Progress 06/01/23 to 05/31/24

Outputs
Target Audience:During the reporting period, a significant portion of our time was dedicated to the recruitment process, with a specific focus on two key groups: students for our training program and farmers who would be partnered with these students. The goal of this recruitment effort was to establish partnerships that would commence in spring of 2024. For the student recruitment aspect, our aim was to identify and attract individuals interested in participating in our training program. This program involves providing students with relevant skills, knowledge, and hands-on experience, preparing them for specific roles in on farm precision experimentation. The recruitment process may have included advertising, outreach efforts, informational sessions, and application procedures to select suitable candidates for the training program. Concurrently, our focus extended to cultivating relationships with farmers who would play a pivotal role as partners for the trained students. These farmers will offer their land as a practical ground for the students to conduct field trials. Throughout the process of designing and executing these field trials, the students will actively share their knowledge with the farmers. Simultaneously, they will collaborate by seeking input from the farmers on the specific trials they would like to implement. This reciprocal exchange of expertise aims to create a dynamic and mutually beneficial learning environment between the students and the farmers involved in the partnership. Spring training for the upcoming trials started in Febuary with 11 students exceding our first year goal of 8 students. Training is on going currently with instructors from 6 schools. 2 OFPE trials have been applied with the rest happening late April or early May as the weather allows for agriculture. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The 11 students are currently in training for implementing the OFPE Trials. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The dissemination of results to communities of interest has been a collaborative effort involving various stakeholders. Our team has engaged with advisory boards, implement dealers, agricultural cooperatives, colleges, and farmers to communicate the benefits that the grant is providing for students and the agricultural community. Here's how we've disseminated the results: Advisory Board Meetings: We've actively participated in advisory board meetings, where we've shared updates on the progress and outcomes of the grant-funded initiatives. These meetings serve as a platform for exchanging ideas, gathering feedback, and ensuring alignment with the needs and priorities of the agricultural community. Engagement with Implement Dealers and Ag Coops: Our team has conducted outreach efforts targeting implement dealers and agricultural cooperatives. Through meetings, presentations, and collaborative discussions, we've communicated the specific benefits and opportunities that the grant offers for students and the broader agricultural community. Partnership with Colleges: Collaboration with colleges has been instrumental in reaching a wider audience. We've worked closely with academic institutions to disseminate information about the grant-funded programs through various channels such as newsletters, workshops, and campus events. Direct Communication with Farmers: Engaging directly with farmers has been a priority for our team. We've organized informational sessions, field days, and farm visits to communicate the tangible impacts of the grant on agricultural practices, productivity, and sustainability. Online Platforms and Resources: Future Accessibility Plans: In addition to current dissemination efforts, we're proactively planning to make the grant-funded programs and resources available to everyone in the future. This may involve developing online training modules, creating open-access databases, or establishing partnerships with extension services to ensure widespread accessibility and impact. By engaging with diverse stakeholders and utilizing multiple communication channels, we've aimed to ensure that the results of the grant reach and benefit communities of interest effectively. Our commitment to transparency, collaboration, and continuous improvement drives our efforts to disseminate information and foster positive outcomes for the agricultural community. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?To achieve the stated goal, our proposed project involves the creation of a comprehensive semester-long course. This course will be delivered virtually and will be multi-institutional, designed to train students in utilizing cyber-infrastructure. The primary objective is to equip them with the skills necessary for crop consulting, precision field trials and farm management roles, where they will collaborate with farmers to design and implement On-Farm Precision Experiments (OFPEs) on the farmers' own fields. Key components of our plan include: Course starting February 2024: The course will be conducted virtually, leveraging online teaching platforms. This approach allows us to spread the reach across the United States reaching students beyond the regular scope of a school. Multi-Institutional Collaboration: By involving multiple institutions, we aim to create a collaborative and diverse learning environment. This approach encourages the exchange of ideas and experiences among students from different academic backgrounds. Training for Real-World Application: The course content will focus on practical aspects, preparing students to work directly with farmers. Emphasis will be placed on designing and implementing OFPEs, gathering and processing data, and utilizing decision support tools for data-based management advice. Paid Internship Program: Complementing the academic training, a paid internship program will be established. Students participating in this program will work with farmers and crop consultancy companies to practically apply their knowledge in designing, implementing, and analyzing OFPEs. By integrating theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience through the virtual course and internship program, our approach aims to prepare students for a seamless transition into the crop consulting industry. The goal is not only to educate but also to empower students to make meaningful contributions to sustainable and data-driven agricultural practices. After the completion of the trials and the thorough analysis of the gathered data, our next step involves a crucial phase of reflection and knowledge-sharing. We envision bringing all the interns together for a comprehensive recap session, where the focus is on assessing the training experience and the implementation of the trials. Recap Meeting Objectives: Knowledge Sharing: The recap session provides a platform for interns to share their individual experiences, insights, and lessons learned during the training and trial implementation. This collaborative knowledge-sharing fosters a collective understanding of the challenges and successes encountered. Data Analysis Discussion: A significant portion of the recap will be dedicated to discussing the results of the trials. Interns will have the opportunity to present their findings, analyze the data collectively, and draw conclusions. This collaborative approach ensures a thorough examination of the outcomes from various perspectives. Feedback and Improvement: The session serves as a forum for interns to provide feedback on the training program and the overall internship experience. Constructive feedback is invaluable for refining future iterations of the training course and internship program, making continuous improvements. Best Practices and Challenges: Interns will have the chance to highlight best practices that emerged during the trials, showcasing successful strategies. Simultaneously, challenges faced by interns will be discussed, creating an open dialogue to brainstorm solutions and share experiences. Networking and Community Building: The recap meeting goes beyond a review of trials; it also fosters a sense of community among interns. Networking opportunities allow interns to build professional relationships, share contact information, and establish connections that may prove beneficial in their future endeavors. Recognition and Celebration: Outstanding contributions and achievements during the trials will be acknowledged and celebrated. Recognizing the interns' hard work and dedication not only boosts morale but also reinforces a culture of appreciation within the community. Future Opportunities: The recap session serves as a platform to discuss potential future opportunities, both for individual interns and for the broader community. It could include avenues for continued collaboration, advanced training, or participation in upcoming projects. By bringing all interns together for this comprehensive recap session, our aim is to create a cohesive and supportive community of learners. This collective reflection not only enhances the overall learning experience but also contributes to the continuous improvement of our training and internship programs.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The recruitment process involves bringing together students, growers, and agricultural cooperatives for collaborative on-farm precision experimentation in 2024. As of now, we anticipate having 11students commence their training in February. This constitutes approximately one-third of the total student population expected for the three-year training program, indicating that we are on schedule and progressing as planned. The goal is to foster a collaborative environment where students, growers, and ag coops can collectively engage in on-farm precision experimentation, contributing to a dynamic and fruitful learning experience for all participants.

Publications