LUBBOCK - An experienced Texas A&M economist recently joined the Texas Agricultural Extension Service faculty here as risk management economist for the South Plains. Chad Hobbs replaces former risk management economist Craig Fincham.
Hobbs will provide leadership for risk management education programs on the South Plains, and work closely with area producers, county agents and agribusiness in coordinating the FARM Assistance program.
Financial and Risk Management (FARM) Assistance is a whole-farm decision support program designed to help Texas farmers and ranchers evaluate their existing business structure and the likely economic impact of alternatives for the future. Extension economists work statewide to implement this program with producers.
A native of Moody, Texas, Hobbs earned his bachelor’s degree in agribusiness from Texas A&M in 1994 and is currently working on his doctorate degree in agricultural economics at Texas A&M.
Hobbs comes to Lubbock from Stephenville, Texas, where he served as Extension risk management economist for Central and North Texas.
Prior to that he was an instructor, teaching assistant, assistant lecturer, research assistant and program coordinator with the Department of Agricultural Economics at Texas A&M.
In his new position here, Hobbs will focus his Extension and research programs towards working with producers to help them measure risk and gauge the economic impacts of alternative risk management strategies, adoption of new technologies, changing farm policy and production economics.
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