Gigi DiGiacomo

Gigi DiGiacomo Headshot
Senior Researcher
She/Her/Hers
[email protected]
6127101188
146H Ruttan Hall
Education
  • BA, Economics, University of St. Thomas (1991)
  • MS, Applied Economics, University of Minnesota (1995)

Areas of Interest

Invasive species, organics, economics, areawide

Biography

Gigi DiGiacomo is an agricultural economist specializing in the economic dimensions of sustainable specialty crop production. Her research examines how growers make management decisions related to integrated pest management (IPM), pollinator conservation, organic production, invasive species management, and agricultural sustainability. She combines economic analysis with biological and environmental sciences to evaluate the costs, benefits, adoption, and performance of production practices that support both farm profitability and ecosystem health.

Her work focuses on translating research into practical decision-making tools for growers, policymakers, and agricultural organizations. Current research areas include pollinator-friendly farming systems, consumer demand for environmentally beneficial production practices, economic impacts of invasive pests, organic transition and certification, specialty crop production economics, and farm-level responses to emerging environmental and market challenges. Through multidisciplinary and multi-state collaborations, she develops evidence-based recommendations that strengthen the economic resilience and environmental sustainability of agricultural systems.

Teaching

  • HORT 3131
  • AGRO 8010

Research

Gigi DiGiacomo's research focuses on the economics of sustainable agriculture, including integrated pest management, pollinator conservation, organic production systems, invasive species management, and specialty crop economics. Her work evaluates grower decision-making, consumer preferences, and the economic impacts of agricultural innovations and environmental challenges. Through multidisciplinary research, she develops practical, data-driven insights that support profitable and environmentally sustainable farming systems.

Outreach

Gigi DiGiacomo regularly partners with growers, agricultural professionals, government organizations, and Extension educators across the United States to ensure that research findings are accessible, relevant, and responsive to stakeholder needs. Her outreach efforts focus on sustainable specialty crop production, integrated pest management, pollinator conservation, organic agriculture, and invasive species management. She is committed to fostering connections between researchers, producers, and industry leaders to strengthen the economic and environmental sustainability of agricultural and horticultural cropping systems.

Select Publications

Google Scholar

Honors and Awards

  • CFANS Distinguished Academic P&A Staff Research Award, 2024
  • Endowed Chair in Agricultural Systems Program, University of Minnesota, 2006 – 2008