Agriculture Economist

East Central University•Ada, OK

About The Position

The Agriculture Economist will support the mission of Oka’, The Water Institute at East Central University, by advancing research and applied projects under the Land Stewardship Pillar. This position will help Oklahoma farmers, ranchers, and landowners transition toward sustainable and regenerative practices that enhance soil and water health. The economist will evaluate current agricultural operations, identify opportunities for financial resilience, and develop economic models to demonstrate the value of stewardship-based land management.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics, Applied Economics, Agribusiness, or closely related field (Master’s Degree preferred).
At least five years of relevant professional or research experience in agricultural economics or natural resource management.
Demonstrated ability to conduct and present economic analyses applied to real-world agricultural systems.
Strong grounding in agricultural economics, natural resource management, and environmental finance.
Experience with enterprise budgeting, farm business analysis, and quantitative modeling.
Proficiency in data interpretation, statistical software, and GIS-based decision tools.
Excellent communication and presentation skills with both academic and producer audiences.
Familiarity with the economic dimensions of soil health practices, water management systems, and ecosystem services valuation.
Experience working with landowners, conservation agencies, or tribes.
Knowledge of land-use policy, easements, conservation programs, and environmental regulation.
Ability to travel to field sites, conduct site visits, and lead field-based training.
Strong operation ability of hand tools, drip torches, or small mechanical equipment requiring hand-eye coordination and physical endurance.
Capacity to operate vehicles and all-terrain
Must have a strong work ethic and lead by example
Must be a professional, credible and respected representative of the institution internally and in the community
Demonstrated willingness and ability to act ethically and socially responsible
Ability to communicate in a courteous manner

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree preferred
Strong understanding of GIS, spatial analysis, or landscape planning tools is a plus.

Responsibilities

Conduct detailed economic assessments of farm, ranch, and conservation operations to establish baseline financial and ecological conditions.
Develop enterprise-level cost–benefit analyses for regenerative management transitions, including soil health, water conservation, and habitat restoration practices.
Design and evaluate producer incentive programs that promote adoption of sustainable and regenerative agricultural methods.
Perform economic impact modeling to assess community and regional outcomes connected to improved land stewardship, productivity, and water quality.
Identify, pursue, and manage funding opportunities and grants that advance agricultural sustainability and economic resilience.
Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams in hydrology, ecology, and agricultural sciences to translate research findings into actionable management and policy strategies.
Plan and deliver outreach initiatives, including workshops, field demonstrations, and technical assistance for producers, landowners, and conservation partners.
Monitor and evaluate project performance, analyze data, and prepare progress reports and summaries for stakeholders.
Apply principles of agricultural and environmental economics to project design, feasibility studies, and long-term planning.
Ensure compliance with institutional, state, and federal standards for agricultural and land management initiatives.
Contribute to academic and applied research through collaboration with faculty, supervision of student research, and participation in scholarly publications and conferences.
Lead and mentor team members, fostering collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement in agricultural economics and stewardship programs.
Other duties as assigned by Supervisor or designee.