2024 David Mugler Outstanding Teaching Award- Dr. Jason Bergtold, Agricultural Economics

This year's recipient of the 2024 David Mugler Outstanding Teaching Award is Dr. Jason Bergtold from the Departmentof Agricultural Economics. Dr. Bergtold received his bachelor’s in Economics from Colorado State University in 1999, his master’s in Agricultural and Applied Economics from Virginia Tech University in 2001 and completed his Ph.D in Economics from Virginia Tech University in 2004.

In 1999, the Kansas State University University College of Agriculture Alumni Board of Directors established an annual award, the David Mugler Teaching Award, to recognize Dr. Mugler's many years of dedicated service to students in the Kansas State University College of Agriculture.

Dr. Bergtold’s contributions reach across the community, state and nation through his impactful research and outreach in the fields of conservation economics, land use and community resilience. At the community level, his research directly addresses the pressing challenges agricultural producers face, particularly in Kansas. Dr. Bergtold’s work on conservation practices such as no-tillage, cover crops and grassland preservation provides actionable insights that help local farmers improve their sustainability and resilience. His research on the impacts of natural disasters, such as wildfires, on agriculture has also been vital in helping communities prepare for and recover from these events.

Nationally, Dr. Bergtold’s research has extended to examining the impacts of climate change and policy on land use and agricultural practices across the U.S. His leadership as the inaugural editor of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association’s Applied Economics Teaching Resources journal has provided a critical platform for sharing innovative teaching practices and research findings, significantly enhancing the quality of agricultural economics education nationwide.

Within the university, Dr. Bergtold served as a faculty senator, where his work on the faculty affairs committee helped shape policies that support faculty development and improve the overall academic environment. His efforts in this role have had a lasting impact on the university, promoting a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.

In the Department of Agricultural Economics, Dr. Bergtold has been a key contributor to curriculum development, particularly in the creation of AGEC 501: Data Analysis and Optimization. Recognizing the growing need for quantitative skills in agricultural economics, Dr. Bergtold spearheaded the development of this course, which has become a cornerstone of the department’s curriculum. His commitment to enhancing the educational experience is further demonstrated by his involvement in the College of Agriculture’s Academic Standards Committee, where he played a crucial role in supporting student retention and success.