Dear SAEA Members,

I hope this newsletter finds you well as we transition from the warmth of summer to the still kind-of-warm (in the South) first days of fall. It is always exciting to start a new academic year and to welcome new and current students. The SAEA Board had our Fall meeting last month to continue the preparations for our annual conference next year in Atlanta, February 3-6, 2024. More information can be found on the newly redesigned website at https://saea.org/annual-meeting/.

We are thrilled to announce that this year, we received a record-setting number of submissions. This overwhelming response is a testament to the growing strength and relevance of our professional organization to serve agricultural economists. We would not be in this position if it wasn’t for the commitment and dedication of all our members. On behalf of the board, I want to sincerely thank you for your invaluable contributions to building a strong and welcoming organization. We encourage you to renew your annual membership and actively participate in our upcoming annual meeting in Atlanta.

In the spirit of continued growth and progress, it is my pleasure to introduce the candidates running for leadership positions for the SAEA board. These individuals have demonstrated outstanding dedication to the field of agricultural economics, and they are willing to contribute their expertise, talent, leadership, and service to our members. The candidates (in alphabetical order) for President-Elect are Andrew Muhammad from the University of Tennessee and Mykel Taylor from Auburn University. For Director, we have two exceptional candidates: Jerrod Penn from Louisiana State University and John Michael Riley from Oklahoma State University. I encourage each member to take a moment to read their biographies and carefully consider their vision for the association’s future.

This is a final reminder to cast your vote. The voting period has been extended through November 10, 2024. You can cast your ballot by following this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3JY6K2W, which is also available on our website. Your participation in the election process is vital as it helps shape the direction of our association and ensures that your voice is heard. Your vote plays a significant role in determining the leadership that will guide the SAEA’s initiatives and activities in the coming years.

As we move forward, the board and I are excited to welcome you to Atlanta for our annual meeting in February 2024. Based on the record setting number of submissions, it promises to be an exceptional meeting with rich discussions and opportunities for networking, collaborations, and mentoring for advancing the field of agricultural economics.

Finally, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you for your continued involvement and commitment to the association. Your dedication is the driving force behind our success, and we are excited about the future of our organization.

Warm Regards,

Marco A. Palma, SAEA President