Walter N. Thurman

For over 25 years, Walter Thurman has made outstanding contributions to agricultural and natural resource economics in the areas of research, teaching, outreach, mentoring, and service. A prolific researcher, Thurman’s published work on the causes and effects of governmental programs includes studies of the U.S. tobacco and peanut quota programs, the honey subsidy program, and the Clean Air Act. Thurman has published research advancing the theoretical and econometric methodology of welfare economics. He has written widely on agricultural contracts and futures markets and the markets for environmental services.

Thurman has been a mentor and advisor to numerous graduate students, serving on or chairing the Ph.D. committees of over 60 graduate students, and the Master’s committees of over 30 students.  His service to the profession extends beyond the classroom to include committee appointments, review panels, and service as a consultant.  Thurman has lent his expertise to a number of AAEA committees and has been supportive of the Association’s research and outreach efforts, serving as an Editor and Senior Associate Editor of the American Journal Agricultural Economics, and an Editorial Board member for Choices.

Throughout his career, Thurman has been recognized for his high-quality research. He was the first recipient of both the N.C. State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Outstanding Graduate Instructor Award in 1995 and the AAEA’s Distinguished Teaching Award for Graduate Teaching–Ten or More Years’ Experience in 1996.  That same year, Thurman received the Quality of Research Discovery Award from the AAEA.  In the summer of 2003, Thurman was awarded the prestigious Julian Simon Fellowship from the Property and Environment Research Center where he now is a Senior Fellow.