William Batchelor has been tapped as the new director of the Auburn...
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Innovating solutions to agricultural challenges
By Jeremy Henderson There’s a buzz in the air around Corley Hall these days — literally. Blame it on the team of both doctoral and undergraduate biosystems engineering students tackling the age-old problem of precise fertilizer application with cutting-edge drone...
Decoding Dicamba
Auburn researchers help farmers adapt to EPA changes This year, major regulatory changes enacted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will affect farmers nationwide, specifically herbicide use for soybean and cotton producers. For 2025, dicamba herbicide...
Fueling a winner
The Southeastern Conference (SEC), on Feb. 24, named Sushil Adhikari as Auburn’s honoree for the SEC Faculty Achievement Award.
Auburn hosts forum on data science and AI in production agriculture and natural resources
Forum to be held 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, April 21 Auburn University faculty researchers from the Colleges of Agriculture, Sciences and Mathematics, and...
Adhikari to serve as interim associate dean, associate director
Sushil Adhikari will serve as the Auburn University College of Agriculture’s interim associate dean for research and interim associate director of the Alabama...
Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Department rakes in awards
Faculty and students in the Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences at Auburn University received a number of awards during the annual meetings of the American Society of Agronomy, the Crop Science Society of America, and the Soil Science Society of...
Seun Oladipupo is the pinnacle of graduate excellence at Auburn
Few students have been as actively involved in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at Auburn University as Seun Oladipupo, a Ph.D. candidate who plans to complete his degree in May. According to Entomology and Plant Pathology Chair David Held, Oladipupo...
Alumnus showcases turfgrass management on social media
By Taylor Sondgeroth It is no secret that social media has greatly influenced the world as we know it today. But perhaps less known is the daily impact social media has on the agriculture industry. Auburn University graduates Daniel Johnson and his wife Amanda are an...
Auburn, HudsonAlpha look to the past to develop better crops
In 2020, Auburn’s College of Agriculture hired a historian and storyteller, although his resumé says he’s a geneticist. He was hired to help partner Auburn’s strength in plant breeding with the genome-sequencing renown of Huntsville’s HudsonAlpha Institute for...
College of Agriculture students, faculty earn prestigious awards
Students and faculty in the College of Agriculture at Auburn University were recently recognized for their hard work and achievements through a number of regional and national awards. In the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, Assistant Professor...
Graduate student designs smart gardening project for countries in crisis
Native Zambian Dorcas Lukwesa wanted to study agricultural sciences because of the seed her farming grandparents planted in her — a budding interest in food and nutrition she couldn’t ignore as she aspired to go to college outside her home country. Now a graduate...
Auburn University, Alabama Extension unveil historical marker recognizing Alfa centennial
Auburn University and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System celebrated the Alabama Farmers Federation’s recent centennial celebration with the unveiling of a historical marker on Thursday, Feb. 17. The marker was erected at the Alfa Pavilion at Auburn’s Ag Heritage...
Man vs. Mosquito: Auburn researcher tackles age-old battle
By Mike Jernigan So, imagine you’re a female mosquito. You’re patiently circling, waiting to pounce, while your unsuspecting victim enjoys a picnic with no idea they have unknowingly been placed on your menu. Your multi-lensed eyes have confirmed what your carbon...
Conference to feature Southeast’s brightest agricultural minds
The College of Agriculture at Auburn University and its fellow land-grand universities throughout the Southeast are jointly hosting a conference next month to address the potential of artificial intelligence, robotics and automation in agriculture. Titled “Envisioning...
Auburn, HudsonAlpha researcher awarded fellowship to accelerate hop breeding programs
The beer industry has been steadily growing in the United States over the last decade, driven largely by the increased popularity of craft breweries. It is predicted to continue this growth with an estimated market value of $146 billion by 2025. To meet the growing...
Alabama Public Television to highlight extension program fighting hunger
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s Grow More, Give More initiative will be the focus of Alabama Public Television’s next installment in its “Spotlight on Agriculture” series at 9 p.m. Feb. 24. Grow More, Give More is a program through which home gardeners grow...
Parasite examined for its link to poor diet, obesity
With the obesity rate sitting at 36 percent and climbing, researchers are investigating factors contributing to the notoriously poor diet quality in the United States. One possibility might be a common parasite that causes impulsive decisions and changes risk...
