25 Best Colleges for Precision Agriculture
Choosing the right college is a process. It’s one that I’m just now embarking on with my teenage daughter. Long before she’ll find herself inundated with acceptance letters (or at least I hope so), she’ll need to visit campuses, take her SATs, apply to a range of schools, consider scholarship and student loan options, and so on and so on. It’s crazy, scary, and exciting all rolled into one.
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University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Department of Biological Systems Engineering / College of Engineering
Program lead: Joe Luck
Mission: The Nebraska Extension Precision Ag Data Management Workshops offer hands-on exercises that focus on yield data quality, geospatial data collection, multi-layer analysis, imagery analysis, and more. Extension work encompasses site-specific management strategies, precision agriculture technology use, and farm management software training. Photo: Joe Luck (left) and Rachel Stevens check seed placement of a multi-hybrid planter being tested as part of a collaborative research project among UNL researchers, industry, and growers. -
2 of 25
Purdue University
Department of Agronomy
Program lead: Bruce Erickson
No. of students enrolled (2018): 18
Mission: Prepare the next generation of precision ag technology professionals for the research world and the workplace. -
3 of 25
The Ohio State University
Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering
Program leads: John Fulton and Elizabeth Hawkins
No. of students enrolled (2018): 54
Mission: Uniting the private and public sectors to drive innovation for the benefit of farmers. Partnering with farmers to translate innovation into long-term profitability for production agriculture. Delivering timely and relevant information for the advancement of digital agriculture technologies. Photo: Scott Shearer, left, works with Andrew Klopfenstein, a project coordinator in the Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, on precision agriculture at Ohio State. -
4 of 25
Iowa State University
Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
Program lead: Matt Darr
No. of students enrolled (2018): 120
Mission: Our mission is to prepare students to implement and manage precision technology and data to improve agricultural profitability and sustainability. Photo: Precision ag students gain hands-on experience at Iowa State. -
5 of 25
University of California, Davis
Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering / College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Program lead: Shrinivasa K. Upadhyaya
Mission: The Precision Agriculture minor acquaints students with recent developments and their applications to agriculture, in geographic information systems (GIS), global positioning systems (GPS), variable rate technologies (VRT), crop and soil sensors, and remote sensing. The minor prepares students for challenging positions in site-specific crop management as we enter the “information age” in agriculture. -
6 of 25
Kansas State University
Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering / Department of Agricultural Economics
Program leads: Ajay Sharda / Terry Griffin
No. of students enrolled (2018): 90 / 20 PhD students in spatial analysis course
Mission: Develop and disseminate precision ag knowledge among stakeholders for technology adoption and data-based profitable and sustainable farming practices. -
7 of 25
University of Sydney (Australia)
School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Program leads: Brett Whelan, Alex McBratney, Tom Bishop
No. of students enrolled (2018): 30
Mission: To provide excellent precision ag science and training, helping to lead agricultural industries toward incorporating practical and sustainable precision agricultural management techniques. -
8 of 25
South Dakota State University
Department of Agronomy, Horticulture & Plant Science / Department of Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering
Program leads: Van Kelley, David Wright
Mission: South Dakota State University's first-in-the-nation Precision Agriculture major prepares students for careers that bridge the gaps between agronomy, agriculture machinery management, and data sciences caused by the rapid evolution of high-speed sensor technology. Photo: Students learn how to use the latest precision ag technology at SDSU. -
9 of 25
Oklahoma State University
Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering / Department of Plant and Soil Sciences
Program leads: Brian Arnall, John Long, Bill Raun
No. of students enrolled (2018): 35
Mission: To improve nutrient use efficiency in wheat and corn, and to develop precision planting tools and associated equipment for by-plant fertilization. Photo: Precision sensing equipment developed at Oklahoma State University. -
10 of 25
Massey University (New Zealand)
New Zealand Centre for Precision Agriculture / Massey Agritech Partnership
Program leads: Ian Yule, Andrew East (Precision Horticulture), Johan Potgieter (Robotics and Automation)
No. of students enrolled (2018): 20+ in postgraduate work, 100+ at undergraduate level
Mission: To work with industry to build human capacity and work with real world examples of agritech and precision agriculture applications. The work is closely aligned to industry needs with a strong focus on commercialization of research as well as industry contracted projects. Activities include precision agriculture, precision horticulture, and precision livestock management, as well as a strong trend towards robotics and automation. Photo: Precision agriculture specialist Professor Ian Yule with a drone.
