Ethan Ligon @ Blue Oak Ranch

Research Bio

Ethan A. Ligon is Professor in the Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics. Most of his research falls under the broad heading of applied microeconomics. Topics include vulnerability, risk-sharing, agricultural contracts, and intrahousehold allocation.  Most recently he has been working on the theory and empirics of inferring levels of well-being from observations  of disaggregate consumption expenditures, and developing measures of risk experienced by smallholders in low income countries.

Research Expertise and Interest

economics, insurance, agricultural contracts, risk sharing, intra-household allocation, welfare, demand analysis

Teaching

Courses taught during the three most recent terms
2026 Spring
  • Rural Economic Development Workshop  [ARESEC 259]  

  • Special Study for Graduate Students  [ARESEC 298]  

  • Individual Research  [ARESEC 299]  

  • Professional Training in Research Methodology  [ARESEC 400]  

  • Individual Study for Doctoral Students  [ARESEC 602]  

  • Population, Environment, and Development  [ENVECON 153]  

2025 Fall
  • Production, Industrial Organization, and Regulation in Agriculture  [ARESEC 201]  

  • Rural Economic Development Workshop  [ARESEC 259]  

  • Special Study for Graduate Students  [ARESEC 298]  

  • Individual Research  [ARESEC 299]  

  • Professional Training in Research Methodology  [ARESEC 400]  

  • Individual Study for Doctoral Students  [ARESEC 602]  

  • Supervised Independent Study and Research  [ENVECON 199]  

  • Supervised Independent Study and Research  [ENVECON 199]  

  • Sponsored Projects for Undergraduate Research (SPUR)  [ENVECON 199S]  

  • Directed Advanced Study  [PUBPOL 292]  

2025 Summer
  • Supervised Independent Study and Research  [ENVECON 199]  

2025 Spring
  • Econometric Project Workshop  [ARESEC 219B]  

  • Rural Economic Development Workshop  [ARESEC 259]  

  • Special Study for Graduate Students  [ARESEC 298]  

  • Individual Research  [ARESEC 299]  

  • Professional Training in Research Methodology  [ARESEC 400]  

  • Individual Study for Doctoral Students  [ARESEC 602]  

  • Population, Environment, and Development  [ENVECON 153]  

  • Sponsored Projects for Undergraduate Research (SPUR)  [ENVECON 199S]