Bonnie Plants Foundation gift to create Children’s Garden
The Transformation Garden in the College of Agriculture at Auburn University recently received a truly transformative donation. Bonnie Plants Foundation announced a multiyear donation to establish a new two-acre Children’s Garden and Pollinator Garden within Auburn's...
Layne honored for Transformation Garden, completion of leadership program
Auburn University’s Desmond Layne, head of the Department of Horticulture, has been honored by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, or APLU, for leading Auburn’s Transformation Garden project and his completion of the APLU’s Food Systems Leadership...
Research examines results of competing policies on healthy food choices
An Auburn University research project attempts to determine which approach best improves access to healthy food choices for food assistance recipients in the United States — more government benefits or more grocery stores. The study — authored by Joel Cuffey,...
Conference to address artificial intelligence in agriculture
Artificial intelligence (AI) support systems, automation and robotics have the potential to transform agriculture. A group of Southeastern universities is coordinating a conference to address this potential at Auburn University in the spring. Titled “Envisioning 2050...
Study shows ancient cities also dealt with toxic pollution
The negative impact humans can have on their own environment is constantly on full display, with climate change, land alterations and harmful algal blooms impacting people’s lives daily. But this isn’t an entirely new phenomenon, according to a recent study published...
Auburn’s PAR grants consider needs of Alabama farmers
Auburn’s Production Agriculture Research (PAR) grant program personifies the university’s land-grant research mission by communicating directly with Alabama’s farmers and addressing their most immediate needs. “The PAR grants program, more than any other, sets its...
College of Agriculture recognizes fall 2021 award winners & graduates
Two excellent students from Auburn University’s College of Agriculture have been selected as recipients of the college’s Dean’s Award and Student Marshal. The final selection was made by the scholarship committee. Below we also honor our Fall 2021 Graduates. DEAN’S...
Research finds improved soil test for phosphorus in water
In the quest to find a solution to one problem, agricultural research oftentimes finds answers to others along the way. Such is the case with researchers from Auburn University’s College of Agriculture, where scientists are working to ensure that waste or litter from...
“Agrivoltaic” research combines solar energy, food production
Auburn University researchers in the College of Agriculture’s Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology Department are participating in a new USDA project to optimize design for “agrivoltaic” systems — fields with both crops and solar panels — that will maintain crop...
Auburn farmed-oyster study aims for safety on the half shell
Auburn University marine scientist Bill Walton, one of the driving forces behind the Gulf Coast’s up-and-coming off-bottom oyster-farming industry, has landed a $456,646 federal grant to help ensure that farmed oysters bound for the premium half-shell market are as safe as possible for human consumption.
APT series on Auburn agriculture to continue Aug. 27
The third installment of Alabama Public Television’s documentary series on Auburn agriculture will air Aug. 27 at 9 p.m. CDT. The episode will highlight Auburn’s research and extension efforts in plant-based food production.
Auburn Agriculture, Extension name Phillips associate dean, assistant director
J. Mike Phillips, head of the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences at Mississippi State University, will join Auburn University Aug. 15 as associate dean for Extension in the College of Agriculture and assistant director for agriculture, forestry and natural resource Extension programs.
2018 beef cattle conference set Aug. 18 in Auburn
Cow-calf producers across the state will gain valuable insight on how to overcome challenges in the cattle business during the Auburn University Department of Animal Sciences’ 2018 Beef Cattle Conference Saturday, Aug. 18, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., at the Ham Wilson Livestock Arena at 650 S. Donahue Drive in Auburn.
Study shows undergrad research experiences benefit students and society
College students who participate in hands-on, faculty-mentored research en route to their bachelor’s degrees cite multiple personal and professional benefits the experience delivers, from strengthening their time-management, critical-thinking and communication skills to developing one-on-one connections with distinguished faculty.
Dalton Richardson
Dalton Richardson received an MS in Rural Sociology at Auburn University before joining the Sociology PhD program at the University of Oregon, where he is currently a Graduate Teaching Fellow. His research interests include rural life in the United States,...
