By Kristen Bowman / Jun 1, 2020 9:51:35 AM
News
Gregory Pate was recently named director of research operations for outlying units of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station. The appointment is effective Monday, June 1.
Since 2008, Pate served as director of the E.V. Smith Research Center at Auburn University, the largest, most visible and
most comprehensive agricultural facility in the state with research units in beef cattle, horticulture, plant breeding, field crops and biosystems engineering.
“Greg Pate brings extensive experience in research, administration, management and extension after more than a decade as director of the E.V. Smith Research Center,” said Paul Patterson, dean of the College of Agriculture and director of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station. “His experience and expertise make him an ideal candidate to represent the College of Agriculture and AAES in this role and to ensure effective research management at our outlying units.”
As director of research operations, it is Pate’s new responsibility to coordinate and approve research projects conducted at the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station’s 15 regional units and to ensure appropriate resources are provided.
“I’ve been in the system as a director for 14 years,” Pate said. “We’ve been able to effect some good change at E.V. Smith, and I wanted to be able to try to extend that to a wider base of influence throughout the state. Having directing experience, being on station, and understanding the system and what we go through to do ag research from a boots-on-the-ground standpoint, I think will be beneficial to me in this new role. I also have been able to have good relationships with faculty, and I hope to really be able to blend those two things together.”
The Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station was established in 1883 by an act of the Alabama Legislature to conduct scientific research that would advance Alabama’s agricultural and forestry industries. Its researchers conduct innovative fundamental and mission-oriented research that supports the advancement of Alabama’s agriculture and forestry industries for the purpose of improving quality of life and well-being of citizens and communities of Alabama and beyond.
Pate was first hired as associate director of the E.V. Smith Research Center in 2006 and promoted to director two years later. Prior to that, he was gin manager for Milstead Farm Group Inc. in Shorter for seven years. He holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in agronomy and soils from Auburn University.
