Warren E. Johnston has compiled a distinguished record of teaching, research, administration and service to the University of California, the state, and the Agricultural Economics profession. He was raised on a diversified crop and livestock ranch just fifteen miles from the University of California, Davis, where he also completed his BS degree in 1959. Following graduate study at North Carolina State University, Johnston returned to Davis in 1963 as a faculty member. Johnston served as professor of agricultural economics until July 1, 1994, when he elected to participate in the university's early retirement program. Although officially retired, Professor Emeritus Johnston has been recalled to continue his funded research program and teach graduate and undergraduate courses.

Professor Johnston has maintained a productive research program throughout his career, making important contributions in production economics, natural resources economics, and public policy. His research topics have often related to his continued interest in farming, ranching, and natural resources, and have included notable and innovative collaborative work with both economists and professionals with widely disparate interests and expertise. Johnston's research reflects his genuine interest in real-world problems and policies Each of his studies has a trademark: useful and relevant policy analysis based on sound conceptual economic frameworks. A rich understanding of the institutions in which economic decisions occur is another hallmark of Johnston's research.

Johnston's research demonstrates a knack for anticipating important issues; his analysis of the economics of outdoor recreation, the changing structure of U. S. and international agriculture, the economics of farm size, energy use in agriculture, and fisheries and aquacultural economics contributed significantly to the development of these diverse fields. His ongoing evaluation of the effects of New Zealand's 1984 "economic liberalization" reforms focus on the impacts of adjustment processes on farms and farm households, and include lessons that might be applied elsewhere. His current research focuses on the regional economic impacts of the recent California drought, and of future "man-made" policy droughts induced by changing resource and environmental policies.

Students share in Johnston's examination of real-world phenomena. A second generation of U.C. Davis students now accompanies him on subject farm visits as part of his farm and rural resources appraisal course, while others have learned about natural resource use problems in his resource and environmental policy analysis courses. He currently conducts a graduate seminar which concludes with a week-long tour and examination of California's agricultural and resource issues-in the field!

His university service has been sustained and highly meritorious. His administrative appointments have included chair of the department's graduate program, acting associate dean of the college of agriculture, chair of the executive committee of the Giannini Foundation of Agricultural Economics, and department chairman. Johnston's contributions to elevating U.C. Davis's agricultural economics program to one of the top-ranked in the nation were significant. As department chair, he guided the department through a period of growth and change during which one-third of the current faculty were hired. His leadership and enthusiasm were instrumental in successfully recruiting outstanding faculty to strengthen the department's commitment to agricultural issues and to expand programs in resource, environmental, and development economics.

Finally, Johnston is probably best recognized within the profession for his extensive service to the American Agricultural Economics Association, as both an elected director of the executive board and president of the association. His presidential address contained highly relevant and insightful recommendations for the role of the AAEA in advancing the profession during a time of structural change. During his six years of service, many of the recent hallmarks of the association were planned and/or implemented, including encouraging increased participation by and relevance to the association's diverse membership. Johnston was also instrumental in reorganization of the association's management structure with the creation of its first permanent business office and the executive secretary position.

Warren Johnston's professional activities have brought him in close contact with many associates and students who have been enriched by, and benefited from, his scholarship, advice, cheerful good humor, and genuine concern for others. His recall to the U.C. Davis faculty and his ongoing interests and commitments assure that he will remain a visible and productive member of the university and profession for years to come.