Ag Data News

Farming is a Volatile Low-Margin Business

There are hundreds of thousands of farmers in the United States, many of them producing the same product as their neighbor.

Jun 5 • Aaron Smith

10

1

May 2026

Teaching Large College Classes in the Age of AI

The old days, nostalgically: Professor stands at the front of the room and talks while writing feverishly on the chalkboard.

May 13 • Aaron Smith

19

4

Engineering vs Economics

Further analysis of the effects of subsidizing vegetable oils for aviation fuel in California

May 8 • Aaron Smith

15

1

April 2026

The Making of the Golden State: Citrus in Los Angeles

This article was written by Luciné Rickey, a student in my ENVECON 141 class this semester.

Apr 29 • Aaron Smith

8

How Costly is Collagen?

This article was written by Mattea Kalpakoff, a student in my ENVECON 141 class this semester.

Apr 23 • Aaron Smith

10

Did Our Analysis of the Proposed SAF Tax Credit Contain Faulty Assumptions and Facts?

In short, no.

Apr 5 • Aaron Smith

12

February 2026

High Costs and Few Benefits from California’s Proposed Sustainable Aviation Fuel Tax Credit

This credit would reduce road funding, raise gasoline and diesel prices, and deliver small and expensive carbon emissions reductions.

Feb 23 • Aaron Smith

8

1

December 2025

You Have Probably Never Heard of New Zealand's Unofficial National Fruit

The scent comes first, when you sink your knife – or your teeth – into a feijoa’s skin.

Dec 25, 2025 • Aaron Smith

5

4

2

A Food Fight for the Holidays

This post is about a thought-provoking new book that would make a nice gift. It is not about family discontent during Christmas dinner.

Dec 18, 2025 • Aaron Smith

3

5

1

California now allows more ethanol in gasoline — is this going to save drivers money?

Californians pay the highest gasoline prices in the United States, a fact that has grown more politically salient amid rising affordability concerns.

Dec 8, 2025 • Aaron Smith

6

1

November 2025

Using Vegetable Oils for Biofuel Accelerates Tropical Deforestation and Increases Carbon Emissions

In a new paper, Tzu-Hui Chen, Rich Sexton, and I show that biofuels derived from vegetable oils have likely increased, rather than reduced, global…

Nov 19, 2025 • Aaron Smith

6

1

3

Agriculture's Nitrogen Legacy

Growing corn pollutes the water because of farmers use more nitrogen fertilizer than the plants need. New research shows the pollution may take years to…

Nov 6, 2025 • Aaron Smith

12

2

1