IoT4Ag NSF ERC Leverages Relationships with Farmers to Improve Offerings
Outcome/Accomplishment
The National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded Internet of Things for Precision Agriculture (NSF IoT4Ag) Engineering Research Center (ERC), which is headquartered at the University of Pennsylvania, has introduced a mock-up and initial design for a farmer-facing website featuring initial value propositions for NSF IoT4Ag technologies. The website, which was developed with direct input from farmers on how to “sell” IoT4Ag better, considers farmer perspectives on optimizing and fixing broken systems rather than creating new technology. As a result, both the technologies in development and the professional development activities of the ERC are increasingly aligned with farmers’ needs.
Impact/Benefits
Internet of Things (IoT) technologies for precision agriculture aim to address the challenges of assuring food, energy, and water security for decades to come. The technology offers farmers tools for improved decision making that can increase the efficiency of growing practices. But improved relationships with farmers are needed to help streamline data-gathering tasks while minimizing the impact to and burden on farmers of the new technologies. By developing farmer-facing materials, the IoT4Ag ERC is increasing buy-in and farmers’ willingness to engage with emerging precision agriculture technologies. This engagement is critical to providing an ongoing feedback loop that will strengthen the use and impact of the ERC’s research and developments.
Explanation/Background
User engagement efforts began with relationships that Kathryn Stofer at the University of Florida (UF), an IoT4Ag partner institution, formed with farm broker groups. Personnel with the UF Cooperative Extension helped support the initial connections. Based on these early conversations, NSF IoT4Ag ERC developed workshops and publications for internal audiences as well as webinars and tabling materials for external audiences. A literature review publication focusing on the barriers to precision agriculture adoption followed. These efforts culminated in the development of the new website, which was developed with input gathered by Rigo Rios, an advisor to the ERC and member of its Agricultural Systems Advisory Board. To evolve its value propositions, the methodology explores what IoT4Ag adds and what problems it solves.
Location
Philadelphia, Pennsylvaniawebsite
Start Year
Microelectronics and IT
Quantum, Microelectronics, Sensing, and IT
Lead Institution
Core Partners
Fact Sheet
Outcome/Accomplishment
The National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded Internet of Things for Precision Agriculture (NSF IoT4Ag) Engineering Research Center (ERC), which is headquartered at the University of Pennsylvania, has introduced a mock-up and initial design for a farmer-facing website featuring initial value propositions for NSF IoT4Ag technologies. The website, which was developed with direct input from farmers on how to “sell” IoT4Ag better, considers farmer perspectives on optimizing and fixing broken systems rather than creating new technology. As a result, both the technologies in development and the professional development activities of the ERC are increasingly aligned with farmers’ needs.
Location
Philadelphia, Pennsylvaniawebsite
Start Year
Microelectronics and IT
Quantum, Microelectronics, Sensing, and IT
Lead Institution
Core Partners
Fact Sheet
Impact/benefits
Internet of Things (IoT) technologies for precision agriculture aim to address the challenges of assuring food, energy, and water security for decades to come. The technology offers farmers tools for improved decision making that can increase the efficiency of growing practices. But improved relationships with farmers are needed to help streamline data-gathering tasks while minimizing the impact to and burden on farmers of the new technologies. By developing farmer-facing materials, the IoT4Ag ERC is increasing buy-in and farmers’ willingness to engage with emerging precision agriculture technologies. This engagement is critical to providing an ongoing feedback loop that will strengthen the use and impact of the ERC’s research and developments.
Explanation/Background
User engagement efforts began with relationships that Kathryn Stofer at the University of Florida (UF), an IoT4Ag partner institution, formed with farm broker groups. Personnel with the UF Cooperative Extension helped support the initial connections. Based on these early conversations, NSF IoT4Ag ERC developed workshops and publications for internal audiences as well as webinars and tabling materials for external audiences. A literature review publication focusing on the barriers to precision agriculture adoption followed. These efforts culminated in the development of the new website, which was developed with input gathered by Rigo Rios, an advisor to the ERC and member of its Agricultural Systems Advisory Board. To evolve its value propositions, the methodology explores what IoT4Ag adds and what problems it solves.