Activities

An important part of being an Aggie is the “other education.” From Departmental clubs to community service, Aggies value involvement as critical to achieving fullest potential. In the Department of Agricultural Economics, we encourage you to find ways to become involved on campus. Below are a few ideas for you to consider. Also check our newsletter regularly for more opportunities.

• Departmental Clubs
• Community Service and Volunteerism
• SKYP Lunches
• Student Publications
• Student Awards
• College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
• University-Wide

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Departmental Clubs

Agricultural Economics Society (Ag Econ Society)

The Agricultural Economics Society is a student organization that is not defined by a unique specialization. Ag Econ Society is an organization which embodies Agricultural Economics in its entirety. As the representative of the national Agricultural & Applied Economics Association (AAEA), Ag Econ Society has evolved to be a dynamic, active, and all-inclusive student organization in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Texas A&M University. For more information, contact the Ag Econ Society online.

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Aggie REPS

The basic concept of the Aggie REPS is to identify and train a group of top quality students to represent the Department of Agricultural Economics. These student representatives will be trained on the correct procedure to represent the University and proper protocol for approaching high school students, counselors, and administrators. They are trained to make presentations about Departmental activities to the University and local community. Students are selected as members of this elite group because of their leadership skills, presentation capabilities, commitment to the Aggie way of life, in addition to high academic success. Students enrolled in the Department of Agricultural Economics will have an opportunity to apply each Spring to serve a one year term as an Aggie REP.

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FIRE – Society of Finance Insurance and Real Estate

The Society of Agricultural Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate aims to introduce students to career opportunities in the fields of finance, insurance, and real estate and related areas such as law and banking. Furthermore we encourage members to build professional relationships and network with industry professionals and employers. For more information, contact FIRE online.

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FPSA – Financial Planning Student Association

The purpose of the Financial Planning Student Association (FPSA) is to provide current students, who are pursuing a financial planning career, an opportunity to continue their learning outside of the classroom through guest speakers, attendance at special events and participation in national competitions. In the future, the Financial Planning Student Association hopes to provide free financial resources and counseling for the general student population. For more information please visit our website.

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National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA)

The National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) is a non-profit organization for agri-marketers with more than 3,000 professional and student members. NAMA serves the food and fiber industry, focusing on professional development by providing opportunities in Agribusiness. As one of the more than 30 student chapters nationwide, Texas A&M’s NAMA chapter helps students to develop their marketing and communication skills and provides networking opportunities with professionals in the industry. Monthly meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month and frequently include food, fun, and guest speakers. Students in the NAMA chapter have the opportunity to participate in social events, local community service projects, and participate in the national Student Marketing Competition at the Agri-Marketing Conference in April. Find out the latest by visiting our website or contact our president.

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Professional Sales Student Association(PSAA)

Our goal of the Professional Sales Student Association is to provide career and professional growth opportunities for those interested in sales. We are focused on developing qualified sales professionals that are easily recruited by reputable firms upon graduation. Our emphasis on professional development, proper networking practices, and creating mentorships with industry professionals will produce a lasting impact on students as they build their career.

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Community Service and Volunteerism

Texas A&M’s Six Core Values:

Excellence • Integrity • Leadership • Loyalty • Respect • Selfless ServiceThe Department of Agricultural Economics wants to encourage each of our students to commit themselves, while at TAMU and after graduation, to pursuing TAMU’s six Core Values. Our Agribusiness and Agricultural Economics degrees prepare and challenge our students to obtain Excellence in the classroom and in their careers. Our students have numerous opportunities for Leadership beginning with the student organizations in this department: Aggie REPS; Aggie ACES; Agricultural Economics Society; National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA); and the Society of Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate (F.I.R.E.) Students are given further opportunities for Leadership by participating in one or more of the 800 student organizations on campus. Selfless Service can be obtained while attending TAMU, not only through participation in the Big Event and other campus service projects, but also through numerous volunteer experiences in the Brazos Valley. Volunteer opportunities in the Brazos Valley are diverse and multifaceted. Talk to your advisor to learn more about volunteer opportunities, or refer to the following websites to find the organization that fits your interests and abilities. Community Service Opportunities

