UGA Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics

What UGA Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics does

The UGA Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics is an academic unit within the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), headquartered in Conner Hall on UGA's Athens campus. Founded in 1928, the department delivers four undergraduate majors — Agribusiness, Agricultural and Applied Economics, Environmental Economics and Management, and Hospitality and Food Industry Management (HFIM) — alongside graduate programs (Ph.D., M.A.B., and M.S.). It also conducts applied research and operates through UGA's Cooperative Extension, reaching all 159 Georgia counties.

The department's research portfolio spans agricultural economics, environmental and resource economics, international development, health economics, and hospitality/tourism management. Notable funded programs include a $5M+ USDA NIFA grant for short-day onion mechanization (with Texas A&M), a $6.7M NOAA NCCOS grant leading 18 coastal resilience projects across 15 institutions, and a $5M Delta Air Lines commitment to HFIM. Faculty produce longitudinal outputs such as Farm Gate Value Reports, Ag Snapshots, and the Beefenomics blog, while undergraduate enrollment stood at 396 students and graduate enrollment at 88 in Fall 2025, supported by 25+ faculty members.

The department operates as a non-commercial public entity. Revenue derives from state appropriations, tuition, federal and state research grants, private donations supporting scholarships (over $28,000 awarded at the 2026 Conner Connects ceremony), and extension service delivery. Students are recruited through UGA admissions, CAES Ambassadors, and industry events; HFIM students benefit from a distinctive on-campus learning lab at the university-owned Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel and from experiential partnerships with Marriott, IHG, Benson's Hospitality Group, and Delta Air Lines. The department does not generate commercial revenue in the conventional sense and operates within the University System of Georgia's regulatory framework.

Name

UGA Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics

Legal name

University of Georgia Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics

Website

https://agecon.uga.edu

Company type

Public

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The UGA Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics delivers undergraduate and graduate programs in agribusiness, agricultural economics, environmental economics, and hospitality management, while conducting applied research and extension services supporting Georgia's agriculture and tourism industries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education in Agricultural and Applied Economics

NAICS

Administration of Economic Programs (926)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAHAHAD

Finance, Accounting & Economics Schools

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Business Schools & Management Institutes

SECONDARYEDAOAOAN

Agribusiness, Farm Management & Compliance

Education/Vocational, Technical & Trade Education/Agriculture, Horticulture & Skilled Trades

Keywords

• Agricultural economics education
• Applied economics research
• Agribusiness degree programs
• Cooperative extension services
• Agricultural policy analysis

Headquarters

HQ city

Athens

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. State Funding: As part of University of Georgia and College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, the department receives state funding through the university system
2. Tuition and Fees: Revenue from undergraduate and graduate student tuition and fees for the four undergraduate majors and graduate programs
3. Research Grants and Contracts: External funding from agencies including USDA NIFA ($5M+ for onion research), NOAA NCCOS ($6.7M for coastal resilience), National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Georgia Sea Grant, and other federal and state sources
4. Private Donations and Scholarships: Alumni donations specifically to the Agricultural Economics Fund supporting student scholarships; over $28,000 in scholarships awarded at 2026 Conner Connects
5. Extension Services: Cooperative Extension Service providing economic analysis and outreach to Georgia agriculture industry

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The UGA Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics provides undergraduate and graduate degree programs in agricultural and applied economics, including majors in Agribusiness, Agricultural and Applied Economics, Environmental Economics and Management, and Hospitality and Food Industry Management, plus graduate programs (Ph.D., M.A.B., M.S.). It also conducts applied economic research and delivers Cooperative Extension outreach to the state of Georgia.

Product overview

The UGA Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics offers a portfolio of undergraduate majors and graduate programs in agricultural economics, environmental economics, agribusiness, and hospitality management. The department's core programs include four undergraduate majors (Agribusiness, Agricultural and Applied Economics, Environmental Economics and Management, and Hospitality and Food Industry Management) plus graduate degree programs (Ph.D., M.A.B., and M.S.). The Hospitality and Food Industry Management program has achieved national recognition, ranking #1 among public universities for four consecutive years.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hospitality and Food Industry Management (HFIM): Nationally ranked program for hospitality and tourism management education
• Agribusiness
• Agricultural and Applied Economics
• Environmental Economics and Management
• Conner Connects
• Eta Sigma Delta
• J.W. Fanning Lecture

