Purdue Agricultural Economics

“If you want to know what people need, you have to ask them.” — Nicole Widmar, Department Head and Professor of Agricultural Economics

Listening has always been at the heart of Purdue Agriculture’s land-grant mission. In this feature, Widmar shares why understanding the needs of rural communities is essential to building a strong, resilient agricultural system.

We’re proud to see Purdue Ag Econ represented in this story, highlighting the department’s role in listening to stakeholders, generating research-based insights and delivering outreach that strengthens agriculture and rural communities.

🌟 Alicia Sottong (Agribusiness; Tipton, IN) is starting off our summer internship series! She is spending her summer as a sales intern with Reynolds Farm Equipment in Atlanta, IN! 🚂

“This summer at Reynolds, I have enjoyed connecting with customers and helping them find the right John Deere equipment to improve their daily operations. I’ve truly valued the opportunity to learn this industry firsthand and look forward to continuing my growth in equipment sales.”

Leadership happens everywhere at Purdue—including Greek life.

AGEC students have taken on the challenge of leading their fraternity and sorority chapters, gaining valuable experience in communication, teamwork, accountability and service. Their stories show how involvement outside the classroom can help students grow as leaders while building lifelong friendships and a strong sense of community.

💛🖤 Read more about their Purdue experiences and leadership journeys.

🔗 https://ag.purdue.edu/department/agecon/undergraduate-program/success-2025-26/greek-life-leadership-on-campus.html

From Data to Decisions: AI’s Growing Role in Agriculture Artificial Intelligence is rapidly becoming part of the agricultural landscape, and experts say its impact on farming will only grow in the decades ahead. From analyzing crop conditions and predicting yields to helping farmers make management decisions,

New analysis by Ken Foster and Bernhard Dalheimer explains the divergence between “quiet” retail food prices and record-breaking surges in upstream energy and packaging costs.

While May retail food prices remained stable, the latest Producer Price Index shows unprecedented cost loading, with final demand goods posting their largest monthly increase since 2009. The authors identify a 3- to 6-month transmission lag, suggesting that significant retail price pressure is building for the June-August window.

🔗 https://ag.purdue.edu/commercialag/home/paer-article/the-may-2026-cpi-and-ppi-reports-the-food-price-pipeline-is-loading-at-record-rates/

KCUR 89.3 Marketplace Business News Farm Policy Brownfield Ag News Hoosier Ag Today

The May 2026 CPI and PPI Reports: The Food Price Pipeline Is Loading at Record Rates - Center for Commercial Agriculture The May 2026 CPI and PPI data, read together, tell a coherent and analytically arresting story: quiet at the shelf, loading at record rates upstream.

Purdue Study: Brazil’s Corn Cost Advantage Is Growing—And US Farmers Are Feeling the Pressure  As global corn markets become increasingly competitive, new research from Purdue University suggests that American corn farmers face a growing challenge from Brazil, where a unique production system is helping producers maintain a cost advantage despite

Study Highlights Trade’s Role in Food Affordability As grocery costs continue to strain household budgets, researchers found that tariff reductions under North American trade agreements have generated significant savings for consumers. A new study from Purdue University suggests free trade with Canada and Mexico

Leadership starts with getting involved, and that’s exactly what ag econ students do to enhance both the Purdue and national Manrrs organizations, building connections and creating opportunities for students in agriculture nationwide.

🔗 https://ag.purdue.edu/department/agecon/undergraduate-program/success-2025-26/success-in-manrrs-leadership.html

Purdue Survey Reveals Record Cost Concerns Among Farmers—And the Outlook Is Getting Worse  Farmers across the United States are growing increasingly concerned about the economic outlook for agriculture as escalating production costs, geopolitical uncertainty and tightening profit margins continue to pressure farm operations. The latest Purdue University/CME Group Ag