By Maggie Gaddy and Marlee Jackson

The Alabama Farmers Federation recently honored two Alabama Extension at Auburn University staffers for excellent efforts supporting agriculture.

Dr. Scott Graham and Dr. Jeremy Pickens were hailed Aug. 8 during the Federation’s Farm & Land Conference in Mobile. A cotton entomologist, Graham received the Rittenour Award, which honors research endeavors. Meanwhile, Pickens was presented the Duncan Award for his horticultural work through Extension.

“We believe in rewarding folks for a job well done,” said Federation President Jimmy Parnell, a Chilton County farmer. “Dr. Graham and Dr. Pickens meet that criteria. Their work is helping farm families across this state stay on the farm. That’s especially important in these tough economic times.”

The Rittenour Award

Graham’s curiosity, close relationships with cotton growers and consequential research trials earned him the Rittenour Award. More importantly, he’s earned the respect of Alabama row crop farmers, said Federation Cotton Division Director Carla Hornady.

“Scott isn’t afraid to get in the field, tackle tough problems and really help our farmers,” she said. “His work ethic has especially been evident with emergence of the cotton jassid. He is doing everything he can to help farmers make educated decisions.”

Alabama farmers began battling the diminutive, devastating cotton jassid in late summer 2025. Graham said the growing season became a blur with frequent farm visits, countless phone calls and rapidly evolving spray recommendations aimed at reducing jassid populations, which could greatly hamper yield.

Graham delivered presentations during a slate of winter meetings around the Cotton Belt. He plans to use the Rittenour Award’s $10,000 prize from the Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation to fund similar travels this year.

A native of Grenada, Mississippi, Graham holds two degrees from Mississippi State University, plus a doctorate in cotton entomology from the University of Tennessee.

“As soon as you think you have an insect figured out, something changes,” Graham said. “It’s a very exciting, rewarding career.”

Now working in the steamy Alabama heat, Graham gets to business identifying insects. He’s earned deep tan lines and even deeper credibility with growers.

Graham is quick to credit his predecessor. A household name in cotton entomology, Ron Smith earned the Rittenour Award’s counterpart honor just months after Graham joined Extension in 2020.

“There was a quote Ron had when he won the Duncan Award that he started his career helping farmers and finished it helping friends. I remember thinking it would be cool to say that one day,” Graham said. “I feel like that’s where I am now. I have buddies who live all across the state.”

The Duncan Award

Pickens’ commitment to serving Alabama’s green industry netted him the Duncan Award, which includes $5,000 for continued Extension programming. Pickens said the funding will help expand services for Alabama nurseries by increasing irrigation water testing in surrounding counties and monitoring container nutrition. The additional data will help growers make management decisions while supporting future research.

Pickens is the first Extension professional to receive both the Duncan Award and Rittenour Award. He was presented the latter in 2021.

“I am very grateful for receiving this award,” Pickens said. “It means so much to me. It’s validation and affirmation that I am making an impact and helping people. Having farmers nominate me means way more than another award I could ever get.”

Federation Greenhouse, Nursery & Sod Division Director Blake Thaxton said Pickens’ ability to combine research with hands-on service made him especially deserving of the Duncan Award.

“He’s a great researcher, but he also does the Extension side, which serves growers,” Thaxton said. “He’s effective because of the interpersonal relationship that goes beyond solving nursery issues. He is also well-respected by stakeholders — for his work and friendship.”

Pickens’ passion for plants took root at a palm tree nursery in Mobile County, where a high school job planted the seed for a career dedicated to helping nurserymen succeed.

A proud AU alumnus, Pickens earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in horticulture before completing a doctorate in aquaculture. Since 2016, he’s served as Extension’s nursery and greenhouse specialist, splitting time between research and Extension while working with growers across the state. He’s stationed at the Ornamental Horticulture Research Center in Mobile.

“A lot of my research is driven by what I see when I’m with growers,” Pickens said. “I just want to make an impact. Looking back on my career, I want to know I helped people.”