Mary Marchant

Expertise:

• International Trade
• Agribusiness

Education:

Ph.D., Agricultural Economics, University of California, Davis, 1989

M.A., Economics, University of California, Davis, 1982

B.Sc., Urban Planning and Policy Analysis, University of California, Davis, 1979

A.A., Chemistry, Modesto Junior College, 1974

Throughout her career, Marchant has led a multi-institutional research team that includes national and international experts on Chinese agricultural policy and trade who study U.S. agricultural competitiveness in Chinese markets. Agricultural exports represent 20 percent of U.S. farmers’ incomes and China plays a key role. Since 2012, China has been one of the top, if not the top market for U.S. agricultural exports; thus impacting the economic wellbeing of U.S. agriculture (excluding 2018 during the trade dispute).  The overall goal of Dr. Marchant’s research program is to examine and model China's agricultural trade policies and promote U.S. market access to China. Methods used to accomplish this goal include reviewing Chinese trade policy; interviewing U.S. agribusiness leaders operating in China; incorporating policy instruments into existing trade models; and disseminating results. These processes help Marchant’s team determine U.S. market access impediments and success stories, which are then used to deliver critical insights to stakeholders to enhance U.S. agricultural market access.

As highlighted in the “Intro” tab, her research has been recognized through awards at various levels.  Her Fulbright Distinguished Chair in Agricultural Economics is the most prestigious of Fulbright awards where applicants are reviewed by both domestic and international selection panels.  An additional honor related to research includes being appointed panel manager for the USDA, National Research Initiative (NRI) Competitive Grants Program–“Markets and Trade” Peer Review Panel by the USDA-NRI Chief Scientist. This program has historically been a primary source of competitive funds for agricultural economists.

Role of Graduate Students

Graduate students have been instrumental in my research projects over the past 34+- years of my career.  One of my goals is to work with graduate students to enhance their professional development by publishing papers in academic journals and presenting research at professional meetings.  I have co-authored with 34 students on 47 peer-reviewed publications, including 31 journal articles, and over 60 presentations at professional meetings—international, national, and regional, e.g., the Southern Agricultural Economics Association.

Recent Projects

• 2021-23, "Non-Tariff Measures and Agricultural Trade: Developing a Framework for Analysis." Funded by U.S. Department of Agriculture-Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA-FAS). Principal Investigator (PI): J. Grant; Center for Ag. Trade Co-PIs: C. Emlinger, M. Marchant and D. Orden; subcontractor: J. Beghin. 
  $200,000

• 2018-21, “Effects of Contested Regulatory Measures on U.S. and Global Agricultural Trade.” Funded by USDA-National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI). Principal Director (PD): J. Grant, co-PDs: D. Orden, E. Peterson and M. Marchant. Collaborators: L. Jackson and C. Wolff (WTO).  
  $337,612.

• 2014-18, “Expanding U.S. Market Access in China’s Evolving Agricultural and Trade Policy Environment.” Funded by USDA-NIFA AFRI. PD: M. Marchant, co-PDs: J. Hansen and F. Tuan. 18 percent funding rate. 
  $492,316.

Selected Past Projects

• 2006-14, “Food and Agricultural Education and Information System (FAEIS).” Funded by USDA-NIFA Higher Education Programs. PD: M. Marchant, co-PDs: E. Smith, E. Vance, T. Mack, D. Sutphin. This nationwide database tracks student enrollment, degrees awarded and job placement by gender, race and major, as well as faculty counts and salaries in colleges of agriculture and related sciences for over 200 higher education institutions.  
  $2,188,258.

• 2007-11, “USDA Scholars Program–Innovations in Undergraduate Research.” Funded by USDA-NIFA Higher Education Challenge Grants Program. PD: D. Good, co-PDs: C. McIntyre and M. Marchant. 
  $139,097.

• 2005-10, “Agrobiotechnology in China: Competitiveness Impacts on U.S. Soybean Exports Markets.” Funded by USDA-Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES) National Research Initiative (NRI) Competitive Grants Program. PD: M. Marchant, co-PDs: N. Kalaitzandonakes, F. Tuan and W. Lin. [Only 5 of 71 proposals (7 percent) funded]. 
  $302,000.

