COVID-19 is affecting America’s farmers, ranchers, and landowners in numerous and varied ways. Join Jackson Takach, chief economist with Farmer Mac, and Bruce Sherrick, Professor and Director of the TIAA Center for Farmland Research and a farmdoc team member, as they explore the drivers and linkages between the global pandemic, the related economic stoppage, farm assets, and agricultural finance.

Jackson Takach, the Chief Economist and Head of Strategy, Research, and Analytics at Farmer Mac, is a Kentucky native whose strong ties to agriculture began while growing up in the rural town of Scottsville. He joined the Farmer Mac team in 2005, and has worked in the strategy, research, credit, and underwriting departments. Jackson is the lead author and creator of The Feed, Farmer Mac’s quarterly publication on the agricultural sector, and he regularly presents to lenders, producers, and industry experts throughout the year. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in economics from Centre College, a Master’s degree in agricultural economics from Purdue University, as well as a Master’s of Business Administration and a Master’s degree in finance from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. He has also been a CFA charterholder since 2012.