost-effective? In this episode of the Purdue Commercial AgCast, Chad Fiechter and Josh Strine discuss new research on the economics of large-scale autonomous farm machinery and what it means for machinery investment and labor strategy on commercial corn and soybean farms. The results show that under today’s performance and cost levels, most farms aren’t yet in the economic “ballpark” for autonomy — helping producers understand when it could make sense and when it likely doesn’t.
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| Rising Farm Debt and Financial Stress: Evidence from the Ag Economy BarometerMichael Langemeier and Joana Colussi | After increasing by 9.1% in 2024, current U.S. farm debt is expected to increase 3.8% in 2025 (USDA-ERS, 2026). Current debt includes operating loans and principal payments related to machinery, buildings, and farmland that are due within one year. This article examines trends in the size of a farm’s operating loans, reasons why operating loans may be larger, financial stress, and balance sheet strength using data from the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer (AEB) surveys over the last seven years.
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| Farm Income Outlook for IndianaMichael Langemeier | A recent report written in collaboration with the Rural and Farm Finance Policy Analysis Center at the University of Missouri discusses trends in Indiana farm income focusing on crop and livestock receipts, expenses, and net farm income in 2024, 2025, and 2026. This article summarizes income statement information discussed in the report.
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| What 2026 Crop Budgets Mean for Profitability and Cash Rent DecisionsMichael Langemeier | The 2026 Purdue Crop Cost and Return Guide gives estimated costs for planting, growing, and harvesting a variety of crops, as well as estimated contribution margins and earnings. The guide is updated frequently as grain futures prices change and the costs of inputs, such as seed, fertilizer, pesticides and fuel, fluctuate. This paper discusses estimates made in early January. |
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| USDA’s First Forecast of the 2026 U.S. Farm Balance SheetJosh Strine | Last week, the USDA ERS Farm Income Team released the first Farm Income and Wealth Statistics update of 2026. The data provides us with the first opportunity to evaluate US farm balance sheet trends heading into the next production cycle. While farm equity and assets have increased annually since 2020, the percent change between 2025 and 2026 is forecast to be the lowest since 2019 to 2020 (Figure 1). On the other hand, the percent change in farm debt is forecast to increase between 2025 and 2026, marking the third time debt accumulation has accelerated in the past four years.
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| Lessons From the Delta, Part 1: What Midwestern Farmers Can Learn From Southern AgriculturePodcast | Southern agriculture operates under a very different production model than the Midwest. Irrigation drives crop decisions, rice and cotton anchor rotations, and groundwater availability shapes long-term farm strategy in ways many corn and soybean producers rarely experience.
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| Lessons From the Delta, Part 2: Land Values, Capital Markets, and the Business of RicePodcast | Farmland valuation in the Mississippi Delta operates under a very different market structure than most Midwest producers experience. Transaction volume is low, capital intensity is high, and payment structures — especially in rice — add another layer of complexity.
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| Corn Basis is Stable Across the Eastern Corn Belt, but Soybean Basis VariesJosh Strine | As we turn our attention to May futures contracts, corn basis across the Eastern Corn Belt has been broadly stable to slightly increasing. The strongest local corn basis is found across Ohio’s central belt, where it is positive. For example, Figure 1 shows a current basis of $0.04/bu relative to May futures. While the basis in Indiana is not as strong as in Central Ohio, the northern and central parts of the state have basis levels above -$0.10/bu relative to May futures. These levels are also above the three-year historical averages, as is corn basis across most of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.
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| U.S. and Brazil Soybean Competitiveness: Farm-Level Costs and ReturnsJoana Colussi and Michael Langemeier | Brazil’s rise as a dominant force in global soybean markets has become a central concern for U.S. producers. In the January 2026 Purdue University Ag Economy Barometer survey, 44% of U.S. farmers indicated they were “very concerned” and 36% reported being “concerned” about the competitiveness of U.S. soybean exports relative to Brazil (Langemeier & Colussi, 2026). Since surpassing the United States as the world’s largest soybean producer in 2018, Brazil has continued to expand its presence in global export markets. This article compares the U.S. and Brazilian soybean sectors using farm-level production cost data from 2020 to 2024. Standardized economic data from the agribenchmark network is used to identify key differences in costs and competitiveness between the two countries.
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|  | | Consumer Food Insights: January 2026 | The January Consumer Food Insights Report (CFI) sought to determine whether those classified as overweight — using the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s measurement of a body mass index of 25 or above — are more or less satisfied with their diets than those who are not classified as overweight. Additional survey questions addressed consumers’ diet-related plans and changes in food consumption in 2026.
