April 16, 2024
Two agronomy faculty members receive grant to develop Precision Agronomy Teaching Hub
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Undergraduate students learning about precision agriculture technology at the Agronomy North Farm in Manhattan. |
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.
Jha and Dille highlight that this program represents a significant advancement in precision agriculture education in the agronomy department and for the College of Agriculture at K-State. The initiative responds to the escalating demand for skilled professionals in precision agriculture, driven by climate variability and evolving agricultural practices.
Jha joined the agronomy department in January 2023 as an assistant professor of precision agriculture. His research program at K-State focuses on maximizing agricultural production in integrated agroecosystems in Kansas by minimizing the environmental footprint at different spatiotemporal scales. He also teaches two precision agriculture courses in the department.
Dille is a professor of weed ecology and serves as the assistant head of teaching for the agronomy department. Her research program focuses on key weed species' biology and ecology and evaluates integrated and site-specific weed management programs for Kansas cropping systems. In addition to research, Dille teaches several courses in weed ecology at the undergraduate and graduate levels.