The University of Wyoming welcomes two new statewide agricultural economics specialists serving UW Extension and the College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources.
Assistant professors Angela Jungbluth and Peyton Ellis joined the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics Tuesday, Aug. 25. In addition to their on-campus responsibilities, they will develop extension programming that supports rural communities and agricultural producers.
Jungbluth named livestock and agricultural marketing specialist
Angela Jungbluth serves as a UW Extension specialist and assistant professor of livestock and agricultural marketing. In this role, she will conduct applied research and extension programming related to agricultural production and marketing. She will work closely with UW Extension’s agriculture and natural resources team.
Jungbluth earned her doctorate in agricultural and natural resource economics from Oklahoma State University (OSU) in 2026. During her time at OSU, she researched animal welfare concerns and market inefficiencies associated with fetal bovine serum, a cattle industry byproduct.
From 2014 to 2021, Jungbluth worked for the Peck and Bushel Organic Fruit Company in Erin, Wisconsin. She cared for more than 30 thousand apple trees, maintained the grounds, and communicated with customers.
Jungbluth’s research and extension programs at UW will focus on economic analysis of livestock and agricultural markets. She will address topics like agricultural risk management and niche marketing for local agricultural products. One of her first projects will be a livestock marketing outlook.
“I am super excited about being here in Wyoming,” Jungbluth comments. “Working with the historic ranching community is a really cool opportunity.”
Ellis to serve as regional economics and community development specialist
Peyton Ellis serves as an extension specialist and assistant professor of regional economics and community development. She is also a faculty fellow in the UW Center for Business and Economic Analysis.
As an extension specialist, Ellis will focus on supporting economic resilience in communities across Wyoming and the region. She will work closely with UW Extension’s community vitality and health team as well as the Agriculture and Natural Resources team.
Ellis graduated from Michigan State University (MSU) in 2026 with a doctorate in agricultural, food, and resource economics. Her dissertation research focused on food system productivity and rural development.
At MSU, Ellis worked with the Research Supporting African Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises to Provide Safe and Nutritious Food (RSM2SNF) program to create outreach materials, connect with local stakeholders, and identify ways to improve vegetable production chains. She also worked with MSU Extension, facilitating opportunities for other graduate students to get hands-on extension experience.
At UW, Ellis’ programs and research will involve bolstering agricultural entrepreneurship and agrotourism; supporting economic development in Wyoming communities; and addressing rural access to housing, health care, and broadband internet.
“The most exciting part of the next few months is meeting everyone—learning about Wyoming while building important relationships and partnerships,” says Ellis.
