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A scholarship fund has been established in Julie's name.

Contributions can be made to:

UA Foundation
Julie P. Leones Scholarship
College of Agriculture
Forbes 325
Tucson AZ 85721-0036.

In Memory of Julie Leones

Julie Leones, AREC extension economist, died of breast cancer on March 2. She was 40.

"Julie did wonderful things in agricultural economics, particularly related to agribusiness," says Jim Christenson, director of the Arizona Cooperative Extension. "She was a driving force in developing research, educational, and marketing programs for agro- and ecotourism in Arizona."

Leones worked for nine years in the Department, concentrating on issues relating to regional economics and rural economic development in Arizona.

Always practical, her economic impact analyses, industry studies, and tourism/recreational studies assisted growers and members of the green industry (nurseries and landscaping) in finding new directions for their businesses. She analyzed and described the economic contribution of agriculture in general to the state's economy.

"That was the first time that had been done well in the state of Arizona," says Paul Wilson, an AREC professor. She believed in the ability of economic analysis to shed light on public policy issues.

"Three things come to mind when I think of Julie: her courage in being willing to tackle controversial public policy issues, her passion for her work, and her love for people," Wilson says. "She was able to manage her professional life while keeping her family number one. And that's the greatest tribute to her, in my mind."

A native of California, Leones earned a bachelor's degree in economics at the University of Oregon in 1979. She joined the Peace Corps in 1980 and spent four years in the Philippines, where she met her future husband, Emmanuel Leones. She completed a master's degree in agricultural economics at Cornell University in 1987 and returned to the Philippines to work as a field researcher on a Fulbright-Hays Grant until 1989.

After serving for a year as an affiliate fellow in the economics department of the International Rice Research Institute in Los Banos, Philippines, she obtained her doctorate in agricultural economics from Cornell in 1990. Her thesis and dissertation work focused on economic issues in an upland farming village in the Philippines.

Arriving at the UA in 1990, Leones quickly involved herself in research, publishing, and extension presentations, and voluntarily mentored master's students, even though she did not have a teaching appointment. Named Arizona Cooperative Extension Faculty of the Year in 1992, Leones was also honored in 1996 with the Recognition of Excellence from the Business and Public Administration Student Council for her commitment to education and students.

She worked extensively with colleagues on economic impact analyses and other projects pertaining to agribusiness and resource issues in Cochise, Maricopa, Gila, Pima, Yuma, Pinal, and Yavapai counties. She completed nearly 76 published documents, including journal articles, peer reviewed electronic publications, book chapters, and AREC's Community Development Issues Newsletter.

Leones' passion for her work continued throughout her six-year battle with cancer. Her professional attitude and caring friendship will be remembered by many.

Leones is survived by her husband Emmanuel, her children Ian and Emily; her sister Laura; her mother and father, and her grandmother.

-- Susan McGinley, College of Agriculture

Photo by Valerie Ralph

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