Faculty Highlight: Dr. David Weaver

By: Sarah Howard

Dr. David Weaver is a Professor Emeritus in the Crop, Soil, and Environmental Science Department in the College of Agriculture.

He obtained bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Georgia and received his Ph.D. in Agronomy from Perdue University, where he found interest in plant breeding and pathology.

Weaver originally came to Auburn University on a charge to develop soybean cultivars for Alabama growers in 1981. His primary focus is on soybean and cotton genetics. He additionally developed research in nematology, plant pathology and nitrogen fertility.

Weaver currently teaches the Basic Crop Science course, but previously taught Plant Breeding and Genetics for undergraduate and graduate students. He has also taken a select group of students to study abroad in China, prior to the pandemic, to learn about the differences and similarities between the American and Chinese agricultural industries.

While he spends the first part of his week as a professor, Weaver travels home to his row crop farm in Marion County on the weekends. The property Weaver developed was originally sited as a plane landing strip, but now he uses it to plants barley and heirloom corn for brewing distilleries.

Weaver said he enjoys being able to share his knowledge with the future of the agricultural industry. He hopes he can contribute to a portion of all his student’s’ college experiences and further develop good stewards of the planet.