Precision Ag Minor to Address Critical Need

By Rhonda Jessup

The University of Mount Olive’s new Precision Agriculture minor is aimed at addressing a critical and growing need in the world of agriculture.

“The minor program is designed to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of precision agriculture and how it is utilized in various facets of agriculture,” said Dr. Sandy Maddox, Dean of the UMO School of Agriculture and Biological Sciences. “The program is intended to provide exposure to different platforms and enable students to adapt to diverse applications of precision agriculture. Graduates will understand the economic and environmental impacts of precision agriculture and how agronomic decisions rely on precision data to drive the industry forward.”

According to Maddox, the Precision Agriculture minor is a unique offering that provides students with hands-on experience and exposure to the digital side of farming, which is becoming increasingly popular in managing farming operations. “The program offers students an opportunity to learn from the grower level to the dealership level of someone who installs precision agriculture equipment,” she said.

The University is partnering with Case IH to give students hands-on experience with precision agriculture equipment.  “The classroom learning will help graduates jump into a precision agriculture career with a well-rounded knowledge of the subject area,” Maddox added.

Director of the Lois G. Agribusiness Center Edward Olive said, “The program aims to equip graduates with marketable skills.  Those skills include:  the ability to analyze a precision agriculture system, promote/sell the system, identify and quickly adapt to installing necessary hardware for a precision agriculture system, present and explain a precision agriculture product to an audience, and troubleshoot problems with precision agriculture systems.”

Olive notes that the program offers students the opportunity to earn certifications in partnership with Case IH.  “Internships are available with various OEMs and agronomic services companies,” Olive added.