Adauto B. Rocha Jr., Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Cooperative Extension

I am an applied agricultural economist with two Ph.D. degrees (Agricultural Economics and Applied Economics) and expertise in econometric and spatial modeling using Stata, R, OxMetrics, MATLAB, QGIS, and Google Earth. My work combines microeconomic theory, quantitative methods, and geographic information systems to address public policy and environmental issues.

I develop accessible extension tools by integrating Power BI, API programming, Power Query, and Qualtrics, and lead interdisciplinary research on small farming, livestock, and environmental economics.

My consulting work for institutions such as the Brazilian Ministry of Information and Technology, the World Bank Group, Société d'Études Techniques et Économiques (SETEC), and the Climate and Land Use Alliance emphasizes causal inference grounded in both theoretical and empirical rigor.

I also have experience advising and mentoring students, having served on two Ph.D. committees at the University of São Paulo and currently co-advising a master's student at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Additionally, I advised 45 MBA students at Pecege (ESALQ-USP), primarily on economic feasibility analysis of projects.

Email: arochajr@ucsc.edu

Curriculum Vitae

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

7. Wang, S. L.; Nehring, R.; Mosheim, R.; Rocha Jr., A. B. (2025). Inputs, Outputs, and Total Factor Productivity in the U.S. Farm Sector: A New State-level Analysis (1960-2015). The Review of Income and Wealth, 71(1), e12718. (Link)

6. Rocha Jr., A. B.; Ferreira Filho, J. B. de S. (2024). Assessing the productivity effects of agricultural extension in a pluralistic system: an analysis of Brazilian family farming in 2017. The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension (Taylor & Francis), 1-23. (Link).

5. Rocha Jr., A. B., Silva, R. O. D., Peterle Neto, W., & Rodrigues, C. T. (2020). Impact evaluation of technical assistance on the income of Brazilian family farmers in 2014. The Brazilian Journal of Rural Economics and Sociology (Brazil), 58. (Link)

4. Araujo, M. A. D., Martins, S. P., Sparovek, G., Ranieri, S. B. L., & Rocha Jr., A. B. (2020). Territorial analysis, development and technical assistance, and rural extension for family farming. Brazilian Journal of Agriculture, 95(2), 123-139. (Link)

3. Rocha Jr., A. B., de Freitas, J. A., Cassuce, F. C. D. C., & Costa, S. M. A. L. (2019). Determinants of the use of technical assistance by Brazilian family farmers in 2014. The Brazilian Journal of Rural Economics and Sociology (Brazil), 181-197. (Link)

2. Rocha Jr., A. B.; Cassuce, F. C. da C.; Cirino, J.F. (2017). Determinants of the use of rural credit through the National Program for Strengthening of Family Farming in 2014. Agricultural Policy Journal (Brazil), v.26, p.100 - 114. (Link)

1. Rocha Jr., A. B.; Sabbag, O. J.; Costa, S.M.A. L.; Carvalho, J. B. (2011). The efficiency of using rural credit and social capital in the aquaculture of Brazilian states in 2011. Agronomic Culture Journal (Brazil), v.24, p.355 - 368, 2015. (Link)

Grant funds as Principal Investigator (PI or Co-PI)

3. Role: PI. Project title: “Helping Farmers to Improve Drought Preparedness Through Participation in Federal Conservation Programs.” Funding Source: North Central Extension Risk Management Education Center (NCERME). Award Value: $74,710. Award Period: 04/01/2024 – 09/30/2025.

2. Role: Co-PI. Project title: “Advancing Aquaculture In The Midwestern Region”. Funding Source: North Central Regional Aquaculture Center (NCRAC). Award Value: $177,158. Award Period: 01/15/2024 – 06/15/2025.

1. Role: Co-PI. Do Crop Rotations and Cover Crops Impact Soil Health, Soil Water, Productivity, and Profitability in Missouri Soybean Systems? The Next Step. MO Soybean Merchandising Council (MSMC). Award Value: $28,000. Award Period: 04/01/2024 – 03/31/2025.

Grant funds as Colaborator

3. Role: Economic Analyst. Project title: “Drones: Use, Evaluation, and Field Demonstrations for Missouri Farming Systems.” Funding

Source: USDA-NRCS Missouri Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG). Award Value: $103,998. Award Period: 09/30/2023 – ]

09/30/2025.

2. Role: Economic Analyst. Project title: “Examining Accessibility And Inclusivity Of A Pilot App To Support Participation Of Climate-

Smart Agriculture Incentive Programs”. Funding Source: Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI). Award Value: $642,623.

Award Period: 09/01/2023 – 08/31/2027.

1. Role: Research Assistant. Project title: “Measurement of biological capital assets in the U.S. farm sector.” Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA-ERS). Award Value: $143,474. Award Period: 01/01/2022 – 05/01/2025.

Other Publications and Research Experience

5 Book Chapters, Essays, and Other Publications
24 Selected Poster and Paper Presentations
16 Completed Research and Consulting Projects
4 Working Papers and 1 Journal Article under Review

Teaching and Advising Experience

3 courses taught as Visiting Professor in the MBA Program of the Continuing Education Program in Economics and Business

Management (PECEGE) at the University of São Paulo (ESALQ-USP)

45 students advised in the Master of Business Administration course of the Continuing Education Program in Economics and

Business Management (PECEGE) at the University of São Paulo (ESALQ-USP)

Teaching Assistant in 4 Institutions.
2 External Doctoral Committees and an ongoing Master's committee

Extension Experience

3 Extension Appointments
16 Extension Articles or Guides
20 Extension Tools
18 Extension Presentations

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