Trey Malone is an agricultural economist whose work leverages the science of decision-making with the practice of agribusiness management. His research examines what shapes the performance and strategy of agri-food businesses. He has published more than 75 peer-reviewed articles in journals including the American Journal of Agricultural Economics, the Journal of Business Venturing Insights, and the Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics. His research has been funded by agencies including the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the World Wildlife Fund.
Dr. Malone has received over a dozen research awards and fellowships, including the Emerging Scholar Award from the Southern Agricultural Economics Association and the Presidential Award for Excellence in Research and Communication from the Food Distribution Research Society. In 2025, he became the only academic ever named to Farm Journal’s The Scoop 40 Under 40 for his contributions to agribusiness thought leadership.
Beyond academia, Dr. Malone is a frequent public voice on the future of food, strategy, and innovation. His insights have appeared in outlets such as Fast Company, the New York Times, Good Morning America, and CNBC. He has also shared his ideas in a TEDx talk at Michigan State University and in multiple ag media outlets, including the Future of Agriculture podcast, U.S. Farm Report, and AgDay.
An award-winning educator, Dr. Malone teaches undergraduate, graduate, and executive courses on managerial economics, agribusiness strategy, and entrepreneurship. A sought-after speaker for producer organizations, agribusiness firms, and academic audiences nationwide, he delivers lectures and workshops on strategic decision-making, behavioral economics, and innovation management.
At Purdue, Dr. Malone serves as the Boehlje Endowed Chair in Managerial Economics for Agribusiness, advancing the university’s century-long legacy of integrating rigorous economic research with real-world business impact. He also serves as North American Managing Editor of the International Food and Agribusiness Management Review and Associate Editor of Managerial and Decision Economics.
