Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** smart farming is a key to…

Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** smart farming is a key to developing sustainable agriculture. The advances in smart farming require skills in innovative agricultural technologies. In this project, we will prepare students to serve as the next-generation workforce in agriculture with exceptional skills in innovative agricultural technologies. Our specific objectives are as follows: 1) develop undergraduates' knowledge of and skills in the internet of things (IOT), unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), and geospatial data analytics for smart farming; 2) train students with extension experience and professional development through government agencies and industry partners; 3) inspire curiosity and confidence in stem students to pursue graduate study and enter the agricultural workforce. This program will support 40 students over 5 years (8 students/year) for a 25-week (17-week spring/fall semesters virtually and 8-week summer internship) hands-on team-based project-focused research experience. We will recruit students entering their junior year and senior community college students, especially hispanics and women in stem and agriculture fields, from three hispanic serving institutions in south texas. Successfully trained participants will have opportunities to attend and present at conferences. The intended impact of this project is to educate and empower undergraduates with these innovative agricultural technologies, thereby preparing qualified and passionate professionals to enter the agricultural career pipeline.