Professor Eithan Hochman of the Hebrew University, a graduate of our department at Berkeley, a frequent visitor to Berkeley, and a collaborator and friend of many of us, passed away in Rehovot, Israel, at the age of 95. Eithan was an important part of my life for more than fifty years, and in many ways, […]
Remembering Eithan Hochman: Scholar, Mentor, Adventurer, and Friend Read More »
When I was eight years old, my father began taking me to synagogue on Shabbat. We were living in Israel, and my family was what Israelis called traditional. We did not drive on the Sabbath or light a fire, though we did turn electric lights on and off. My father went to the synagogue every
The Encyclopedia That Gave Me a Choice Read More »
I was introduced to Carl Pray by Doug Parker. At the time, I was working on a paper on the political economy of agricultural research, and I spoke with Carl about some of the ideas behind it. We discussed the possibilities for government support of research and the extent to which such research should be
Carl Pray: A Friend and a Wise Scholar Read More »
Around 1985, a large, imposing, energetic man walked into my office and began telling me about his research on technology adoption and farm-system choices. He introduced himself as Bruce McCarl from Oregon State. I had just finished a paper on adoption, and I was embarrassed that I had ignored his work. So I read some
Bruce McCarl: An Unsung Hero of Climate Change Economics Read More »
On January 1, 2026, I will formally retire and transition to Professor of the Graduate School (POG). While my pension will cover my salary, I will continue to maintain an office at Berkeley, manage my research grants, and supervise graduate students. The practical effects of this transition are modest: I will no longer teach large
Transitioning from Professor to Professor of the Graduate School (POG) Read More »
The year 2025 was marked by continuity and change—personally and professionally. It was a year of deepening connections with family as the next generation grows, and defines its own paths, continued teaching and mentorship at Berkeley, and engagement with colleagues across continents. My golden years are still golden When you are young, you dread old
My Annual Review – 2025 Read More »
The Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ARE) at UC Berkeley has a glorious history. Among its illustrious alums is John Kenneth Galbraith (1908–2006), one of the twentieth century’s leading public intellectuals and economists. Another is Philip Habib, a distinguished diplomat who played a significant role in easing Cold War tensions. Lawrence Klein (1920–2013) won the Nobel Prize in
Moshe Safdie is a master builder, a world leading architect who aims to address people’s social problems by designing buildings. I first met Moshe Safdie when we were recipients of the Wolf Prize. Safdie radiated the quiet authority of someone whose work speaks for itself, yet he was generous with his time and insights. He
“If Walls Could Speak” by Moshe Safdie -Architecture and Lessons for Economics Read More »
Richard was arguably the leading Ag economist in the world in last quarter of the 20th to early 21st century until his retirement. He was my dissertation advisor, and a life-long friend and collaborator. On July 30th, 2025, several of his students and colleagues assembled with Richard and his family to celebrate his career. It was an emotional
In Appreciation of Richard Just Read More »
The year 2023 had a promising start. Gradually, we’ve removed the COVID-19 restrictions from the pandemic. We had a lot of rain in Berkeley, but no fires, ending the drought, and even the inflation rate declined. Yet, tragic events occurred toward the end of the year, and we are left to hope for the better.
My Annual Review 2023 Read More »