AFRE Celeberates 75 years of academic and societal impact in agricultural, food and resource economics
Print
EmailOn September 12-14, AFRE hosted alumni, supporters, students, faculty, and staff to celebrate 75 years of service to Michigan and across the globe.
The Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics (AFRE) at Michigan State University (MSU) has had a rich history of success in domestic and international development. On September 12-14, AFRE hosted alumni, supporters, students, faculty, and staff to celebrate 75 years of service to Michigan and across the globe.
Throughout the course of the event, keynote speakers and panelists discussed the past history of the department, current success and challenges, and the needs of the future for AFRE to remain relevant in agricultural, food and resource economics for years to come.
The three-day event consisted of an online Thursday program, an in-person Friday event, and the culminating tailgate on Saturday ahead of the MSU football game. On Thursday, September 12, the department recognized 50 years of the Food Security Group within AFRE and its impact around the globe, specifically in Asia, Africa and Latin America. The event on the Friday, held in the Henry Center, had several panels that focused on environmental resource economics, student programming, and agricultural economics.
The overall celebration had more than 150 attendees. As the event has concluded and AFRE moves forward, the department was challenged to remain innovative in its approach to international development, student learning and domestic service.
Thank you to all those who attended and a special thanks for the following individuals:
AFRE’s 75th Celebration Planning Committee:
- Scott Swinton
- Sarah Klammer
- Eric Crawford
- Bill Knudson
- Melissa McKendree
- Levy Randolph
AFRE 75th Panelist and Speakers:
- Scott Swinton, University Distinguished Professor, Michigan State University
- Steve Harsh, Professor Emeritus, Michigan State University
- Alan Ker, Elton R. Smith Professor, Michigan State University
- Carrie Vollmer-Sanders, President, Field to Market
- Frank Lupi, Professor, Michigan State University
- Ben Gramig, Research Economist, USDA Economic Research Service
- Leah Palm-Forster, Associate Professor & Director of Center of Behavioral & Experiemental Agri-Environmental Research, University of Delaware
- Laura Cheney, Associate Professor Emerita, Michigan State University
- Nicole Mason-Wardell, Associate Professor & Associate Chairperson, Michigan State University
- Lisa Woodke, Sustainability Director, Star of the West Milling Co.
- Tremaine Phillips, President, Third Coast Strategies, LLC & Commissioner Emeritus, Michigan Public Service Commission
- Glynn Tonsor, Professor, Kansas State University
- Quentin Tyler, Director, Michigan State University Extension
- Matthew Daum, Interim Dean, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
- Thomas Jeitschko, Interim Provost, Michigan State University
- George Smith, Director, Michigan State University Agbioresearch
To learn a little more about the history of AFRE, take a look at the brief video below.
