Extension and Outreach
Research Spotlight
Student Organic Farm
Our mission is to advance sustainable horticultural production systems that support resilient food systems, environmental stewardship, and economic opportunity.
Through integrated teaching, applied research, and community partnerships, we develop and promote ecological strategies for fruit and vegetable production that address the challenges of climate change, resource conservation, and evolving agricultural landscapes.
We are committed to educating lifelong learners, fostering innovation, and collaborating with growers and communities to build a more sustainable and productive future for food and agriculture.
Out in the Field:
This year we have lab members out in the field trapping Japanese beetles with floral and pheromone traps. We are also investigating Swede midge-resistant traits in Brassicas. See our Research tab for more information on all the field work underway for the 2026 season.
Recent Publications:
Gullickson, M. G., Averello, V., Rogers, M. A., Hutchison, W. D. & Hegeman, A., Jan 2026, Evaluating Real-Time PCR to Quantify Drosophila suzukii Infestation of Fruit Crops. In: Insects. 17, 1, 102.
Jernigan, A. B., Cassity-Duffey, K., Coker, C., Rogers, M., Stephenson, R. C., Wszelaki, A. & Zhao, X., 2026, Where Are We Today? State of Organic Agriculture Education and Technical Programs: Proceedings from the ASHS Organic Interest Group 2025 Workshop. In: HortTechnology. 36, 2, p. 280-284 5 p.
We welcome individuals who are interested in pursuing positions as M.S. or Ph.D. graduate students as well as post-doctoral fellow positions, junior scientists, and undergraduate research assistants, or through the undergraduate research opportunities program (UROP). We highly recommend contacting Dr. Rogers to discuss current opportunities available, and we invite you to join events and seminars offered through the Department of Horticultural Science. See our current lab members on our About Us page.