You should consider this course if you are interested in learning about agricultural policies in the United States. Students who are interested in learning about how policies are made and how they can be influenced will find this course makes them more effective at developing public policy.
Students who take this course will understand how economics can be used to develop "good" policies that are helpful and efficient. They will also learn how economics can explain the politics that determine which policies are passed, implemented and enforced, regardless of whether they the best for everyone or just one special interest.
Students who take this course will have a better understanding of what policies are trying to accomplish and how they can accomplish different goals for different people. In addition to being able to suggest better policies, students in this course will be more able to have their voices heard by understanding the economics behind the politics that make some policies become a reality and others disappear.
Prerequisite
AREC 202 (Agricultural and Resource Economics) or ECON 202 (Principles of Microeconomics) or Issues in Environmental Economics
Instructors
Dana Hoag
9704915549
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Dana.Hoag@colostate.edu
Dr. Hoag is a Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at CSU. He grew up in the Colorado mountains where he developed his strong interest in nature and agriculture. He received his first degree in Farm and Ranch Management at Colorado State University and Ph.D. at Washington State University. He has worked on a variety of research projects with the integrating theme: farm/ranch management and policy related to the environment. He is best known for soil conservation and water quality management in watersheds and wildlife conflicts with agriculture. Dr. Hoag has published several articles about economic and environmental tradeoffs. For example, published foundational articles about cap and trade for nutrient pollutants in water. He developed a tool that helped state decision makers in Colorado determine the economic impact of prairie dog colony losses on farms. He also did a study on the impact of wildlife damages on Colorado agriculture, a study on native grassland losses in the Prairie Potholes, Elk Management in Yellowstone, and the reintroduction of wolves in Colorado.
Dr. Hoag has extensive experience in research that he draws from for this class in ecosystem services, including teaching and outreach to farmers, ranchers, agencies and policy makers. He has strong teaching evaluations, where students say that he makes subjects interesting, fun and meaningful.
