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The Perfect Recipe: Extension, College and Experiment Station

Guest Author
Katie Nichols, Alabama Cooperative Extension System

The Land-grant University System was created through the First and Second Morrill Acts.  At its most basic level, the tripartite mission of the Land-grant University System is to teach, conduct research and provide service to communities. USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) supports the Land-grant mission in a variety of ways including both capacity and competitive funding. 

Read more about how Auburn University, Alabama Extension, and the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Stations are succeeding in their mission by tackling the three elements as an integrated whole rather than as separate parts. 

This article first appeared on the Alabama Extension website and is reprinted with permission. 

Somewhere between sustainability and profitability lies the perfect recipe for success on every farming operation, no matter the size. In Alabama, there are three main ingredients to this recipe: the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, the Auburn University College of Agriculture and the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station (AAES). Producers in the state look to this slate of Land-grant expertise when planning for an upcoming year or making practical management decisions. Whether it is in the broiler house, pasture, orchard, field or on the catfish farm, this dynamic collaboration gives producers access to the latest and greatest production-agriculture research. 

A Dynamic Partnership 

Henry Jordan is the director of variety trials for the College of Agriculture. He coordinates trials on all AAES outlying units but said the heavy lifting is done by AAES employees at each station—including planting, maintenance and harvest. He said he has a unique opportunity to work alongside AAES and Extension professionals as they all work toward a common goal. 

“It’s not a job that any of us could do alone,” Jordan said. 

While changes have occurred on almost every front of production agriculture, the commitment to Alabama producers by both individuals and the institutions have only strengthened over time. Alabama Extension Director Mike Phillips said he cannot overstate the importance of the partnership between Alabama Extension, the Auburn College of Agriculture and AAES. 

“Our challenge every single day is to remain relevant in subject matter content and delivery to a huge and diverse audience statewide and across so many demographics,” Philips said. “Our partnership benefits Alabama producers by staying on top of cutting-edge technology to address issues to improve profitability, production, efficiency and market opportunities — among others.” 

Historically Linked 

The Auburn College of Agriculture was founded in 1872. The Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station was founded in 1883. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System was established through federal funds in 1915. 

Paul Patterson, dean of the College of Agriculture and director of AAES, said the College of Agriculture, AAES and Alabama Extension represent the three missions of Auburn University as a Land-grant institution: instruction, research and Extension. 

“These three pillars are necessarily intertwined and dependent on one another,” Patterson said. “Through the college, Auburn is preparing the next generation of farmers, agribusiness professionals — including Extension professionals — and community leaders. Faculty members in the College of Agriculture are also engaged in research and extension. Indeed, the research supported by the AAES is necessary to achieve Alabama Extension’s mission of providing researched-based information to the producers, consumers, policy makers and residents of Alabama.” 

Serving Producers 

Becky Barlow, Alabama Extension’s assistant director for agriculture, forestry, wildlife and natural resources programming, said the relationship between the three entities is important because it serves as a direct link to new and exciting research happening at Auburn. 

“We have specialists that are also faculty in the college,” said Barlow, who is also an associate dean in the College of Agriculture. “These individuals are conducting research and have access to university resources, as well as other non-Extension faculty who can participate in their research as part of teams.” 

Phillips said one of the reasons the Extension system is successful at the county level is because producers have access to regional agents in specific, credentialed areas of expertise. 

“The regional expertise is strengthened professionally through their engagement with specialists in the departments in the college,” Phillips said. 

Patterson said Alabama producers benefit from the partnership in a multitude of ways. 

“Alabama producers benefit from the new talent that is prepared to enter the food, agriculture and natural resource sector,” Patterson said. “Producers also benefit from the discoveries, innovations and new knowledge developed through the research process, which is then shared broadly by Extension personnel.” 

Patterson said research-based Extension programs help producers make better production decisions. This enhances profits and can improve society through outcomes in situations such as improved water quality because of reduced runoff. 

Bridging the Gap 

Barlow said one of the unique ways the three-pronged partnership benefits Alabama producers is through direct communication of research findings. 

“Agents and specialists have connections to producers, which allows them to get immediate feedback on processes and results,” Barlow said. “Access to on-farm trial locations that are at a production scale allows producers to participate in processes and see results firsthand.” 

A 15-year partnership between Alabama Extension Peanut Specialist Kris Balkcom and Dallas County peanut farmer Randall Beers is a testament to the effectiveness of on-farm trials, an extension of the work done at AAES outlying units. 

