High-school student Harrison Carter is paving the way for the future of farming and manufacturing through a unique program.
Tackling complex global challenges through lab work, data analysis and critical thinking might seem daunting, but high school students like Harrison Carter are embracing the opportunity. Carter, a ninth-grade student at Houston Academy, is participating in the HudsonAlpha Wiregrass Peanut Project.
“I grew up in the business of peanuts,” Carter says. It makes sense that the next in line to LMC Manufacturing learns the peanut business at an early age, but it makes even more sense for him to improve it — for both the company and his community.
The Drive For Efficiency And Performance
LMC Manufacturing is the heart of the peanut industry. A world leader in industrial separation equipment, the company processes nearly 100% of the United States’ peanut crop. According to the American Peanut Council, peanuts are one of the country’s most valuable exports, with more than half a billion tons shipped out each year, yielding nearly $700 million dollars. Founded in Donalsonville, Georgia, by Carter’s great-great-grandfather H.M. Carter, LMC has created a lasting impact in the United States and Southeastern community for more than eight decades.
LMC’s success stems from both its traditional approach to peanut and nut processing and its commitment to constant innovation. As the science and technology behind crop production evolves, LMC plans to stay on the cutting edge.
Marcus Carter, president and CEO and Harrison Carter’s dad says, “At LMC, we believe that innovation is about more than just creating cutting-edge machinery; it’s about understanding our clients’ unique challenges and providing tailored solutions that drive efficiency and performance. We’re dedicated to staying at the forefront of the industry by linking advanced technologies with everything we do.”
Real-World Results In The Classroom
That journey to innovation leads to southeast Alabama and the younger Carter’s participation for the past year in the HudsonAlpha Wiregrass Peanut Project, a project incorporated into the City of Dothan and Wiregrass-area schools, including Houston Academy. The project gives students hands-on experience in using genomics to develop more drought- and disease-resistant peanut varieties. Carter and his classmates apply this science in the classroom, with real-world results that can impact the future of agriculture.
Carter is gaining research experience — lab work, data analysis and critical thinking skills — that he believes will help shape the future of farming.
“I think this project is going to help farmers and LMC to develop new varieties of peanuts, build new machines and make production more efficient and stable both in the United States and worldwide,” he says.
Integrating Genomics Research With Manufacturing
The project is overseen by HudsonAlpha’s Educational Outreach team and led by HudsonAlpha Faculty Investigator Josh Clevenger, whose research focuses on crop improvement for sustainable agriculture.
“This project showcases the application of genetics and biotechnology in agriculture and is the only program in the country that is working with students producing real-world results,” Clevenger says. “Peanuts are a vital crop for millions across the globe. Through this project, we are helping student scientists take the first steps in developing better varieties and introducing this work to future farmers and scientists who will help the industry thrive.”
The Wiregrass Peanut Project aims to bring modern technology, like genomic sequencing, to a traditional industry. It emphasizes teaching students that there can be synergy between cutting-edge genomic research and physical peanut processing at manufacturing plants like LMC. Carter’s experience with the Wiregrass Peanut Project may be the first step in blending tradition and innovation in agricultural research, paving the way for the future of both manufacturing and farming. The integration of genomics research and manufacturing expertise could have a major impact on the Carter family business and the peanut industry as a whole. PG
