Auburn horticulture's Desmond Layne honored with national leadership award

Desmond Layne, professor and head of the Department of Horticulture in the Auburn University College of Agriculture, was recently selected to receive the American Society for Horticultural Science's Outstanding Leadership and Administration Award, one of the society's highest honors recognizing exceptional leadership in horticultural science.

Presented annually, the award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and administrative excellence while advancing horticultural teaching, research, extension and service through visionary program development and organizational leadership.

Layne assumed his role as department head in 2018 after serving in administrative roles at Clemson University and Washington State University.

“As a leader, he guided our department through exceptional growth, innovation and strengthened academic excellence,” said Associate Professor of Horticulture André da Silva, who nominated Layne for the award. “Under his leadership, our department became markedly more collegial, productive and forward‑thinking. Faculty achievements, externally funded research, peer‑reviewed scholarship and graduate student numbers have reached historic highs. Undergraduate enrollment had also grown steadily, reflecting both the improved visibility of our programs and the strong student-focused culture he has cultivated.

“Therefore, it was a privilege to nominate Dr. Layne for this distinguished honor,” da Silva added. “He is an exceptional leader whose career reflects the spirit and purpose of the award.”

A native of southern Ontario, Canada, Layne developed an interest in horticulture while working on fruit and vegetable farms near Lake Erie in high school. He earned a bachelor's degree in horticulture from the University of Guelph before completing both his master's and doctoral degrees in horticulture at Michigan State University.

Before transitioning to full-time administration, his applied research focused on sustainable orchard management, fruit crop production and cultivar development, with expertise spanning apple, cherry, peach, strawberry and pawpaw production. He worked extensively with commercial fruit growers, translating research into practical recommendations through Extension programs, field demonstrations and educational resources.

Layne is a Fellow of the American Society for Horticultural Science and the Food Systems Leadership Institute. Throughout his career, he has held leadership roles in national scientific organizations and has been recognized with numerous professional honors for his contributions to horticultural science, extension and academic leadership. His expertise has also been featured by national media outlets, including The New York Times, NPR, CBS and ABC News.

The American Society for Horticultural Science is the world's leading organization for horticultural scientists, educators and industry professionals. Founded in 1903, the society promotes research, education and the application of horticultural science to improve human and environmental well-being.

Layne said he was humbled and thankful to receive the society’s award.

"I am humbled and honored to be recognized with this award,” he said. “Jack Welch, former Chairman and CEO of General Electric famously said, ‘Before you become a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.’ I say a big Amen to that.”