The Loveliest Village

A t Auburn University, students can study a broad range of subjects. Although they may not be the first that come to mind, horticulture courses such as vegetable production, organic gardening, and intermediate fruit and vegetable production are becoming popular courses at Auburn University.
These courses are offered through the College of Agriculture, but students don’t have to commit to a degree in horticulture to take the courses. Many students enroll in these courses to fulfill their elective requirements while learning interesting information about farming.
Vegetable production, organic gardening and intermediate fruit and vegetable production haven’t always been a part of the College of Agriculture. Dr. James E. Brown started these courses after he came to Auburn in 1985. Brown learned about the courses while working as a research assistant for the University of Illinois where he earned his Ph.D. in horticulture.
While taking the vegetable production course, students will learn how to prepare the land, plant crops, maintenance, disease control and harvesting, just to name a few. Students will learn similar topics in organic gardening.
“The main difference between vegetable production and organic gardening is the farmer’s attitude toward using chemicals and pesticides,� said Brown.
He said that in organic gardening, farmers have the mindset that they aren’t going to use chemicals or synthetic fertilizers. Organic gardening focuses on only using processes that exist in nature.
Brown said he really enjoys teaching the intermediate fruit and vegetable production class because it is hands on. Students get real-life experience on a 4-acre farm.
“Students can learn everything they need to know to bring a crop to its full maturity,� said Brown.
As well as teaching, Brown also wrote the textbooks for his classes. He has written or contributed to six different books and many chapters in books. Brown has also published his research in more than 200 journals and professional articles. His research findings were publicized in Canada, Israel and Jordan.
Brown grew up on a farm in Georgia, which influenced him to pursue the field of horticulture. He served for more than twenty years in the United States Army until he retired as a Major and Quarter Master Officer in the U.S. Army Reserves.
In 1995, Brown felt the desire to spread the word and help people. After working as an associate minister for two different churches, Brown founded a church in Opelika, and serves as the pastor.
Some of Brown’s favorite vegetables are watermelon, bell peppers, okra and sweet corn. He has been at Auburn University for more than 20 years. He is known for his extensive knowledge of growing vegetables, as well as his entertaining style of teaching. Dr. James E. Brown is one of the many reasons Auburn is known as the loveliest village on the plains.

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