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Acres of Auburn Premiere Features Ph.D. Student’s Research
As she steps into the field at Wiregrass, Caitlyn Lawton (Auburn Ph.D. student) sees more than crops—she’s scouting for pest damage as part of her Integrated Pest Management research. Through the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, students like Caitlyn gain...
Securing food and protecting our planet
For more than a century, faculty in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology have been studying and managing plant diseases. Researchers within the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station have a united goal to address the major issues facing the world’s...
Engaging undergraduates
Food scientist recognized for teaching excellence In Assistant Professor Sungeun Cho’s classroom, food isn’t just something to taste — it’s a gateway to science,...
Auburn forage specialist honored for outstanding outreach
Leanne Dillard has always loved puzzles, and her work as an associate professor and an Alabama Cooperative Extension System specialist is like one big puzzle.
Acres of Auburn Premiere Features Ph.D. Student’s Research
As she steps into the field at Wiregrass, Caitlyn Lawton (Auburn Ph.D. student) sees more than crops—she’s scouting for pest damage as part of her Integrated Pest Management research. Through the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, students like Caitlyn gain hands-on skills and practical knowledge to improve agricultural production. Learn more in the premiere episode of Acres of Auburn.
Chen named APRES Fellow, recognized for peanut breeding research
Auburn University Professor Charles Chen was recently recognized for outstanding contributions to his field of peanut breeding and genetics. At the 57th annual meeting of the American Peanut Research & Education Society (APRES) July 15-17 in Richmond, Virginia,...
Auburn Biosystems Engineering celebrated for excellence and impact abroad
Auburn University’s Biosystems Engineering faculty and students garnered high honors and awards recognition through a prestigious international organization.
Auburn research focuses on more uniform, high-quality cotton fibers
A fierce battle is being waged between cotton and polyester, with polyester edging ahead as the most widely used fiber in the world, for now. In fact, synthetic materials account for more than half of today’s overall market share.
BATM major combines agriculture, technology to create workforce of future
By Amy Weaver Auburn University often adds academic programs in response to workforce demand and societal needs. One of the latest additions is a major in biological and agricultural technology management. With the acronym BATM, it is colloquially called the “Batman”...
Alumnus takes animal sciences degree to the Last Frontier
By Chris Anthony Far from the rolling plains of Alabama, the tiny mountain community of Haines, Alaska, (population 1,700) might be the last place you would expect to hear a hearty “War Eagle” as an eagle soars overhead. But that is slowly changing with Gabe Hallmark...
Double Up Food Bucks Alabama: Making healthy eating a SNAP
Double Up Food Bucks Alabama is enhancing communities by making fresh local produce more affordable and accessible at select grocery stores and farmers markets. The program is funded in part by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) with matching funds from state...
U.S. Beekeeping Survey reveals highest honey bee colony losses during 2024-2025
The annual U.S. Beekeeping Survey results are in for the 2024-2025 calendar year. In collaboration with Auburn University, the Apiary Inspectors of America, Oregon State University and others, the national survey estimated that 55.6% of managed honey bee colonies were...
Understudied cotton is the focus of Auburn University research on seedling diseases
Cotton is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable plants in the world, with its heart-shaped leaves and branches that explode into powder-white fruit. But it’s also one of the more understudied field crops. “Previously, it was unclear where and which specific...
Alabama Drought Reach strengthens statewide monitoring
Alabama has been a stranger to the rain several times during the past few years. To prepare the state with more than just a forecast, the Alabama Drought Reach (ADR) program provides climate data statewide.
Flourishing forages: Alabama cattlemen’s secret weapon to diversified production
From the Coastal Plain to the Black Belt, Alabama cattle producers are utilizing forage systems to their advantage to meet the challenges of modern agriculture. Alabama ranks 17th nationally in beef cattle, according to the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association. Alabama...
Boardwine receives student employee of the year award
Recent graduate Ali Boardwine received a particularly special accolade before graduating on May 11 with a Bachelor of Science in bioprocess engineering and minors in business and public health. The Career Discovery and Success office within the Office of the Provost...
