While Auburn is no longer the rural farming village of its founding, agriculture remains a vital part of its identity and economy, largely through research and innovation. Auburn University's College of Agriculture and the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station conduct world-class research on poultry science, crop production, forestry, and sustainable farming.
In the surrounding areas of Lee County, timber and forestry are major agricultural commodities. Poultry production is also a massive industry in eastern Alabama. Locally, there is a growing movement toward sustainable, small-scale farming, supported by farmers' markets and community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs that supply farm-to-table restaurants in the city.