Becca Weir Joins Penn State Agricultural Economics Faculty

New Professor to Focus on Farm Management and Ag Policy

• Bonnie Johnson
• November 07, 2025
• Media Article

Becca Weir joins Penn State as Assistant Professor of Agricultural Economics, where she will focus on farm management, risk reduction, and agricultural policy to support producers and strengthen rural economies.

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Becca Weir, Ph.D., joins Penn State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences as Assistant Professor of Agricultural Economics in the Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education. She began her new role in September and brought a strong background in research, education, and agricultural policy.
 

Weir earned her Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in Applied Economics from the University of Minnesota, a B.A. in Economics from Minnesota State University–Moorhead, and an A.S. in Liberal Arts from the North Dakota State College of Science.
 

In her new position, Weir aims to build an Extension program focused on farm and risk management, agricultural finance, and policy. These areas form the foundation of her research and outreach work. Her goal is to identify strategies and policy measures that enhance the financial strength of agricultural operations and help producers manage uncertainty in evolving markets.
 

“Farms are businesses, and finding strategies to achieve financial success is increasingly important due to market volatility. Market conditions have a significant impact on a farm’s profitability, so it's essential to control the controllables within an operation. My goals within this position are to identify strategies for producers to manage their risk and volatility, to understand federal and state policy interventions that impact farmers, and to share these insights to assist with decision-making,” Weir said.
 

Weir will also contribute to several Extension teams, including dairy and livestock. “I am excited for the opportunity to immerse myself in the dairy and livestock industry in Pennsylvania and support producers through Extension programming,” she said.
 

Growing up on a dairy farm in central Minnesota, Weir integrates her firsthand agricultural experience into her research. Her previous studies include evaluating the Dairy Margin Coverage program and analyzing how genetics influence farm profitability through the net merit index.
 

Outside of work, she enjoys sampling local dairy products, staying active, and spending time with friends and family.
 

Photo by: extension.psu.edu