Cesar L. Escalante

Cesar L. Escalante is a Professor in the Department of Agricultural & Applied Economics at the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, where he maintains an active research and teaching program focused on agricultural finance, agribusiness management, and health economics intersections with immigration policy. Based at 313E Conner Hall in Athens, Georgia, he engages extensively in student mentorship and extension activities for Georgia's agricultural community.

His educational foundation spans international institutions:

• Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Illinois (2001)
• M.S. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada (1996)
• Exchange Scholar at International Christian University, Tokyo, Japan (1984)
• B.A. in Economics from Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines (1983)

Professor Escalante's research program investigates agricultural finance through lenders' risk rating systems and migration frameworks applied to farm credit risk, while his agribusiness management work analyzes financial structure decisions for growth and risk mitigation. He has pioneered studies on immigration enforcement impacts on farm labor health outcomes, particularly among Hispanic populations, and contributes significantly to development economics through microfinance research. His methodological approach combines economic theory with advanced econometrics to address practical agricultural challenges.

Recent publication trends reveal deepening specialization in health economics within agricultural contexts, with increasing focus on immigration policy effects, farm credit risk modeling, and sustainable business practices. His work consistently employs rigorous empirical methods to establish causal relationships, particularly in health disparities research among immigrant populations and agricultural finance decision-making.

His scientific recognition includes:

• Multiple mentoring awards including 2022 Graduate School Outstanding Mentoring Award and 2020 AAEA Outstanding Mentoring Award
• 2021 AAEA Distinguished Teaching Award and 2019 First Year Odyssey Teaching Award
• President's MLK Fulfilling the Dream Award (2020) and Faculty Diversity Award (2014)
• Gamma Sigma Delta Junior Achievement Research Award (2007)
• Multiple paper awards including Energies Journal's 10th Anniversary Best Paper (2018)
• University of Georgia Faculty Research Foundation Award (2002)

As an advisor, Escalante has mentored award-winning students including Uthra Raghunathan and Mark M. Byrd, while leading UGA's Agribusiness Case Study Team to national competitions and advising AAEA Extension Competition winners. His grant portfolio includes Colvin Fellowships and competitive university research awards. He contributes to academic discourse through editorial roles including Journal of Agribusiness Editor (2014-2015) and Co-Editor (2009-2013).

His extension work provides critical farm financial management resources through business planning workshops, record-keeping systems, and financial analysis tools for Georgia agricultural producers, directly supporting operational decision-making in volatile markets.