Agricultural & Resource Economics Department Records (RG 128)
1951-1972
.35 cubic feet and 2 reels of microfilm
Scope and Content Note
Records are organized into three series, 1. General Subject File; 2. Personal and Professional Activities; 3. Reports. Each series is arranged chronologically.
Series 1 includes correspondence and other documentation pertaining to the administration of the department and its relationship with the Agricultural Experiment Station, the Extension Service, and the School of Agriculture Dean's Office between 1951 and 1965. Series 2 contains speeches and papers prepared by department chair Gregory Burton Wood between 1955 and 1961. Series 3 consists of two reports: a 1956 summary of reports on agricultural economics activities, and a 1972 research report on breeding in beef cow herds.
Historical Note
Classes pertaining to agricultural economics were first taught at Oregon Agricultural College early in the 20th century as part of the Agronomy Dept. In 1917 that department was divided into four separate ones; the Farm Management Dept. included the agricultural economics courses. Other classes in the subject area were also taught by Dr. Hector MacPherson in the School of Commerce. Within the reorganization of higher education in Oregon in the early 1930s, the Oregon State College School of Agriculture in 1933 was divided into divisions, one of which was Agricultural Economics. E.L. Potter was appointed head of the division, as well as head of the Agricultural Economics Dept. formed within the division. In 1949, the division system was abolished and the Farm Management Dept. was absorbed by the Agricultural Economics Dept. Barton DeLoach served as the first chair of the combined department, but resigned shortly thereafter. Grant Blanch served as acting chair until 1951, when G. Burton Wood was appointed department chair; he served until 1966. Emery Castle was chair from 1966-1972, and Ludwig Eisgruber served from 1973-1981. Other department chairs have included A. Gene Nelson, 1981-1991, David Ervin, 1991-1994, and James Cornelius (interim), 1994-present. In 1974, the department name was changed to Agricultural & Resource Economics to reflect its broader role in research and teaching involving new technologies, rural population, income distribution, resource conservation and development, and international trade and development.
Related Materials
- College of Agricultural Sciences, Dean's Office Records (RG 158);
- Agricultural Experiment Station Records (RG 25);
- MSS - Emery N. Castle Papers;
- MSS - D. Curtis Mumford Papers;
- MSS - Western Agricultural Economics Research Council Records;
- MC- Agricultural Economics;
- MC -Agricultural & Resource Economics Dept.
Shelf Location
- 4/2/9/61;
- microfilm cabinet