The center team found the following key insights: - Most American consumers report high diet satisfaction, with 85% reporting they are “very happy” or “rather happy” with their diets.
- Consumers self-classified as overweight are more satisfied with their diets than consumers who are not overweight.
- Consumers self-classified as overweight (BMI ≥ 25) tend to be less food secure.
- Food at Home (FAH) inflation was 2.4% over the last 12 months, although consumers perceive food inflation near 2 points higher.
- Average diet quality remains well below the healthy diet thresholds.
- 29% of adults are planning to diet in 2026, with most of those (61%) planning to reduce consumption of processed foods.
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|  | | Non-negotiables for ag salespeopleWritten by Scott Downey, Director and Professor, Purdue University | Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve been working on new sales tools for managers who are trying to answer questions like: “How do I know whether I have a good salesperson in a difficult territory versus a poor salesperson in an easy one?”
If we only look at outcomes (revenue, market share), we can’t tell the difference. And if we want to understand a company’s sales strategy, we should be able to see evidence of it in results. We’ve made good progress on answering those questions (reach out to me if you’re curious), but one thing stands out clearly in the data: sales performance can vary dramatically, even within the same territory or region.
Having the privilege of working with the next generation of salespeople, I feel like I owe it to them to find ways to help them succeed. When we step back and look at the data, three things consistently emerge as non-negotiables for sales success today.
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Below are some of our recent and upcoming programs happening for agribusiness professionals.
Business-to-business relationships are the lifeblood of successful salespeople. It’s the environment in which salespeople truly connect with their customers. Those connections are often what result in long-term partnerships. Repeat business, upselling and cross-selling opportunities abound when you invest time in understanding and nurturing your clients.
March 3-6, 2026 | Purdue University (Krannert 758) – West Lafayette, Indiana In a world of tight margins and dynamic marketplaces, financial goals are gaining increased visibility throughout all aspects of the agribusiness value chain. Today, it’s more important than ever for non-financial managers to understand how their decisions impact company profitability. During this three-day interactive program, you’ll gain an increased understanding of key financial ratios needed to analyze the financial standings of your business, how to help customers see a return on investment in your offerings and much more.
May 19-20, 2026 | West Lafayette, IN We used to think great salespeople had been given a gift. While this may still be true, we know today’s sales managers play a key role in developing this gift to meet its full potential. During this two-day interactive program, Drs. Scott Downey and Dave Downey will guide you in assessing your people development skills, creating a high-performing culture, using tools to become a more effective coach for your team and more through group discussions, activities and networking opportunities.
This program is especially beneficial for current supervisors of salespeople, novice sales managers or those who will soon be promoted who are looking to amplify their performance.
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| Recent Events | | |
At the beginning of the month, the team was at Nashville Music City Center for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association Cattle Con 2026. | |
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The center welcomed Syngenta US back to campus for Module 3 of the Agribusiness Leadership Accelerator. The week focused on connecting external forces to internal decision-making. Participants explored macroeconomic conditions and global dynamics before shifting into finance and marketing sessions designed to strengthen strategic thinking across functions. The module culminated in team simulation work and board-style presentations, giving participants the opportunity to apply insight under real-world leadership constraints. | |
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The center had the opportunity to work alongside leaders from Helena Agri-Enterprises, who joined them for Module 3 of their leadership program. This module centered on how leaders navigate change. The week was designed to help participants step back from day-to-day decisions and examine how leadership choices shape direction, alignment and performance over time. Capstone presentations closed the module, creating space for reflection on progress and next steps. | |
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| NCRCRD hosted a DRA PROPEL Community Convening in Sikeston, MOOn February 19-20, 2026, the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development (NCRCRD) hosted a Delta Regional Authority (DRA) PROPEL Community Convening in Sikeston, Missouri with support from a grant awarded by the DRA. NCRCRD’s Director, Maria Marshall, Associate Director, Michael Wilcox, and Senior Program Manager, Shelly Surber participated in the convening. The DRA PROPEL Community Convening is part of NCRCRD’s partnership with the Delta Regional Authority to assist five communities in southeastern Missouri and southern Illinois (Sikeston, MO; Poplar Bluff, MO; Eldorado, IL; Mounds, IL; and Murphysboro, IL) to increase each community’s capacity and help them alleviate challenges around issues such as public infrastructure and business development. The DRA PROPEL Community Convening brought together stakeholders from these five communities to share examples of what’s working in this region, to learn from each other, and to expand the cities’ tools to build their communities. Colleagues from Delta Regional Authority, University of Illinois Extension, and the University of Missouri Extension along with the NCRCRD conducted the convening. | |
