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.
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Local brewery collaborates with Horticulture, Human Sciences for Oktoberfest pumpkin beer
By Graham Brooks New and special beer releases are a point of pride at New Realm Brewing–Auburn and that will continue with the unveiling of Pine Hill Pumpkin Amber as a new pumpkin beer just in time for spooky season and Oktoberfest. Named after Auburn’s oldest...
Mulvaney retiring after four decades in animal sciences, ag leadership
After more than 40 years of teaching, scholarship, leadership development and service, Auburn University Associate Professor Don Mulvaney announced his professional retirement, effective Oct. 1. A longtime faculty member in the Department of Animal Sciences, Mulvaney...
Mulvaney retiring after four decades in animal sciences, ag leadership
After more than 40 years of teaching, scholarship, leadership development and service, Auburn University Associate Professor Don Mulvaney announced his professional...
More than a farmhand
There are few professions that embody a humble spirit more than being a farmhand. Whether it’s tilling the land or helping a cow deliver her first calf, the humble...
Internships connect animal sciences students to equestrian program
At Auburn University, students are taught to meet a practical world with hard work, knowledge to work wisely, and minds and hands trained to work skillfully. Few places...
Lawson part of team shaping Alabama’s State Wildlife Action Plan
Auburn University’s Kelly Homan and Katelyn Lawson have joined forces to assist the state of Alabama in the creation of its 2025 State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) revision.
Food pantries offered by College of Agriculture
Six student food pantries were recently installed on campus in an effort by the College of Agriculture to alleviate food insecurity among students. The pantries are in the lobby of each of the college’s academic buildings: Comer Hall, Funchess Hall, Upchurch Hall,...
Taking Stock of National Needs Fellowship
Program made possible by $246,000 USDA-NIFA grant A College of Agriculture program for future leaders in the beef industry is entering its final academic year and taking stock of its impact. The highly selective National Needs Fellowship (NNF) prepared a dozen future...
Researchers fight high mortality rate of largemouth bass
Vaccine development made possible by $300,000 USDA-NIFA grant Largemouth bass producers may soon have a new vaccine for a common pathogen affecting the unusually death-prone fish species. Auburn University researchers are working to lower the fish’s near 80% mortality...
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.
Beef Cattle Conference to be held at Auburn University in October
Beef cattle producers across the state will gain valuable insight on how to overcome bottom-line sustainability challenges in the cattle business during the Auburn University Department of Animal Sciences’ 2024 Beef Cattle Conference, October 3-4. The conference...
Auburn Fisheries facilities help farmers battling supersized catfish
Many farmers are raising a blue catfish and channel catfish hybrid, which makes up half of all catfish harvested in the U.S., so the problems surrounding their rapid growth are widespread. Both small- and large-scale farmers aim to harvest fish that are “market size,” between one and a quarter and four pounds. […]
Johnston, Touchette receive summer 2024 graduation honors
Two soon-to-be alumni of the Auburn University College of Agriculture’s Department of Agricultural Economics & Rural Sociology received the highest honors the college can bestow upon graduates ahead of commencement ceremonies on Saturday, Aug. 3. Angela Touchette...
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.
Dunham awarded $650K to research improvement in genotypes of multiple catfish
USDA-NIFA recently awarded a $650,000 grant to Rex Dunham to genetically improve the overall genotype and phenotype of both channel catfish and a hybrid between channel catfish females and blue catfish males. Dunham is a professor in the School of Fisheries,...
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.
Agricultural economists’ simulator to weigh in on U.S. Conservation Reserve Program
Researchers at Auburn University aim to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions due to agriculture by modifying one of the world’s largest voluntary conservation programs: the USDA’s 25-million-acre Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).
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.
Auburn scientists begin project to build robot to help ornamental plant growers
An AI-powered robot will be able to inventory thousands of plants while also collecting data on plant growth, pests and diseases.
Sustainable beef production system could improve profitability
Sometimes, one Auburn University researcher says, it makes sense to increase input costs in one part of the system if it means costs are decreased somewhere else or the profit margin of the system is increased.
