Purdue Agricultural Economics Podcast

Join Dr. Valerie Kilders and Shay Doerstler for an insightful discussion about the Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP). This episode features Dr. Channing Arndt, the new Director of GTAP, Dr. Dominique van der Mensbrugghe, who led the organization for a decade, and Dr. Erwin Corong, Associate Director. They share their journeys with GTAP, the organization’s global influence, and its role in shapi...

Join Marie and Shay to kick off 2025 with the first podcast of the semester! This episode features special guests from the Purdue Ag Week Task Force—Olivia Reynolds, Marnie Schwartzkopf, Jaydon Kauffman, and Kyra Meister—who share their personal experiences serving on the task force and discuss the incredible impact Ag Week has on the Purdue student body and beyond. If you love agriculture, you wi...

Join us for a heartfelt and informative episode as Marie and Shay learn more about two of the department's academic advisors (and conveniently, Marie and Shay’s academic advisors): Mrs. LeeAnn Williams and Mr. Andy Oppy! LeeAnn and Andy share what it is like to be the best academic advisors and what all academic advisors do outside of what students see during their advising appointments. LeeAnn an...

Dr. Valerie Kilders and Shay Doerstler sit down with three seniors involved in undergraduate agricultural economics research. Sara Hasselbring, Olivia Reynolds and Jackson Lusk share a bit about each of their unique journeys, the projects they are currently working on and the challenges they've faced along the way. Whether you're considering undergraduate research or just curious about what this p...

Happy (early) Thanksgiving! Please join Dr. Foster and Marie Mechley as they discuss food conservation with Dr. Brenna Ellison, a professor in Purdue’s Department of Agricultural Economics. Dr. Ellison is leading Purdue’s newest center, the Center for Food Conservation and Waste Reduction. Tune in to hear more about how you can help waste less food during this holiday season!

Dr. Valerie Kilders and Marie Mechley sit down with Purdue graduate student and First Lieutenant Austin Berenda, Platoon Leader in the Indiana National Guard, to discuss his journey and experiences. Tune in to hear about how Lieutenant Berenda has juggled being both a student and a Platoon Leader, his advice for both students and service members and how he got to where he is today.

For the third and final episode in the Farm Bill series, our two student co-hosts, Marie Mechley and Shay Doerstler, interviewed two people who are affected by the Farm Bill in their daily operations. The first interview welcomes guest Kier Crites Muller, the CEO of Lafayette Food Finders Food Bank, to talk about the nutrition portion of the Farm Bill and the impact that it has on Food Finders and...

Join Dr. Foster and Shay Doerstler for the second episode of the 3-part Farm Bill series. We have two very special guests this episode who are joining us from Washington D.C. Dr. Anetra Harbor is a USDA Detailee on the U.S. Minority House Agriculture Committee, Office of Ranking Member David Scott. Our second guest and previous Podcast student co-host, Halee Fisher, Legislative Assistant U.S. Hous...

On this episode, Dr. Valerie Kilders and Marie Mechley sit down for the first episode of a 3 part series on the Farm Bill. They are joined by Dr. Roman Keeney, a Department of Agricultural Economics professor who has been with the department since 2005 as a farm-rural household economics professor. He received his doctorate and initial faculty appointment at Purdue University, and he currently tea...

Join Dr. Foster and Shay Doerstler for a special episode as they introduce the Ag Econ department's newest professor, Dr. Trey Malone, the Boehlje Endowed Chair for Managerial Economics in Agribusiness. Dr. Malone discusses how the intersection of agricultural economics and data science is shaping the future of agriculture businesses. Trey Malone is an agri-food economist specializing in agribusin...

As this school year comes to a close, this year’s student cohosts, Shelby Whitaker and Colby Smock, are interviewed by next year’s student cohosts, Marie Mechley and Shay Doerstler. We learn about some of their most memorable experiences at Purdue and their advice for students.

In this episode, Dr. Ken Foster and Shelby Whitaker welcome Purdue Ag Econ alum and 2024 APEX award winner James Joshua to the podcast! James Joshua currently serves as Vice President of Procurement at Diversified Foods & Seasonings and is a previous Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Ocean Hero award winner. Listen as they dive into conversations surrounding food procurement and sustainability,...

Ken and Shelby  discuss entrepreneurship and the evolving industry of Agricultural Marketing with Purdue Alum Travis Martin. Travis discusses the importance of being a life-long learner, challenges his business has encountered, and more about his professional journey from Purdue graduate to entrepreneur. Travis Martin graduated from Purdue with a BS in Agribusiness Management in 2014. During his t...

Dr. Valerie Kilders and Colby Smock had the wonderful opportunity to sit down with the Holt brothers. Dr. Mattew Holt is a Purdue Ag Econ grad for both his bachelors and master’s study, and a recent recipient of the 2024 Distinguished Agriculture Alumni Awards. He is currently a professor and Department Head of Agricultural and Applied Economics at Virginia Tech. His brother, Dr. Mark Holt receive...

Dr. Valerie Kilders and Colby Smock were accompanied by Kayla Zalesny and Casey Voll to discuss the wonderful opportunity that Purdue's NAMA is. From professional development to fun times, get an insight into all NAMA has to offer.  You can also find Purdue's NAMA team on Instagram @purduenama!

Here in Tippecanoe County, we have been hearing a lot about the LEAP Project and water issues that have arisen as a result of its planning. Ken and Colby had a chance to talk with Dr. Jane Frankenberger who is a Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at Purdue and studies water use and quality issues about the project and related policies and concerns. You can read...

Description: Dr. Valerie Kilders and Shelby Whitaker are joined by Brent Bible, a Purdue Ag Economics Alum and seasoned agricultural policy advocate, to discuss the Farm Bill, Purdue's influence, conservation efforts in policy, and the Growing Climate Solutions Act. In this episode, you'll hear from Brent's personal experiences, roles, and perspectives, and get advice for how to get started in a s...

In this episode, Dr. Valerie Kilders and Shelby Whitaker sit down with AFA Ambassador, Eion Stephens, and Campus Liaison, Elizabeth Byers, to discuss their involvement with the Agriculture Future of America (AFA) organization. They discuss Purdue's attendance at the recent Leaders Conference, involvements in agriculture institutes, and opportunities the organization provides for students. Eion Ste...