Desmond Layne, Ph.D.

Desmond Layne, Ph.D.

  • Department Head and Professor
  • Department of Horticulture
334-734-4085
drl0021@auburn.edu
101 Funchess Hall
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Dr. Desmond R. Layne was born and raised in rural southern Ontario, Canada. He spent summers in high school working on fruit and vegetable farms near Lake Erie. Following completing his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in horticulture, he spent most of his professional career focused on research and extension outreach to solve problems and provide recommendations to fruit growers (especially cherry, peach, apple, strawberry, and the native American pawpaw). He has held extension and academic leadership roles at three different Land-Grant universities (Clemson University, Washington State University, and Auburn University). Presently, he is Department Head and Professor in the Department of Horticulture since 2018. He has earned numerous national professional awards, and he has provided leadership in two national scientific societies. He is a Fellow of both the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) and the Food Systems Leadership Institute (FSLI). A popular public speaker, he has been interviewed by the NY Times, NPR's All Things Considered (twice), CBS Early Show and ABC's World News Tonight. He has worked in and trained farmers in countries including the Republic of Georgia, Canada, China, Italy, Australia, the Czech Republic, and Brazil.

Education

  • Ph.D. in HorticultureMichigan State University1992

  • M.S. in HorticultureMichigan State University1989

  • B.Sc. in Agriculture (Horticulture major)University of Guelph, Canada1986

Professional Experience

  • Department Head and Professor, Department of Horticulture, Auburn University (2018-Present)
  • Director, Agricultural and Food Systems (AFS) and Integrated Plant Sciences (IPS) Interdisciplinary Programs, Washington State University (2015-2018)
  • Endowed Chair and Tree Fruit Extension Leader, Washington State University (2013-2015)
  • Horticulture Extension Program Leader, Clemson University (2006-2013)
  • Asst./Assoc./Full Professor and State Peach Specialist, Clemson University (1997-2013)
  • Principal Investigator of Horticulture, Land-Grant Program, Kentucky State University (1993-1997)
  • Research Plant Physiologist, USDA Forestry Sciences Laboratory, Rhinelander, Wisconsin (1992-1993)

Research

Currently in 100% administrative position. Former applied research over the years has focused on the following temperature fruit crops — apple, cherry (sweet and tart), peach, strawberry, and the native American pawpaw (Asimina triloba). Research has primarily focused on sustainable orchard management practices and systems, germplasm evaluation and new cultivar development.

Extension Experience

Currently in 100% administration position. Former primary efforts directed toward addressing the needs of commercial tree fruit growers in Washington (2013-2018) and South Carolina (1997-2013) including on-farm trials, field days, developing web-based resources/tools, education videos and publications, etc. Was the regular “Stone Fruit or Tree Fruit” columnist for the national American Fruit Grower magazine during 2005-2015. Was statewide Horticulture Program Team Leader at Clemson University during 2006-2013.

Teaching Experience

Currently in 100% administrative position.

COURSES PREVIOUSLY TAUGHT
2016-2018 (At Washington State University)
  • HORT/CROP_SCI 202 “Crop Growth and Development” (4 credits)
  • HORT 310 “Pomology” (3 credits)
  • AFS 401 “Advanced Systems Analysis and Design in Agriculture and Food Systems” Senior Capstone (3 credits)
2006-2012 (At Clemson University)
  • HORT 455/655 “Just Fruits” (3 credits)