The External Advisory Committee is a committee made up of persons outside of the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics. The committee is tasked with providing advice on Departmental programs as an external group with appropriate interests in the State of Illinois; responding to requests for advice on policy regarding operation and direction of the Department, after appropriate briefing from the Head of the Department; and bringing to the attention of the Head of the Department the committee's concerns about policy matters and other questions of substance as these affect the operation and direction of the Department.

Members are appointed for a three-year term. Terms begin in August and run through a full academic year.