Brian Hurd is an Associate Professor of Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business at New Mexico State University. He earned his MS and PhD from the University of California, Davis, and graduated magna cum laude, with a BA in both Economics and Environmental Conservation from the University of Colorado, Boulder. With more than 20 years of experience in both private consulting and in academic research, he teaches and conducts research on the economics of natural resources, watersheds, food security and the agro-environment. Through his research he aims to improve the economy and performance of water and agricultural systems, policies and institutions across New Mexico, the region, and globally by better managing weather and climate risk. His research includes cost-benefit assessment and non-market valuation of natural and environmental resources, economics of production agriculture, and the assessment of impacts and adaption of water and agricultural systems to climate change.