Auburn University Archives - Land-Grant Impacts

Institution

Healthy foods and exercise equipment.

Land-grant university research and Extension strengthen nutrition, health and well-being

Chronic diseases are the leading cause of illness, disability and death in America. Research and Extension are fighting back. Over half of adults who participated in a Texas diabetes education program now choose healthier foods, monitor glucose levels during exercise, and control their diabetes to avoid interference with daily life. These changes could help participants save up to $94,021 in [...]

Nutrition and Health, Summary 1890, 2026, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, Auburn University, California, Central State University, Child and Family Resilience, Colorado, Colorado State University, Community Development/Engagement, Connecticut, Crop Management, District of Columbia, Ecosystem Services, Emergency/Disaster Preparedness/Management/Recovery, Emerging Infectious Diseases, Extension, Fiber Systems, Food Safety, Food Security, Food Systems, Georgia, Guam, Hawaiʻi, Human Nutrition/Health/Wellness, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State University, Kansas, Kansas State University, Kentucky, Louisiana, Louisiana State University, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Mississippi State University, Missouri, National Security, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Carolina A&T State University, North Central, Northeast, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, Oregon, Oregon State University, Organic Agriculture, Pennsylvania, Pest Management, Profitability/Competitiveness, Public Health, Purdue University, Research, Rhode Island, Rural Communities/Health, Rutgers University, Science/Technology/Engineering/Arts/Math (STEAM), South Dakota, South Dakota State University, Southern, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M University, The Ohio State University, The Pennsylvania State University, The University of Georgia, University of Arizona, University of Arkansas, University of California, University of Connecticut, University of Guam, University of Hawaiʻi, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Kentucky, University of Maine, University of Maryland, University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of Minnesota, University of Missouri, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Rhode Island, University of Tennessee, University of the District of Columbia, University of Wyoming, Urban Agriculture, Utah, Utah State University, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Washington, Washington State University, West Virginia, West Virginia University, Western, Workforce Development and Readiness, Wyoming, Youth Development/4-H, Zoonotic Diseases/Avian Influenza

Vegetables for sale at a farmers market stand.

Research and Extension ensure everyone has ample access to affordable, safe, nutritious food

Invasive pests damage crops, costing U.S. agriculture an estimated $30 billion every year. Pest management research and Extension stabilize the food supply chain. Researchers and Extension specialists in Oregon, developed cost-effective alternatives to glyphosate for herbicide-resistant Russian thistle control, protecting more than 30,000 acres of wheat and preventing over $1 million in yield losses so far.Oregon State University Extension Service. [...]

Food Security, Summary 1890, 2026, Advanced Breeding/Genomics, Alabama, Animal Health/Management/Performance/Welfare, Arizona, Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, Auburn University, Central State University, Child and Family Resilience, Colorado, Colorado State University, Community Development/Engagement, Connecticut, Cornell University, Crop Management, Delaware, Economic Development, Emergency/Disaster Preparedness/Management/Recovery, Emerging Infectious Diseases, Extension, Fisheries/Aquaculture, Florida, Food Safety, Food Security, Food Systems, Forest Protection and Management, Georgia, Human Nutrition/Health/Wellness, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Invasive Species, Iowa, Iowa State University, Kansas, Kansas State University, Maryland, Massachusetts, Master Gardener/Master Naturalist, Michigan, Michigan State University, Minnesota, Mississippi, Mississippi State University, Montana, Montana State University, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New Mexico State University, New York, North Carolina, North Carolina State University, North Central, Northeast, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, Oregon, Oregon State University, Organic Agriculture, Pennsylvania, Pest Management, Profitability/Competitiveness, Public Health, Puerto Rico, Purdue University, Research, Rhode Island, Rural Communities/Health, Rutgers University, Soil Health, Southern, Specialty Crops, Texas, Texas A&M University, The Ohio State University, The Pennsylvania State University, The University of Georgia, University of Arizona, University of Arkansas, University of California, University of Connecticut, University of Delaware, University of Florida, University of Idaho, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Maryland, University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of Minnesota, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nevada Reno, University of Puerto Rico, University of Rhode Island, Urban Agriculture, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Washington, Washington State University, West Virginia, West Virginia University, Western, Wildlife, Zoonotic Diseases/Avian Influenza

A drone flies over a field.