Planting shifts into high gear at Alabama agricultural research units
As spring planting shifts into high gear in farmers’ fields throughout the Southeast, few agricultural operations come close to matching the diversity of crops and locations as the outlying units of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station at Auburn University....
FoodU expands vertical farming operation
The Auburn University College of Agriculture and Campus Dining recently added four new container farms to its vertical farming operation. The four new farms, outfitted in shipping containers, are from AmplifiedAg, a leader in indoor agriculture. Auburn now has six...
Market at Ag Heritage Park returns May 22
Hosted by the Auburn University College of Agriculture, The Market at Ag Heritage Park is an open-air, growers-only farmers market offering fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables, herbs, ornamental plants and cut flowers as well as locally produced jams and...
Will Rich selected spring 2025 student marshal
Advises future ag students to get involved The spring 2025 graduation marshal for the Auburn University College of Agriculture is a familiar face around Comer Hall. Will Rich was selected from among the agriculture spring graduates to represent the college at the...
Batchelor named Water Resources Center Director
William Batchelor has been tapped as the new director of the Auburn University Water Resources Center, effective immediately. As director, he will lead a team of scientists working with communities, farmers, governments and agencies across Alabama to improve water...
Kumar awarded LEAP Summer Momentum Fellowship
Sudhanshu Kumar, a Ph.D. student in the Hydroclimate Research Group within the Department of Crop, Soil & Environmental Sciences, has been selected for the 2025 LEAP Summer Momentum Fellowship — a prestigious and highly competitive opportunity for doctoral...
Predicting investment returns for crop irrigation
New model to help farmers make better investment decisions By Danielle Lunny Alabama farmers considering investing in irrigation equipment will soon have a free, comprehensive online tool to help them decide. A new prediction model will combine weather and economic...
Organic Opportunity: consumer trends in Alabama organic produce
A recent study conducted by agricultural economists through the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station examined consumers’ willingness to pay a premium for organic produce. In recent years, interest in organic produce has grown significantly; however, many...
Pest management solutions: Faculty and students receive regional recognition
Auburn University graduate students and one faculty member rose above and beyond for this year’s Southern Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Awards. For the first time, two Auburn doctoral candidates, Caitlyn Lawton and Rogan Tokach, were honored for their achievements...
Going Green: Blersch’s lab addresses crucial environmental work
By Amy Weaver Contrary to what the name might suggest, the work currently happening in the Green Infrastructure Lab at Auburn has nothing to do with green-colored roads or buildings. No Emerald City here. “Green infrastructure is an approach to managing water and...
$4 million grant takes efficient crop management practices to the farm
Auburn University researchers and Alabama Extension specialists are taking their expertise from labs and small experimental plots to Alabama farmers’ fields with a $4 million grant from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The grant aims to increase...
Better than he found it: Patterson steps down as agriculture dean, experiment station director
As 2024 draws to a close, Paul Patterson is stepping away from his roles as dean of the College of Agriculture and director of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, effective Jan. 1. He led both to record numbers in the areas of teaching, research and outreach since he assume the positions in March 2016…
National survey indicates highest bee colony losses in 14 years
The annual U.S. Beekeeping Survey, designed and administered by Auburn University and Apiary Inspectors of America, indicates the highest colony losses since the 2010-11 beekeeping season, when colony loss rates were first determined. U.S. beekeepers lost an estimated...
Three Auburn ag researchers to present at January regional farming conference
Auburn University’s Kip Balkcom, Eddie McGriff and Simerjeet Virk will be among the researchers presenting at the National Conservation Systems Cotton and Rice, Southern Soybean and Corn, Delta States Irrigation and Southern Precision Ag conferences being held Jan. 27...
Using thermal imaging to measure peanut physiological characteristics
Auburn-developed method could advance efforts to breed a drought-tolerant peanut Auburn University researchers have devised a new means of measuring the physiological characteristics of peanut plants that should prove to be instrumental in speeding the breeding...
