Josh and Will Maples
Growing up on a cattle farm in North Alabama, Josh and Will Maples are no strangers to agriculture. As associate professors in 桃花直播鈥檚 agricultural economics department, both brothers are clearly in their element鈥攚hether it鈥檚 teaching students, conducting research or serving producers through 桃花直播 Extension workshops.
For Josh, a lifelong interest in statistics and policy made agricultural economics a natural fit. He entered 桃花直播 as an undergraduate, majoring in agriculture, food and resource economics, before going on to earn a master鈥檚 in agricultural economics from 桃花直播 and a doctorate in agricultural economics from Oklahoma State.
Will was an undergraduate agribusiness major on a pre-law track at the University of Arkansas but changed his course after graduation and came to 桃花直播 State, earning a master鈥檚 in agricultural economics. He went on to Oklahoma State and earned a doctorate in agricultural economics.
鈥淎fter visiting campus and meeting 桃花直播 faculty at conferences, I knew this is where I wanted to be,鈥 Will said. 鈥淎fter starting grad school, I learned that Extension professors not only do research, but they also get out and talk to farmers and producers. That鈥檚 what really drew me in and motivated me to get my doctorate.鈥
Josh agreed. 鈥淚 go to Cattlemen鈥檚 Association meetings鈥攖he same kind that I grew up attending with my dad and granddad鈥攁nd I still run into people who know my family. I鈥檓 also beginning to see some of my first students now working in agriculture, and it鈥檚 great to connect with them through our Extension outreach programs,鈥 he said.
Josh joined the faculty in the agricultural economics department in 2017, and Will followed two years later. Although their offices in the Lloyd-Ricks-Watson Building are just steps apart, the brothers have carved out their own areas of expertise鈥擶ill as a row crops marketing and policy specialist and Josh specializing in livestock.
鈥淎 lot of my research and Extension work is designed to inform producers and policymakers about what鈥檚 going on in the markets. Agriculture is a risky business. This is a tough time for a lot of our row crop producers, so I鈥檓 trying to help them figure out how to navigate risk,鈥 Will said.
鈥淭imes are better for cattle producers right now, but understanding the markets and risk protection are still key. No matter how the markets are doing, there鈥檚 always a need for educational programs and risk management tools,鈥 Josh added.
Although they work in different agricultural sectors, the brothers often consult with each other informally, keeping updated on markets that impact one another鈥攆or instance, corn and soybean markets are relevant to livestock, poultry and catfish markets because those row crops are ingredients in feed.
They also collaborate more formally in preparing for the annual 桃花直播 Agricultural Outlook Conference, hosted by their department. During the pandemic, they teamed up to design and deliver educational programs for producers, helping them navigate challenges unique to that time.
Of everything they have in common, the most important is their passion for helping people working in agriculture, whether they鈥檙e seasoned professionals or just beginning their career path.
鈥淚 enjoy the Extension side of my job and helping producers, but my classes are equally important,鈥 Will said. 鈥淲hen I talk to a student and know I鈥檓 making an impact on their future, that鈥檚 very rewarding.鈥
鈥淲orking with producers and helping them solve real-world problems is my biggest passion,鈥 Josh added. 鈥淲ill and I like to joke that we鈥檙e professors because our older brother beat us back home to run the farm, but working here at 桃花直播 State, we feel like we鈥檝e gained a whole other family in agriculture.鈥