NM State University Innovators in Agriculture Camp
June 25 - July 25, 2020
Agriculture Economics
Within NMSU’s Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business Department, there are two broad areas – Agricultural Business focuses on, as the name implies, the business side of agriculture. This includes marketing agricultural products, managing farms and ranches, and related issues like agricultural financing. Economics is the study of choices, and the scarcity issues that force us to make choices. The agricultural economics portion deals with the choices and policies related to agricultural production, natural resources, and rural economic development.
This state has some of the most breathtaking scenery and intriguing multicultural history, attracting visitors from all over the world. Unfortunately, it also has some real need for economic development. Most of our counties are shrinking in size ( (Rupasingha & Patrick, 2010). According to the US Census Bureau, the median income for the 2 million New Mexicans is $26,085 in 2018, compared to a national average of $53,820.
This module will walk through how economic development concepts can be used to increase economic opportunities in rural New Mexico. If you love living here, and want to think about how to improve your community, this module will be interesting. Bring your fresh perspective and learn about how to find and use community data to propose solutions to difficult problems.
What You Will Learn
How and why US Census data is collected.
How to find and use US Census data to identify problems, and to propose solutions, in your community.
How to use computer applications and coding, using tools like Excel and Python, to improve your community.
Some Issues To Think About
Supply Chain from Gate to Plate. How can it be more flexible? How can it better serve local communities?
Land and Water. These natural resources are key to the beef system. They must be conserved and improved upon while still meeting the increased demand locally and globally.
Content
Week 1: Learn what the Census is and how to access some of the data created through the US Census.
Week 2: Learn how to use computer applications to analyze the data you have found. How does the data on your community compare with what you know to be true from living in your county? In teams, begin working on novel solutions to development issues.
Week 3: Meet with NMSU faculty and New Mexico officials to discuss how economic development is implemented.
Week 4: Share what you have learned and propose your economic development concepts.
New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educator. NMSU and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating.