A familiar face will be seen re-circulating the hallways, although this time as part of the Department of Agricultural Economics faculty, rather than as a student. Elizabeth Yeager, a department alumna, joined the faculty as an assistant professor in January.
Yeager’s appointment is 60 percent teaching and 40 percent research, two areas she is highly anticipating. She is excited about collaborating with graduate students and faculty on research projects and teaching Farm and Ranch Management.
“I am most looking forward to teaching AGEC 308 Farm and Ranch Management in the fall,” Yeager said. “We have a large population of students from Kansas and many that maintain an active role in their family’s farm or ranch or hope to work in the agricultural industry in the future. This course provides a great foundation for our students in this area. It is also an area I am interested in from a research standpoint as well.”
Yeager’s research goals include working with the Kansas Farm Management Association research data on farm efficiency and risk management, and studying student classroom performance and extra-curricular activity effects on success.
K-State was a clear choice for Yeager and her fiancé, Eric, since both consider K-State home. Yeager received her bachelor’s degree from K-State in agricultural economics with an emphasis in farm management and a minor in animal science. She continued her K-State education, receiving her doctorate in agricultural economics.
The department attracted her because of its strong history in research and quality teaching in farm management, production and finance; all subjects Yeager specialized in for her doctorate and still finds to be valuable in Kansas.
“Now is also an exciting time for the department as we are hiring a number of faculty positions to replace key faculty retirements,” Yeager said. “This really provided me with an opportunity to showcase my teaching and research efforts and make a strong impact right away.”
Prior to K-State, Yeager was an assistant professor at Purdue University for three years, where she taught agribusiness marketing and research method courses. She advised the Purdue National Agri-Marketing Association and was the honors coordinator for Purdue’s Department of Agricultural Economics. Yeager partnered with both the Center for Food and Agricultural Business and the Center for Commercial Agricultural at Purdue University on the large commercial producer survey and a risk management initiative sponsored by the Indiana Soybean Alliance.
Yeager is originally from Cottonwood Falls in Chase County. Much of her family still lives in that area, where her grandparents are active in the livestock industry.
“Eric and I are excited to be back in Manhattan, Kansas, where we first met,” Yeager said of moving back. “I love the pride the community has for the university. It is a wonderful city with a small town feel.”