• • Volunteer Brazos Valley – Promotes volunteerism as a means of fostering increased citizen involvement in Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Leon, Madison, Robertson and Washington counties, enriching the communities and the lives of its residents through volunteerism. This database allows users to search for volunteer opportunities throughout the Brazos Valley.
  • Texas A&M Student Activities – Aims to create a strong sense of community and embrace an environment that is inclusive, caring, open, visionary, intentional, respectful, and loyal. We work to foster a sense of shared experience and common purpose, along with a collective responsibility for each other’s well-being and for the well-being of the University as a whole. The Student Activities website allows users to search for various volunteer organizations as a means for getting involved.
  • AgriLife Extension Service – Extension offers programs in agriculture and natural resources, family and consumer sciences, 4-H and youth development, and community development, reaching rural and urban Texans with research-based information they need to improve quality of life and to build a bright future for our state.
  • Brazos Valley Council of Governments – The Brazos Valley Council of Governments (BVCOG) is a multi-purpose voluntary organization of, by and for local governments. Originally designated as the federally recognized Brazos Valley Economic Development District in 1966, the council officially reorganized as the Brazos Valley Development Council in 1967 as the result of state legislation.
  • Junior Achievement of the Brazos Valley – Junior Achievement of Brazos Valley brings businesses and other adults into the classrooms of College Station ISD to teach young people how the real world of business works. JA volunteers use prepared and practical hands-on activities to show students from kindergarten through high school how the business world operates and how it affects the students as family members, citizens and consumers.

The Department of Agricultural Economics provides this for informational purposes only. References to any organization is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended, nor is there endorsement by any of the agencies involved.Back to Top

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SKYP Lunches

SKYP (Students Know Your Professor) lunches are a way for our students and faculty to interact outside the classroom. Students and faculty are invited to eat a complementary lunch and hear from sponsors who send representatives to talk about job and internship opportunities. The casual atmosphere allows both students and faculty a forum for discussing class or other issues in a stress-free environment. Check our website for when the next SKYP lunch is and come join us for complementary food!

• RSVP Form

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Student Publications

• Volume I
• Volume II
• Volume III
• Volume IV
• Volume V – Coming Soon
• Volume VI – Coming Soon

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Student Awards

Student awards are given each year at the University, College, and Departmental levels. These awards recognize students for their outstanding academic, extracurricular, and service accomplishments. All applications for these awards are due in the Department of Agricultural Economics Undergraduate Office by February 1. Several of these awards are listed below; follow the links for more information.

University Level

University awards are given based on nominations from each college. Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness students interested in a University award must submit their application to the AGEC Undergraduate Office.

College Level

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences recognizes outstanding students each spring. Students selected to receive the Senior Merit Award are recognized at the annual College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Spring Banquet held at noon on the Saturday of Parents’ Weekend.  Students are encouraged to discuss their interest in these awards with their department advisors or click on the links below for criteria for each award.

• Senior Merit Award – Approximately 20-30 of the top students in the College are recognized each spring. GPR of 3.5 or better are encouraged and students must be graduating in the current calendar year.
• Outstanding Alpha Zeta Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior – One junior, one sophomore, and one freshman are selected from the 5000+ College of Agriculture and Life Sciences students each year. These are the highest awards given to non-seniors each year.
• Outstanding Gamma Sigma Delta Senior and Sophomore – Each department nominates one senior and one sophomore for recognition by the Gamma Sigma Delta honor society. Selection is based primarily on academic merit; the higher the GPR the better.

Department Level

Each year the Department of Agricultural Economics recognizes its outstanding students at the Spring Reception. Several of the awards are listed below.

• J. Wheeler Barger Memorial Award – This award is presented to the Outstanding Senior in the Department of Agricultural Economics.  Dating back to 1957, this award is given in honor of Dr. Barger who served as Head of the Department of Agricultural Economics from 1935-1947. The recipient is chosen from the applicants for the Department of Agricultural Economics AGBU/AGEC Excellence in Academics and Leadership Award.
• Tyrus R. Timm Graduating Senior Award – This award was established in 1976.  The purpose of this award is to perpetuate the name and high ideals of Dr. Tyrus R. Timm within the profession and to honor a graduating senior each year who has exhibited determination to excel in the field of agricultural economics.  Academic performance, while important, is not necessarily the most important factor in the selection process.
• Department of Agricultural Economics AGBU/AGEC Excellence in Academics and Leadership Award – This award recognizes the top 10% of our undergraduate students graduating in the current calendar year. Criteria include: departmental leadership activities, campus leadership activities, off-campus leadership activities, employment, and academics.

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College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Organizations

• Student Organizations

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University-Wide Organizations

• http://studentactivities.tamu.edu/online/organizations

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