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The cost to attend a Luncheon is not included in the Annual Meeting Registration cost. Pre-registration for Luncheons are required before the annual meeting. You may register for Luncheons while registering for the annual meeting or by calling the AAEA Business Office at (414) 918-3190.
Extension Section Lecture & Luncheon (SP31)
Monday, July 29
11:30 am – 1:00 pm
New Orleans Marriott
$74
Justin Benavidez
Chief Economist
United States House Committee on Agriculture
Justin Benavidez is the Chief Economist for the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture. He works closely with the Chairman and Committee staff on developing policy, estimating the economic impacts and costs of those policies, and advising on agricultural production and economics. Benavidez received his BS, MS, and PhD in Agricultural Economics from Texas A&M University and worked as an Extension Economist for four years where he specialized in agricultural production economics, livestock economics, and policy. Justin is originally from Tulia, Texas.
COSBAE and Africa Section Speaker Series & Luncheon (SP32)
Monday, July 29
11:30 am – 1:00 pm
New Orleans Marriott
$74
Antonio McLaren, Ed.D.
Vice President for Programs
1890 Universities Foundation
In April 2021, Dr. Antonio McLaren joined the 1890 Universities Foundation as the Vice President for Programs. In this role, he manages high-impact programs and initiatives across the 1890 land-grant institutions to help them respond to new/emerging opportunities and challenges in the 21st century.
Prior to this appointment, Dr. McLaren worked for USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) as a National Program Leader between 2015 and 2020. In this role, he provided national leadership for NIFA’s 1890 programs portfolio, which was valued at over $180 million.
Previously, between 2011 and 2015, Dr. McLaren worked for USDA’s Office of Advocacy and Outreach as the USDA/1890 Liaison at Virginia State University (VSU). In that role, he worked to advance VSU’s 1890 land-grant programs through outreach, recruitment, and capacity-building efforts. In all, he has more than 22 years of federal service – all with USDA.
Dr. McLaren was selected as a USDA/1890 National Scholar in 1997. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business/Economics in 2001, and his Master of Arts degree in Economics and Finance in 2003 – both from Virginia State University. In May 2015, he graduated with a Doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University.