Research and Extension make agricultural systems more efficient, profitable, competitive and resilient

Strategies and tools for managing crop pests and diseases have increased productivity and profitability. For example: Extension units across the nation offer plant and pest diagnostic clinics. In New Mexico, free diagnoses saved producers an estimated $36,000 in testing fees in 2025, while also supporting biosecurity and export compliance. In Indiana, lab results and recommendations saved clients $890,000 in reduced [...]

Agricultural Systems, Summary 1890, 2026, Advanced Breeding/Genomics, Alabama, Alaska, Animal Health/Management/Performance/Welfare, Arizona, Arkansas, Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, Auburn University, California, Clemson University, Community Development/Engagement, Connecticut, Crop Management, Economic Development, Emergency/Disaster Preparedness/Management/Recovery, Emerging Infectious Diseases, Extension, Fisheries/Aquaculture, Florida, Food Security, Food Systems, Georgia, Human Nutrition/Health/Wellness, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State University, Kansas, Kansas State University, Kentucky, Langston University, Lincoln University, Louisiana, Louisiana State University, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State University, Minnesota, Mississippi, Mississippi State University, Missouri, Montana, Montana State University, National Security, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New Mexico State University, North Carolina, North Carolina A&T State University, North Carolina State University, North Central, North Dakota, North Dakota State University, Northeast, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, Oregon, Oregon State University, Organic Agriculture, Pest Management, Precision Agriculture, Profitability/Competitiveness, Puerto Rico, Purdue University, Research, Rural Communities/Health, Soil Health, South Carolina, South Dakota, South Dakota State University, Southern, Specialty Crops, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M University, The University of Georgia, University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Arizona, University of Arkansas, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, University of California, University of Connecticut, University of Florida, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Kentucky, University of Maine, University of Maryland, University of Minnesota, University of Missouri, University of Nevada Reno, University of New Hampshire, University of Puerto Rico, University of Tennessee, University of Vermont, Urban Agriculture, Vermont, Virginia, Virginia State University, Virginia Tech, Washington, Washington State University, Water Resilience/Management, Western, Wildlife, Workforce Development and Readiness, Zoonotic Diseases/Avian Influenza

Making aquaculture more productive, safe and economical

The seafood industry is economically vital and provides an important source of protein for the world. Challenges to aquaculture include inefficient production methods, expensive feed inputs and food safety. Land-grant efforts are protecting and promoting this booming industry. Here are a few examples of that work: As feed is the most expensive cost of aquaculture, researchers in Alabama are developing feeds [...]

Food Security, Summary 1890, 2026, Advanced Breeding/Genomics, Alabama, Animal Health/Management/Performance/Welfare, Arkansas, Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, Auburn University, College of Micronesia, Community Development/Engagement, Economic Development, Extension, Fisheries/Aquaculture, Food Safety, Food Security, Food Systems, Georgia, International/Global, Maryland, Micronesia, Northeast, Profitability/Competitiveness, Public Health, Research, Rhode Island, Science/Technology/Engineering/Arts/Math (STEAM), Southern, The University of Georgia, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, University of Rhode Island, Western, Wildlife, Zoonotic Diseases/Avian Influenza

two scientists operate a robotic apple blossom sprayer

Emerging technology offers new tools for growers

Emerging technology is giving farmers tools to reduce the impacts of labor shortages, rising costs, changing weather patterns and regulatory demands, while improving production and profitability. These tools, using drones, robots, artificial intelligence and machine learning, offer a path to sustain productivity, worker safety and environmental performance in the agricultural economy. Projects demonstrate how these technical tools and artificial [...]

Agricultural Systems, Summary 2026, Alabama, Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, Auburn University, Crop Management, Ecosystem Services, Extension, Food Safety, Food Security, Food Systems, Illinois, Invasive Species, Iowa, Iowa State University, Mississippi, Mississippi State University, Missouri, National Security, North Carolina, North Carolina State University, North Central, Northeast, Oregon, Oregon State University, Pennsylvania, Pest Management, Precision Agriculture, Profitability/Competitiveness, Research, Southern, Specialty Crops, The Pennsylvania State University, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Missouri, Washington, Washington State University, Water Resilience/Management, Western, Workforce Development and Readiness

forest

Bringing automation to forest production with precision tools

Rising equipment costs, unpredictable weather, long hours and hazardous conditions make logging a high-risk industry. Not only is it difficult to attract and maintain skilled workers to forest production, but these challenges also make it difficult for firms to forecast the impacts of external factors to remain competitive. Researchers at Auburn University in Alabama partnered with equipment manufacturers to develop [...]

