The AREC department offers undergraduate degrees at the Corvallis campus and at Eastern Oregon University in La Grande. AREc also offers both M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in agricultural and resource economics, specializing in natural resource and environmental economics, international trade and marketing, rural economics and poverty, and productivity analysis and measurement. We also participate in the Graduate Program in Economics administered by the Graduate School.
Rising Food and Energy Prices: US Food Policy at a Crossroad
Conference, October 2, 2008, Oregon State University, CH2M Hill Alumni Center. Greg Perry is Chair of Organizing Committee.
Oil prices in recent months have surged above the $100/barrel level. Food prices have also increased at the fastest rate in nearly 20 years. Prices for wheat have reached historic highs and are anticipated to remain high for several years. Prices for grain corn, soybeans and other basic commodities are also at or near all time highs. The impact on consumers of food and energy products has been profound. At the heart of both issues are energy products (biofuels) produced from renewable biological resources, including agricultural commodities and waste products.
The focus of this conference is on understanding the role that biofuels can and will play in the costs of food and fuel for consumers. Who gains and who loses as the result of an energy policy that encourages the development of biofuels to meet world energy needs. In particular, what will be the impact on food supplies and prices if increasing amounts of agricultural commodities are diverted into energy production. The conference is designed to provoke a discussion on what food policy should be in the 21st Century, given continued growth in demand for agricultural commodities.
Biofuel Potential in Oregon
AREc economists report current biofuel potential in Oregon may be costly and limited. Click here to read the full report.