2024 TAPS Social Media Team Launch

Ever imagined yourself navigating the challenges of corn farming on the high plains of Western Kansas? Kansas State University's Testing Ag Performance Solutions (TAPS) program is excited to unveil an innovative opportunity that merges virtual reality with real farm management through the 2024 TAPS Sprinkler Irrigated Corn Farm Management Competition’s Social Media Team.

Join us @KSUTAPS on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook where the public can actively participate by casting votes to make management decisions for the TAPS Social Media Team—Farm #16. Together, we'll tackle the complexities of the TAPS competition, aiming for sustainable and profitable agricultural practices.

TAPS is not just a competition; it's a "citizen-science" program inviting Kansas farmers to engage in real-time farm management decisions implemented on replicated plots at the Northwest Research-Extension Center in Colby.

“The social media team is an incredible opportunity to not only explore innovative agricultural technology and farm management practices alongside farmers and industry experts, but it’s a way also to share our story in agriculture,” said Kelsey Stremel, Western Kansas Research-Extension Center communications and marketing specialist, and captain of the social media team.

At the heart of TAPS lies engagement, community, and network building. The social media Team extends an open invitation for broad public participation, fostering experimentation with new technology without fear of failure. As the social media team navigates hybrid selection, planting rates, nitrogen management, and more, they'll benefit from insights shared by extension professionals, industry leaders, and seasoned producers via an enriching online forum.

K-State TAPS social media accounts, especially X, serve as the digital hub for the social media team, offering regular updates and supportive content throughout the season. Here, participants can leverage publicly available information and resources to inform their decision-making process and cast their vote.

Decision-making is already underway, with the first decisions—crop insurance and in-field technology—due Friday, April 5th. Stay tuned for more information on the TAPS 2024 Sprinkler Irrigated Corn Farm Management Competition and your chance to vote on the social media team's decisions.

For more information, visit the TAPS website (www.k-state.eud/taps) and follow us on X and Instagram @KSUTAPS.