|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|||
|
Farm Tech Spotlight Precision Ag Mobile Classroom Brings Learning to the Field By demonstrating precision ag, and seeing it, you’re more likely to pick up on its concepts. by Dennis Sevigny, Small Business Management Instructo There’s nothing better than learning by doing, and that’s a key reason why Northland Community & Technical College of Thief River Falls, Minn., recently added a Precision Ag Mobile Classroom to its educational offerings. The mobile classroom concept was developed after working with precision ag groups that had been organized as a cooperative effort between Northland College Farm Business Management
and the Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers. After working with precision ag groups in northwest Minnesota, it became apparent that a more
“hands-on” approach to education was necessary to effectively deliver As the result of an explosion of technology in the field of agriculture, growers have opportunities never before possible. Precision farming is the combination of several components of technology that provides growers opportunities to specifically examine their growing practices and determine how to increase yields, minimize expenses, and better preserve the land. With today’s technology, especially using satellite technology, the Internet, telephones, and other equipment are available in the grower’s field. Mapping information can be analyzed on site with greater precision and actual reference to topography and other conditions that exist. Components of precision agriculture include Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), variable-rate technologies, yield monitoring, remote sensing, crop scouting, guidance systems, and a willingness to learn and adopt these concepts. The first step that Northland College took was to develop a Precision Ag curriculum approved by the Minnesota Colleges and University System (MnSCU). This curriculum was designed as a 15-credit certificate program and became the foundation of the precision ag educational model. Upon completion of the curriculum design, the idea of a mobile classroom was developed. A grant application was submitted to the Minnesota Agricultural Education Leadership Council (MAELC) and funded the initial start of the project. A U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant was then secured to purchase some of the necessary equipment. Private industry has been very supportive and contributed a significant amount of equipment and services, and partnered with Northland College and MnSCU to ensure success of the venture. Corporate sponsors include Raven Industries, Arctic Cat, Farmworks, Agrimages & Satshot, Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers, and numerous co-ops and service providers. In addition, area farmers who have contributed much to the information base include Pete Carson from St. Thomas, N.D. and Gary Wagner from Crookston, Minn. The Northland College Precision Ag Mobile Classroom Project is designed to introduce the concept of precision farming, provide background information, and educate about implementing precision farming practices. The mobile classroom is designed to teach precision ag in a real-life situation . It’s aimed at growers, agri-business, and anyone with an interest in learning more about precision ag. The Mobile Classroom consists of an enclosed trailer to transport and house an Arctic Prowler ATV. The Prowler is outfitted with a Raven Viper system, Raven Invicta GPS, Raven SwathSmart, and Ipaq computers with navigation systems. The trailer is equipped with laptop computers, geographic information system software, wireless internet, printers, data, gas -powered generator, and miscellaneous equipment to be functional in the field. The real value of the mobile classroom concept is the ability to do actual field operations in an authentic crop production environment. By demonstrating precision ag, and seeing it, you’re more likely to pick up on its concepts. One can picture the Precision Ag Classroom as a learning opportunity in a number of venues in towns and locations across the Minnesota-North Dakota area – county extension meetings, workshops sponsored by seed or ag equipment dealers, ag lenders, co-ops, or elevators, put on by farm groups or marketing groups, or local farm business management programs. For more information about the program, contact me at 1-800-959-6282 ext. 1789, or by email, dennis.sevigny@northlandcollege.edu. Sevigny, Grafton, N.D., is a small business management instructor at Northland College, with a background in precision ag equipment development and education. Links to Learn More About Precision Ag Univ Minnesota Precision Ag Center (with links to more university and industry precision ag web sites) http://precision.agri.umn.edu SDSU Precision Ag NDSU Precision Ag Research NDSU Extension Geospatial Education Program |
|||
r, Northland College
quality education in the
area of precision agriculture. From this need, the concept of a precision ag mobile classroom was born.