Dr. Amanda Deering is an associate professor in Purdue University’s Department of Food Science, specializing in the microbial safety of fresh produce. Her research focuses on how human pathogens interact with fruits and vegetables and how contamination can be reduced through science-based practices. In addition to her laboratory work, she leads Extension efforts that help growers and industry professionals implement effective food-safety strategies. Deering’s work bridges research and practical application to support a safer, more resilient product supply chain.
Dr. Chad Fiechter is a professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Purdue University, whose research focuses on integrating artificial intelligence into production agriculture. A Purdue graduate himself, Dr. Fiechter returned to his family’s farm after completing his undergraduate degree before deciding to pursue his Ph.D. and an academic career. His work combines hands-on agricultural experience with cutting-edge research to explore how emerging technologies can enhance efficiency, sustainability and decision-making in modern farming.
In this episode of the Purdue Agricultural Economics Podcast, we talk with Binayak Kunwar, a Ph.D. student whose award-winning master’s thesis, “Impact of Commercial and Utility-Scale Solar Energy on Farmland Prices,” explores how solar development affects farmland values and land use. Binayak shares his journey to Purdue, what inspired his research and insights on the future of renewable energy and agriculture.
What does it take to build a career that bridges teaching, research and global engagement? Join Dr. Ken Foster and Brady Wiley as they welcome Jerry Shively, Associate Dean and Director of International Programs in Agriculture at Purdue University and a 2025 Fellow of the Agricultural & Applied Economics Association. In this conversation, Dr. Shively reflects on his career as a scholar, teacher and leader in agricultural economics. From his academic journey at Purdue to his global research and professional service, he shares the lessons learned along the way and the insights that have earned him recognition as one of the field’s most distinguished contributors.
Join Dr. Valerie Kilders and Reagan Koester as they welcome Scott Mitchell, a 2025 Distinguished Agriculture Alumni Award recipient from Purdue’s Department of Agricultural Economics. From his roots in Waveland, Indiana, to his leadership experiences across the globe with Sumitomo Chemical, Scott reflects on his career journey in the agriculture sector. Listen in as he shares how his Purdue education shaped his path, the lessons he’s carried forward and the insights he has gained through a career of impact and innovation.
For the last time, Shay Doerstler and Marie Mechley share their final thoughts as co-hosts of the Purdue Agricultural Economics Podcast. Listen as they reflect on some of their most memorable experiences at Purdue that shaped their four years here. They also reveal what’s next for them after graduation. Stay tuned as we welcome next year’s co-hosts, Reagan Koester and Brady Wiley, who are excited to continue sharing the stories and experiences of Purdue Agriculture students!
Join Dr. Ken Foster and Shay Doerstler as they sit down with Chrissie Cartmell Loucks (B.S. Agribusiness Management, ‘07), one of four recipients of the department’s most prestigious honor—the Apex Alumni Award. Now serving as Portfolio Manager for Digital Aftermarket Products at John Deere, Chrissie reflects on nearly 18 years of leadership in the agriculture industry and how her Purdue education continues to shape her path. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on career growth, mentorship and making a meaningful impact—no matter the size of your community.
Please join Dr. Kilders and Marie Mechley as they have the honor to speak with this year’s James C. Snyder Lecturer, Esther L. George. Esther, the former CEO and President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, shares about her career and the impact of agriculture in her journey. Tune in for insights on the cycles of the economy, the impact of inflation and interest rates and advice for those figuring out what they want to do with their career.
Join Dr. Valerie Kilders and Marie Mechley as they welcome Amy Kinsler, a Purdue Agricultural Economics Alum and the Chief Experience Officer at Keystone Cooperative, onto the podcast. Amy provides some great insights as she reflects on her career journey and the 2024 merger of Indiana-based agriculture and energy cooperatives, Ceres Solutions Cooperative, Inc. and Co-Alliance Cooperative, Inc., which came together to form Keystone Cooperative, Inc. Listen in as she discusses the challenges and opportunities that come along with a merger.
Please join Shay and Marie as they speak with Dr. Dave Downey, founder and executive director emeritus of Purdue’s Center for Food and Agricultural Business, and Dr. Scott Downey, the center’s current director and a professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics. Together, they have played key roles in developing and teaching Purdue’s Ag Econ 331 and 431 courses. Learn about how Purdue’s sales program was created, the global impact of the Center, and how the father-son pair has both impacted thousands of Purdue students and industry leaders.
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
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
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
Join Dr. Foster and Shay Doerstler for the second episode of the 3-part Farm Bill series. We have two very special guests this episode who are joining us from Washington D.C. Dr. Anetra Harbor is a USDA Detailee on the U.S. Minority House Agriculture Committee, Office of Ranking Member David Scott. Our second guest and previous Podcast student co-host, Halee Fisher, Legislative Assistant U.S. House Agriculture Committee Office of Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson. In this episode, we discuss the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024, the current status, and regular process of a Farm Bill. Tune in to learn more about their perspectives from working on the Farm Bill and the work put in behind the scenes!
On this episode, Dr. Valerie Kilders and Marie Mechley sit down for the first episode of a 3 part series on the Farm Bill. They are joined by Dr. Roman Keeney, a Department of Agricultural Economics professor who has been with the department since 2005 as a farm-rural household economics professor. He received his doctorate and initial faculty appointment at Purdue University, and he currently teaches a class on Agriculture Policy. Dr. Keeney gives his expert overview on what the Farm Bill is, what it includes, what causes increases in cost, why it has not been passed, and what the future may look like for the Farm Bill. With legislation at the forefront of many topics, this episode gives an insight into information many viewers may not know. Roman Keeney began his appointment with the agricultural economics faculty of Purdue University in August 2005 as assistant professor of farm and rural household economics. Prior to that, Roman was a Ph.D. student in the Purdue AgEcon department. Roman’s research program explores how farm households and rural residents respond to and are impacted by changes to farm and farm-related policies. Roman has worked extensively on the interaction between U.S. domestic farm programs and international trade barriers, focusing in particular on the distribution of gains and losses across the population of U.S. farmers. Recently, Roman has taken on Extension responsibilities for analysis and education of farm payment programs. In addition to research and Extension, Roman teaches the department’s undergraduate math programming course and graduate-level production economics course.