| | Popular Succession Training Workshop Now Released as Open Access CurriculumThe very popular 2025 succession training workshop, Who Will Fill My Shoes: Succession Planning for Land Owners, Farmers, Forest Owners, and Family Businesses, has been released as an open-access curriculum. The curriculum, like the webinar, is designed to train Extension educators, consultants, legal professionals, and other professionals who can teach individuals, families, businesses, and forest owners more about the fundamentals and core components of succession planning. Authors of the workshop and curriculum: Renee Wiatt, North Central Regional Center for Rural Development and the Purdue Institute for Family Business, Purdue University; Kurt Smith, Assistant Professor, North Carolina State University; and Rebecca Smith, Associate Extension Professor, Mississippi State University Extension. Additional partners include Southern Regional Center for Rural Development (SRDC) and North Central Regional Center for Rural Development (NCRCRD). Learn more and download the curriculum |
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| | Reminder: NCRCRD Small Grant proposal deadline is March 16, 2026NCRCRD is now accepting proposals for the 2026 Small Grants for Rural Development Research and/or Extension Projects. These seed grants aim to enhance the ability of the region’s land-grant institutions to positively influence the quality of rural life in the North Central Region. Deadline: Monday, March 16, 2026 by 5:00 pm ET. Small Grants RFP and other NCRCRD 2026 funding opportunities |
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| NCRCRD Webinar SeriesNCRCRDs webinars are open to all participants. Visit the NCRCRD web page for information and registration for upcoming webinars. MARCH WEBINAR New Insights on Household Food Waste Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 1:00 pm ET Join us for a two-part webinar sharing findings from recent food waste studies as well as share what’s new at the Center for Food Conservation and Waste Reduction. - Unintended Spillover Effects of Organics Recycling Mandates: Evidence from California
- Presenter: Brian Roe, Van Buren Professor, Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics, Ohio State University
- Consumer-Driven Approaches to Improving Household Food Management and Reducing Waste
- Presenter: Brenna Ellison, Director, Center for Food Conservation and Waste Reduction and Professor, Agricultural Economics, Purdue University
Additional information and registration for the March webinar | |
| | New NCRCRD Story Behind the Numbers Article What makes rural entrepreneurs stay? Social and economic characteristics of in-migrants and locals - Research Brief By Zuzana Bednarik, NCRCRD Research and Extension Specialist This study examines the relationship between the social and economic characteristics of self-employed in-migrants and local entrepreneurs and their intention to stay in their rural communities. Using data from the 4R-Stat Baseline Survey 2024 (Bednarik et al., 2025), a logistic regression analysis was employed to examine the determinants of in-migrant and local entrepreneurs’ intentions to stay or leave their residential locations. | |
|  | PIFB 2026 Newsletter
PIFB has released the 2026 Newsletter 1: Special Issue on Succession with the following articles: | |
| Previous Presentations and Activities- On January 27, Renee presented a keynote speech on “Passing the Torch: How Can Agriculture Prepare the Next Generation for Family Farm Leadership?” at the FS Agronomy Growmark Conference in Peoria, IL.
| | On January 28, Renee presented “Conflict, Communication and Meetings for Succession” at The Farm Shield Conference in Bloomington, IN. | | On February 19, Renee presented “How to Have Difficult Conversations” at the 2026 Ag Engage Conference in Bloomington, IN. | | - Renee presented on February 24 at the Beck’s Center at Your Land is Your legacy on the topic of “Farm Succession: Setting Goals and Communicating Across Generations” in collaboration with American Farmland Trust, ADM, Geswein Farm & Land, and the Purdue Extension Succession Planning Team.
- On February 25, Renee presented at the Lake County Extension Office for the PARP Workshop, presenting on the topic of Farm Succession: The Succession Landscape and How to Plan for Succession
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|  | | GTAP 12 Data Base | The Center for Global Trade Analysis is pleased to announce the release of the GTAP 12 Data Base, which is a fully documented, publicly available global database containing complete bilateral trade information, transport and protection linkages. The GTAP Data Base represents the world economy and is utilized by thousands worldwide as a key input into most applied general equilibrium (AGE) analysis of global economic issues. |
| Recent GTAP Events
A new landscape for trade and security
--------------------------- Upcoming GTAP Events “Confronting Developmental and Environmental Challenges in Asia and the New Trade Landscape” June 17-19, 2026 | Kyoto, Japan Register by April 15!
