EAST LANSING, Mich. — Longtime Michigan State University agricultural economist and professor David Schweikhardt is remembered by his colleagues for his passion for farm and trade policy, as well as the impacts changes had on the broader community.

 

Schweikhardt, 58, died unexpectedly June 2 at his home in East Lansing.

He joined MSU in 1992, where he was a professor who specialized in agricultural policy, trade policy and law in the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics.

His research and extension work focused on agricultural and trade policy, including the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the World Trade Or ganization (WTO), the Affordable Care Actand all U.S. farm bills since 1990. Scott Swinton, professor with the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics, said, “Dave was a rare example of someone who cared deeply about policy and who built a set of skills that was really extraordinary.”

A native of Indiana, Schweikhardt earned a bachelor of science degree with Highest Distinction in agricultural economics from Purdue University in 1980, and a master of science in the same field of study from MSU in 1983 and a Ph.D. in 1989. He earned a law degree from MSU in 2004 and was a member of the State Bar of Michigan.

“Part of what I found special about Dave is he really deeply cared about the wider community,” Swinton said. “There were lots of different kinds of communities that Dave cared about. He cared about the community of farmers and how different kinds of farmers would be affected by changes in policy.

“He cared about the community of students and how different kinds of students would be affected by changes in programs we have at the university. He was always kind of looking out for who may get hurt by a change in policy.”

He said Schweikhardt focused on institutional economics, or how laws and rules shape markets and economic outcomes.

“Dave was acutely aware that when we change the rules through changing policy, we change the outcomes and who gets helped and who gets hurt,” Swint on said. “Dave worked through that with every farm bill since 1990, and he also orked through that in other important policy changes like the Affordable Care Act, where that had repercussions for many agribusinesses across Michigan.

“Dave was kind of the conscience of our department. He was always thinking  about how different people would be affectedby changes. People in all sorts of settings heard Dave get passionate about things he cared about, and it was never about Dave personally. It was about looking out for the welfare of other people who mattered.”

Bob Boehm, general manager of Michigan Farm Bureau’s Center for Commodity, Farm and Industry Relations, said Schweikhardt’s knowledge and skills will leave a void throughout the agricultural community.

“Dave was a real resource for Michigan Farm Bureau, especially in our policy development work on the farm bill and trade issues over the last 25 years or so.

It’s a big loss for us, his family, MSU and the ag community,” he said. “As we start

discussions on another farm bill and all the talk on NAFTA and trade issues in the news, from a resource standpoint, we’re really missing that mind that he had.

“He focused so much on ag and trade policy, he was really our go-to guy. Michigan is a unique state with a lot of varied commodities that sometimes get lost in the shuffle when we talk about big, broad-brush U.S. agriculture.”

When looking at commodities such as asparagus, sugar, dry beans, carrots, cherries and other more specialized crops, Boehm said, “Dave was able to ferret out what impacts various trade agreements would have almost by commodity for Michigan. That was a real asset.

“This is a huge loss for the industry. Personally, he was a great friend and a great colleague. He was always willing to go out and meet with farmers. Dave was somebody who would take the time to get to know not only what the policy might mean, but how farmers would react to it. He would readily go on the road and attend farmer meetings and be real interested in what farmers thought about various policy options.

“He was really unique in that way. It wasn’t just about him talking to you. It was about challenging some assumptions and bringing some different perspectives, and always wanting to know how it was going to impact farmers,” he added. “He was very passionate about what he was explaining and communicating. I think we all are going to miss that level of passion and concern.”

Boehm recalled the story of how Schweikhardt was working in MSU’s Ag Hall the New Year’s Eve of the year 2000, when it was firebombed. “He was there to call 911 and save the building. That’s a testament to Dave’s work ethic and tenacity,” he said.

“Whatever issue he grabbed a hold of, he really poured his heart and soul into making sure people understood it, and looked at the economics as well as some of the practical side of things,” he added.