Public Education of Precision Agriculture Jenica Kohrs Soil 4213

Definition  “Variable rate application of fertilizers, pesticides, or other materials based on the sensed needs of the crop within the following constraints: Available technology, agronomic principles, economic principles, environmental stewardship.”

Why is Precision Agriculture important?  We need to protect our resources  Produce more food on less acres

Technology  N-Rich Strip  Remote Sensing  Yield Monitors  Auto-steer  Variable Rate Technology  No-till

Why is Precision Ag not being used?  Tradition – “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”  Producers are not educated about the technology and its benefits  The technology is intimidating  Information Overload

How do we educate the public?  Make sure those in contact with the producers are knowledgeable  Make information available, handy, and easy to understand.  Provide field days to show benefits and techniques  Point out the benefits  Start teaching at a young age

Making sure those around the producer are knowledgeable  Provide field days or classes for people who work with producers on a daily basis County extension agents County extension agents Agronomists Agronomists Grain Elevator employees Grain Elevator employees  If a producer trusts some of these people they may be more willing to listen…

Making Information Available  Information needs to be handy and easy to understand.  Use brochures where producers are often visiting  Use websites but make them user friendly  Break it down into steps, you can’t climb a mountain in a day.

Provide Field Days  Provide local field days Demonstrate the benefits Demonstrate the benefits Show them how to use it and that its not intimidating Show them how to use it and that its not intimidating Show them that it works on a large scale Show them that it works on a large scale Use testimonials of local producers Use testimonials of local producers

Point out the benefits  Explain the benefits Economically Economically Government programs that provide financial assistanceGovernment programs that provide financial assistance Using this technology can save the producer moneyUsing this technology can save the producer money Environmentally Environmentally Keeps excess nutrients and pesticides from contaminating our resourcesKeeps excess nutrients and pesticides from contaminating our resources

Younger Generations  We need to get the younger generations interested in Precision Agriculture  They are our future…

Bring Precision Ag into the Classroom  Create an interest Make a connection from precision ag to the students Make a connection from precision ag to the students Use shocking facts Use shocking facts

References  

Questions Questions?