Degrees

• B. S., University of New Hampshire, Botany/Plant Physiology and Ecology, 1972
• M. S., University of Arkansas-Fayetteville, Agronomy/Weed Science Horticultural Crops, 1978
• Ph.D., Auburn University, Plant Pathology/Soil-borne Disease and Rhizosphere Ecology, 1984

Research Interests

Microclimate effects on growth and development of horticultural crops with emphasis on wind protection; organic production systems for high value crops, especially specialty cut flowers; rural food systems and community development through horticultural entrepreneurship; organic production methods for specialty cut flowers; enterprise budget development for small scale specialty cut flower growers.

Departmental Assignments

Extension: 65% Commercial Vegetable Production
Research: 35% Minimizing environmental stress through cultural practices for improved specialty crop
production; Horticultural crop management in organic production systems; Bio-accumulation of antibiotic resistant salmonella in produce after irrigation using recycled water

Courses Taught

I currently do not hold a teaching appointment. I provide 5-8 guest lectures each year in HORT130 Intro
Horticulture; HORT 365 Vegetable Production; NUTR 372 Food Safety & Sanitation; AGRON 496/896, HORT496/896 Science-Based Organic Farming & Gardening.

Major Project Activities

My current emphasis is on the development and leadership for the Nebraska Farmers' Market Association as growers seek more and better local markets for their products. I am responsible for the evaluation of the USDA funded Nebraska Senior Nutrition Farmers' Market Program, a program initiated in 2001 and successfully funded for the past three years. Support for commercial vegetable growers in Nebraska continues to be a priority, with individual educational outreach plus a monthly newsletter for growers addressing current issues and cultural problems in production. The continued growth of the Great Plains Regional Vegetable Conference to over 400 growers depends on the Steering Committee, of which I am an active participant.

Extension Interests

Commercial vegetable production in the eastern one-third of the state for all vegetables except potatoes and dry beans; commercial herbs and field-grown specialty cut flowers. Educational programs include the Great Plains Growers Conference and an 8 page technical newsletter for growers and county extension issued eight times yearly; development of farmers' markets with emphasis on market management and the role of markets in the communities; organic methods for specialty crops; high tunnel production systems.

Awards and Honors

• Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers Outstanding Service Award, 2010
• Outstanding Horticultural Education Publication, American Society for Horticultural Science, 2008
• Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society, 1992
• Pi Alpha Xi, Horticulture Honor Society, 1991
• Gamma Sigma Delta, Agriculture Honor Society, 1979
• Outstanding Young Women of America, 1979
• University of New Hampshire Graduate Tuition Scholarship, 1973-1974
• Graduation Cum Laude, University of New Hampshire, 1972
• Letter of Commendation, National Merit Scholar Program, 1968
• National Science Foundation/American Univ. Program for High Ability High School Students (Goddard Space Flight Center), 1967

Selected Publications

• Hodges, Laurie. 2012. Bleeding Heart: A Review for Growers. HortTechnology 22:517-522.

• Hoagland Lori, L. Hodges, G. A. Helmers, J. R. Brandle, and C. A. Francis. 2010. Labor Availability in an Integrated Agricultural System. J. Sustainable Agriculture 34:532-548.

• Spaw, Marci , Kimberly A. Williams, Laurie Hodges, and Ellen T. Paparozzi, Ingrid L. Mallberg. 2008. A Case Study to Teach the Diagnostic Process: Determining the Cause of Chlorosis in a Crop of Cut Dicentra. HortTechnology18:168-176 [selected 2008 Most Outstanding Horticultural Education Publication, American Society for Horticultural Science].

• Hodges, Laurie, Entin Daningsih, and James R. Brandle. 2006. Comparison of an antitranspirant spray, a polyacrylamide gel, and wind protection on early growth of muskmelon (Cucumis melo L. cv. Hiline). HortScience 41(2):361-366.

• Hodges, Laurie, Mhd Nazip Suratman, James R. Brandle, and Kenneth G. Hubbard. 2004. Growth and yield of snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) as affected by wind protection and microclimate changes due to shelterbelts and planting date. HortScience 39:996-1004.

• Brandle, James R., Laurie Hodges, and Xinhua Zhou. 2004. Windbreaks in Sustainable Agriculture. Agroforestry Systems 61-63 (1-3):65-78. World Congress on Agroforestry Proceedings.

Invited Book Chapters

• Brandle, J.R., J. Tyndal, R. A. Sudmeyer, and L. Hodges. 2009. Windbreak practices. In: Chapter 5 North American Agroforestry: An Integrated Science. 2nd edition. (H.E. Garrett, W. J. Rietveld, and R. F. Risher, eds.), Am. Soc. Agronomy.

• Francis, C., and L. Hodges. 2009. Human ecology in future organic farming and food systems. Ch. 14 in: Organic Farming: the Ecological System, C. Francis, editor. Monograph 54, Amer. Soc. Agron., Madison, Wisconsin. p. 301-323.

• Hodges, L. and R. Rouse. 2004. Windbreaks in Plasticulture Systems. pp. 57-66 in Production of Vegetables, Strawberries, and Cut Flowers Using Plasticulture. William J. Lamont, Jr., ed. NRAES, Ithaca, N. Y.

• Brandle, James R. , Laurie Hodges, and X. H. Zhou. 2004. Windbreaks in North American Agricultural Systems. Vol. 1 New Vistas in Agroforestry: A compendium for the 1st World Congress of Agroforestry. P. K. R. Nair, M. R. Rao, and L. E. Buck, eds. Advances in Agroforestry. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, Netherlands. ISBN 1-4020-2412-6.

• Brandle, J. R., X. Zhou and L. Hodges. 2003. Agroforestry for Enhancing Water Use Efficiency in Encyclopedia of Water Science, pp B. A. Stewart and T. Howells, eds. Marcel Dekker, Inc. New York, N. Y.