--------------------------- Upcoming GTAP-U Courses
“Introduction to Computable General Equilibrium Modeling in the GTAP Framework” March 16 – May 3, 2026 | Online Course
“Theory and Applications of Computable General Equilibrium Analysis with the GTAP Model” June 1 – August 7, 2026 | Hybrid Course | |
| | | Thematic Seminar Series:"Global–Local Economics of Land and Water Resources: Current Advances and Future Directions"March 23, 2026 | 10 - 11:30 am (US EDT, UTC-4) | Zoom
The GLASSNET Thematic Seminar Series stems from the GLASSNET Biennial Meeting held in September in Washington, D.C., where six key thematic areas were identified as priorities for advancing global-to-local sustainability research. These follow-up seminars aim to deepen collaboration across GLASSNET’s interdisciplinary community and accelerate joint research in each theme.
This seminar highlights recent advances in global–local economic analysis of land and water resources, emphasizing emerging collaborative data and modeling innovations across GLASSNET. Looking ahead, the seminar will identify key open questions, methodological gaps, and priorities for future collaborative research to strengthen future collaborations for economy-land-water interactions across scales.
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|  | Agrifood Economy Index: Q4 2025
Researchers at Purdue University’s Department of Agricultural Economics have released the Q4 2025 Agrifood Economy Index (AEI), the eleventh edition of its quarterly survey tracking economic sentiment across the agrifood value chain. Conducted in December 2025 and drawing on over 210 responses from executives and senior decision-makers, the latest results mark a meaningful turning point: the overall AEI rose nine points to 100, returning to the neutral baseline for the first time since Q2 2024 and posting the largest quarter-over-quarter increase to date. The Investment Index reached a survey high of 109, reflecting growing confidence among firms to deploy capital, while current and future sentiment indices remained closely aligned at 100 and 99, respectively. Agricultural Production rebounded strongly from an all-time low, supported in part by $12 billion in announced federal government payments to producers, with the segment’s investment index surging to 125. Processing and Handling posted exceptional results, while Agricultural Input Distribution and Support Services and Products continued to face persistent headwinds, ending 2025 below the neutral baseline. This edition also includes a year-in-review thematic section examining how global policy uncertainty and market volatility translated differently across segments throughout 2025, a theme the research team will continue to explore in 2026. The full report was authored by Dr. Allan Gray, Dr. Lourival Monaco, Avery Pound, and Will Schweitzer, and is available through the department.
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| DIAL Ventures Resources
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|  | Latest Blog Posts
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| How will you conserve food in 2026?
One of CFCWR's newsletter readers shared the following food conservation suggestions. They have included the titles of some resources from their Resource Library to put the suggestion into practice. Simply copy and paste the title into the search feature.
1: Meal planning. - Meal Prep Guide
- Flexi Meal Plan
- How Do I Create Flexible and Simple Meal Plans?
2: Buy only what can be used in a reasonable amount of time. - Shopping List
- Shop Smart Guide: Save & Reduce Waste
- Get Listing: How to Write a Great Unwaste Shopping List
3: Use the FIFO method (first in, first out) when storing and using food. - Eat this First Sign
- Food Storage Guide
- Food Storage Guidelines for Consumers
4: Freeze or dehydrate foods before they go bad. (Our reader suggests trying reusable freezer bags). - National Center for Home Food Preservation
- Food Preservation
- Drying Foods
5: Save food scraps for soup bases and stocks. - Cooking with Food Scraps
- The Scraps Book: A Waste-Less Cookbook:
- Use-It-Up Recipes: Leave no food behind!
