From the Director

In the last issue of Highlights, we mentioned the support provided to the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station (AAES) by tax dollars, gifts, grants, contracts, and income from sale of products. These sources of income allow the AAES to continue research programs by scientists in the different schools and colleges within Auburn University (AU).

AAES research programs have historically been based on partnerships that allow more to be done with less. The original partnership was between the federal and state governments to jointly sponsor research at the state level. This partnership continues today, but is supplemented by other equally important working relationships.

AAES has evolved into an organization that partners with five different schools and colleges on the AU campus. These are the colleges of Agriculture, Sciences and Mathematics, and Veterinary Medicine plus the Schools of Forestry and Human Sciences. Scientists supported by AAES in these five schools/colleges work across administrative divisions to jointly conduct research needed by AAES clientele.

Under a federal court order of two years ago, AAES is now sponsoring joint research with Alabama A&M University (AAMU). Scientists from both campuses are utilizing AAES facilities across the state to conduct research on both the AU and AAMU campuses. While some cooperative research was already underway between our scientists, this legal action spurred us to support needed research in areas where both of our faculties have expertise.

Other partnerships are being strengthened within the state and across state lines. We have gene transfer work in swine being conducted by animal scientists at AU and molecular biologists at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. Across state lines, we are doing regional research in a number of areas with other state universities.

After all the above working relationships are considered, our most important partner is still the user of AAES-generated information. This partner may be a producer, processor, agribusiness person, or consumer of products covered by AAES research. To you, that partner, we pledge our best efforts in service to vou. vour familv. and vour business.

J. E. Marion
Director, Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station