By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

Matthew Price has been selected as director of the Chilton Research and Extension Center.

Previously, Price served as assistant director of the facility.

“I just want to continue the research and help some of these peach growers we have here,” Price said. “I would like to see the peach research pick up a little bit.”

Research being conducted currently focuses on peaches, wine grapes, apple rootstock, peach rootstock and kiwifruits.

Each project has similar challenges with weather conditions and pests, but Price said each variety of fruit also has unique challenges to a successful crop.

Price said each project starts with a project leader or an Auburn University professor applying to conduct research. The center approves as many projects as possible at the 160-acre facility.

Price said a typical work day begins at 6:30 a.m.

“There is never any shortage of something to do,” Price said.

Creating a better place for meeting at the research center is also a hope.

“It just grew up in it (agriculture),” Price said. “I’ve been around it my whole life.”

Price’s father was an agriculture teacher at Thorsby School. His neighbors growing up were a peach producer and a cattle producer.

“I’ve always been pretty interested in agriculture,” Price said.

He turned his interest into a paying venture at the age of 16 when he worked at the Chilton Research and Extension Center during the summer.

He continued to work there through college.

Price has a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Auburn University. He is working on his master’s degree in agriculture with an emphasis in plant and environmental science online through Auburn University.