Dr. Jacob Schmiess

Jacob is a post-doctoral researcher for the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development. Dr. Schmiess’ research explores consumer behavior and preferences at the intersection of climate change and animal welfare. His current work examines whether consumers believe farm animal welfare improvements lead to better environmental outcomes and investigates the gap between public support for animal-friendly policies and actual purchasing behavior.
His other research interests include how emerging technologies alter our relationship with food, as well as how beliefs about farm animals and the environmental impacts of food production influence personal consumption decisions.
He received his M.S. and Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University, where he studied the potential market for exotic cultivated meat products, the environmental impacts of increased demand for plant-based meat in the U.S., and how package downsizing affects consumer purchasing habits.

Education
2013-2016 B.S. in Mathematics, Minnesota State University Moorhead, USA
2018-2020 M.S. in Agricultural Economics, Purdue University, USA
2021-2024 Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics, Purdue University, USA

Publications
Schmiess, J., Lusk, J. (2022). Trade-Off between AnimalWelfare and Environmental Impacts of Beef Production: An Analysis of Presentation Effects on Consumer Choice. Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics.
Shively, G., Schmiess, J. (2021). Altitude and early child growth in 47 countries. Population and Environment.

Working Papers
Schmiess, J., Collins, L., Lusk, J. Effects of Demand for Plant-Based Meat Substitutes on Environmental Outcomes.
Schmiess, J., Lusk, J. The Lion’s Share: Consumer Demand for Exotic Cultivated Meat Products.