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Lab members standing in circle

About Us

Approximately 80% of agricultural crop production in the Florida Panhandle is cotton and peanut. Although their yields are near historical highs in the state, sale prices for these commodities remain low as input costs increase. Fertilizer inputs are one of the highest operational expenses for growers, and a major source of nutrient loading to local waterbodies due to high infiltration rates of the sandy soils found throughout the Florida Panhandle and the Southeast US. One strategy to simultaneously reduce farm expenses and improve environmental quality is to improve nutrient use efficiency of cropping systems.

 

Our main crops of interest are peanut and cotton, but we also research hemp, corn, soybean, wheat, canola, and carinata. Overall, the program focuses on increasing the resource use efficiency and developing economically and environmentally sustainable cropping systems for the Florida Panhandle and the Southeast US.

Current Lab Members

Dr. Hardeep Singh

Dr. Hardeep Singh

Assistant Professor, Cropping System Specialist

Dr. Singh leads the Cropping Systems program at the UF/IFAS WFREC. His lab works on developing integrated fertility management tools and precision-ag technologies to boost sustainability in the region. Dr. Singh focuses on nutrient mineralization and synchronization—using enhanced-efficiency fertilizers and cover crops—to maximize nutrient use efficiency and cut environmental losses. He also directs research on disease management, genotype evaluation, and phenology modeling to tackle industry challenges.

Dr. Hardeep Singh

Dr. Eajaz Dar

Post Doctoral Associate, Ph.D.

Dr. Dar earned his M.S. in Agronomy from NDRI Karnal and a Ph.D. in Water Management from Punjab Agricultural University. He’s worked on smart irrigation, on-farm trials, and crop modeling. As a UF postdoctoral researcher, Dr. Dar now focuses on nutrient optimization and yield forecasting for Florida row crops.

Dr. Hardeep Singh

Justin Nowling

Lab Technician III

A lifelong resident of Jay, Justin provides crucial regional insight into local farming practices as a 5th generation farmer. He fertilizes, tills, and maintains farm equipment in addition to general station needs.

In his free time he runs a local produce stand called B & B Produce of Jay FL and is a father to two children.

Dr. Hardeep Singh

Nkem Nwosu

Ph.D. Candidate

Nkem is a Ph.D. candidate focusing on sustainable nutrient management. He evaluates cover crops and nitrogen fertilizer rates to optimize cotton yields, soil health, and moisture dynamics. Nkem also assesses nitrogen sources and rates for maximizing industrial hemp fiber and seed yield in Florida.

Dr. Hardeep Singh

Kulpreet Singh

Ph.D. Student

Kulpreet is a Ph.D. student studying Cropping Systems at the WFREC. He's working to evaluate nitrogen fertilizer rates and application methods in rainfed cotton to maximize yield and minimize losses. KP's work supports both productivity gains and environmental sustainability.

Dr. Hardeep Singh

Yogendra Upadhyaya

Ph.D. Student

Yogi is a Ph.D. student in the lab who is working with industrial hemp production. His focus is on nutrient management, fiber quality, and seed development.

Dr. Hardeep Singh

Anmoldeep Singh

M.S. Student

Anmol is a master’s student focusing on addressing environmental challenges by improving resource use efficiency. He works with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, drones, and machine learning/deep learning. Anmol's work aims to optimize agricultural systems for both environmental and economic benefits.

Dr. Hardeep Singh

Megan Hammond

Research Assistant II

Megan is a proud UF Gator (’21) with past roles in watershed management, environmental horticulture, and cropping systems. She co-authored two UF/IFAS EDIS 4-H project books on honey bees and balances her passion for science with life as a wife, mother of six, and grandmother of four.

Dr. Hardeep Singh

Rebecca Juntunen

OPS Research Assistant

Rebecca is a specialist bringing teaching and ornamental nursery experience to her role. She earned a B.A. in English (UWF ’17) and is completing a Plant Science degree at UF (Spring ’27). In her free time, Becca enjoys costuming, gardening, sewing, playing the ukulele, cooking, reading, and crocheting.

Dr. Hardeep Singh

Jill Cumbia

OPS Research Assistant

With a background in data driven digital systems and vendor management, Jill maintains our website updates, coordinates field trial needs, and collects and communicates research data to project leads. 

She is also an undergraduate student with University of Florida, earning her Bachelors of Science in Plant Science with a minor in Plant Breeding.

Past Lab Members

Akash Shah

M.S. Student

Moo Brown

Lab Technician III

Josh Gefen

OPS Research Assistant

Olive Stewart

OPS Research Assistant

Satinderpal Singh

M.S. Student

Peter Omara

Post Doctoral Associate, Ph.D.

Kenlee Scott

OPS Research Assistant

Melinda Thoms

OPS Research Assistant

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