Scott Fausti

Prof. Scott Fausti is an Associate Professor of Agribusiness in the College of Business at California State University Monterey Bay. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (1991) and previously served at South Dakota State University (1991–2016), where he was promoted to full professor in 2000. His research focuses on livestock market dynamics, precision agriculture, and agribusiness economics.

Education: Ph.D. in Economics (UIUC, 1991); Prior roles include South Dakota State University faculty (emeritus status awarded post-retirement in 2016), South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station appointment (1995–2016), and leadership positions in agricultural economics associations. He has secured over $3M in competitive grants and serves on NSF grant review panels.

Research interests span livestock price analysis, precision agriculture workforce development, and the environmental impacts of crop intensification. Notable projects include studies on South Dakota feedlot competitiveness and curriculum needs for precision ag professionals. His work bridges economics, ecology, and technology, addressing issues like biofuel policy effects and pollinator biodiversity.

Advising/grants: Over $3M in grant-funded projects, including USDA regional initiatives. Served on editorial boards of agricultural economics journals and as president of the Missouri Valley Economics Association. Current research explores macroeconomic shocks in beef markets and corn belt acreage trends.

Industry engagement includes USDA project committees, precision ag workforce surveys, and collaborative studies with entomologists on pest management implications of cropping systems.