The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (M-G CAFE) seeks a dynamic and visionary Chair of the Department of Agricultural Economics. As a land-grant university, we value a demonstrated commitment towards integrating research, instruction, and extension programs, as well as a keen dedication to the needs of the people of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Our People

The department currently has 22 full-time faculty, three post-doctoral scholars and 28 staff. The department currently has 150 undergraduate students, and 18 graduate students. The department also provides substantial teaching and advising support for 300-plus students in the interdepartmental undergraduate Equine Science and Management and Natural Resources and Environmental Science majors in the College.

Extension, Research, and Instruction

The department’s faculty and staff provide Extension programming across a wide range of focus areas including, but not limited to, farm management, grain and livestock marketing, local foods and direct marketing of specialty crops, macroeconomics and public policy, and economic development. The department focuses on three research and graduate education areas: 1) regional economics/rural economic development; 2) agricultural production economics; and 3) marketing/consumer demand. Students in our Agricultural Economics undergraduate major select from three possible curriculum tracks: 1) Agribusiness Management and Food Marketing; 2) Agricultural Economics; and 3) Advanced Studies in Agricultural Economics. The department also supports a large number of students pursuing minors in Agricultural Economics.

Specialized and Related Programs

Most departmental offices are located in the Charles E. Barnhart Building on UK’s Lexington Campus. Kentucky Farm Business Management (KFBM) Program specialists are located in six counties across Kentucky. In addition to KFBM, other specialized departmental programs include the Kentucky Agricultural Leadership Program (KALP)and the UK Income Tax Seminar Program. Departmental faculty and staff are also active in a variety of additional college efforts including:

• Community and Economic Development Initiative of Kentucky (CEDIK)
• Food Systems Innovation Center
• MarketReady™ Producer Training Program
• The Food Connection
• Kentucky Small Business Development Center
• Center for Crop Diversification
• UK Industrial Hemp Agronomic Research

College Opportunities

This is an exciting time to be joining M-G CAFE. The late University of Kentucky alum and former trustee Carol Martin “Bill” Gatton bestowed a transformational gift of $100 million to the college this past spring through The Bill Gatton Foundation. This is not only the largest gift to the university in its nearly 160-year history but is also believed to be the largest to a college of agriculture in the United States. This gift will accelerate our land-grant mission through activities and support for student success, academic programming, 21st Century capital projects and initiatives, as well as faculty research and innovation.
 

We are also amid of a campus precinct planning process that involves creating a strong M-G CAFE campus identity to promote environmental stewardship and foster excellence. An important part of this effort is the creation of state-of–the-art facilities through renovation, repurposing, and new building construction. Included in the projects targeted for completion over the next few years is an instructional space expansion of the Charles E. Barnhart Building where the Department of Agricultural Economics is located. The department also recently completed a comprehensive program review that provides insights useful for strategic planning required to effectively address the many developmental opportunities facing the department and college.
 

Position Details

The Chair is the administrative and fiscal affairs officer, program leader, and chief academic officer for the Department of Agricultural Economics, reporting to the College Dean. This is a tenure eligible, 12-month appointment in the Department of Agricultural Economics with the distribution of effort negotiable upon appointment and annually thereafter in compliance with university regulations. The Chair’s administrative year-round appointment is renewable after the initial six-year term. UK generously contributes to employees’ retirement plans, medical coverage, and life insurance. In addition, UK offers optional benefits such as dental and vision insurance, additional retirement plans and much more. To learn more about these benefits, please visit: https://hr.uky.edu/insurance-and-retirement.
 

Typical Duties and Responsibilities
The Department Chair administrative duties and responsibilities are found in many parts of the university’s governing and administrative regulations with highlights including, but not limited to:

• Communication with internal and external stakeholders in support of timely information dissemination.
• Academic leadership, including faculty hiring and development, annual performance reviews, two- and four-year pre-tenure reviews, dossier preparation, curriculum changes and development, overall faculty mentorship, faculty/staff searches, periodic program reviews/implementation, accreditation (as appropriate), as well as institutional and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges reporting.
• Enhancement of collaborative relationships with commodity groups and other stakeholders to advance knowledge in agricultural economics.
• Development and oversight of departmental strategic planning.
• Fiscal analysis and strategic financial management, fiscal and reporting accountability to a variety of funding sources and entities, and compliance with business procedures.
• Leadership in grant development and funding as well as philanthropic efforts.
• Infusing innovative entrepreneurial activities for each mission area and across mission areas.
• Providing personnel management, including faculty and staff development.
• Stewardship of physical facilities and information technology resources.
• Compliance with university governing and administrative regulations.
• Taking actions to increase belonging for all community members.
• Citizenship on behalf of the College and University.

Applicant Documents
Applicants will submit the following materials within the application:

• Cover letter that includes a statement of strategic vision, administrative experience, and leadership philosophy, including responsibilities previous described (up to 3 pages)
• Curriculum Vita that includes a list of publications, grants received, and records of teaching, extension, and service (no page limit)
• Specific Request 1 – Statement on research (up to 1 page) and a statement on teaching/instruction (up to 1 page), total of 2 pages.
• Specific Request 2 – Statement on extension (up to 1 page)
• Specific Request 3 – Statement on diversity, equity and inclusion related to this position (up to 1 page)

When prompted in the application, include the names and contact information for three (3) professional references who can address in their professional judgement your performance in advancing your scholarly field, significance of the venues in which you have been published, the grants you have been involved with, instructional accomplishments, and the service performed. This information may be used to solicit reference letters within the employment system. References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates.

Review of applications will begin December 1, 2023, and applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Position is available January 1, 2024, and the start date is negotiable.

Questions should be directed to:

Dr. Jeffrey W. Stringer

Search Committee Chair

105 T.P. Cooper Building

University of Kentucky

Lexington, KY 40546-0073

Phone: 859-257-3217

Email: stringer@uky.edu
 

The University of Kentucky and the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (M-G CAFE) are committed to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment of mutual respect where all members of our community are able to fully engage, belong, and succeed. We support and welcome applicants of all identities such as but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, perspectives, beliefs, sexual orientation, national origin, religious belief, age, and all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. The University of Kentucky is an equal opportunity university. We encourage applications from women, minorities, and all interested and qualified people. The EEO Coordinator is Tim West, S-105 Agricultural Science North, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546-0091.