Published on 03/15/23

Georgia 4-H pilots innovative ag tech program

By Josie Smith

UGA Extension faculty and high school 4-H'ers participate in drone training — Georgia 4-H created the 4-H Ag Tech Changemakers program to expand the national program's subject area coverage to include agriculture-specific skills. Youth take the skills they learn from UGA Extension faculty to provide outreach programming to their local farming communities. (Photo by Josie Smith)

High school 4-H’ers are bridging technology gaps in the agriculture community with Georgia’s new 4-H Ag Tech Changemakers program, part of the national 4-H Tech Changemakers initiative.

Students trained as 4-H Tech Changemakers create educational opportunities for adults to learn essential workforce-related technology. Georgia 4-H created the 4-H Ag Tech Changemakers program to expand the subject area coverage to include agriculture-specific skills, and youth take the skills they learn to provide outreach programming to their local farming communities.

University of Georgia precision agriculture specialists developed and facilitated comprehensive training to start the program year in September 2022. The two-day experience in Tifton equipped the students with knowledge of cutting-edge agricultural methods, programs and equipment. Topic areas include drones, soil sampling, digital pest and weed identification, sprayer calibration, irrigation scheduling apps, and GPS guidance aids.

The 25 members of the first 4-H Ag Tech Changemakers cohort are led by UGA Cooperative Extension county 4-H and Agriculture and Natural Resources agents in a unique partnership between the program areas. Nine counties including Houston, Toombs, Decatur, Peach, Worth, Pulaski, Emanuel, Jackson and Ben Hill are represented.

Since September, more than 1,500 adults have been reached through 28 events. Relationships are being fostered with local agriculture-based associations and Georgia Farm Bureau offices as students take the lead to connect with the workforce.

Pulaski County 4-H’ers hosted a workshop for 110 farmers and farm business owners and introduced attendees to free weed and pest identification mobile apps. Jackson County 4-H’ers presented a drone usage course to the Hall County Master Gardeners and provided operation tips and application ideas. Participants were rewarded with the opportunity to fly a drone on-site.

A high school 4-H'er learns how to use a plant ID app on a tablet — Georgia 4-H'ers have learned about precision agriculture topics including drones, soil sampling, digital pest and weed identification, sprayer calibration, irrigation scheduling apps, and GPS guidance aids. (Photo by Josie Smith)

Grant funding for 4-H Tech Changemakers provides youth with equipment to use in their communities. All nine counties received state-of-the-art drones, tablets, sprayer calibrators and guidance aid systems that allow students to teach with a hands-on approach.

“We are thrilled to expand our existing Tech Changemaker programming into the agriculture sector with this new program,” said Katie Bowker, program coordinator for Georgia 4-H Tech Changemakers. “Agriculture is a huge industry in Georgia and we are eager to connect students with new ag technologies. In turn, we connect our communities with them as well."

Wes Porter, associate professor and Extension specialist for precision agriculture and irrigation, led the effort to create the initial training for youth and agents. Contributing UGA faculty, staff and graduate students include Jason Edenfield, Seth McAllister, Coleman Byers, Lisa Baxter, Cody Mathis, Savannah Tanner, Simerjeet Virk, Daniel Jackson, Triston Hansford and Jason Mallard.

National 4-H Council facilitates the 4-H Tech Changemakers Program. The 2022-23 grant cycle is Georgia’s fourth year participating in the program. "Feedback from these first few months of Ag Tech Changemakers programming has been overwhelmingly positive, and we are looking forward to continuing to expand this initiative in the next year," said Bowker.

Georgia 4-H empowers youth to become true leaders by developing necessary life skills, positive relationships, and community awareness. As the premier youth leadership organization in the state, 4-H reaches hundreds of thousands of people annually through UGA Extension county offices and 4-H facilities.

Josie Smith is the public relations coordinator for Georgia 4-H.

Authors:

Josie Smith

Experts/Sources:

Wesley Porter

Katie Bowker

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