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Faculty members from various academic units descended upon the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute to learn of Alabama realities beyond the boundaries of Auburn University. This fourth tour across Alabama began with the exchange of pleasantries between strangers and resulted in bonds forged between colleagues and community partners, strengthening the fibers of communities as well as academic pathways.
The itinerary created in collaboration with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and University Outreach leaders started with greetings from Royrickers Cook, vice president for University Outreach and associate provost who encouraged participants to make the most of their time together and thanked them for their commitment to the work of outreach. What followed was a strategically designed journey that transported faculty members from farm to table through three uniquely diverse cultures, each offering a taste of Alabama’s rich diversity and a glimpse into the lives and legacies of its people.
The tour started in Escambia County at the Brewton Agricultural Research Unit, where Brad Miller and his team welcomed the group into the heart of agricultural innovation. Here, participants explored research tackling nematode control, bioenergy and ornamental horticulture projects that directly support Alabama’s agricultural economy and reflect the university’s commitment to solving real-world challenges.
The journey continued with a stop at the Community Garden in Atmore, the heart of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians’ Tribal Food Security Program. As Alabama’s only federally recognized tribe, the Poarch Creek community offered a glimpse into how sustainable food systems, ranging from lush gardens to bustling farmers’ markets, and local food distribution nourish both Native and non-Native neighbors. The visit came to life over lunch at the Warehouse Market and Bakery, an Amish-inspired gathering place where stories flowed as easily as the. Here, faculty members shared conversations with community members, discovering how the seeds of food sovereignty are being planted and thriving right in the rich soil of Atmore.
By mid-afternoon, the bus rolled into Mobile for a boat tour of Africatown, where history came alive on the water. Participants learned about the Clotilda, the last known American slave ship, and the resilient community formed by its survivors. Through the eyes of Clotilda descendants, Darron Patterson and Pat Frazier, the tour offered a powerful introduction to the legacy and ongoing preservation efforts of Africatown.
That evening, the group gathered at Yorktown Missionary Baptist Church for a community dinner with Africatown descendants. Local leaders like Chiquitta Clemons Howard, Lamar Howard and Eric Finley shared stories of strength, survival and vision. The meal was more than nourishment; it was a celebration of heritage and a call to action for continued support and collaboration.
Day two of the tour began in Fairhope at the Gulf Coast Research and Extension Center (GCREC). Established in 1930, the center is a vital hub for agricultural research tailored to the Gulf region’s unique climate. With its location just one mile east of Mobile Bay and thirty miles north of the Gulf of Mexico, the GCREC enjoys long growing seasons and mild winters; conditions ideal for a highly diversified research program. Todd Frank and his staff welcomed participants with a tractor-pulled trailer tour of the grounds, highlighting programs in beef cattle management, pecan variety evaluations and a wide range of rows, turfgrass, fruit and vegetable crops. Each initiative is rooted in the center’s top goal of helping southwest Alabama producers maximize their income while sustaining the region’s agricultural strength.
Over lunch, participants experienced a cultural meal prepared by one of the program’s young entrepreneurs. It was a vibrant reminder that food is often the first bridge between cultures and communities. The flavors and stories woven into the dishes set the stage for the stop in Mobile, where innovation and tradition intersect at Continental Kitchen. Housed in a shared commissary space, the kitchen was created to empower underserved food entrepreneurs with the tools and resources needed to grow. Founding president Leida Javier-Ferrell and director of Operations Nailim Sanchez welcomed the group with a tour and a panel conversation featuring partners from the Alabama Department of Human Resources and Feeding the Gulf Coast. Together, they painted a picture of how Mobile’s diverse culinary heritage is being transformed into sustainable business success.
The final stop was the Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy’s program at the University of South Alabama. Faculty members Kristen Korankyi and Gladys Tucker Heard shared how their collaborative academic partnership is expanding healthcare access and education in the region.
While the itinerary was rich with experiences, the heart of Auburn Across Alabama lies in what happens beyond the bus ride. Faculty are encouraged to translate their experiences into teaching, research and engagement with the community, often through community-based projects, student internships and ongoing partnerships. Follow-up gatherings help turn observations into action, ensuring that outreach is not a one-time encounter but a sustained commitment.
Since its launch in 2022, Auburn Across Alabama has taken faculty and students to Tuskegee, Montgomery, Selma, Lee County, Chambers County and the Black Belt. Each tour offers a new lens through which Auburn can understand community needs, strengthen partnerships and identify opportunities for engagement. By stepping into Alabama’s communities, Auburn Across Alabama reinforces the university’s identity as an engaged land-grant institution. It is about listening, learning, and collaborating to build a stronger Alabama.
As one participant put it, “This experience reminded us that Auburn’s reach extends far beyond campus. Outreach is not just what we did; it was who we were.” And for Maria Guttierez, a veteran of every tour thus far, the impact is clear: “This experience enables us to immerse ourselves in communities and develop real relationships we would not have otherwise. My eyes have been opened to stories I never knew before.”
This year’s journey was made possible by the dedication of Cooperative Extension’s County directors Millie Murphree (Escambia), Cindy Knowlton (Mobile), Sarah Butterworth (Baldwin) and Extension agents Alexia Mingo Simmons and Rebecca Catalena, who served as vital connectors between Auburn and the communities they serve.
