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Our Mission

ACRE’s mission is to train the next generation of innovators in agriculture and conservation.

 

ACRE will be the hub of a vibrant ecosystem of scientists, engineers, farmers, and students inspired to work collaboratively to pursue groundbreaking solutions to critical challenges in food, agriculture, conservation, and sustainability. With a focus on industry alignment, the Institute will address issues impacting the future of agriculture and conservation and propel the city and region to the forefront of agricultural innovation. ACRE will attract and train a diverse and talented student body to become the next generation of leaders in agriculture and conservation. Through this work, the University will strengthen the region’s competitiveness as a destination for businesses and create opportunities for high-paying jobs in Memphis and West Tennessee.

The Challenge

By 2050, the global population is expected to grow to nearly 10 billion people

Population growth and environmental constraints

80% of the world’s arable land is already in use

Degradation of soil health and fewer natural resources 

Urbanization places constraints on available farm land and increases demands on agricultural sector 

Shortage of qualified job applicants 

The ACRE Solution

In response to these challenges, farmers are developing a wider range of tools and strategies to adapt. This diverse toolkit allows them to address issues in sustainability, crop resilience, and resource management more effectively. By expanding their approaches, farmers are better equipped to meet the evolving demands of modern agriculture.

Research and education initiatives like those offered by ACRE are key to strengthening agricultural and conservation in West Tennessee. Meanwhile, end customers–including food and fashion brands, retailers, and consumers–are showing a strong preference for more sustainably sourced crops, even to the point of paying a premium for eco-friendly practices.

Combine Harvester on Field

Continuous improvements in production and yield

Agriculture Drone

Minimizing ecological footprint and improving soil health

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Managing rising input costs and increasing profitability

Our Team

Leadership
Jennifer Mandel, PhD
Jennifer Mandel, PhD

Director / ACRE

Shawn Brown, PhD
Shawn Brown, PhD

Associate Director / ACRE

Christopher Ramezanpour, MPP
Christopher Ramezanpour, MPP

Associate Director / ACRE

Jill Frankel
Jill Frankel

Program Coordinator/ACRE

Affiliates
Amber Jennings, PhD
Amber Jennings, PhD

Associate Professor / Biomedical Engineering

Deb Leslie, PhD
Deb Leslie, PhD

Assistant Professor / Earth Sciences

Farhad Jazaei, PhD
Farhad Jazaei, PhD

UMRF Ventures Professor
Assistant Professor / Department of Civil Engineering

Leigh Boardman, PhD
Leigh Boardman, PhD

Assistant Professor / Biological Sciences

Maria Susana Jaramillo Echeverri, PhD
Maria Susana Jaramillo Echeverri, PhD

Assistant Professor / Business and Marketing

Meredith Ray, PhD
Meredith Ray, PhD

Associate Professor / School of Public Health

Mohammadreza Davoodi, PhD
Mohammadreza Davoodi, PhD

Assistant Professor / Electrical and Computer Engineering

Philip Kohlmeier, PhD
Philip Kohlmeier, PhD

Assistant Professor / Biological Sciences

Rachel Diner, PhD
Rachel Diner, PhD

Assistant Professor / Biological Sciences

Wes James, PhD
Wes James, PhD

Pat E. Burlison Professor and Department Chair / Sociology

Xiaolei Huang, PhD
Xiaolei Huang, PhD

Assistant Professor / Computer Science

Youngsang Kwon, PhD
Youngsang Kwon, PhD

Associate Professor / Earth Sciences

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