Virginia Tech Agricultural & Applied Economics

10/27/2026

Meet Cody Gasque, a 2026 graduate of AAEC's Online Certificate in Applied Economic Analytics program. As Head of Appraisal Data Analytics at AgSouth Farm Credit. Cody applies skills in modeling, forecasting, and data analysis to improve business processes and solve real-world challenges. Read how the program has supported his professional growth while balancing career and family responsibilities.

🔗 Read the full story: https://aaec.vt.edu/news/articles/gasque.html
🔗 Learn about all our graduate programs: https://aaec.vt.edu/academics/graduate.html

10/19/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Alex Balt ’28, whose name was drawn at the AAEC table during the Homecoming Tailgate! We loved connecting with everyone and sharing the excitement around our Centennial celebration. Thank you to everyone who stopped by! Stay tuned for more details about the celebration coming soon!

10/16/2026

The Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Agricultural Markets, Trade, and Rural Development Policy.

This 9-month, academic-year appointment offers an opportunity to contribute to impactful research and Extension programming, with responsibilities split between 50% research and 50% Extension.

We welcome applicants passionate about advancing agricultural markets, trade, and rural development policy through research, outreach, and engagement with the communities we serve.

🔗 Learn more about the position and apply:
https://jobs.apply.vt.edu/jobs/assistant-professor-agricultural-markets-trade-and-rural-development-policy-blacksburg-virginia-united-states

Please share with your networks and help us spread the word!

Job Description The Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics (AAEC) in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) invites applications for a tenure-track position in agricultural markets, trade, and rural development policy. This is a 9-month, academic-year appointment, with expecta...

10/14/2026

Stop by and see us this Saturday (October 17th) on the Drillfield for the Homecoming Tailgate, four hours before kickoff! 🔗Register and details: https://alumni.vt.edu/events/2026/10/homecoming-tailgate.html

Make plans to tailgate with us before the Hokies take on Georgia Tech. Enjoy lawn games, music, family-friendly activities, inflatables, and more. Register in advance for $15 or on the day for $20; registration includes food, adult drink tickets, and a gift supporting student scholarships.

Be sure to stop by the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences' tent and the AAEC table to:

• Learn more about our 2027 Centennial celebration
• Register for a prize
• Meet Karl Rich, department head
• Catch up with professors Olga Massa and Kurt Stephenson
• Chat with our COINS students about how they are the only student-managed commodity fund in the United States, investing real money and live trading.

10/07/2026

AAEC faculty member Kurt Stephenson works with dairy farmers across the state to reduce the impact of Nitrogen in the Chesapeake Bay. The FARM'N (Funding for Agricultural Reductions in Mass balance of Nitrogen) program is a farm-specific, flexible way to measure nutrient loss and implement new practices on dairy farms. The program is a partnership with Virginia Tech and the Virginia State Dairymen's Association designed to work with farmers and find solutions that work for their operations.

If you would like to learn more about how you can be part of the program, email Mary Beth Collette at [email protected] or call 540-231-0749. You may also visit https://www.vsdaonline.com/FARMN/.

10/06/2026

Faculty Spotlight: Meet Shourish Chakravarty, assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, based at the Virginia Tech Southern Piedmont Agricultural Research and Extension Center.

Dr. Chakravarty’s research applies economic tools to better understand agricultural production, technology adoption, conservation practices, and crop profitability.

👉 As part of this work, check out his latest web tool, designed to help Virginia flue-cured to***co farmers evaluate production costs, profitability, and break-even estimates for their operations.

🔗 Explore the tool and learn more about Dr. Chakravarty’s research:

I completed my Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from the Food and Resource Economics Department at the University of Florida. My core research interests lie in applying economic tools to analyze agricultural production, technology adoption, conservation practices, and crop profitability.

10/04/2026

INCOME TAX SCHOOL: 2026 DATES | Nov. 4-5 and Dec. 2 - 3
Virtual seminars are a two-day continuing education program that provides an intensive study of the tax law and regulations governing individuals and small businesses.

The seminars are designed for both CPAs (Certified Public Accountants) and EAs (Enrolled Agents) to receive their annual continuing education credits, but tax professionals who want to learn more for the coming tax season are welcome. Preparation of both federal and state taxes will be covered. Experienced CPAs, EAs, Virginia Tech faculty, and the IRS will examine new tax laws and their implications. We offer continuing and professional education through the IRS, the Virginia Board of Accountancy, and CFP.

LEARN MORE AT https://aaec.vt.edu/extension/Virginiatechincometaxschool.html.

10/01/2026

Stop by and see us on October 17 on the Drillfield for the Homecoming Tailgate, four hours before kickoff! 🔗Register and details: https://alumni.vt.edu/events/2026/10/homecoming-tailgate.html

Make plans to tailgate with us before the Hokies take on Georgia Tech. Enjoy lawn games, music, family-friendly activities, inflatables, and more. Register in advance for $15 or on the day for $20; registration includes food, adult drink tickets, and a gift supporting student scholarships.

Be sure to stop by the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences' tent and the AAEC table to:

• Learn more about our 2027 Centennial celebration
• Register for a prize
• Meet Karl Rich, department head
• Catch up with professors Olga Massa and Kurt Stephenson
• Chat with our COINS students about how they are the only student-managed commodity fund in the United States, investing real money and live trading.

09/24/2026

The Ag & Natural Resources Law Summit has officially concluded — and what a conference it was! Participants enjoyed great conversations, engaging workshops, and informative presentations with attorneys, agricultural and natural resources professionals and service providers, farmers, landowners, and Cooperative Extension agents.

A special thank-you to Jennifer Friedel (Associate Professor of Practice and Director of the VA Land Use-Value Assessment Program) for her tremendous work with the host committee in planning and coordinating such a successful conference!

Patrick Kayser, Virginia Land Use-Value Analyst, and the Ag Law and Land Use-Value Assessment fellows benefited from this experience!

09/22/2026

Join Virginia Tech for the We Impact Virginia Summit on October 27 in Abingdon, Virginia, for a day of connection, inspiration, and practical insights from leaders making a difference across the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The summit brings together people committed to creating positive change in their workplaces and communities, with engaging speakers, interactive sessions, and opportunities to build your network and strengthen your leadership skills.

A BIG CONGRATS TO JENNIFER S. FRIEDEL, AAEC ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF PRACTICE, WHO IS PART OF THE SPEAKER LINEUP.

📅 October 27, 2026
📍 Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center | Abingdon, VA
🔗 Details/register: https://www.outreach.vt.edu/engagement/wiv.html