Jeremy Pickens, Ph.D

Jeremy Pickens, Ph.D

  • Assistant Extension Professor
  • Nursery and Greenhouse Crops
  • Department of Horticulture
pickejm@auburn.edu
Ornamental Horticulture Research Center
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Dr. Jeremy M. Pickens is an Assistant Extension Professor in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University, based at the Ornamental Horticulture Research Center in Mobile, Alabama. His work focuses on applied research and Extension programs that support Alabama’s nursery, greenhouse, and Christmas tree industries. Dr. Pickens’ research emphasizes practical solutions to production challenges, including irrigation management, fertilizer efficiency, environmental stress reduction, and integrated pest management. With a joint research and Extension appointment, he is committed to bridging science and practice—ensuring that innovative horticultural research directly benefits producers. Dr. Pickens earned his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Horticulture from Auburn University. He is an active member of the American Society for Horticultural Science and the International Plant Propagators’ Society, and he serves on the boards of both the Alabama Nursery and Landscape Association and the Southern Christmas Tree Association.

Education

  • B.S. Auburn University2005

  • M.S. Auburn University2008

  • Ph.D. Auburn University2015

Professional Experience

Dr. Pickens has served Auburn University in multiple research and Extension capacities for nearly two decades. He is currently an Assistant Extension Professor (2020–present) in the Department of Horticulture, stationed at the Ornamental Horticulture Research Center in Mobile, Alabama. His appointment is evenly divided between research and Extension, emphasizing applied problem-solving for Alabama’s nursery, greenhouse, and Christmas tree industries.  Prior to his current role, Dr. Pickens served as an Extension Specialist (2016–2019) and Research Associate IV (2007–2016) at Auburn University, where he developed expertise in greenhouse systems, irrigation management, and plant production efficiency. His early professional experience includes technical and research positions within Auburn’s horticulture programs and commercial nursery operations, providing a strong foundation in both scientific research and practical production practices.

Research

Dr. Pickens’ research program emphasizes applied solutions that address critical production issues in specialty crop systems. Current projects include: 
  • Optimizing irrigation management and water use efficiency in container production.
  • Investigating the influence of container color and spacing on root-zone temperature and plant growth. 
  • Evaluating nutrient management strategies to enhance fertilizer efficiency and reduce environmental losses. 
  • Improving the precision and uniformity of granular pesticide and fertilizer applications, including UAV-based delivery systems. 
  • Studying factors influencing disease incidence and stress resilience in nursery and Christmas tree crops. 

Extension Experience

As an Extension Specialist, Dr. Pickens works closely with producers, county agents, and allied industry professionals to extend Auburn University’s horticultural expertise across the state. His Extension activities include:
  • On-farm trials and demonstrations addressing irrigation, fertility, and plant health.
  • Annual educational programs for growers, such as workshops, webinars, and field days.
  • Collaborative projects with the Alabama Nursery and Landscape Association (ALNLA) and the Alabama Christmas Tree Association.
  • Development of practical resources, including production guides, videos, and decision-support tools.
Through these efforts, Dr. Pickens seeks to provide research-based recommendations that are timely, accessible, and relevant to the dynamic challenges of specialty crop production in the Southeast.