• 2001-04, “Exporting U.S. Livestock Products to China.” Funded by USDA-CSREES NRI. NRI subcontract PI: M. Marchant with North Carolina A&T ($150,000). 
  $50,000.

• 2000-05, “Simplified Technology for Enzyme Production with Thermophilic Anaerobic Bacteria.” Funded by USDA-CSREES NRI. PI: S. Nokes, co-PIs: H. Strobel and M. Marchant. 
  $195,000.

• 2001-03, “Demand Determinants for U.S. Processed Food Exports by Middle Income Countries.” Funded by USDA-Economic Research Service (ERS) Cooperative Agreement and University of Kentucky VP for Research. PI: M. Reed, co-PI: M. Marchant. 
  $24,000.

  1998-2001, “Assessment of Trade and Foreign Direct Investment on U.S. Competitiveness in Asian Food Markets.”  Funded by USDA-CSREES NRI. PI: M. Marchant. 
  $88,000.

International Research

Marchant is a recognized expert on China and has conducted research in this area for over 25 years. China research results include four highly competitive USDA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) and National Research Initiative (NRI) grants totaling nearly $1 million; editor of three volumes on China--two in Choices culminating in one receiving the 2019 AAEA Quality of Communication Award and one in AgBioForum--an additional co-authored article awarded the 2021 AAEA Outstanding Choices article; author of 27 journal articles/refereed publications on China; and (co-) presenter as part of our China research team of 36 national and international presentations including at the 2018 Chinese Agricultural Outlook conference in Beijing, as well as presentations at Nanjing Agricultural University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and in Wuhan, China in addition to presentations on China at the triennial meetings of the International Association of Agricultural Economists—Vancouver, Milan, Australia—and at the International Association of Trade Research Consortium—Washington, DC and Beijing, China.

Virginia Tech:

• AAEC 3504 "Marketing Agricultural Products" (3 credits)
• AAEC 3024 "Monetary and Global Issues" (3 Credits)
• ECON/AAEC 4135 "International Economics" (3 credits)
• HNFE 4984 “USDA Scholars-Undergraduate Summer Research Program”
• AAEC 6004 "Professional Communication and Engagement/Success in Academia" (1 Credit)
• AAEC 5004 “Professional Ethics and Expectations” (1 credit)
• AAEC 3015/3016 “Internship –Job Success” (2 credits)
• AAEC 1006 “Economics of the Food and Fiber System: Macroeconomic Principles” (3 credits)

University of Kentucky:

• AEC 101 “Economics of Food and Agriculture” (3 credits)
• UK 101 “Academic Orientation” (1 credit)
• AEC 305 "Principles of Agricultural Marketing" (3 credits)
• AEC 399 “Experiential Learning in Agricultural Economics” (3 credits)
• AEC 410 “International Trade and Agricultural Marketing” (3 credits)
• AEC 624 "Advanced Quantitative Methods in Agricultural Economics" (3 credits)
• AEC 796 "Agricultural Marketing and International Trade" (3 credits)

Teaching Philosophy, FAEIS, and Teaching Recognition and Results

Teaching is very important to me and my teaching philosophy is to enhance students’ academic success and professional development. For graduate students, this means working with students to publish research in academic journals and present results at scholarly conferences (see Research tab-Role of Graduate Students and CV).  For undergraduates, this means incorporating classroom activities that highlight in demand skills, including communication and teamwork.  Over my 34+-year career, I have taught 16 different courses at Virginia Tech and the University of Kentucky (UK), to nearly 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students and also served as Associate Dean and Director of Academic Programs for the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Regarding the scholarship of teaching and learning, results include eight journal articles related to teaching, 10 papers in peer-reviewed conference proceedings and one co-editorship of a teaching conference proceeding. 

Additional results include being awarded nearly $2.8 million in external funding for teaching related projects, a majority as principal investigator for nearly a decade of a nationwide higher education database, the Food and Agricultural Education System (FAEIS), which tracks student enrollment, degrees awarded and job placement by gender, race, and major, as well as faculty counts and salaries in colleges of agriculture and related sciences for over 200 higher education institutions.  

Teaching effort recognition spans numerous national, university, and college teaching and advising awards including

• Virginia Tech Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (formerly the Center for Instructional Development and Educational Research (VT-CIDER)), Featured Teaching Tip, 2021; Featured Teacher, 2015.

