Congratulations Lori Lynch
The Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics is pleased to announce Professor Lori Lynch as the new Department Chair, effective July 1.
Lynch has been with the college for 22 years, where she has served as both a professor and an extension economist. In addition to her time with the college, Lynch works as a senior economist with the Conservation and Environment branch of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economics Research Service. The majority of Lynch’s research has specialized in agricultural and resource policy analysis, having to do with land-use and economic policy.
“I want to formally congratulate Lori as we welcome her as the new department chair,” Dean and Director of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Craig Beyrouty wrote in an email announcement. “I look forward to her valued leadership and insight as we move forward as a college.”
As an expert in her field, Lynch has authored many book chapters and academic papers, spoke at conferences and served on various advisory committees and esteemed panels. Lynch’s most recent research, which concluded last month, was located in Cali, Colombia, where she conducted an economic experiment that assessed farmers’ attitudes toward risk for 10 months, granted through a Fulbright Scholarship.
While in Colombia, Lynch worked with the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), which is the center of CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change Agricultural and Food Security (CCAFS). Lynch studied within climate-smart villages to try and assess the right practices needed to adapt for progression in the fields. Part of Lynch’s research also included the study of adopting Brookaria forages as an alternative grass that would enable farmers to use less area, embrace other conservation practices and even slow down the deforestation rate. Now back in the United States, Lynch is looking at whether the improved forages really do increase productivity or if there are other factors at play.
Lynch is looking forward to her role as Department Chair and hopes to continue to inspire research at both the junior and senior levels. She also wants to work with the Department to increase interest in the undergraduate sector of the program, while continuing to improve the graduate program.
“Seeing how the program grows and advances is something that I think will be very exciting,” Lynch explained. “I hope to see people be successful and help in any way I can through high quality research.”
Congratulations Dr. Lori Lynch!
