The Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics is dedicated to improving the policies and institutions that manage our natural resources in North Carolina and beyond. Resource Economics refers to understanding how incentives shape the behavior of users of natural resources.

Focus Areas

Coastal Economies

Research at NC State assesses the economic importance of the coastal region of North Carolina and the economic aspects of tackling challenges relating to fishing, water quality, and climate change.

Sustainability

The work on sustainability covers a wide range of topics such as: sustainable food systems, organic foods, agritourism, food waste, renewable energy, bioeconomy, bee colony collapse, climate change and more.

Water Quality and Sanitation

ARE economists, many associated with CEnREP, have been investigating the economics of water quality, water sanitation and demand for water. The applied research is instrumental in policy design.