Purdue Agricultural Economics Podcast

38 years of Impact at Purdue University: Dr. Jay Akridge (PAEP 107)

In this episode, Dr. Ken Foster and Shay Doerstler sit down with Dr. Jay Akridge, a Purdue alumnus whose impact on the university spans nearly four decades. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Akridge shares insights from his 38-year journey at Purdue, discussing his experiences shaping students, faculty, and academic programs and the lessons he’s learned along the way. He also reflects on the prestigious awards he’s received, including his most recent, the Certificate of Distinction from the Purdue Agricultural Alumni Association and the 2024 Frederick L. Hovde Award of Excellence in Educational Service to Rural People of Indiana from the Purdue College of Agriculture.

 

Tune in for an inspiring discussion on leadership, education, and Dr. Akridge's legacy of excellence! 

 

Dr. Akridge also runs a blog with Purdue Distinguished Professor of Economics Dr. David Hummels, titled "Finding Equilibrium: Two Economists on Higher Ed's Future." Read and subscribe to their blog: https://substack.com/@jayakridge

Shaping Global Trade: The Past, Present, and Future of GTAP (PAEP 106)

Join Dr. Valerie Kilders and Shay Doerstler for an insightful discussion about the Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP). This episode features Dr. Channing Arndt, the new Director of GTAP, Dr. Dominique van der Mensbrugghe, who led the organization for a decade, and Dr. Erwin Corong, Associate Director. They share their journeys with GTAP, the organization’s global influence, and its role in shaping international policy through quantitative analysis.

 

GTAP is a global network of researchers and policymakers dedicated to enhancing the quality of economic analysis within an economy-wide framework. Tune in to explore the profound impact this local office has had over the past 40 years—and what the future holds for GTAP!

 

To learn more about GTAP, visit their website at: https://www.gtap.agecon.purdue.edu/about/project.asp

Kick off the New Year with excitement for Ag Week! (PAEP 105)

Join Marie and Shay to kick off 2025 with the first podcast of the semester! This episode features special guests from the Purdue Ag Week Task Force—Olivia Reynolds, Marnie Schwartzkopf, Jaydon Kauffman, and Kyra Meister—who share their personal experiences serving on the task force and discuss the incredible impact Ag Week has on the Purdue student body and beyond. If you love agriculture, you will love to hear more about the history of Ag Week and how you can be involved.

Behind the Scenes of Academic Advising with LeeAnn Williams and Andy Oppy (PAEP 104)

Join us for a heartfelt and informative episode as Marie and Shay learn more about two of the department's academic advisors (and conveniently, Marie and Shay’s academic advisors): Mrs. LeeAnn Williams and Mr. Andy Oppy! LeeAnn and Andy share what it is like to be the best academic advisors and what all academic advisors do outside of what students see during their advising appointments. LeeAnn and Andy share wonderful advice and insights on how current students and alumni should navigate through their careers.

Exploring Research Paths with Agricultural Economic Undergrads (PAEP 103)

Dr. Valerie Kilders and Shay Doerstler sit down with three seniors involved in undergraduate agricultural economics research. Sara Hasselbring, Olivia Reynolds and Jackson Lusk share a bit about each of their unique journeys, the projects they are currently working on and the challenges they've faced along the way. Whether you're considering undergraduate research or just curious about what this process looks like, this conversation offers valuable insight and advice. Tune in to learn more about Sara, Olivia, and Jackson's research in agricultural economics!

Rethinking Food Waste and Understanding Consumer Choice with Dr. Brenna Ellison (PAEP 102)

Happy (early) Thanksgiving! Please join Dr. Foster and Marie Mechley as they discuss food conservation with Dr. Brenna Ellison, a professor in Purdue’s Department of Agricultural Economics. Dr. Ellison is leading Purdue’s newest center, the Center for Food Conservation and Waste Reduction. Tune in to hear more about how you can help waste less food during this holiday season!

Combining Higher Education and Serving Your Country: First Lieutenant Austin Berenda’s Story and Success (PAEP 101)

Dr. Valerie Kilders and Marie Mechley sit down with Purdue graduate student and First Lieutenant Austin Berenda, Platoon Leader in the Indiana National Guard, to discuss his journey and experiences. Tune in to hear about how Lieutenant Berenda has juggled being both a student and a Platoon Leader, his advice for both students and service members and how he got to where he is today.

Learning about the Impact the Farm Bill has on Local Communities Part 3 (PAEP 100)

For the third and final episode in the Farm Bill series, our two student co-hosts, Marie Mechley and Shay Doerstler, interviewed two people who are affected by the Farm Bill in their daily operations. The first interview welcomes guest Kier Crites Muller, the CEO of Lafayette Food Finders Food Bank, to talk about the nutrition portion of the Farm Bill and the impact that it has on Food Finders and the communities they serve. The second interview welcomes guest Ty Brown, a local farmer and entrepreneur from Rossville, Indiana, to talk about crop subsidies, conservation, and the future of creating demand for farmers’ products through the Farm Bill.