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|  | Purdue Extension Community Development News
The mission for Purdue Extension Community Development is to strengthen the capacity of local leaders, residents and organizations to build strong, vibrant communities by using research-based resources to guide their decisions. Learn more about their programs, offerings, and catch up on the latest news on their website. | |
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PUBLICATIONS AND DEPARTMENT HAPPENINGS
| Publications
Benavidez-Brouk, L., Taheripour, F., Baldos, U., Zhuang, Q., & Chen, S. (2026). Updates in assessing soil organic carbon and their implications for evaluating land use change emissions. Environmental Research Communications, 8(2), 025013. https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7620/ae3d84
Dalheimer, B., Foster, K., Shively, G., Pede, V. O., Fiankor, D. D., Ricker-Gilbert, J., & Bist, P. (2026). Stocks and shocks: Assessing the relative roles of public and private inventories in buffering rice price volatility in the Philippines. Food Policy, 139, 103052. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2026.103052
Edobor, E. W., & Ricker-Gilbert, J. (2026). Do estate farms affect smallholder household labour decisions in Sub-Saharan Africa? A Case Study of Malawi. Agrekon, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/03031853.2025.2589791
Galindo-Silva, H., & Tchuente, G. (2026). Religious competition, cultural change, and domestic violence: evidence from Colombia. Journal of Population Economics, 39(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00148-026-01146-2
Lusk, J., Ellison, B., & Malone, T. (2026). U.S. consumers sometimes prefer seemingly redundant labels. Agribusiness. https://doi.org/10.1002/agr.70068
Mallory, M. (2026). Two-Step Regularized HARX to Measure Volatility Spillovers in Multi-Dimensional Systems [Preprint]. arXiv.
Maredia, M. K., Olwande, J., Ricker‐Gilbert, J., Mather, D. L., & Mason, N. M. (2026). Kenyan farmers’ policy priorities during economic crisis and stability: Insights from a Best‐Worst scaling experiment. Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy. https://doi.org/10.1002/aepp.70055
Montenovo, L., Simon, K., & Wing, C. (2026). The Redistributive Effects of Federal Medicaid Outlays Across Counties: Evidence from the ACA (Working Paper No. 34758). National Bureau of Economic Research. https://www.nber.org/papers/w34758
Mukashov, A., Robinson, S., Arndt, C., Thurlow, J., & Thomas, T. (2026). Systematic risk profiling: Assessing compounding economic risks in developing countries. Economic Modelling, 157, 107511. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econmod.2026.107511
Shively, G. (2025). A Beginner’s Guide to Dynamic Optimization in Economics. In Classroom companion: economics. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-09374-5
Tchuente, G. (2026). Scale and Capacity Limits in Decentralized FDA Food-Safety Enforcement [Preprint]. arXiv. | |
| Presentations and Activities
On January 7, Valerie Kilders presented an online seminar hosted by Wageningen University and discussed her recently published work on red meat taxation and information disclosure.
On February 2, Valerie Kilders presented the paper “Altruism under Pressure: Does Inflation Deflate Individual Food Preferences for Altruistic Attributes?” at SAEA. Authors: Yingxin Tan, Anam Ali, Valerie Kilders, Caitlin Herrington
On February 16, Valerie Kilders gave a seminar on the paper “Motivation and intended use transparency: Shaping consumer responses to a red meat tax through information disclosure” at North Dakota State University. Authors: Valerie Kilders, Yingxin Tan, Rodolfo M. Nayga, Wei Yang
On February 17, Valerie Kilders gave the keynote presentation at the Evolution Ag Summit in North Dakota, hosted by the North Dakota Farmers Union. She presented “Navigating the Modern Food Value Chain.”
On February 19, Jay Akridge gave a presentation at the 2026 APLU APS/NARRU Joint Winter Meeting in Alexandria, VA. The title was: “The State of Higher Education in 2026: Meeting the Moment.” On February 19, Michael Langemeier presented at the Ag Engage Conference in Bloomington on valuing sweat equity and adding a person to the farm. See the presentation | |
| | Driving Growth: How Midwest Farmers’ Optimism Boosts Conservation AdoptionHow do growth expectations influence conservation adoption among Midwest row crop farmers? In a recent Choices infographic, Camila Ulloa and co-authors Chad Fiechter, Nicole Olynk Widmar and Julia Eberhart analyze survey data from 553 producers (2024–2025) to explore how farmer characteristics, future outlook, program participation, and conservation practices intersect. Using data provided by Bushel, the team finds that growth-oriented farms are more likely to adopt practices with clear, near-term returns, while broader adoption may hinge on reducing barriers and leveraging synergies among practices. The findings highlight how optimism, scale, and management strategy shape conservation decisions and inform efforts to advance sustainable agriculture across the Midwest. | |
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For a list of recent publications and endeavors by faculty, staff, and students in the department of agricultural economics, visit our publications and endeavors pages.
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| | | Purdue AgEcon News is a monthly publication of department happenings. The publication is edited by Morgan French (mmfrench@purdue.edu). | | Purdue University Agricultural Economics Department 403 Mitch Daniels Blvd Krannert Building Room 651 West Lafayette, IN 47907 765-494-4191 agecon1@purdue.edu | |
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