Federal Grant Award Summary

West Texas A&M University received a $715,000 Project Grant award from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) program (CFDA 10.310), effective September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2031. The award funds the WT Annual Summer Agriculture Technology Research Program, an intensive four-week summer research experience designed to address the skills gap in precision agriculture technologies among students from community colleges, regional universities, and institutions with limited agricultural or engineering programs in the Texas Panhandle and neighboring states. The program will establish formal partnerships with regional educational institutions to recruit participants who will engage in structured research projects mentored by faculty, focusing on modern agricultural technologies including remote sensing, automated irrigation systems, data analytics, and Internet of Things devices for monitoring soil conditions, crop health, and livestock welfare.

The program delivers comprehensive workforce development through a scaffolded learning approach that teaches students to collect agricultural data using sensors and drones, analyze datasets using geographic information systems and statistical software, and interpret findings within real-world agricultural contexts. Participants will visit production operations including feedlots, dairies, and crop farms to connect classroom learning to industry practice. Following the summer program, faculty mentors intend to provide continued support to participants, building their independence and confidence in conducting research and preparing them for careers that increasingly require competency in both traditional farming practices and modern technological applications essential to the region's agricultural economy.