Agricultural Economics and Interdisciplinary Work

Abstract

Before getting to the main substance of this paper, I’d like to express my gratitude to the Southern Agricultural Economics Association for the honor of receiving the Lifetime Achievement award. Throughout my career, I’ve enjoyed the support of the Association and would encourage all folks beginning their careers to stay connected to our professional organizations. In addition to outlets for research, the professional associations provide opportunities for informal information exchange, service, and networking. I’d also like to thank colleagues both within the agricultural economics profession and outside it and my students past and present for making my career rewarding. I’d especially like to thank Dr. James Richardson, my one-time dissertation advisor and long-time mentor and friend, for giving me the foundation to conduct and publish applied research. Additionally, I would like to thank Dr. Ron Kay, from whom I learned a great deal about teaching during that long-ago year I spent as his teaching assistant. Teaching has proven to be one of the most rewarding and also one of the most challenging aspects of my career, and I was immensely thankful to have come to my job at Auburn having benefited from my association with a master teacher.