|
 More than ever, future leaders in agriculture need a strong
foundation in data science, programming, and digital
applications. The College of Agricultural, Consumer and
Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois has been
providing that training for years, but now, with more than
$195,000 in funding from the CHS Foundation, high school
students, particularly students from underrepresented groups,
can get an early start on careers in precision agriculture. CHS
Foundation is funded by gifts from CHS Inc., the nation’s
leading farmer-owned cooperative.
Starting this July, high school students age 16 and up, as well
as first-year students at U of I, can enroll in a free two-week
summer course to learn the fundamentals of precision
agriculture. Although the course will be held online this year
due to COVID-19, it will include hands-on learning and will give
students opportunities to work with real data to solve real
problems.
“By the end of the course, students will have the basic skills
for a little software development. So, we will be hosting a
24-hour ‘hackathon’ where they can develop innovative software
solutions for a real-world crop or animal management issue,”
says Isabella Condotta, agricultural engineer and assistant
professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at Illinois.
Condotta is leading the program along with Hamze Dokoohaki of
the Department of Crop Sciences.
Funding from the CHS Foundation, which is supporting development
of the summer program, a cross-disciplinary Precision
Agriculture Club, and two new introductory precision agriculture
classes, is aimed at increasing enrollment by creating an
innovating, vibrant, and cutting-edge environment that is open
and available to all students.
“The ultimate goal is training a new generation of precision
agriculture leaders for sustainable crop and animal production,”
says Nanci Lilja, president, CHS Foundation. “By increasing
students’ exposure early in their education, we hope they pursue
a career in agriculture and precision agriculture related
fields.”
New classes will be offered as part of two
first-of-their-kind majors offered at ACES: Computer Science +
Animal Sciences and Computer Science + Crop Sciences. One of the
classes, taught by Condotta, will introduce ways in which
precision tools and sensors can increase efficiency and solve
systemic problems in agricultural systems. Completion of the
introductory course will qualify students to enroll in
Condotta’s higher-level Precision Management of Animals class.
Dokoohaki will teach an introductory course
covering major issues around crop production, using statistical
modeling, process-based modeling, and remote sensing to address
those challenges.
[to top of second column] |
“Our inspiration for developing and proposing this
program was to ‘even the playing field’ for young and brilliant
students, including traditionally underrepresented ethnic groups,
seeking opportunities in precision agriculture. We are hoping
programs like this help nurture the next generation of ag leaders
through equity and exposure,” Dokoohaki says.
Student members of the new Precision Agriculture Club will host
speakers and fundraising events, compete in precision ag contests
against rival schools, discuss relevant scholarly articles, and
learn digital ag platforms. They will also have the opportunity to
serve as mentors to participants in the two-week summer course,
creating a support network between older students and those just
beginning their precision agriculture journey.
Interested students should apply for the summer course by April 16.
Details about the course, including application forms, a schedule of
topics, and more are available on the Center for Digital Agriculture
website.
***
The CHS Foundation, funded by charitable gifts from CHS Inc., is
focused on developing a new generation of agriculture leaders for
life-long success. Together with our partners, we are igniting
innovation and driving excellence in agriculture educationand
cultivating high-impact ag leadership programs. Learn more at
chsfoundation.org.
***
The College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences
(ACES) at the University of Illinois provides solutions to the
world’s most critical challenges to create abundant food and energy,
a healthy environment, and successful families and communities.
Although proudly ranked among the top 30 agricultural schools
worldwide, we are more than agriculture. ACES is a diverse college
with top-rated programs in engineering, finance and economics,
nutritional science, and so much more. While our faculty and
students choose a host of specialties and areas of interest, we all
work toward the common goal of improving daily life for people close
to home and around the world. Learn more at
https://aces.illinois.edu/.
[Sources: Isabella Condotta & Hamze
Dokoohaki
News writer: Lauren Quinn] |
