Two Agronomy Faculty Members Receive Grant to Develop Precision Agronomy Teaching Hub

Gaurav Jha, an assistant professor in precision agriculture, and Anita Dille, a professor of weed ecology in the department of agronomy, received a grant to develop a Precision Agronomy Teaching Hub, or PATH at K-State, in alignment with the university's vision to advance digital agriculture and data analytics.

The two-year, $256,870 grant received from the CHS Foundation outlines the allocation of funds for activities dedicated to enhancing precision agronomy education by providing hands-on learning experiences for undergraduate students. Jha and Dille will lead initiatives geared toward equipping the Agronomy Learning Farm with advanced precision agronomy tools and technologies and facilitating the transition of this knowledge into sustainable agricultural practices for undergraduate students.

The core components of this project include developing part of the K-State Agronomy Learning Farm into a Precision Agronomy Teaching Hub for interdisciplinary student training. New courses will be developed and offered so that students will engage in hands-on activities and utilize precision sensing technologies to optimize crop production systems. One course will include a Smart Farm Challenge, transforming the Agronomy Learning Farm into a state-of-the-art PATH. Another new course will use information collected on the farm with PATH to develop data management skills for students to handle and analyze agricultural data effectively, allowing them to make informed decisions on the farm. A summer workshop is proposed for 2025. Students from community colleges and universities across the region will be recruited to experience hands-on learning with exposure to the latest technologies and industry experts in precision agriculture.

"The department of agronomy appreciates the investment from CHS Foundation in recognizing the work K-State agronomy has been doing in the digital ag domain and joining us in preparing the next generation of graduates to lead in this space," said Raj Khosla, department head for agronomy.

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