Darrell Bosch

Darrell Bosch is a retired Professor of Agricultural and Applied Economics at Virginia Tech. His research focuses on environmental and natural resource economics, particularly cost-effective strategies to reduce agricultural pollution, climate change impacts on water quality in the Chesapeake Bay, and sustainable water infrastructure. He also explored energy cost impacts on U.S. agriculture and international development through Ecuadorian research initiatives.

Education: Ph.D. Agricultural Economics (University of Minnesota, 1984), M.S. Agricultural Economics (University of Tennessee, 1980), B.A. Political Science (Central College, 1971).

Research interests include watershed management, agricultural sustainability, and policy analysis. Recent projects address urbanized agricultural landscapes, high tunnel strawberry production, and dairy/poultry farm emissions reduction. He led undergraduate research programs in Ecuador, emphasizing Spanish proficiency and cross-cultural collaboration.

Publications span water quality modeling, irrigation recycling economics, and climate change adaptation. Awards include the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Southern Agricultural Economics Association and the 2016 AAEA Poster Honorable Mention. He advised graduate students and served as Co-Editor of the Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics (2010–2013).

Bosch’s work bridges theory and practice, prioritizing stakeholder engagement in watershed planning and fostering student independence through research mentorship.