Bobby Martens is the Iowa Institute of Cooperatives Endowed Professor of Economics and Associate Professor of Economics.  Previous to joining the Economics Department, Martens was an Associate Professor of Supply Chain Management in the Debbie and Jerry Ivy College of Business, also at Iowa State University.  Bobby earned his Ph.D. from Purdue University and MS and BS degrees in Agricultural Economics from North Dakota State University.  Martens’ current position is 55 percent extension, focusing on Cooperatives and the supply chain in which they operate (agriculture and food supply chains).  His primary research interests are food and agricultural supply chains. Engaged scholarship – working directly with companies to produce industry-relevant academic scholarship – is a central theme in his research.  Examples of research includes supply chain design in the bio-economy, the effects of rate age and shipper practices on transportation rates, grain traceability, and a decision tool for small-scale African seed entrepreneurs.  Martens published articles in top supply chain journals such as Decision Sciences Journal and Journal of Business Logistics and in Ag-Business journals such as the Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics.  In addition to his work in Extension, he is involved in Iowa State University’s Masters in Seed Business and Technology program and is a member of the Iowa State University Executive MBA teaching team.  The E-MBA is focused on Agriculture, Food and Biosystems. Prior to earning his Ph.D., Martens worked as an account manager at Schneider Logistics and in product management at the Case Corporation.  Bobby enjoys spending time with his wife and four children and operating a small farm near Ames.