The School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences welcomed two faculty members who will collaborate to grow agricultural economics within the school and its goals for impact in the region. Both began posts at the start of the 2025-26 academic year within the Department of Agriculture, Food and Resource Sciences.
William Burke, assistant professor of agricultural economics, possesses expertise in food systems, rural development and agricultural policy. His research combines economic analysis with soil science, geospatial tools and household survey methods to assess behavior, predict outcomes and evaluate the effects of agricultural and food policy.
Burke previously held academic and research positions at Michigan State University and Stanford University.
He holds master’s and doctoral degrees from Michigan State University and a bachelor’s degree from Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland.
Abiodun Omotayo, assistant professor of applied economics, specializes in agricultural development, rural economic transformation and food system resilience. Agricultural productivity (particularly smallholder agriculture), sustainable farming systems and rural finance and livelihood are among his focus areas. He is also lead economist with the NOAA Living Marine Resources Cooperative Science Center at UMES.
Omotayo’s latest post was as senior economic consultant for Hycloud Solutions’s Institute for Smart Agriculture and Policy Innovation in Texas. He was also an associate professor at North West University in South Africa.
He holds a doctoral degree from North West University, and master’s and bachelor’s degrees from universities in Nigeria.
Gail Stephens, agricultural communications and media associate, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, UMES Extension, gcstephens@umes.edu., 410-621-3850.
Photos by Todd Dudek, agricultural communications, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, UMES Extension, tdudek@umes.edu