• VT-CIDER, completion of year-long Large Class Teaching Certificate program, 2014-2015.

• Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), Board on Agriculture, Academic Programs Section: Leadership and Service Award, 2006-08 (national award).

• As VT-CALS Associate Dean of Academic Programs, promoted the scholarship of teaching and learning by sponsoring College teaching mini-grants for faculty ($60,000), hosted innovative teaching workshops, and provided additional financial support for faculty to develop national teaching grant proposals. Enhanced College diversity efforts and STEM projects (e.g., ExxonMobil Astronaut Bernard Harris Math/Science Summer Camp, recruitment of high school students from the SEED Schools of Washington, DC and Maryland; facilitated re-start of MANNRS—Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences club). 

• University of Kentucky (UK) Freedman Outstanding Advisor Award, 2003 (university award based on student nominations). 

• Co-organizer of two national teaching conferences: “Developing a Learning Environment Where All Students Seek to Excel” AAEA pre-conference, Chicago, 2001. [Conference sponsored and funded by the AAEA] and "New Technologies and Innovations in Agricultural Economics Instruction" conference, endorsed by the AAEA and co-sponsored by the SAEA, Lexington, KY. 1992.

• Agricultural and Applied Economics Association (AAEA)-Distinguished Teaching Award-Less than 10 Years' Experience, 1999. 

• UK Great Teacher Award, 1998 (university award based on student nominations).

• Faculty Advisor to AAEA-undergraduate Academic Bowl winning teams, 1996 and 1997.

• Gamma Sigma Delta, Master Teacher College Award, UK chapter, 1994.

Experience

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Virginia Tech, 2006-2023
Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics (AAEC)

• Professor Emerita 2024-Present
• Professor 2006-2023
• Education Lead, Center for Agricultural Trade 2015-2023
• CALS Associate Dean and Director, Academic Programs 2006-2008

College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment at the University of Kentucky, 1989-2006
Department of Agricultural Economics (AEC), University of Kentucky (UK)

• Professor, International Trade/Agricultural Marketing 2003-2006
• Director of Undergraduate Studies 2005-2006
• Associate Professor 1995-2003
• Assistant Professor 1989-1995

Faculty Affiliate, UK Women’s Studies Program 2002-2006

“Markets and Trade” Peer Review Panel Manager, National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program, U.S. Department of Agriculture 1999-2000

Fulbright Distinguished Chair, Universita’ degli Studi della Tuscia, Italy  Spring 1998

Research Analyst, State of California (CA), Sacramento, CA  1979-1984

• Agencies include CA Department of Food and Agriculture, CA Energy Commission and CalTrans, and Intern, CA Governor’s Office of Planning and Research

Awards/Honors

Research

• Co-editor (with J. Balagtas and J. Cooper), Quarter 3, 2021. “Agricultural Market Response to COVID-19" Theme Issue, Choices.

• 2021 Agricultural and Applied Economics Association (AAEA) Outstanding Choices Article: "The 2018-2019 Trade Conflict: A One-Year Assessment and Impacts on U.S. Agricultural Exports" by J. Grant, S. Arita, C. Emlinger, S. Sydow and Mary A. Marchant. Choices. Quarter 4, 2019.

• 2019 AAEA Quality of Communication Award: M.A. Marchant and H.H. Wang, co-editors, “U.S.–China Trade Dispute and Potential Impacts on Agriculture" Theme Issue, Choices. Quarter 2, 2018. 

• Gamma Sigma Delta—The Honor Society of Agriculture. Virginia Tech chapter, Research Award of Merit, April 17, 2018.

• Editor, Quarter 2, 2017. “U.S. Commodity Markets Respond to Changes in China’s Ag Policies” Theme Issue, Choices. 

• Lifetime Achievement Award, Southern Agricultural Economics Association, 2014. 

• Best Paper. China section of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association. Recipients: Virginia Tech graduate Wei Chen, Bryan Lohmar and Mary A. Marchant, presented at the 2012 AAEA annual meeting, Seattle, WA. August 2012.

• Co-editor (with D. Bosch), Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics, 2010-2013.

• Virginia Tech Alumni Award for Excellence in International Research, 2010 [university award].

• Associate Editor, Agronomy Journal, 2008-2010.