Environmental Stewardship, Story 2026, Alabama, Auburn University, Forest Protection and Management, Precision Agriculture, Research, Southern

chickens around a feeder

Mitigating costly poultry diseases

Avian diseases pose a major challenge to the nation’s $77 billion poultry industry and drastically increase the cost of poultry products for consumers. Avian diseases can also pose a health threat to other animals and humans. At the same time, there is a demand to produce poultry without antibiotics or other drugs commonly used to fight diseases. Working together, [...]

Food Security, Summary 2025, Advanced Breeding/Genomics, Alabama, Animal Health/Management/Performance/Welfare, Arkansas, Auburn University, California, Delaware, Extension, Food Safety, Food Security, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Iowa State University, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State University, North Carolina, North Carolina State University, North Central, Northeast, Ohio, Oregon, Oregon State University, Research, Southern, The Ohio State University, The University of Georgia, University of Arkansas, University of California, University of Delaware, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Maryland, West Virginia, West Virginia University, Western, Zoonotic Diseases/Avian Influenza

researcher Pam Roberts standing in experimental tomato crops

Multistate project studies solutions to bacterial spot in tomatoes, peppers

Tomatoes are big business for Florida farmers, contributing $500 million annually. Bell and chili peppers are also popular crops among consumers with production value of more than $536 million. However, bacterial spot is a threat to yields and harvest revenue. University of Florida researchers are working to solve this major issue along with scientists at the University of Georgia, North [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story 2025, Alabama, Auburn University, Crop Management, Florida, Food Systems, Georgia, North Carolina, North Carolina State University, North Central, Ohio, Pest Management, Research, Southern, Specialty Crops, The Ohio State University, The University of Georgia, University of Florida

a group of scientists smile around the AI-powered robot in an experimental field

Robots make plant inventory easy as 1, 2, 3

Ornamental plant growers manually count tens of thousands of plants each season to get an accurate inventory before they commit to fulfilling major orders. An Alabama ornamental nursery might have as many as 80,000 plants per acre, with larger nurseries covering more than 1,000 acres. Some growers estimate they spend more than $6.5 million in labor each year simply [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story 2025, Alabama, Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, Auburn University, Crop Management, Facilities/Infrastructure, Food Systems, Precision Agriculture, Profitability/Competitiveness, Research, Southern

crops growing in a field

Creating new, sustainable products from agricultural waste and biomass

Petroleum and other nonrenewable materials are commonly used for plastics, industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and other products we use on a daily basis. But many of these products can be made from biomass, including food and agricultural wastes. Bioproducts offer a way to improve energy security, food security and national security while also cutting back on fossil fuel-related pollution [...]

Energy and Bioproducts, Summary 1890, 2024, Advanced Breeding/Genomics, Alabama, Animal Health/Management/Performance/Welfare, Arkansas, Auburn University, Biofuels/Bioproducts, California, Clemson University, Fisheries/Aquaculture, Forest Protection and Management, Human Nutrition/Health/Wellness, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Michigan State University, Minnesota, North Central, Northeast, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Research, Soil Health, South Carolina, South Dakota, South Dakota State University, Southern, Texas, Texas A&M University, The Ohio State University, The Pennsylvania State University, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, University of California, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Kentucky, University of Minnesota, University of Wisconsin, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Washington, Washington State University, Waste Management, Western, Wisconsin

closeup photograph of pile of strawberries

Breeding crops tailored for the future

Food crops are constantly under attack by plant diseases and pests that result in losses in crop quantity and quality. Declines in crop health can lead to food waste and threaten global food security. Land-grant universities are breeding plants that are resistant to pests and disease for greater resilience and sustainability. Here are a few examples of that work: Researchers in [...]

Agricultural Systems, Summary 2024, Advanced Breeding/Genomics, Alabama, Auburn University, Cornell University, Crop Management, Extension, Food Systems, Georgia, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New Mexico State University, New York, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Research, Southern, The Pennsylvania State University, The University of Georgia, University of New Hampshire, Washington, Washington State University, Western