Locals may already know a Lowndes High School student as the Kudzu Kid. Now, CNN viewers also know of Jacob Schindler’s remarkable work to eradicate the tenacious kudzu plant.

This week, CNN presented a feature on Schindler, a rising LHS senior, and his experiments and inventions to curb the plant that has long been the bane of the South.

Though he has been involved with the project for years, Schindler continues his work with kudzu, which has in recent years been categorized as a legume, and is considered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to be a weed.

From the early attention Schindler received from past stories in The Times to Youtube and now CNN, he remains humble and focused on his goal to solve scientific data.

Schindler’s work with kudzu began as a middle school student.

“I read a book about kudzu and thought it was possible to plant on Mars. That is what struck my interest in kudzu,” said Schindler.

He was selected as a first-place winner in a state science and engineering fair. Schindler placed first place in environmental science for his project: The Effect of Various Gases on Kudzu.

This week, in addition to his CNN spot, Schindler is participating in the Governor’s Honors Program at Valdosta State University.

“I am working on a GHP project that focuses on food eradication and to find if it is possible to use kudzu for a large-scale staple food,” Schindler said.

Within the four-week program, Schindler is positive about what the results of his project will reveal.

“Based on my research, it is looking very promising,” said Schindler.

Schindler is balancing his time with the GHP and a project at Auburn University where he is testing helium.

“I am applying compressed air to nitrogen then to helium to see if it is a removal of atmosphere gases. Depending on the results, it will become a future study,” said Schindler.

Schindler is looking to expand his knowledge which is why he decided to attend the Governor’s Honors Program.

“GHP has allowed me to branch out. I am able to do things that are more beneficial to people and economically efficient,” said Schindler.

Schindler is not currently contracting with any businesses or companies.

Schindler hopes to find ways to utilize kudzu so it will help people in other fields of businesses.