• Wethington Award, 2004, 2005. [This award recognizes faculty for prestigious grants.]

• Co-Editor (with F. Tuan), AgBioForum: The Journal of Agrobiotechnology Management and Economics. “Special Issue: Agricultural Biotechnology in China,” 5:4 (2002), 178 pages.

• National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program, appointed "Markets and Trade" Peer Review Panel Manager, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (USDA-CSREES), 1999-2000. This program has historically been a primary source of competitive funds for agricultural economists.

• Fulbright Distinguished Chair in Agricultural Economics--International Trade. The Fulbright Chairs program is the most prominent of Fulbright awards--22 Fulbright Distinguished Chairs were awarded in 1998--only one in agricultural economics.

Instruction

• Virginia Tech Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (formerly the Center for Instructional Development and Educational Research (VT-CIDER)), Featured Teaching Tip, 2021; Featured Teacher, 2015.
• VT-CIDER, completion of year-long Large Class Teaching Certificate program, 2014-2015.
• Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), Board on Agriculture Assembly, Academic Programs Section: Leadership and Service Award, 2006-2008.  [National award].
• University of Kentucky Freedman Outstanding Advisor Award 2003. [University award based on student nominations.]
• American Agricultural Economics Association, Distinguished Teaching Award for Less than 10 Years’ Experience, 1999. [One national award presented in this category annually].
• University of Kentucky (UK) Great Teacher Award, 1998. [University award based on student nominations.]
• Gamma Sigma Delta, Master Teacher Award, UK chapter, 1994.

Leadership

• VT President’s University Council, elected by CALS faculty, 2017–2020.
• International Association of Agricultural Economists-Elected U.S. board member, 2006-2012.
• As VT-CALS Associate Dean and Director of Academic Programs, promoted the scholarship of teaching and learning by sponsoring college teaching mini-grants, hosting innovative teaching workshops, and providing additional financial support for faculty to develop national teaching grant proposals. Also, promoted the use of innovative teaching methods including student engagement, active learning, critical thinking skills, undergraduate research, service learning, experiential activities, international experiences, and internships; enhanced college diversity efforts and STEM projects; worked with departments to award a record number of scholarships; and provided support for enrollment growth in the college.  

Leadership Development

• Virginia Network of the American Council on Education Office of Women in Higher Education, Senior Leadership Series for Women Administrators 2007-2008.
• Leadership Fellow, Summer institute for Women in Higher Education Administration Bryn Mawr College 2005.
• Leadership Fellow, National Association of State Universities and Land Grand Colleges, 2001-02.

Selected Publications (* indicates current or former student)

Book and Edited Volumes/Conference Proceedings

Balagtas, Joseph V., Joseph Cooper, and Mary A. Marchant, editors, Quarter 3, 2021. “Agricultural Market Response to COVID-19" Theme Issue, Choices. Available online 

Marchant, Mary A., and H. Holly Wang, editors, Quarter 2, 2018. "U.S.–China Trade Dispute and Potential Impacts on Agriculture" Theme Issue, Choices. 2019 AAEA Quality of Communication Award. Available online 

Marchant, Mary A., editor. Quarter 2, 2017. “U.S. Commodity Markets Respond to Changes in China's Ag Policies” Theme Issue, Choices. Available online 

University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture. Diversity Task Force Report, Mary A. Marchant, Chair. Diversity Issues in the College of Agriculture, April 2003 (83 pages).

Marchant, Mary A. and Francis Tuan, guest editors. 2002. Special Issue: “Agricultural Biotechnology in China,” AgBioForum: The Journal of Agrobiotechnology Management and Economics. Volume 5:Number 4 (178 pages).

Marchant, Mary A., editor. Trade and the Environment conference proceedings. San Antonio, TX.: American Agricultural Economics Association post-conference, 1996 (195 pages).

Marchant, Mary A. and Handy Williamson, Jr., editors. Achieving Diversity: The Status and Progress of Women and African Americans in the Agricultural Economics Profession. New York City (NYC), NY: Garland Publishing, Industrial Productivity series, 1994 (218 pages). [Also, co-author of five chapters in this book.]

Marchant, Mary A. Political Economic Analysis of U.S. Dairy Policies and European Community Dairy Policy Comparisons. NYC, NY: Garland Publishing Inc., Government and Economy series, 1993 (260 pages). [Invited by Garland Publishing to publish this book.]