Maity awarded $300,000 in support of plant research and agricultural production systems
The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) recently awarded Aniruddha Maity a $300,000 grant to….
Brewer awarded $434,000 to study using existing water infrastructure for limiting invasive carp
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in consultation with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, has awarded Dr. Shannon Brewer a $433, 867 grant to….
Auburn faculty redefining possibilities for use of biochar products in farming
For researchers studying environmentally friendly farming practices, biochar is a game-changer.
Biochar, a charcoal-like substance created by heating plant waste, is a groundbreaking innovation in the field of sustainable farming. It is beneficial for improving soil quality, recycling organic plant material and capturing greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural industry.
Bowen named interim head of Crop, Soil and Environmental Science Department
Kira Bowen has been tapped to serve as interim head of Auburn University’s Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences, effective August 1. “I look forward to working with Dr. Bowen in this new role,” said Paul Patterson, dean of Auburn’s College of...
Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station announces new structure
The Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station (AAES) at Auburn University has announced a new regional structure of its outlying units and operations. “The new regional organization structure is intended to focus more station-based personnel on research operations,”...
Congratulations to the Auburn College of Agriculture 2022 Summer Graduates!
COA Summer 2022 Bachelor of Science Graduates AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS & ECONOMICS Degree Jorge David Zelaya Rivera AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE Degree Lauren A Lasater Kati E Kent Kaitlyn Williams ANIMAL SCIENCES – ALLIED INDUSTRIES Degree Rebecca L Boyer Nicholas Alexander...
Faculty member receives NSF CAREER award to study flash drought
Di Tian, an assistant professor in the Auburn University College of Agriculture’s Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences, has been named a recipient of the National Science Foundation’s Faculty Early Career Development, or CAREER, Award. The CAREER...
Auburn College of Agriculture, Central Alabama Community College sign partnership agreement
Leaders from the Auburn University College of Agriculture and Central Alabama Community College signed an agreement Wednesday, May 4, to provide a streamlined pathway into the College of Agriculture for CACC student meeting certain criteria. “Students from Central...
E.T. York lecturer series to bring Microsoft executive on April 20
Ranveer Chandra to discuss empowering farmers with affordable digital agriculture techniques The brain behind FarmBeats — an agricultural research project developed by Microsoft using solar-powered, white space-based Internet connectivity to record soil temperature...
Congratulate Auburn agriculture’s spring class of 2022 award winners & graduates.
Auburn University’s College of Agriculture honors these outstanding students and 2022 spring graduates. The final selection was made by the scholarship committee. The following are the award winners by department, school or program. DEAN’S AWARD BETHANIE...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
September Our Work Seminar to share work inside vertical farms
Students in the College of Agriculture at Auburn University who are interested in learning more about the innovative work happening in the college’s new vertical farms at the Transformation Garden can do so at the Our Work Seminar this month. Six times a year, the...
College, alumni club host 42nd annual Ag Roundup
The annual Ag Roundup, hosted by the Auburn Agricultural Alumni Club and the College of Agriculture at Auburn University, will return to campus on Saturday, Sept. 25, offering a special opportunity for agriculture alumni and friends to gather for a day of hospitality....
Training better scientists: College offers ample undergraduate research opportunities
Research opportunities for undergraduate students in the College of Agriculture are ample, and students are encouraged to take advantage of them prior to graduate school. Madison Dees needed a job. Rather than pursuing the usual part-time retail or service jobs for...
On the Horizon: What’s Next for New Alumni
From graduate school to risk management analysis, recent graduates from the college of agriculture have impressive plans for the future. Check out what these 11 recent graduates who were Ag Ambassadors for the college are up to next.Andie Altemeier (feature image...
Agricultural communications seniors address tough topics
Three years ago, students majoring in agricultural communications built The Comer Connection, a biannual publication made by and for College of Agriculture students at Auburn University. This spring, students in the Agricultural Communications Capstone course created...
Scott McElroy named a Crop Science Society of America Fellow
Professor Scott McElroy in the Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences in the College of Agriculture at Auburn University was recently named a 2021 Crop Science Society of America Fellow. 2021 award recipients were announced at the scientific society’s...