AURPI

Day two of our Agricultural Technology Program with Southern Union State Community College was the perfect way to wrap up an incredible workshop!

The day began with a behind-the-scenes tour of West Fraser Timber Co., where students experienced firsthand how mechatronics and advanced technology are shaping the forestry industry. Thank you to the West Fraser team for welcoming us into your facility and sharing your expertise! From career advice and interview tips to the importance of workplace safety, students gained valuable insights into the many opportunities available in the forestry sector. 🌲

We concluded the workshop with a closing ceremony, where students were recognized for completing the program and received their certificates. Congratulations to everyone who participated!

Thank you to everyone who made this workshop such a success. Over the past two days, students explored emerging agricultural technologies, connected with industry professionals, and gained hands-on experience that will help prepare them for future careers!

If you participated in the workshop, tag us in your photos with your certificate - we'd love to celebrate with you! 📸

A first look at our Agricultural Technology Program with Southern Union State Community College! 🌱

We were excited to host mechatronics students on campus for the first day of our workshop. Students explored the latest innovations in agriculture through engaging presentations and hands-on experiences with forestry simulators, precision agriculture technologies, and a variety of drones.

A special thank you to industry experts J.W. Ashmore and Drew Johnson for joining us for an insightful poultry industry panel. Their advice, real-world experiences, and thoughtful answers gave students a valuable look at how they can apply their mechatronics skills in one of Alabama's most important industries! 🐔

Keep an eye out for day two Ag Tech content, coming soon!

Happy National Photography Day! 📸

We are celebrating by adding a little bit of Alabama beauty to your screen - justttt in case you forgot what we are all about.

Say hello to the new faces working with AURPI! We are happy to welcome both Maddie and Nolan to our staff. War Eagle! 🧡

What does caregiving look like across Alabama?

A publication from AURPI's Social Science Team highlights the hidden pressures many Alabamians face while caring for children, aging family members, or both. Using data from the "2025 Our State, Our Lives: Alabama Wellbeing Survey", the report examines how caregiving responsibilities impact finances, employment, and quality of life across the state's rural, suburban, and urban communities.

The findings reveal the growing realities of Alabama’s “sandwich generation”, aka individuals that are balancing care for both younger and older loved ones at the same time.

Read the full report to learn more about the people helping hold Alabama families together:

Inside the Hidden Pressures of Caregiving: Results from 2025 Our State, Our Lives Survey - Alabama Cooperative Extension System This document explores caregiving activities of household decision-makers, especially who caregivers are, who they care for, where they live, and how these responsibilities affect their financial stability and overall quality of life.

Though we are dedicated to helping the entire state, AURPI still yells War Eagle! 🦅

During our Advisory Board Meeting, we were able to see the inner workings of Jordan-Hare stadium. Thank you to our amazing tour guide and to the Auburn University Raptor Center for making our visit so special!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Auburn University Rural Partnership Institute’s 2026 Advisory Board Meeting!
From team updates and graduate student poster presentations to collaborative discussions about strengthening communities across the state, the day highlighted the innovation, partnerships, and people driving AURPI’s work forward. We’re grateful for the opportunity to connect, learn from one another, and continue shaping solutions that support Alabama’s rural communities.

Understanding wellbeing across Alabama starts with listening to the people who call it home.

The latest findings from AURPI's Social Science Team and the "Our State, Our Lives: Alabama Wellbeing Survey" highlight how financial strain differs across rural, urban, and suburban communities, with many Alabamians struggling to keep up with household bills.

The report explores how factors like income, age, education, caregiving responsibilities, and geography shape financial wellbeing across the state, helping provide a clearer picture of the challenges facing Alabama communities today. Click here to read the full report. https://bit.ly/4cZwFSf

Financial Wellbeing Across Alabama Households: Results from 2025 Our State, Our Lives Survey - Alabama Cooperative Extension System Rising costs of living continue to be a burden for households across Alabama.

Drones are quickly changing the world of Alabama agriculture 🌾🌽🍅
Did you know UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) can be used to:
• detect storm or pest damage in crops
• estimate yield and monitor erosion
• apply fertilizer and pesticides
• track livestock movement
• and more!
At our Ag Tech Workshop, we introduce mechatronics students to the UAVs most commonly used in agriculture, helping shape the next generation of tech-savvy ag professionals.

On April 17, AURPI hosted an Agricultural Technology Workshop at The University of West Alabama. Throughout the day, students learned about job opportunities in the poultry and forestry industries and how mechatronics and engineering technology play a role in both. By checking out forestry simulators, GPS-guided tractors, and drone technology, students got a close up view of how equipment and innovation are being used in agriculture today.
Thank you to UWA for hosting us and to all the students who spent the day learning with AURPI! We had an amazing time connecting over the different industries that help Rural Alabama thrive.