The Comer Connection:
April 2022 Newsletter
Editor’s note
Dear Valued Readers,
The Agricultural Communications Senior Capstone class and the Ag Hill Communications Club created this edition of the Comer Connection. We wanted to highlight the research being conducted in the College of Agriculture and the opportunities for students. In these research units, undergraduate student workers are an integral part of the daily operations, offering students hands-on experience.
As the school year draws to a close, Auburn sends off another round of graduates, including myself. With graduation nearing, I have reflected on my past four years at Auburn. While some of it has been far from normal (i.e., the COVID-19 pandemic), my experiences at Auburn will continue to shape my life’s course throughout the next few years. Being a part of the College of Agriculture, serving as an Ag Ambassador, and becoming the senior editor for this club are the highlights of my time as an undergraduate. I am thankful for the opportunity to have served in these positions.
For one last time, War Eagle!
-Bethanie Hartzog, Senior Editor
What is the Alabama Cooperative Extension System?
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) was founded in 1915 as the Alabama Extension Service to help teach various skills to farmers and improve the lives of rural Alabamians. This organization accumulated an office in each of Alabama’s 67 counties with home base being at the state's land-grant institutions, Auburn University and Alabama A&M University. While not a land-grant institution, Tuskegee University also plays an important role in this system.
What are Alabama Agricultural Experiment Stations?
Food Animal Systems, Integrated Food and Human Health Systems, Plant Production and Management Systems, and Sustainable Ecosystems and Renewable Resources. What do each of these things have in common? They are all research areas being conducted by different Alabama Agricultural Experiment Stations.
Charles C. Miller Jr. Poultry Research and Education Center
Alabama’s poultry industry is a sight to behold. It is one of our state’s most valuable industries, producing more than $15 billion in revenue every year.
There seems to be a poultry farm or company around every bend, and that’s no accident. Alabama is home to some of the world’s most sophisticated poultry research programs. Most of these in Auburn are housed at the Miller Poultry Center.
Dairy Unit
The Dairy Unit located at Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine maintains a functioning commercial dairy and is the only functioning Grade A dairy in Lee County. This partnership has been used to educate senior veterinary students since 1980.
Equestrian Center
Many generations of Auburn students and alumni have seen the numerous horses standing out on the green pastures located along Wire Road, but few know the unique story behind this location.
Beef Teaching Center
The Stanley P. Wilson Beef Teaching Unit was built in the early 2000s to serve as a teaching laboratory for several animal sciences courses focusing on beef cattle teaching, research and extension associated with Auburn University.
Swine Research and Education Center
The Swine Research and Education Center (SREC) at Auburn University is jointly responsible for education and research, as well as maintaining relationships with other organizations within the state. The swine unit is one of the leading locations for research within Alabama.
Plant Science Research Center
It’s hard to imagine Alabama without row crops. Whether it’s Cullman County sweet potatoes or peanuts from the Dothan area, these crops seem to define the places they are grown.
E.W. Shell Fisheries Center
Research, education and outreach are the three pillars that the E.W. Shell Fisheries Center was founded. This research facility focuses on aquaculture, fisheries management and aquatic sciences. With 1600 acres of infrastructure and natural habitats, the fisheries center is well-equipped for research in various areas.
Soil, Forage, and Water Testing Laboratory
ALFA Agricultural Services and Research Building, ALFA Soil Lab, Soil, Forage and Water Testing Lab. This Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station may be known by many names, but it has one goal.
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