OPTIMA Fields is a 5-year initiative that evaluates and promotes a systems-based approach to sustainable crop management. Led by experts from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and Auburn University College of Agriculture, this project looks to strengthen environmental sustainability in the Southeastern United States by demonstrating integrated input-use-efficiency practices on farms.

Through partnerships with row crop farmers across Alabama, these on-farm demonstrations focus on nitrogen and irrigation management to promote productivity, profitability, and resilience in agriculture under changing climate conditions. Through these demonstrations, the project integrates advanced practices such as variable rate seeding, nitrogen management, soil-sensor-based irrigation scheduling, and fertigation. The aim of this initiative is to increase the adoption of climate-smart practices and improve environmental and economic outcomes across the region.

Demonstration Sites

The project focuses on corn and cotton, with demonstration sites located in key agricultural counties across Alabama, including Cherokee, Geneva, Houston, Lawrence, Lee, Marshall, and Pike Counties. These sites represent a broad range of agroclimatic conditions, making them ideal for evaluating the adaptability and impact of precision practices.

Corn Fields

At the links below, find the objectives, treatments, and details of each corn-field demonstration. Thank you to corn farmers John Bevel (Marshall County), Andy Clark (Lawrence County), Will Curtis (Pike County), Adam Temple (Houston County), and Robert Walter (Lee County) for their partnership in these demonstrations.

Houston County    Lawrence County    Lee County    Marshall County    Pike County

Cotton Fields

At the links below, find the objectives, treatments, and details of each cotton-field demonstration. Thank you to cotton farmers Garrett Dixon (Lee County), Don Huguely (Geneva County), and Richard Lindsey (Cherokee County) for their partnership in these demonstrations.

Cherokee County    Geneva County    Lee County

Optimizing precision technologies for input efficiency, crop management, and farm profitability.

Events & Resources

OPTIMA Fields looks to build a strong network of farmer-managed learning sites and resources, engaging producers through field days, workshops, and peer-to-peer exchange. View all upcoming OPTIMA Fields events and resources at the links.

Events    Resources

Meet the Team

Project Director

• Brenda V. Ortiz—Extension Specialist, Professor, Precision Agriculture, Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences, Auburn University | bortiz@auburn.edu

Coinvestigators

• Eros Francisco—Extension Specialist, Assistant Professor, Grain Crops Agronomics, Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences, Auburn University
• Adam Rabinowitz—Extension Specialist, Associate Professor, Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, Auburn University
• David Russell—Assistant Extension Professor, Weed Science, Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences, Auburn University
• Kelli Russell—Assistant Extension Professor, Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, Auburn University

Collaborators

• Steve Brown—Visiting Professor, Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences, Auburn University
• Emmanuel Abban Baidoo—Research Scholar, Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences, Auburn University
• Isaac Buyungo—Graduate Research Assistant, Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences, Auburn University
• Diego Garcia—Graduate Research Assistant, Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, Auburn University
• Madison Harris—Research Assistant, Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, Auburn University
• Sthefani Oliveira—Research Associate, Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, Auburn University

Funding

This initiative is made possible thanks to funding from the US Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.