Ruby Ward

Ruby Ward, PhD, is an Associate Professor and Agricultural Entrepreneurship Specialist in the Applied Economics Department at Utah State University. Since 1998 she has combined research, extension, and teaching to advance agricultural economics, entrepreneurship, and community development across Utah and the Intermountain West. Ward directs statewide extension programs in rural tax education, drought-management economics, and beginning-farmer training while teaching courses in firm management, strategic planning, and community impact analysis.

Education

• PhD, Agricultural Economics, Texas A&M University, 1998 (Dissertation: An Analysis of Potential Agricultural Reforms in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice)
• MBA, Texas A&M University, 1994
• BS, Accounting and Agricultural Economics, Utah State University, 1992
• Other studies, Crop and Soil Science, Ricks College, 1990

Research Focus

Ward’s scholarship addresses the economic viability of specialty-crop systems, drought resilience strategies, direct-market channels, and agricultural tax policy. Recent projects quantify the profitability of high-elevation cut-flower enterprises, evaluate producer adoption of drought-management practices, and assess consumer preferences for organic and eco-labeled foods. Her extension outputs include enterprise budgets for peonies, ranunculus, anemones, and tomatoes grown under field and high-tunnel systems, as well as curricula that support American Indian agricultural entrepreneurship.

Awards & Honors

• Extension Specialist Award for Innovative Program (2013)
• Outstanding Extension Group Project – WAEA (2011, 2006, 2005)
• Overall Specialist Award, ESA (2006)
• Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year, USU College of Business (2005)
• Tom Slick Fellowship, Texas A&M (1994)
• Lechner Fellowship, Texas A&M (1992)
• Agriculture Division Woman of the Year, Ricks College (1990)

Teaching & Mentorship

Ward has taught 20 distinct courses including APEC 2310 Small Firm Management, APEC 5015 Firm Management, Planning and Optimization, and APEC 6710 Community Planning and Impact Analysis. She has formally mentored four graduate students in Applied Economics and Economics & Finance.

Extension & Outreach

Since 1989 Ward has led regional agricultural business development programs covering central and southern Utah. Signature initiatives include Rural Tax Education (2010-2021), Start-to-Farm entrepreneurship training, drought and water-issue response, and civil-rights compliance planning.