[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=lKGDCAOeFC0&list=PLkNoAmOtt__-S2lio0N635NSu_SvMoudq&index=3″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#063f79″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
by Katie Nichols<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_text_color=”#063f79″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. \u2014 Farming full time was a dream for Garrett Dixon as he studied animal science at Auburn University. He dug in and decided to make farming his life\u2019s work after graduation. However, to help make it happen, Dixon has relied heavily on the guidance and expertise of his local agronomic crops Extension agents. Now, nearly 10 years later, his partnership with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System is still going, changing the way he farms for the better.<\/p>\n Dixon is the sixth generation of Dixons to farm in Lee County on the same land they have worked since the 1860s. However, there was a significant gap between Dixon\u2019s start and the last full-time farmer. When Dixon began planting cotton, he said he had a steep learning curve.<\/p>\n \u201cI discovered Alabama Extension the first year that I began farming,\u201d Dixon said. \u201cWe had a 15-year production gap between when my granddad and uncle last farmed and when I started farming.\u201d<\/p>\n Dixon said he reached out to the local Extension agent in hopes of learning more about application timing throughout the cotton season.<\/p>\n \u201cI understood the basics of growing a crop, but I didn\u2019t understand the timing of certain applications,\u201d Dixon said. \u201cI reached out to my local Extension agent, and she was able to come out to my farm and help me time those applications and tell me when it was the best time to apply certain things.\u201d<\/p>\n Dixon said the year-round support he received led to a strong partnership between him and local crops agents.<\/p>\n \u201cMy work with Extension over the years has really changed the way I do things on my farm,\u201d Dixon said. \u201cThe ability to utilize the research they do with on-farm variety trials and at the research stations has really given me a window into farming practices that may or may not work on my farm at a macro level.\u201d<\/p>\n Dixon said he takes what he learns from Extension research and looks for a practice that fits what he wants to do on his farm. Then he works to apply it. Dixon said the time he spends learning from Alabama Extension Cotton Entomologist Scott Graham is time well spent.<\/p>\n \u201cDr. Scott Graham has really made an impact on the work that I do here on my farm,\u201d Dixon said. \u201cPartnering with him to do some trials on our farm has really helped me to fine-tune the management of insects within my cotton and peanut crops. That has been really valuable when it comes to improving my crop yields.\u201d<\/p>\n Dixon said outside of weather, insects play a big role in determining the success of a crop yield, so his partnership with Graham has helped him improve the insect management on his farm. Graham said Dixon is a valuable partner and strong supporter of Extension work.<\/p>\n \u201cWorking with Garrett has been great,\u201d Graham said. \u201cHe\u2019s been willing to help us not only demonstrate but also validate a lot of the small-plot research that we do. His work with us helps to show that the research we are doing is not just made for small plots, but it is made for the farmer who growing on a larger scale too.\u201d<\/p>\n Dixon said he continues to seek information from Alabama Extension because each year there is research that helps him plan for market, weather and crop conditions.<\/p>\n \u201cAs they continue to research new technologies and farm practices, I am able to review that research and see what I want to take back to my operation,\u201d Dixon said. \u201cIt is a really valuable service to me as an Alabama cotton farmer.\u201d<\/p>\n Providing support for Alabama farmers is just one of the many ways Alabama Extension delivers solutions for life\u2019s everyday challenges. Extension educators are strong community partners, bringing practical ways to support homes, farms, people and communities.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Extension Supports Alabama Row Crop Producer from the Ground Up by Katie NicholsAUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. \u2014 Farming full time was a dream for Garrett Dixon as he studied animal science at Auburn University. He dug in and decided to make farming his life\u2019s work after graduation. However, to help make it happen, Dixon has relied […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"yoast_head":"\nWorking with Extension<\/h2>\n
Backed by Research<\/h2>\n
Choose Alabama Extension<\/h2>\n
Discover Alabama Extension<\/h2>\n