USDA Economist Group awards

USDA Economist Group Members,

I am pleased to announce the recipients of our annual USDA Economist Group awards and I invite you all to join me at the presentation on Thursday, April 24th at 3 pm in Whitten Building Room 107A.  Details on the meeting are in the attached outlook item and at the end of this email.  The meeting will be in a hybrid format and can be attended virtually.  Light refreshments will follow.   

There is no restriction that attendees be USDA employees to attend the meeting virtually or in-person.  However, non-employees need to arrange access to the building beforehand.  Please contact me if that is an issue.   I hope you all can make it and hear of the outstanding work done by USDA economists. 

Peyton Ferrier

USDA Economist Group President

Award Recipients

1. The Economist of the Year

An individual award that honors exceptional recent work in policy analysis, education, or public outreach, shaping the USDA's mission through sound science and effective communication.

Gustavo Ferriera, Farm Production and Conservation Business Center

For outstanding work representing the USDA to national security agencies on matters of agricultural policy, strategic competition, and food security and for continued excellence supporting core USDA programs on agricultural disaster relief.

2. Fred Woods Award for Excellence in Public Policy Research and Education

For a lifetime of excellence in public policy research and education, this award recognizes sustained contributions that have shaped USDA's course over the years.

Patricia Champ, U.S. Forest Service

For outstanding, continued leadership in the research and application of nonmarket valuation and behavioral economics, sustained improvements in community wildfire adaptation throughout the western U.S. by building an innovative researcher-practitioner partnership, and enduring excellence in the publication of collected works on nonmarket valuation techniques for the broader economics research community.

3. Bruce Gardner Visiting Economist Award

This award celebrates academic and industry economists who have generously shared their expertise with the USDA, enriching programs and policies through their visiting roles.

Kent Messer, University of Delaware

For outstanding leadership in partnering with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to apply behavioral science to agriculture, food, and environmental policymaking.

4. John E. Lee Award for Sustained Excellence in Group Economic Analysis

Teamwork is the backbone of success at the USDA. This award recognizes outstanding collaborative economic analysis that has provided a strong foundation for effective programs and policies.

Northeast Climate Hub Economics of Soil Health Team

Michel Cavigelli (ARS), Kate White (ARS), Lynn Knight (NRCS), Curt Dell (ARS), David Hollinger (USFS), Erin Lane (USFS)

For outstanding cross-agency collaboration to develop and disseminate strategies for strengthening crops against extreme weather, improving soil management practices, and increasing the cost effectiveness of water management methods.

Details on the USDA Economists Awards Presentation Meeting

The USDA Economists Group Annual Awards Ceremony is a hybrid meeting. The meeting is at the USDA Headquarters Complex - Whitten Building - Floor 01 Room 107A on Thursday, April 24th at 3 pm Eastern.  Attendees can join online at the Teams link below.   

Peyton Ferrier

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Meeting ID: 259 700 939 649 

Passcode: 5ae3dY7U