News

Microsoft expands FFA precision ag programing grants

The National FFA Organization and Microsoft are equipping agriscience teachers with expanded resources to integrate precision agriculture into classrooms.

FFA Chief Program Officer Christine White tells Brownfield the new grant will support digital agricultural tools and trainings for teachers across four states, including Wisconsin.

“It’s about providing innovation and helping students understand how AI as well as sensors really have an impact in the agricultural industry,” she says.

The FarmBeats for Students program includes curriculum, hands-on activities, and a hardware kit including a minicomputer and sensors to support making data-driven growing decisions.

“A lot of teachers were aware that these types of technology existed, but they never could imagine that they would be able to understand it enough to then teach it or be able to afford this type of equipment to integrate into their program,” she shares.

White says each teacher in the pilot will also receive five computers and 24 headsets for their program.

Microsoft created the original program in 2019 and has upgraded the technology and curriculum based on that feedback.

AUDIO: Christine White, National FFA Organization