UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department

Happy #WorldWaterDay! ???? Today, we draw attention to this vital natural resource. And what better way to celebrate than by launching the second season of our department podcast - this time in partnership with the UF Water Institute! You can listen now to the first episode of the season with UF Water Institute Director Dr. Matt Cohen, who joined us to set the stage for this partnered season all about the interdisciplinary research dedicated to understanding and addressing Florida’s fresh water challenges. ?? Stream now on your favorite podcasting platforms to join the conversation: https://lnkd.in/ey2T5v2Z

?? Mark your calendars! The Annual Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference is coming back on Thursday, May 8th! Join us in Citra, Florida, at the UF/IFAS Plant Science Research and Education Unit as we delve into critical policy issues facing Florida agribusiness leaders and explore valuable economic insights to inform business and policy decisions. Registration Options: ?? Attend online via Zoom for just $40 ?? Attend in person (includes lunch!) for $60 Registration closes on May 1st, but sign up today to secure your spot at go.ufl.edu/FlAgPolicy2025

Are you a people person with a passion for education and career development? Join our team as an Advisor I/II and make a real impact on the lives of our undergraduate students in the Food and Resource Economics Department! In this role, you'll play a key role at every step of the college journey: participating in recruitment efforts, providing support and guidance during their time here, and coordinating internships and professional development opportunities that set students up for success once they complete their degrees and begin their careers. If this sounds like a dream role for you, apply now! https://lnkd.in/eQCEgQ5a Applications close April 14th.

?? Does St. Patrick’s Day have you dreaming of Dublin? ?? Contemplating the Cliffs of Moher? ?? For current undergraduate students, the UF in Ireland study abroad program offers a chance to make those dreams a reality! Students in the program spend 6 weeks exploring all the Emerald Isle has to offer while earning 6 college credits AND international work experience through an internship! But don’t take our word for it - hear from food and resource economics student Kimberly Miranda-Ramos about her unforgettable experience in the program last summer!

We are pleased to announce the release of our latest newsletter, featuring updates on faculty, alumni, and student accomplishments from November - February! To view the full newsletter and catch up on all that's happened, please click the link below. https://lnkd.in/efne6GuR And be sure to follow us here for the latest department updates as they happen!

It’s time to Stand Up & Holler! ??????? Today on Gator Giving Day, we’re celebrating the incredible impact our Gator alumni and friends make! From funding student travel to competitions, supporting internships, and providing access to life-changing professional development, your contributions help create opportunities that wouldn’t be possible without donors like you. ?? Want to see the impact in action? Check out our latest newsletter to see what our department has been up to! Newsletter Link: https://lnkd.in/efne6GuR Want to join in and give today? Consider donating to one the FRE funds that matters most to you on our website: https://lnkd.in/eB-CqxRc You can also visit givingday.ufl.edu to explore all the funds across UF and find the cause that resonates most with you!

We love seeing our students turn their classroom knowledge into real-world solutions! ???? Last November, a team of four Ph.D. students from the UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department put their expertise to the test on the global stage—competing in the 2024 International Food and Agribusiness Management Association (IFAMA) Global Venture Building Competition. Congratulations to the incredible team of Chenxi Hu, Faith Aiya, Kelvin Amon and Meri Hambaryan for showcasing the power of applied agricultural economics for generating innovative solutions with your second-place finish! And thanks to their advisors, Drs. Xumin Zhang and Lijun (Angelia) Chen for guiding and supporting them through the process! You can learn more about their experience with the competition in our latest article below.

Could "Healthy" labels?actually reduce consumer demand? A new University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences research study led by FRE doctoral candidate Jianhui (Jeffrey) Liu suggests that well-intended labeling may have unintended consequences. His study found that consumers were less willing to pay for?Greek yogurt labeled as “healthy”—an effect that was only reversed when they were presented with information about what the label meant and how it was backed by the FDA. As the FDA is considering new Front-of-Package labeling options, these findings raise important questions about consumer trust, policy design, and food marketing strategies. ???Read more here: https://lnkd.in/djAgchv5

Through our online Master of Agribusiness program, students like Jacob Dorland are advancing their careers and professional development! Jacob joined the MAB program to enhance his skills and further excel in his role after joining the College of Central Florida as the campus manager for the Vintage Farm Campus. The Vintage Farm Campus offers experiential, hands-on agricultural education, and in his role, Jacob is helping to shape the next generation of agricultural leaders. With the customizable capstone project, he was able to tailor his degree path to his interests by designing the curriculum for a potential introductory class on precision agriculture. Learn more in our latest Alumni Spotlight!

Congratulations to Dr. Kimberly L. Morgan on this well-deserved recognition of her years of dedicated service to the Food Distribution Research Society through leadership on the board! As an associate professor of Food and Resource Economics at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, Dr. Morgan's contributions to our department as a mentor and colleague are truly invaluable. We’re proud to see her commitment and leadership?within the FDRS recognized with this prestigious award. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Morgan on this outstanding achievement! ??