Mr. Benavidez studies forecasting and simulation applied to the intersection of agricultural policy and decision making in the areas of farm management, and crop and livestock production. His master's thesis was entitled "The CRP Choice" and focused on helping producers approach the decision on whether or not to enroll their land in the Conservation Reserve Program or an alternative use.

Mr. Benavidez is currently enrolled in a PhD program in the department of Agricultural Economics as a Texas A&M University AgriLife Extension Fellow.

Mr. Benavidez enjoys reading, hunting, cooking, and during the summer, can find him as close to the pool or other body of water as he can possibly get. In addition, he enjoys skiing, Aggie football, and writing biographies for the AFPC website.