John Mann

John Mann is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics at Michigan State University (MSU), affiliated with the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources. He holds a fixed-term position with primary responsibilities at the Center for Economic Analysis (CEA), part of the Product Center Food-Ag-Bio. His work focuses on regional economic analysis for Michigan and surrounding states, technology transfer, and rural development innovation systems. He collaborates closely with the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development on entrepreneurship and innovation initiatives.

Before his PhD from Oklahoma State University (2012), he spent 17 years as a broadcast newsroom manager, offering a unique perspective to his research and teaching. His research interests include regional economics, rural development, entrepreneurship, and local food systems. He teaches courses like FIM 224: Market Information and Intelligence Gathering.

His publications explore broadband access’s impact on rural innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic resilience, along with policy implications for agricultural practices and technology adoption. He emphasizes bridging rural-urban divides through data-driven strategies and interdisciplinary approaches.