<p>^ While there certainly are aspects focused on the ag industry, current ag ec depts are much broader in their scope and interests. Many depts address topics such as environmental/natural resource economics; international trade and development; poverty; commodity trading/finance; etc. I think these depts. very much warrant a close look by students interested in economics, and, due to the applied focus of these depts, they very well might be a better choice for many students who study econ. For students who are not econ majors (e.g, environmental studies, public policy, business, international affairs, anthropology, etc.), they also have much to offer as a minor or simply for relevant coursework.</p>
<p>Take a look at these depts to get a better idea of their scope:
[Undergraduate</a> Program - Concentrations, ACE, U of I](<a href=“http://www.ace.illinois.edu/AP/UnderGraduate/Post2006/index.html]Undergraduate”>http://www.ace.illinois.edu/AP/UnderGraduate/Post2006/index.html)</p>
<p>[Department</a> of Applied Economics](<a href=“http://www.apec.umn.edu%5DDepartment”>http://www.apec.umn.edu)</p>
<p>[Agricultural</a> & Applied Economics - UW-Madison](<a href=“http://www.aae.wisc.edu/students/current/ugrad/]Agricultural”>http://www.aae.wisc.edu/students/current/ugrad/)</p>