Profile information for James Spiers

Research

In my research program, I am attempting to address needs of current and future fruit growers in Alabama and the southeastern U.S. Specifically, my research is focused on improving the sustainability and efficiency of selected fruit production systems in our region. The fruit industry in Alabama is unique in that many different fruit crops are grown commercially on small acreage farms and marketed through local markets, and there are few fruit producers marketing through wholesale markets. This provides many opportunities to impact the fruit industry in Alabama, because there is room for growth and many different fruit crops perform well. It is an exciting time for small acreage farmers due to successful initiatives to promote locally grown fruits and vegetables, and the subsequent success of farmer’s markets. In addition, many large grocery chains are trying to capitalize on the increasing demand for locally grown produce, and previously closed outlets are becoming available for Alabama fruit and vegetable growers. My program is designed to determine best management practices for selected fruit crops with potential for growth in Alabama. Our lab has focused primarily on kiwifruit, blueberry, blackberry, and satsuma mandarin production. Kiwifruit research pertains to determining best management practices for various production aspects of Actinidia chinensis in the southeastern U.S., primarily evaluating the cultivars 'AU Golden Dragon', 'AU Gulf Coast Gold' and 'AU Golden Sunshine'.