Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has awarded HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology over $2 million through the Alabama Research and Development Advancement Fund to support three initiatives using biotechnology to strengthen Alabama’s agriculture and forestry sectors. Auburn University and the University of Alabama also received funding in this round.
“Researchers at these institutions have a track record of forging innovations that improve people’s lives in Alabama and beyond,” Gov. Ivey said. “Their far-reaching research impacts everything from the next wave of technology to the conservation of our forests. I am proud to support this important and pioneering work through these grant awards.”
Each HudsonAlpha project combines state investment with matching funds from the Institute, collaborating organizations, federal grants, and private donors. This funding model multiples the value and impact of these public funds while strengthening Alabama’s innovation ecosystem.
TRIALS (Technology & Research for Innovation Ag Leaders) – $309,576
In collaboration with agtech startups Chonex and SouthGen Solutions, TRIALS is a two-year pilot program led by HudsonAlpha in Alabama’s Wiregrass region, designed by HudsonAlpha Faculty Investigator Josh Clevenger, PhD. TRIALS focuses on accelerating the on-farm adoption of new agricultural technologies. Farmers often face narrow profit margins and environmental uncertainty, making it a risky endeavor to test new products. TRIALS addresses the challenge by pairing growers with researchers and agtech companies to conduct side-by-side field trials, tracking yields, soil health, and economic outcomes.
The project will evaluate innovations such as Chonex’s StrongSoil® bio-fertilizer and SouthGen’s precision agriculture tools and drone imaging, generating real-world data that growers can use to guide their decisions. In addition to boosting productivity in Alabama’s $211 million peanut industry, the project will provide education and outreach through farmer consultations, producer panels, and a summer BioTrain internship. TRIALS aims to create a scalable model that supports small to mid-sized farms and helps rural communities benefit from the next generation of agtech solutions.
