Celebrating a Historic Achievement: Dr. Alfons Weersink Named AAEA Fellow

The Department of Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics is proud to announce that Dr. Alfons Weersink, Professor at the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC), University of Guelph, has achieved a historic milestone by being named a Fellow of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association (AAEA). This is the highest honour awarded by AAEA and marks the first time a scholar from a Canadian university has received this distinction, underscoring his global influence and leadership in agricultural economics.

The AAEA Fellowship recognizes individuals who have made outstanding and continuous contributions to agricultural and applied economics through research, teaching, outreach, and service. Dr. Weersink’s selection reflects his unwavering commitment to advancing the profession and his ability to bridge economic theory with practical solutions.

Over more than 35 years, Dr. Weersink has built an extraordinary career defined by groundbreaking research, policy impact, and mentorship. He has published 165 peer-reviewed journal articles and 16 book chapters in leading journals such as the American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics, Canadian Journal of Economics, Food Policy, Agricultural Economics, and Annual Review of Resource Economics. His research spans critical areas including technology adoption, risk management, ecosystem service programs, biofuel impacts, and climate change mitigation. His scholarly impact is evident in nearly 8,000 citations, an h-index of 46, and a ranking in the top 8% of economists worldwide on RePEc.

Beyond academia, Dr. Weersink has influenced policy at the highest levels, providing expert testimony to the Canadian House of Commons and Senate Committees on agriculture and climate policy. His research on nitrous oxide abatement costs was incorporated into the Canadian Federal Budget, demonstrating the real-world impact of his work. He has mentored more than 80 graduate students and taught over 6,000 undergraduates, many of whom now hold influential roles in government, industry, and academia globally. His leadership includes serving as President of the Canadian Agricultural Economics Society, Co-editor of the Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics, and Associate Editor of the American Journal of Agricultural Economics.

Dr. Weersink’s influence extends internationally through visiting scholar positions at Stanford University and Wageningen University, and his current role as Adjunct Professor at the University of Western Australia. These collaborations reinforce his reputation as a global leader.

Peers describe Dr. Weersink as a visionary leader and role model. Vic Adamowicz calls him “Canada’s go-to person for reasoned and balanced advice on agri-environmental policy.” David Zilberman notes, “He is one of the leading agricultural economists in the world and probably the best at a Canadian university.” Scott Swinton praises his ability to “lucidly weave farm-level management with economic theory to generate policy insights.”

Reflecting on this honour, Dr. Weersink shared: “I am deeply humbled by this recognition. It reflects not just my work, but the incredible collaborations and support from colleagues and students throughout my career.”

This fellowship is a landmark achievement for Canadian agricultural economics. It highlights decades of scholarship that have shaped policy, industry practices, and academic thought leadership worldwide. As OAC’s Acting Dean, Dr. John Cranfield, stated: “This is an incredible honour for Dr. Weersink and speaks to the impact of his research and teaching.”

Dr. Weersink is also the recipient of several distinguished awards, including the 2018 Agricultural and Resource Economics Review (ARER) Fellows Award from the Northeastern Agricultural and Resource Economics Association, the 2017 Ontario Agricultural College Alumni Distinguished Teaching Award, the 2014 Fellow designation from the Canadian Agricultural Economics Society (CAES), and the 2006 OAC Alumni Distinguished Researcher Award.

We invite the University of Guelph community and the broader agricultural economics profession to celebrate this historic achievement. Dr. Weersink’s work continues to inspire innovation and collaboration, shaping a sustainable future for agriculture and food systems globally.

Learn more about Dr. Weersink’s research and contributions: https://www.uoguelph.ca/oac/people/alfons-weersink