Pre-registration for Luncheons is required before the annual meeting. You may register for Luncheons while registering for the annual meeting or by calling the AAEA Business Office at (414) 918-3190.
Monday, July 27, 2026
11:30 am - 1:00 pm Central
Fee: $63
Justin Benavidez, USDA - Chief Economist
Justin Benavidez is the Chief Economist of the United States Department of Agriculture. Benavidez previously served as chief economist for the majority staff of the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, where he provided economic analysis on farm bill policy, commodity markets, and agricultural legislation. Before his service on Capitol Hill, Benavidez worked as an agricultural economist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, focusing on farm and ranch management, production economics, and policy analysis. He holds bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in agricultural economics from Texas A&M University.
As USDA Chief Economist, Benavidez leads the Department’s economic analysis and forecasting efforts, ensuring USDA’s policies and programs continue to be informed by sound, data-driven economic research that supports America’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. The Office of the Chief Economist provides independent economic analysis to inform USDA decision-making, including market outlooks, policy evaluation, and global agricultural assessments that support U.S. agriculture and food systems.