Hanna Poffenbarger

Hanna Poffenbarger is an Associate Professor in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences at the University of Kentucky. She leads research on agroecosystem nutrient cycling with emphasis on sustainable management practices. Her work integrates field experimentation with mechanistic modeling to understand carbon and nutrient flows in cropping systems.

Research explores cover crop impacts on nitrogen cycling, spatial-temporal controls on nutrient dynamics, and subsoil carbon storage mechanisms. Current projects investigate how management practices influence soil health indicators, organic matter formation, and nitrogen fertilizer efficiency across diverse landscapes.

Her lab develops decision-support tools for optimizing nutrient management while enhancing soil carbon sequestration and reducing environmental losses.