Appel named interim dean and director for College of Agriculture, Experiment Station
Arthur Appel will serve as interim dean of the Auburn University College of Agriculture and interim director of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, effective Jan. 1. Appel has served in his current role as associate dean for research and assistant director of...
Rypel named director of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences
Andrew L. Rypel will serve as director of the Auburn University School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, effective March 22. He comes from the University of California at Davis, where he currently serves as director of the Center for Watershed Resources...
Wright named ASHS Fellow
Amy Wright, professor of horticulture and associate dean for instruction, was named an American Society for Horticultural Science Fellow at the society’s annual conference Sept. 23-27. ASHS is globally recognized as one of the most respected and influential...
Ru wins ASHS Early Career Competition
Sushan Ru, assistant professor of horticulture, won first place in the Early Career Competition at the American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference Sept. 23-27. ASHS is globally recognized as one of the most respected and influential professional...
Measuring the impact of natural light on chicken production
The average broiler chicken lives 6–8 weeks and spends much of that time indoors, but researchers at Auburn University are investigating the use of natural light in broiler houses and its effects on bird performance and welfare. A team of agricultural engineers,...
Bullard, Brantley named Alumni Professors
Two College of Agriculture faculty members were announced among Auburn University’s five 2024 Alumni Professors Sept. 20. Eve Brantley, a professor and associate director of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, is a renowned expert in water quality and...
Water Resources Conference attracts record crowd, hosts student research awards
The Auburn University Water Resources Center welcomed a record 370 attendees to its annual Alabama Water Resources Conference in Orange Beach Sept. 4-6. The conference has been held since 1987. This year’s conference included eighty undergraduate and graduate students...
College of Agriculture hosts 45th annual Ag Roundup
The 45th annual Ag Roundup, hosted by the Auburn Agricultural Alumni Club and Auburn University College of Agriculture, will take place Sept. 14, 3:30-5:30 p.m., at Ag Heritage Park on the Auburn campus. The event is a Homecoming weekend tradition for alumni and...
Peanut breeding making strides
The Auburn University peanut breeding program has made significant strides in a surprisingly short amount of time, with one of its varietal releases now commanding 40-50% of the peanut acreage in Alabama.
Biosystems Engineering dominates at 2024 ASABE International Meeting
Jeremy Henderson Auburn University's Department of Biosystems Engineering (BSEN) was hard to miss at the 2024 American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) Annual International Meeting recently held in Anaheim, California. And hard to beat. Auburn...
Mahas part of first team to investigate Southern cotton leafroll dwarf virus management
As John Mahas prepared for a move to start postdoctoral research at Cornell University, he was still wrapping up research in the Auburn University lab where he earned his master’s and doctorate. It was here he focused his work on managing the emerging cotton leafroll dwarf virus (CLRDV) and its vector, the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii. This research led to the publication of two peer-reviewed papers, one of which marked a first in the Southeastern United States.
Water Resources Center engages community in Moore’s Mill Creek Planning
As a project manager with Auburn’s Water Resource Center, Cooley manages watershed restoration projects and educates communities on how to care for rivers, streams and creeks.
Auburn works to bring bold breakthroughs in blueberry research
Blueberries, a superfood rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and essential nutrients, are widely celebrated during July for National Blueberry Month. Recognizing the potential within these small yet mighty fruits, researchers at Auburn University work to promote the positive health benefits of blueberries.
Promoting blueberry production in Alabama
As the U.S. celebrates National Blueberry Month in July, researchers in the Auburn College of Agriculture and the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station are looking for ways to boost blueberry production in the state by introducing more profitable cultivars for both field and protected cultivation.
Understanding the role of the soil microbiome in plant health
Soil scientist Audrey Gamble is working to improve sustainability of cotton production by improving soil microbial structure and function.
Mullenix named animal sciences department head
Kim Mullenix will serve as the next head of the Auburn University Department of Animal Sciences, effective Aug. 19.