river, trees, and mountains
Agricultural & Resource Economics

Agricultural and Resource Economics

We are a multifaceted group of dedicated scholars solving the world’s most wicked challenges like managing the world’s food supply and enhancing societal well-being. Our graduates find themselves in the capitol, classroom, board room, on farms, in the forest, and in processing plants where they are changing, influencing, and implementing practical solutions for our food supply and economy. Join us and become part of the educational revolution happening in the Department of Agricultural and Resources Economics.

What is Agricultural and Resource Economics?

How DARE Students Make A Difference 

Eat | Play | Know

Take what you learn in the classroom, during internships, as research assistants, from study abroad programs, organization engagements, and other experiences to make an impact.

How You Can Make an Impact

Impact what and how food is produced, how we use water, land, energy, and other elements of the environment. Make a difference on how people learn about agriculture and natural resources. You will shape what we eat, the state of the natural landscape, and what we know about agriculture and natural resources.   

Research

We investigate complex questions related to the tradeoffs of sustainable food production, natural resource management, and rural economic development.  Additionally, we consider how people learn about agriculture and natural resources.  Our work leads to access to healthy food, profitable businesses, healthy ecosystems and communities, and increased knowledge of agriculture from Fort Collins across the world.     

Engagement and Extension

DARE is committed to developing practical solutions to real-world sustainability problems. We are in the business of better decision-making.  We conduct applied research and education efforts throughout Colorado, the U.S., and Internationally to help farmers and ranchers, educations, food producers and consumers, natural resource managers, policymakers, and other stakeholders thrive.   

Lauren Chenarides

Story of Impact

Lauren Chenarides

Lauren Chenarides grew up about an hour north of New York City with no direct connection to agriculture. But like many others with culinarily talented grandparents, she discovered a love for food while cooking with her grandmother. Today, she’s just finished her first year as an assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics in Colorado State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

Upcoming Department Events and News

Agricultural chemist Prenni, economist Hoag named as 2024 Nutrien Scholars of Agricultural Sciences

Jessica Prenni and Dana Hoag have been named as 2024 Nutrien Scholars of Agricultural Sciences. The post Agricultural chemist Prenni, economist Hoag named as 2024 Nutrien Scholars of Agricultural Sciences appeared first on College of Agricultural Sciences.

Serving Our State – A love of food, mathematics, skiing and research brings agricultural economics assistant professor to CSU

"If lower-income shoppers can buy food at a dollar store cheaper than they can at a supermarket, why wouldn’t we want that? It gives them more money to spend elsewhere, which helps the economy.” The post Serving Our State – A love of food, mathematics, skiing and research brings agricultural economics assistant professor to CSU appeared first on College of Agricultural Sciences.

Undergraduate Degrees

Livestock Business Management Major

Use an interdisciplinary, systems approach to effectively manage livestock businesses for the benefit of humans and animals.

Degree Details for Livestock Business Management Major

Agricultural Business Online Major

Our Online Agricultural Business Major mirrors the on-campus Agricultural Business Major in every sense of the program, except that is delivered completely online.

Degree Details for Agricultural Business Online Major

Environmental and Natural Resource Economics Major

Discover economic tools to evaluate the allocation and utilization of natural resources and the management of the natural environment.

Degree Details for Environmental and Natural Resource Economics Major

Environmental and Natural Resource Economics Online Major

Discover economic tools to evaluate the allocation and utilization of natural resources and the management of the natural environment.

Degree Details for Environmental and Natural Resource Economics Online Major

Agricultural Business Major

Apply theoretical and analytic tools of applied economics within the context of food systems. Explores the broadest context of food systems ranging from small-scale localized markets to traditional market-mediated commodity-based products to highly specialized, vertically coordinated supply chains.

Degree Details for Agricultural Business Major

Agricultural Education Major

Learn and educate around the science, business, and technology of agriculture, food and environmental/natural resource systems. Develop skills as an agricultural educator in a three-part model: classroom, experiential learning, and leadership development.

Degree Details for Agricultural Education Major

Minors

Environmental and Natural Resource Economics Minor – On Campus or Online

Discover a valuable way to help understand how humans can use and conserve our natural resources.

Degree Details for Environmental and Natural Resource Economics Minor – On Campus or Online

Agricultural Literacy Minor

Offers students an integrated set of courses in agricultural education. Pursue content in animal sciences, plant sciences, food products and processing, or natural resources.

Degree Details for Agricultural Literacy Minor

Food Industry Management Interdisciplinary Minor

Provides a platform for students to integrate business principles with applied food management courses.

Degree Details for Food Industry Management Interdisciplinary Minor

Agricultural Business Minor – On Campus or Online

Focus studies on agricultural production management, financial management, marketing management, international development and trade.

Degree Details for Agricultural Business Minor – On Campus or Online

Graduate Degrees

Master of Agribusiness and Food Innovation Management

This program will train you in the business skills to be an innovator. Learn to launch new technologies, products, and even new business ventures in the agriculture, food, and beverage industries. Go from ideation to marketplace.

Degree Details for Master of Agribusiness and Food Innovation Management

M.S. in Agricultural and Resource Economics

Master fundamental microeconomic theory and econometrics in order to perform applied economic research in the public and private sectors as analysts, consultants, researchers, and other occupations.

Degree Details for M.S. in Agricultural and Resource Economics

Ph.D. in Agricultural and Resource Economics

The Ph.D. in Agricultural and Resource Economics is a STEM-OPT certified program that prepares students in microeconomic theory, quantitative methods, and coursework in agricultural and environmental and natural resource economics.

Degree Details for Ph.D. in Agricultural and Resource Economics

Master of Extension Education M.Ext.Ed. – Online

Study to develop impactful programs and deliver educational resources as a community educator.

Degree Details for Master of Extension Education M.Ext.Ed. – Online

Master’s of Agriculture in Agricultural Education Teacher Development M.Ag. – On Campus

Explore and develop projects which directly impact effective educational practices, including relevance, hands-on training, high levels of student cognition, and student confidence.

Degree Details for Master’s of Agriculture in Agricultural Education Teacher Development M.Ag. – On Campus

Certificate

Teaching in Extension Certificate – Online

Explore the ages and stages of learning, covering the full lifespan, youth through adult, to deliver effective instruction in a variety of settings across multiple age groups.

Degree Details for Teaching in Extension Certificate – Online

Contact the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics

Nutrien Agricultural Sciences Building 267
301 University Avenue
Campus Delivery 1172
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1172
(970) 491-6325
cas_dare@colostate.edu