UGA Ag & Applied Econ

The 𝟮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 in the UGA Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics challenged graduate students to present their research in just three minutes using a single slide. It is a simple format, but not an easy one.

This year’s competition highlighted the strength and relevance of our graduate research. Students tackled complex questions across agriculture, policy, and environmental systems, and translated them into clear, engaging presentations for a broad audience.

The ability to communicate research beyond academic settings is critical. Our students demonstrated not only strong analytical work, but also the ability to connect that work to real-world decisions.

Congratulations to all of our participants, and especially to this year’s award winners:

𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
1st Place: Susmitha kalli
2nd Place: Kealey Collison

𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
1st Place: Katie Harper
2nd Place: Shiksh*t Parajuli

We also recognize the strong presentations from our additional participants: Aadesh Subedi, Kuhelika Ghosh, Ryan D'Aurelio, Saurabh Sharma, and Xinyu Zeng.

Thank you to our judges - Aaron Hrozencik, Ellen McCullough, and Lusi Xie - and to our faculty for supporting this event and continuing to build a strong culture of graduate research and communication.

Agricultural economics is about more than markets. It is about understanding how people make decisions and how those decisions shape livelihoods around the world.

A new feature from the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences highlights the work of 𝗘𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻 𝗠𝗰𝗖𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 and how applied economics can be used to address global challenges in agriculture and development.

McCullough’s research spans food systems transformation, agricultural productivity, and household decision-making in low income countries. From collaborating with the Ethiopian government on soil and profitability models to developing innovative methods for measuring how women allocate their time, she brings new insight into labor, productivity, and economic opportunity.

𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲, 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹-𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮. Her research shows that traditional survey methods can misrepresent how households allocate time, particularly for unpaid labor. Improved measurement leads to better policy design and more effective development programs.

The feature, written by Maria Lameiras with photography by Katie Walker, does an excellent job highlighting both the innovation in McCullough's research and its real-world implications.

Read more on the 𝗖𝗔𝗘𝗦 𝗙𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁:

UGA researcher studies the intersection of agriculture, data and human behavior | CAES Field Report From studying food systems at Stanford to advising the United Nations, Ellen McCullough uses data-driven research to understand how agricultural policy, labor and household decision-making affect livelihoods worldwide, especially for women in developing countries.

Congratulations, Yangxuan, on this well-deserved recognition!

🌟 Congratulations are in order for Associate Professor and UGA Extension economist Yangxuan Liu!

Associate Professor Liu has been honored with the 2025 AAEA Distinguished Extension/Outreach Program Award for professionals with less than 10 years of experience from Agricultural & Applied Economics Association (AAEA) for professional excellence in Extension and outreach.

➡️ Read more here: https://ugacaes.org/4hqDlJq
--
UGA Ag & Applied Econ

This summer, 𝗝𝗼𝘀𝗵𝘂𝗮 𝗘𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗲𝗹, a graduate student in our 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰𝘀, gained invaluable hands-on experience as an Agricultural & Natural Resources intern with UGA Extension in Dougherty County.

Working alongside County ANR Agent 𝗩𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗸 𝗕𝗶𝘀𝘁 (𝗠𝗔𝗕, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯), Joshua contributed to applied agricultural research and delivered timely Extension programs to local growers, gardeners, and youth. His work spanned laying out pecan fungicide and cotton varietal trials, assisting with drone and precision agriculture workshops, calibrating sprayers with farmers, and engaging in 4-H and Master Gardener programs.

We are proud of Joshua’s initiative and professionalism throughout his internship. Experiences like this embody UGA Extension’s philosophy of “learning by doing” and prepare the next generation of agricultural leaders.

Read more about Joshua’s summer internship here:

Joshua’s Summer Internship Reflection | Dougherty County Extension Services My summer internship with the UGA Extension has been a very exciting experience for me that combined applied agricultural research with dissemination of the timely crop and garden management recommendations to the local growers and gardeners. As a Agricultural & Natural Resources (ANR) summer intern...

In south Georgia, agriculture is more than an industry. It is a way of life passed down through generations. The UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at UGA-Tifton has long supported that legacy by offering students from rural communities a top-tier education close to home.

Few families embody this better than the Hancocks. 𝗚𝘂𝘆 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗰𝗸, now an agricultural data scientist and Extension specialist in the 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰𝘀, first came to UGA through the Young Scholars Internship Program. His path was shaped by mentors at UGA-Tifton and by experiences in federal agricultural policy as a Congressional Agricultural Fellow.

His brother Ben Hancock also began as a Young Scholar, mentored by 𝗗𝗿. 𝗘𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗴 𝗙𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗮𝗵, professor of agricultural and applied economics. That mentorship set him on a journey that ultimately led to law school and his current career as an attorney in Tifton.

The Hancock brothers’ stories reflect how UGA-Tifton opens doors to diverse opportunities, from agricultural research and Extension to law and agribusiness, while keeping students rooted in the communities they serve.

Read the full story here:

Staying local, going far: How CAES builds agricultural careers in rural Georgia | CAES Field Report At UGA-Tifton, students build agricultural careers in rural Georgia

Cut flowers are no longer reserved for special occasions. They are now part of everyday life, from the grocery aisle to the gas station. New research from the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, led by agricultural economist 𝗕𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗹 and horticulturist 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝗶𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗹, explores how and why Americans buy flowers.

A nationally representative study of 8,500 consumers identified 𝟭𝟯 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗴𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀, ranging from Valentine’s Day traditionalists to everyday self-purchasers. Beyond spending habits, the research shows that flowers offer clear emotional benefits, boosting mood, reducing stress, and improving morale.

The story, written by 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗟𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗶𝗿𝗮𝘀 with photography by 𝗦𝘂𝗲 𝗠𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗦𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗵, provides valuable insights for growers, retailers, and marketers on how to connect with customers and expand opportunities in the U.S. floral industry.

Read more on the 𝗖𝗔𝗘𝗦 𝗙𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁:

Petal pushers: UGA researchers give insight into the minds (and carts) of American flower buyers | CAES Field Report University of Georgia researchers found that Americans are buying flowers more often in everyday places like grocery and convenience stores, with distinct consumer groups and emotional benefits shaping a growing market for both imported roses and locally grown seasonal blooms.