In the last decade, the increased complexity of, and levels of access to, financial products and services, together with rising household debt and the funding of an ageing population, have prompted the State to place increased focus on financial education, with the dual objectives of regulating to enhance market efficiency and mitigating social welfare issues attributed to poor financial decisions. Financial literacy is crucial for young adults as they embark on life events involving major expenditure and debt, particularly for university students who have already accrued a debt based on Higher Education contribution scheme liability and who are making labour market decisions. This paper investigates the determining factors of personal financial literacy levels among a sample of university students at different stages of study and across diverse study areas including business, education, arts, humanities and the sciences; with some interesting findings for policy makers. It also provides indicative evidence of students’ preferred method of learning more about personal finance to facilitate the effective design of personal financial literacy programs.

This study provides a road map for creating and operating a student-managed investment fund (SMIF) as an experiential learning opportunity in commodity market analysis. We describe the reasons for implementing a SMIF and the benefits it offers relative to traditional simulation approaches. We outline the necessary steps for starting a SMIF and explain its organizational structure. We discuss a SMIF’s operation and main activities, which include recruitment, training, trading, and interaction with the client and alumni. The implications of participating in a SMIF are reviewed within a cost-benefit framework.

This article proposes the parsimonious Stone-Geary utility function from consumer choice theory as a production function model. The viability of the threshold input idea is empirically demonstrated for irrigation water (and in the case of nitrogen, a “gratis” threshold) using two field trials from the famous Hexem-Heady data sets. The implications of the Stone-Geary model for tractable U-shaped average variable cost and for factor demand and product supply are explored.

There has been much hype around online education creating a revolution in education. Studies analyzing the use of distance education at the graduate level have been limited. This article uses Kansas State University's Master of Agribusiness program as a case study. Educational theory related to a distance environment is studied. Development and technology issues related to the Master of Agribusiness program are presented followed by survey information from students. Appropriate administrative and management practices that govern a program are essential to the success of the program.

Agricultural economics teaching programs are becoming stressed. They vary considerably because of different institutional settings and are conducted under changing college, university, and department trends and paradigm shifts. To ensure success, strategic marketing processes need to be used in analyzing programs: identifying potential students (clientele or customers), ascertaining what to offer (majors, minors, service courses, enrichment options, and distance education), finalizing the strategic plan, and executing the plan (with students, administration, industry, and disciplinary peers). Conclusions and recommendations for enhancing teaching quantity and quality are presented for the strategic marketing processes. Finally, some implications and conclusions for graduate education are discussed.