Dr. Stella Suddarth is a soil scientist with over a decade of expertise in enhancing crop yield and plant quality under stress conditions through in-depth research in soil fertility, plant nutrition, plant physiology, soil microbiology, and water-plant management. Her innovative contributions have consistently empowered farmers to adopt sustainable practices that improve productivity and boost plant resilience in challenging environments.
In her previous role as the US Senior Manager at a leading berry company, Dr. Suddarth oversaw farm operations across the US and Mexico, while collaborating with partners in Europe, Asia, and South America. Her leadership was crucial in advancing the company’s R&D efforts in developing new berry varieties with enhanced resistance to pests and diseases, superior quality, and greater competitiveness in the market due to their unique flavor and size.
Currently serving as the Southeast Sustainable Commodities Technical Manager at Trust in Food, Farm Journal, Dr. Suddarth remains dedicated to educate farmers and help them in implementing sustainable farming practices. She works closely with producers, helping them improve environmental stewardship while boosting profitability and resilience.
Dr. Suddarth is also an active member of a research group that includes universities across the US and internationally. Through this collaboration, she contributes to efforts aimed at developing, adapting, and introducing new crops into US agriculture, reflecting her passion climate smart agriculture.
Her academic background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy from the University of Paraíba, Brazil, a Master’s in Soil Science and Plant Nutrition from the Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil, and a PhD in Soil Science from the Federal University of Paraíba, Areia, Brazil. Her postdoctoral work, conducted in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) at the US Salinity Laboratory, was focused on agricultural research, water management, and crop production under stress conditions.
Throughout her career, Dr. Suddarth has made significant contributions to both the scientific and agricultural communities. Her research on balanced nutrient applications has been instrumental in enhancing plants’ natural defense mechanisms in Brazil and in the USA. She has explored the use of countless biostimulants to help plants recover rapidly from environmental stresses such as flooding, salinity, drought, and fire. Furthermore, she has investigated the use of organic amendments, including biochar, biodigestors, and biologicals, to enhance soil microbial activity, improve soil physical and chemical properties, and boost nutrient cycling. These efforts have resulted in improved fertilizer efficiency, plant quality and resistance to diseases and environmental stressors.
With over 40 scientific publications, Dr. Suddarth’s research centers on sustainable water and soil management practices within regenerative agriculture systems and the use of substances or microorganisms to enhance plant growth improve nutrient uptake and help plants cope with stress. Her work integrates cutting-edge approaches to enhance crop productivity while protecting environmental health, particularly in regions facing water scarcity and other stress-prone conditions.