Debertin, David L., Mary A. Marchant, and Stephan J. Goetz, editors. New Technologies and Innovations in Agricultural Economics Instruction conference proceedings. Lexington, KY: University of Kentucky, Department of Agricultural Economics, 1992 (149 pages). [Also, author of “Innovative Teaching Methods: Discoveries by an Assistant Professor,” pgs 86-95.]

Young, Linda, Mary A. Marchant, and Alex McCalla. The Political Economy of Agricultural Trade: A Review of the Literature on Domestic Policy Behavior and International Price Formation. Washington, D.C.: USDA-ERS #AGES9103, 1991 (73 pages). 

Selected Journal Articles

Balagtas, J.V., J. Cooper, and M.A. Marchant. Quarter 3, 2021. "Theme Overview: Agricultural Market Response to COVID-19" Choices. Available online

Grant, J., S. Arita, C. Emlinger, S. Sydow and M.A. Marchant. Quarter 4, 2019. “The 2018-2019 Trade Conflict: A One-Year Assessment and Impacts on U.S. Agricultural Exports.” Choices. 2021 AAEA Outstanding Choices article. Available online

Zhang, W.* and M.A. Marchant. 2019. "U.S.-China Sorghum Trade Analysis Within the Trade Conflict: Growth, Trends, and Forecast." Journal of Management Policy and Practice. 20(5):80-100.

Song, B.* and M.A. Marchant. 2019. "Enhancing Student Learning Using an International Trade Simulation Project." North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) Journal- Special Issue "Engaging Students in Global Agriculture." 63(1a):94-98.

Hejazi, M.,* M.A. Marchant, J. Zhu* and X. Ning.* 2019. “The Decline of U.S. Export Competitiveness in the Chinese Meat Import Market.” Agribusiness: An International Journal Special Issue “The Twenty-First Century Agribusiness in China. 35(1):114-126.  https://doi.org/10.1002/agr.21588

Marchant, M.A., and H.H. Wang, co-editors. Quarter 2, 2018. "Theme Overview: U.S.–China Trade Dispute and Potential Impacts on Agriculture." Choices. Available online

Hansen, J., M.A. Marchant, W. Zhang* and J. Grant. Quarter 2, 2018. "Upheaval in China’s Imports of U.S. Sorghum." Choices. Available online

Marchant, M.A., editor. Quarter 2, 2017. “Theme Overview: U.S. Commodity Markets Respond to Changes in China's Ag Policies.” Choices. Available online

Hejazi, M.* and M.A. Marchant. Quarter 2, 2017. “China’s Evolving Agricultural Support Policies.” Choices. Available online

Hanson, J., M.A. Marchant, F. Tuan and A. Somwaru. Quarter 2, 2017. “U.S. Agricultural Exports to China Increased Rapidly Making China the Number One Market.” Choices. Available online

Marchant, M.A. Aug. 2014. “Innovative Teaching Methods: Evolutions Spanning a 25 Year Career.” Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics. 46(3):327-337. SAEA Lifetime Achievement Award. Available online

Selected Diversity Publications

Zepeda, L. and M.A. Marchant. 1998. “Bigger, Smaller, Richer, Poorer: Trends in Agricultural Economics.” Applied Economics Perspectives and Policy (formerly the Review of Agricultural Economics). 20(2):406-21. Available online  

Marchant, M.A. and L. Zepeda. 1995."The Agricultural Economics Profession at the Crossroads: Survey Results of Faculty Salary, Employment, and Hiring Prospects." American Journal of Agricultural Economics. 77(5):1322-28. http://www.jstor.org/stable/1243369

Marchant, Mary A. and Handy Williamson, Jr., editors. Achieving Diversity: The Status and Progress of Women and African Americans in the Agricultural Economics Profession. New York City (NYC), NY: Garland Publishing, Industrial Productivity series, 1994 (218 pages). [Also, co-author of five chapters in this book.]

Zepeda, L., M.A. Marchant and Hui-Shung Chang. Sept. 1993. "The Status of Women Agricultural Economists in Academia." Applied Economics Perspectives and Policy (formerly the Review of Agricultural Economics.) 15(3):537-45. Available online