Aiken is a Professor of Agricultural Economics at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln where he has taught courses on agricultural law, environmental and natural resources law, environmental law, and water law.  He has been at UNL since 1975.  Aiken received his J.D. (with honors) from George Washington University (1975), and his B.A. from Hastings College in Nebraska (1972).

His current Extension program includes: water law; agricultural law; ground water quality protection; livestock nuisance; livestock operations and county zoning; and corporate farming restrictions.