Ed Rister

Areas of Expertise

• Agribusiness and Metropolitan Entrepreneurship – Small Businesses
• Water economics
• Farm management

Professional Summary

Dr. Rister’s expertise is in farm management, production, and entrepreneurial economics, with emphasis on applied, problem-solving activities and business planning. His research efforts are largely focused on investigating the economic feasibility of new technologies and business managers’ adoption processes thereof, with the effects of risk and alternative risk management strategies frequently incorporated into his analyses.

His recent research projects have been concentrated on water economics, including irrigation district operations and capital investments, municipal potable water supplies, rainwater harvesting, and watershed management, as well as energy cane and algae biofuels energy economics. He has recently shifted the focus of his research to startup business opportunities in rural and metropolitan communities.

His agribusiness entrepreneurial teaching strengths include the incorporation of “real-world” experts into the classroom, and interacting with students who are preparing their individual business plans (encompassing extensive budgeting and accounting analyses) for rural and metropolitan ventures of their personal choosing. In recent years, he held several sets of administrative responsibilities at both the college and department levels, including development donor engagement and curriculum development. As of May 31, 2023, he has returned full-time to his faculty role in agribusiness entrepreneurship.

Selected Publications

Rister, M. Edward, Ronald D. Lacewell, John R. Robinson, John R. Ellis, and Allen W. Sturdivant. “Economic Methodology for South Texas Irrigation Projects- RGIDECON©.” Texas Water Resources Institute. TR-203. College Station, TX. October 2002.

Rister, M. Edward, Ronald D. Lacewell, Allen W. Sturdivant, John R. C. Robinson, Michael C. Popp, and John R. Ellis. “Economic and Conservation Evaluation of Capital Renovation Projects: Harlingen Irrigation District Cameron County No. 1 – Canal Meters and Telemetry Equipment, Impervious-Lining of Delivery Canals, Pipelines Replacing Delivery Canals, and On-Farm Delivery-Site Meters.” Texas Water Resources Institute. TR-202. College Station, TX. November 2002.

Rister, M. Edward, E.G. Smith, V.M. Aguilar, D.P. Anderson, and Ronald D. Lacewell. “An Economic Evaluation of Sugarcane Production and Processing in Southeast Texas.” Environmental Issues/Sustainability DET 99-01, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station and Texas Agricultural Extension Service, Texas A&M University System. College Station, Texas. May 1999.

All Publications

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