Auburn’s Deutsch celebrates state’s rivers in forthcoming book
Bill Deutsch, a retired Auburn University aquatic ecologist who has spent almost three decades exploring, restoring and championing Alabama’s 132,000 miles of rivers and streams, will unveil his debut book, Alabama Rivers, A Celebration and Challenge, later this month in Auburn.
Bee Auburn activities to celebrate Pollinator Week
The Auburn University College of Agriculture and the City of Auburn are teaming up to host Bee Auburn 2018 June 18 – 22. The week, which coincides with National Pollinator Week 2018, celebrates pollinators and their impact on our culture, health, history, society and economy.
Auburn survey shows U.S. beekeepers lose four of every 10 managed colonies in 2017-18
The nation’s beekeepers lost 40 percent of their managed honey bee colonies between April 1, 2017, and March 31, 2018, an increase of almost 7 percentage points from the previous year’s total loss rate, results of an annual nationwide survey show.
Auburn animal sciences alum dedicated to feeding the flock
Sometimes when you think you’ve got life all mapped out, providence sends you in a different direction. Grady Smith, senior pastor of Gateway Baptist Church in Montgomery, knows all about that kind of journey.
The Auburn bond is more secure than glue: ’52 alumni recount lifelong friendships made at Auburn
Three studied agriculture and one, journalism. The Korean War was in full swing at this time, and the four met and became friends in basic Army ROTC classes.
Stranger than fiction: Fisheries alum, specialist writes what he knows in debut novel
When Gregory Whitis began his undergraduate studies in zoology at Iowa State University in the mid-’70s, he had no idea there was such a place as Auburn University; he had never heard the word “aquaculture”; and the idea of one day living in the Deep South for sure had never entered his mind. And catfish farming? Was that a joke?
Built from scratch: ’98 horticulture alum grows lofty vision into landscape industry giant
On a mid-March afternoon in 1998, Tony Gibson high-fived friends and family as he celebrated graduating with his horticulture degree from Auburn University. But the festivities were short and sweet, because this new alumnus had things to do.
Spring graduate Kenzley Defler builds strong track record of serving communities
If you’re going to keep up with Kenzley Defler, you’d better put on your running shoes. Not just because she’s an avid long-distance runner and Auburn track and field team member, but because she’s always in motion—working here, researching there and serving everywhere.
Alabama Public Television series on agricultural research at Auburn continues May 7
will air the second episode in its documentary series on agricultural research at Auburn University May 7 at 9 p.m. CDT. The series, which debuted in February, will include at least eight parts through 2018 and 2019.
Poultry science alum to give Auburn commencement address May 6
Randall Ennis, a 1983 Auburn University poultry science graduate who serves as CEO of the World Poultry Foundation, will deliver the keynote address during Auburn’s spring 2018 commencement ceremonies set for Sunday, May 6, in the Auburn Arena. He will speak at both...
College of Agriculture receives $500,000 gift from Alabama company
A $500,000 gift to the Auburn University College of Agriculture from Crossville, Alabama–based D & F Equipment Sales Inc. and its founding Fortenberry family will support ongoing development of the Charles C. Miller Jr. Poultry Research and Education Center,...
Market at Ag Heritage Park opens 2018 season May 3
The Market at Ag Heritage Park will kick off its 14th season on the Auburn University campus Thursday, May 3, at 3 p.m. and will continue every Thursday, 3-6 p.m., through Aug. 30. Sponsored by Auburn’s College of Agriculture, the outdoor farmers market is located...
Auburn equestrian rides to fifth national championship
The second-ranked Auburn Tigers bested No. 1 Georgia 10-5 to claim the championship trophy at the 2018 National Collegiate Equestrian Association competition in Waco, Texas, last month. The victory was Auburn equestrian’s second national championship in three years...
Auburn joins regional small-fruit consortium
In a move aimed at advancing and promoting Alabama’s berry and grape industries, Auburn University has joined the multistate Southern Region Small Fruit Consortium, a collaborative initiative that brings together producers, researchers and extension specialists to strengthen the South’s small-fruit industries.
Five in college earn faculty promotions
Auburn University Provost Bill Hardgrave’s recent announcement of faculty across campus who have been awarded promotion or promotion with tenure for 2018 includes five faculty members in the College of Agriculture. Attaining the status of full professor are Christy...