Balkcom said one of the best things he can do as a researcher is to plant trials across the state. While Balkcom plants peanut trials at experiment stations, on-farm trials allow him and others to get a better understanding of what works best in different soil types. 

“It is good for Auburn to have researchers with boots on the ground and in the field throughout the state,” Balkcom said. “So many farmers aren’t near a research station. This means their growing conditions are very different and unique. It is important for us to understand where they are growing and the issues they face throughout the growing season.” 

Beers said it is important for him to work with Alabama Extension and Auburn researchers to determine which varieties are best suited to his environment. 

“I appreciate what Extension does to allow us this opportunity,” Beers said. “New varieties are available every year. You may hear that one variety is really exceptional, but our soil types and growing conditions are all different. Until you have the opportunity to look at the varieties on your farm and in your field, you may not know what will work best for your operation.” 

Experiment Stations Serve Everyone 

Jordan said a lot of effort goes into research on experiment stations that those outside may not see. While Jordan oversees and manages the results of 110 variety trials and more than 9,300 research plots, he knows without a team effort he wouldn’t have success. He works with Extension specialists and researchers that conduct research at most outlying units. 

“Without the daily support of experiment station staff, we would quite literally be out of business,” Jordan said. “I have an opportunity to work with everybody on every level as the trials happen throughout the year. Then, I work to help them compile data and share it with producers across the state. Knowing that what we do makes a difference on their operation and with their bottom line makes what we do every day worthwhile.” 

Chris Parker, director of the Wiregrass Research and Extension Center, said the center location in Headland, Alabama, allows interested farmers and community members to stop by. Parker was a technician at the station for 15 years and said he had the privilege of learning from excellent leadership before him. 

“I’ve learned that our job here is to engage every person who shows an interest in what we’ve got going on,” Parker said. “Whether they are a large-scale row crop producer or someone whose primary agricultural experience is eating three meals a day, we try to make sure we are meeting the needs of everyone who happens to come by.” 

Parker said there was a period where visits to the experiment stations dwindled because of the availability of electronic communication methods. 

“With the onset of COVID-19, it was a struggle to keep in contact with those we serve,” Parker said. “It was eye-opening for all of us to see that you cannot replace standing out in a test plot or cattle pen. Human interaction is important, especially when it comes to learning things that are essential for a producer.” 

Since that time, Parker leaned into their station’s perfect placement and began working to involve the community with happenings at the Wiregrass Research and Extension Center. 

“I am doing my best to find groups that are not interacting with us and extending an invitation to bring them here,” Parker said. “We have an opportunity to be as important to this community as schools and churches. We want to be a place that they lean on for agricultural expertise, and we are doing everything we can to be that hub.” 

Extending Knowledge, Improving Lives 

A common theme when talking to personnel from each organization is the emphasis on the team — including everyone who researches, crunches numbers, teaches and demonstrates on behalf of a group that has Alabama’s producers at heart. 

Parker said the impacts of work carried out by Auburn and Alabama Extension researchers are far-reaching. 

“We can measure impacts with dollar signs, but we also care deeply about impacts through teaching experiences, conversations and station visits,” Parker said. “We are all here to help local producers and communities. Finding ways to connect with them and change their lives for the better is so important.” 

Barlow said the involvement of communities and producers in university and Extension work is vital to the future of their research. 

“We must continue to keep producers involved in the processes of research and exploration,” Barlow said. “They are the reason we do what we do.” 

Patterson said the leadership of Alabama Extension, the College of Agriculture and AAES remains committed to collaborative work that benefits all stakeholders. 

“As production, economic and environmental shifts challenge us all, new solutions, talent and knowledge will be needed,” Patterson said. “This is the responsibility of Auburn University’s agriculture programs. As these challenges evolve, teaching, research and extension will evolve to best meet these challenges.” 

Phillips said he is proud of what the system accomplishes in meeting the needs of Alabama’s clientele. 

“We have devoted employees who are passionate about helping to make life in Alabama better,” Phillips said. “The relationship Alabama Extension has with the College of Agriculture and the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station is special.”

Farm Bill Priority Areas
Plant health, production, and products
Agriculture systems and technology
Animal health and production and animal products
Bioenergy, natural resources, and environment
Food Safety, Nutrition, and Health
Agriculture economics and rural communities
U.S. States and Territories
Alabama

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