Neilson (Neil) C. Conklin has devoted his career to the intersection between agricultural and economic policy. He retired as President of the Farm Foundation in 2016, having served in the role since 2008. Conklin previously served as Director of the Market and Trade Economics Division of the USDA’s Economic Research Service. Conklin’s other experiences include serving as Chief Economist at the Farm Credit Council and working at the USDA Economic Research Service in various capacities, including in fruit and vegetable outlook and as Deputy Director of the Agriculture and Trade Analysis Division. Conklin earned a Ph.D. in Agricultural and Applied Economics from the University of Minnesota, an M.S. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Wyoming, and a B.A. in History from Castleton University in Vermont. He grew up on a dairy farm in central Vermont. He and his wife Hilary Sheevers live in southeastern Arizona.