Products and services

• Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Applied Economics Undergraduate major covering economic theory, quantitative methods, and applied economics with applications to agricultural, environmental, and food systems. Designed for students pursuing careers in agribusiness, policy analysis, government, finance, or graduate study.
• Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Undergraduate major combining agricultural sciences with business management, marketing, finance, and economics. Targeted at students preparing for management roles in farm supply, commodity marketing, food processing, and agricultural finance.
• Bachelor of Science in Environmental Economics and Management Undergraduate major focused on the economics of natural resources, environmental policy, and sustainability. Aimed at students interested in environmental regulation, conservation, and resource management careers.
• Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Food Industry Management Undergraduate major integrating hospitality management with food industry economics and operations. Designed for students pursuing careers in hotel, restaurant, tourism, and food service management.
• Master of Science in Agricultural and Applied Economics Graduate master's degree program providing advanced training in applied economic analysis and research methods for students preparing for analyst, policy, or doctoral-level work.
• Master of Agribusiness (M.A.B.) Professional master's degree focused on the business and economics of the agricultural and food sectors, aimed at working professionals seeking leadership roles in agribusiness.
• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Agricultural and Applied Economics Research doctorate preparing students for academic, research, and senior policy roles through advanced coursework in economic theory, econometrics, and applied research in agricultural and applied economics.
• UGA Cooperative Extension Programs in Agricultural and Applied Economics Extension outreach and applied research services delivered to Georgia producers, agribusinesses, communities, and policy makers, providing economic analysis, management training, and decision-support tools.

Quantifiable outcome

• HFIM program ranked #1 public university program in nation for hospitality and tourism management (Niche 2026)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026HFIM students visit IHG Design and Innovation Center and InterContinental Hotel Buckhead Atlanta for experiential learning. Students experience behind-the-scenes hospitality operations and hear from industry professionals including Rachel Eck (HFIM alum) and Manuel Deisen (General Manager).
• Marriott InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Marriott International recruiter visits campus to speak with HFIM students about experiences and opportunities through Marriott's university programs. Partnership provides recruitment pathway for graduates.
• Benson's Hospitality GroupminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Four-property hospitality company operating in Athens, Georgia. HFIM students visit company offices and properties for experiential learning, with Vice President David Dukes participating as guest speaker.
• UGA Center for Agribusiness and Economic DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Produces Ag Snapshots annual assessment of county-level economic valuation of food and fiber production in Georgia, informing stakeholders and policymakers about agricultural economic impact.
• Agricultural Economics Association of GeorgiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Professional association collaborating with department on J.W. Fanning Lecture series and supporting agricultural economics education and research in Georgia.
• UGA Institute for Resilient Infrastructure Systems (IRIS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Interdisciplinary research partnership supporting Dr. Susana Ferreira and Dr. Craig Landry's coastal resilience work and environmental economics research.
• The Classic CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAthens convention center providing Paul T. Martin Hospitality Education Fund scholarships for HFIM students.
• Tourism Leadership CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry organization providing scholarships for HFIM students pursuing hospitality careers in Georgia.
• UGA Golf CourseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCampus partnership providing experiential learning opportunities in club management for HFIM students.
• UGA Dining ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCampus dining partnership providing food service management experience for HFIM students.
• State Botanical Garden of GeorgiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCampus partnership providing agritourism and event management learning opportunities for HFIM students.
• Georgia Athletic HospitalityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with UGA Athletics for hospitality and event management experience during athletic events.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• University of Houston Hospitality and Tourism Management Program: Direct peer in hospitality and tourism management education. Competes with UGA's HFIM program for national rankings and industry partnerships, offering a comparable hospitality undergraduate program at a public research university.
• Texas A&M University Department of Agricultural Economics: Direct peer land-grant university agricultural economics department. Offers similar undergraduate and graduate programs, has comparable federal research funding scale, and serves as a primary research collaborator on the USDA NIFA onion production grant with UGA faculty.
• Virginia Tech Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics: Direct peer department with very similar name and structure. Offers comparable undergraduate and graduate programs in agricultural and applied economics at a fellow Southeastern land-grant institution, competing for similar regional student demographics.
• Purdue University Department of Agricultural Economics: Direct peer department at another major land-grant university. Offers comparable agricultural economics, agribusiness, and applied economics programs with similar extension service orientation and federal research grant activity.
• NC State University Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics: Direct peer land-grant department offering agricultural and resource economics programs with similar scope and state-extension orientation, competing for similar student demographics and federal research grants in the Southeast/Atlantic region.
• University of Florida Food and Resource Economics Department: Direct peer department at a peer land-grant university. Operates with similar scope across agricultural economics, agribusiness, and resource economics, serving a major Southeastern agricultural economy with comparable extension integration.
• Michigan State University Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics: Direct peer at a major land-grant university with a closely named department structure. Offers comparable programs in agribusiness, environmental economics, and applied economics with strong extension integration.
• Cornell University Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management: Direct peer in applied economics and management education. Offers overlapping academic programs including agribusiness and applied economics, with additional strength in hospitality through the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business.
• UC Davis Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics: Direct peer at a top research university with strong agricultural economics and resource economics programs. Several UGA faculty have UC Davis doctoral connections (e.g., Dr. Nicholas Magnan, Dr. Mateusz Filipski), and the department has overlapping research areas in agricultural policy and resource economics.
• Iowa State University Department of Economics: Direct peer at a top agricultural state university. Provides comparable economics education including agricultural and applied economics with strong research output and extension services to Iowa's agricultural economy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HfimUga
• Facebookfacebook.com/ugahfim
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/uga-department-of-agricultural-and-applied-economics
• Instagraminstagram.com/ugahfim

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about UGA Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics