UF IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department

Food safety shapes our everyday lives in ways we might not often think consciously about. That is, until something goes wrong. For her honors undergraduate thesis project, UF Food and Resource Economics (FRE) alumni Morgan Smith combined her interests in policy, market research and food safety to figure out the impact that recall events can have on a Food Business, from shifts in consumer perception reflected in Google Trends data to measurable financial impacts.

Join us in the latest episode of the FRE Lunch podcast for a conversation with Morgan and her advisor, FRE Professor Dr. Suzanne Thornsbury, about the projects findings, as well as both the challenges and rewards of participating in research as an undergraduate student.

Listen now on our podcast website or your favorite podcast platforms: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2375738/episodes/19202339

“You will be my student for a short time and my colleague forever.”

These wise words from her MS Thesis advisor at Cornell University have stuck with FRE Professor Jaclyn Kropp throughout her entire academic journey. Today, they shape her own approach with the students she teaches and oversees in their research.

Recently, Dr. Kropp was recognized by the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences with the 2025-2026 Outstanding Graduate Advising/Mentor of the Year Award.

We hope you’ll join us in congratulating her on this well-deserved recognition of all she does for our students!

For more info, check out our spotlight blog below:

https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/fredept/2026/05/28/fre-graduate-faculty-member-jaclyn-krop-receives-advising-mentoring-award/

Congratulations to all of the FRE faculty and students who were recognized for their hard work, leadership and accomplishments at this year’s CALS Awards!

Keep an eye on our pages for select highlights of some of our individual award winners over the next few weeks!

From sharing the latest applied economics research to highlighting legislative and industry perspectives, our annual Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference covered a wide range of hot topics impacting Florida agriculture.

Thanks to the UF IFAS Mid-Florida Research & Education Center for hosting us, all of our presenters for sharing their expertise, and everyone who attended to participate in the conversation about how policy can be used to move Florida agriculture forward! 🌾

Congratulations to Dr. Yujuan Gao, the newest graduate of our Ph.D. in Food and Resource Economics program at the University of Florida!

Gao, who was advised by UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics associate professor Dr. Conner Mullally specialized in the areas of development economics, health economics, and the economics of education.

Following graduation, she will be starting a Postdoctoral Associate at the Kohl Centre at Virginia Tech, expanding her research into using AI to study how information shapes decision-making and development outcomes.

Please join us in wishing her well in this exciting new step!

More information about Dr. Gao and her experiences within the Ph.D. in Food and Resource Economics program at UF are available in our latest blog: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/fredept/2026/05/07/uf-phd-in-food-and-resource-economics-graduate-spotlight-yujuan-gao/

It’s and so we want to give a HUGE thank you to all of our amazing FRE faculty members. Whether in the classroom or through one on one research mentorship, their hard work and dedication to student success is what makes our department so special.

Has an FRE faculty member made a difference in your college career? Let them know in the comments below!

Last month, we had the opportunity to celebrate 100 Years of Food & Resource Economics as part of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences during our anniversary gala, accompanied by many of the alumni and friends who made it possible.

Going all the way back to the 1970s, every single generation of FRE alumni, staff and current students were there to join in the occasion. Not only that, but through their generous support of the FRE 100 Fund, they have helped us pave the way toward a bright future for the next generation of FRE ahead.

Thanks to all for making it a night to remember, and be sure to sign up for our alumni network at the link in bio for updates on future events planned for next Fall!

Sign Up for the FRE Department Email List Serv to Stay Up to Date on Our Future Events Planned for Next Fall: https://mailchi.mp/bd2d68cfc78d/vs6b3xxl7k

🌍 Earth Day reminds us that protecting the environment begins on the land we steward.

In the latest FRE Lunch episode, hosts chat with Kimberly Miranda‑Ramos and Dr. Nathan Palardy about how agricultural conservation easements protect our state's agricultural heritage while steering thoughtful growth and development. Tune in to hear the costs and benefits, and see how programs like the Rural and Family Lands Protection program can protect Florida’s farms while shaping a sustainable future.

This episode of FRE Lunch is available for streaming now on your favorite podcast platforms and at the link below!

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2375738/episodes/19033975-crops-over-concrete-how-agricultural-conservation-easements-keep-florida-green

Starting with its title, Dr. Xumin Zhang’s Quest 2 class, "How Do We End Poverty?", puts a single challenge out on the table that invites students to envision a myriad of possible solutions.

By aligning their final Youth Ending Poverty (YEP) project with the United Nations Sustainable Development goals, students end the semester equipped with a holistic understanding of poverty issues and empowered to make tangible, meaningful change—whether they’re tackling a local issue or contributing to worldwide goals.

For this class, Dr. Zhang has just earned the Outstanding Teaching of a Course award at this year’s SAEA meeting, and we’re thrilled to share what it’s like in the classroom.

Catch all the details in our newest blog: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/fredept/2026/04/20/xumin-zhang-receives-2026-outstanding-teaching-of-a-course-award/