Zachariah Rutledge

Zachariah Rutledge is an Assistant Professor and campus-based extension specialist in the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics at Michigan State University (MSU). He holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural and Resource Economics from the University of California, Davis, awarded in 2020. His work bridges academic research, policy analysis, and extension outreach, focusing on farm labor markets, agricultural supply chain resilience, and immigration policy impacts on domestic agriculture.

Rutledge’s research portfolio emphasizes policy analysis related to farm labor scarcity, H-2A visa program dynamics, and adverse effect wage rates. He conducts surveys and data-driven studies to assess labor needs of farmers and farmworkers, with recent projects evaluating Michigan’s specialty crop vulnerabilities and California’s evolving agricultural employment patterns. His extension work includes advising policymakers, legal entities, and industry groups on labor policy reforms and workforce solutions.

He has contributed to national discussions through roles such as expert witness in legal cases involving farm labor disputes and as a consultant for agricultural employer/employee organizations. Notable collaborations include multi-institutional labor surveys with Arizona State University and the California Farm Bureau Federation. Rutledge also maintains active engagement with federal agencies, exemplified by meetings with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Senate Agricultural Committee members.

His teaching includes courses on labor management in agri-food systems and agricultural labor economics. Recent grants include funding to analyze labor trends and enhance U.S. food supply chain resilience. He frequently publishes conference summaries and policy briefs, reflecting both academic rigor and practical industry relevance.