A professional photograph of Professor Diersen.

Matthew Diersen

Griffith Chair in Agricultural Finance, Professor, SDSU Extension Risk and Business Management Specialist

Biography

Matthew (Matt) Diersen is the Griffith Chair in Agricultural Finance. He teaches agricultural economics courses. His scholarly work is focused on pricing mechanisms and financial risks across extreme timespans. His SDSU Extension programming focuses on the interaction of commodity marketing and insurance tools and on changes in the agricultural economy. He is also the co-director of Every Acre Counts, a program seeking management solutions for marginally profitable cropland. He shares commodity market and agricultural sector analysis with producers, lenders and the agribusiness community in the northern plains. He enjoys applying portfolio theory and economics principals to everyday life. Matt lives in Brookings with his family.

Education

  • B.A. in economics | University of Minnesota, Morris | 1993
  • M.S. in agricultural economics | North Dakota State University | 1995
  • Ph.D. in agricultural economics | University of Illinois | 1999

Academic and Professional Experience

Academic Interests
  • Agricultural finance
  • Commodity marketing
  • Rural economy
Academic Responsibilities
  • AGEC 478: Agricultural Finance
  • AGEC 484/584: Trading in Commodity Futures and Options
Committees and Professional Memberships
  • Agricultural and Applied Economics Association (AAEA)
Extension Responsibilities

Providing analysis and insights for producers and agribusinesses as they understand and implement commodity marketing and insurance tools. Serving on the technical advisory committee of the Livestock Marketing Information Center (LMIC). Participating on the NCCC-134 regional committee.

Research and Scholar Work

Areas of Research
  • Price analysis
  • Pricing mechanisms
  • Interest rates
  • Crop insurance
Mailing Address:
Harding Hall 202
Economics-Box 2220
University Station
Brookings, SD 57007
Office Location:
Harding Hall
Room 202