Economic Development and Human Health
Research in this area provides opportunities for human and community enhancement by
strengthening the economic status of rural communities and improving the health and
well-being of livestock to create healthier meat products and improve the economic
vitality of producers.
Agricultural Economics
Researchers in the Department of Agricultural Economics provide solutions for economic
issues in rural Oklahoma communities, such as lack of broadband and other technologies
and educational opportunities. Along with studying the impacts lack of technological
and educational resources have on communities, researchers in this department partner
with various companies and organizations to provide broadband and educational programs
to rural communities.
Many researchers in this department work directly with animal and plant scientists
to study economic issues related to livestock and crop production.
Ag Education and Communication
Research in the Department of Agricultural Education, Communications and Leadership
looks at how certain perceptions impact industry, culture and behavior, therefore
impacting the economy. For example, research has been conducted on how craft breweries
were positioning themselves in local communities and how local communities perceived
them.
Research has also been done on ag producers’ perceptions of how the pandemic changed
the promotion of their products and their relationship with consumers.
In other research
The Rural Renewal Initiative is a multi-institution program based out of OSU that
is designed to encourage the renewal of rural communities through interdisciplinary
research, student mobilization and community engagement. The Biobased Products and
Energy Center fosters multidisciplinary collaborations to develop bioeconomy.
Research in other areas like animal and food sciences, agricultural engineering and
plant and soil sciences has a high impact on economic factors and human health, such
as microbiologists seeking cures for diseases through the study of immune defense
molecules. Scientists in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology work
at the molecular level in all areas of our research, making discoveries that contribute
to plant, animal and human health.