DOTHAN, Ala. (WDNews) — HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology has announced the addition of Dustin Herring as its new Agricultural Project Manager for HudsonAlpha Wiregrass.
Herring, a Hartford native, brings a wide range of experience in agricultural education, field research, and commercial production. His background includes work as a research associate with Bayer Crop Science, where he led USDA-regulated trials on corn, soybeans, and cotton in Mississippi’s Delta region. He also worked with Corteva Agriscience, managing next-generation field seed testing for Pioneer® brand corn and soybeans.
Herring earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Auburn University, where his studies focused on the economic impact of nematodes in peanuts and cotton. He also taught graduate courses in plant pathology.
“We are excited to have Dustin join our team as we continue advancing agricultural research and innovation,” said Dean Mitchell, Director of HudsonAlpha Wiregrass. “With his background in row crops, research and business, Dustin brings valuable insight that will make him a key connection for our local farmers and the broader ag community. In his new role, he’ll also help evaluate and recruit ag technology companies, further strengthening job opportunities in Dothan and the Wiregrass.”
Herring’s duties will include managing field research on the WIREGRASS Peanut Project and collaborating with HudsonAlpha’s economic development team to assess new agricultural technologies for local farms and producers. He becomes the ninth employee of HudsonAlpha Wiregrass, a partnership between the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology and the City of Dothan established in 2022.
HudsonAlpha Wiregrass will serve as the anchor tenant of the upcoming Wiregrass Innovation Center — a 45,000-square-foot facility under construction in Dothan and expected to open in 2026. The center will host hands-on training, genomics education, and innovation programs aimed at supporting science, research, and technology growth across the region.
For more information about HudsonAlpha Wiregrass, visit hudsonalpha.org/wiregrass.