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11 of 25
Wageningen University & Research (The Netherlands)
Program lead: Dr. Ir. Corné Kempenaar
Mission: To demonstrate how precision agriculture and agro-robotics can play a major role in preservation of agricultural crops in open cultivation. -
12 of 25
Colorado State University
Department of Soil & Crop Sciences
Program lead: Raj Khosla
No. of students enrolled (2018): >10
Mission: The program offers multi-prong approaches: management of in-field soil and crop spatial variability using innovative technologies (e.g.,GPS, GIS, and remote-sensing) for variable rate precision nutrient, water, and seed management; and quantifying variability of spatially diverse soils using satellite-based remote sensing to create management zones, to enhance crop input use efficiency, productivity, profitability, and sustainability of large- and small-scale ag systems. Photo: Professor of Soil and Crop Sciences Raj Khosla was recognized as the 2015 Precision Agriculture Educator of the Year by the PrecisionAg Institute. -
13 of 25
University of São Paulo (Brazil)
Laboratory of Precision Agriculture / Department of Biosystems Engineering, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (ESALQ)
Program leads: Jose Paulo Molin, Leandro Gimenez
No. of students enrolled (2018): 35 (undergrad students in Agronomy taking precision ag course); 10+ graduate students running precision ag projects
Mission: To develop research, teaching, and extension in precision agriculture in its broadest spectrum, stimulating teamwork, involving undergraduate and graduate students, providing innovative solutions and attending with the demands of society. Our vision is to be recognized nationally and internationally as a core of excellence in precision agriculture. Photo: Jose Paulo Molin demonstrates the latest precision ag technology with students at the University of São Paulo. -
14 of 25
McGill University (Canada)
Bioresource Engineering
Program lead: Viacheslav Adamchuk
No. of students enrolled (2018): 45
Mission: This program features sensor systems for soil and plants, geospatial data processing, and a system approach to precision agriculture. -
15 of 25
Cornell University
Soil and Crop Sciences
Program lead: Harold van Es
No. of students enrolled (2018): 15
Mission: To provide students with academic training related to the use of future technologies in agriculture. -
16 of 25
University of Minnesota
Department of Soil, Water, and Climate / Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering
College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences
Program leads: David Mulla and Yuxin Miao
No. of students enrolled (2018): 10
Mission: To accelerate the adoption of precision agriculture through transdisciplinary research, teaching, and outreach. -
17 of 25
University of Georgia
Department of Crop & Soil Sciences / College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences
Program lead: George Vellidis
Mission: To apply principles of engineering and the sciences to measure, model, and manage the interaction between agricultural production systems and the environment. Under this umbrella, there are two areas of emphasis — water resources and precision agriculture. Photo: Students learn to apply knowledge of basic sciences to solve agricultural problems at the University of Georgia. -
18 of 25
North Dakota State University
Department of Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering
Program lead: Sreekala Bajwa
No. of students enrolled (2018): 30
Mission: The Precision Agriculture degree program will prepare students for careers in agriculture that integrate precision agriculture technology with agronomy, agricultural machinery systems, data sciences, soils, and economics to manage crop production. -
19 of 25
Washington State University
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences / Center for Precision & Automated Agricultural Systems
Program leads: James Durfey / Qin Zhang
Mission: Students in the Agricultural Technology and Production Management major gain a science-based overview of agriculture and food systems, with an emphasis on the practical application of technology to agricultural production systems. The mission of Washington State University's Center for Precision & Automated Agricultural Systems is to develop a world preeminent and Washington-relevant research and educational program in the areas of agricultural automation and precision farming. Photo: Center for Precision & Automated Agricultural Systems at WSU. -
20 of 25
University of Kentucky
Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering / College of Engineering, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment
Program leads: Michael Sama, Timothy Stombaugh
Mission: Within the Machine Systems Automation Engineering program, the focus is to conduct research and extension programs in the area of precision agriculture, including automated steering, automated section control, variable rate technology, remote sensing platforms, and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). -
21 of 25
University of Missouri
Agricultural Systems Management / College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
Program Chair: Leon Schumacher | Lead Instructor: Kent Shannon
No. of students enrolled (2018): 35-40
Mission: To prepare students who will work with precision agriculture technology. The first course is an introduction, the second focuses on the use of the technology on modern farm equipment, the third focuses on data management, and the fourth and last focuses on profit strategies. -
22 of 25
University of Florida
Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department / Southwest Florida Research and Education Center
Program leads: Wonsuk "Daniel" Lee, Yiannis Ampatzidis
Mission: Assess the use and adoption of precision agricultural technologies in Florida. Introduce and evaluate new technologies for citrus and vegetable. Introduce and develop new mechanical harvest solutions. Develop new technologies for the detection of plant stress and diseases using remote sensing (e.g., UAVs). Develop new strategies to manage HLB-infected citrus trees. Develop and introduce new mechanical solutions for harvesting and planting to reduce dependence on labor. Conduct field trials to evaluate new commercial technologies. Demonstrate and promote adoption of new technologies. Photo: UAV training is a big part of the Extension program at the University of Florida. -
23 of 25
Auburn University
Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences / Department of Biosystems Engineering
Program leads: Brenda Ortiz, Christian Brodbeck
Mission: The Alabama Precision Agriculture Extension Program — comprised of Auburn and Alabama A&M Universities — host a series of precision agriculture workshops each year that showcase the latest in precision ag technology and strategies. -
24 of 25
Texas Tech University
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences
Program lead: Wenxuan Guo
Mission: To build on partnerships with the industry and research institutions to develop and expand innovative research and teaching programs in precision agriculture that align well with the department and university plans, address important local and national agricultural needs, and support the economic development of Texas and the nation through education and research. Photo: Wenxuan Guo uses drones for plant science research. -
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Mississippi State University
Agricultural Engineering Technology / College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Program lead: Ganesh C. Bora
No. of students enrolled (2018): 35
Mission: Precision-farming technologies are used to identify and measure within-field variability and its causes, prescribe site-specific input applications that match varying crop and soil needs, and apply the inputs as prescribed. Reduction of input levels, increased efficiency of inputs, and proper timing of the inputs can reduce costs as well as increase yields and returns. Here is a need to train students in the broad array of precision agriculture technologies. This certificate program complements majors taught across College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) departments. This program features emerging technologies in decision-based agricultural planning and implementation.
View all
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Purdue University
The Ohio State University
Iowa State University
University of California, Davis
Kansas State University
University of Sydney (Australia)
South Dakota State University
Oklahoma State University
Massey University (New Zealand)
Wageningen University & Research (The Netherlands)
Colorado State University
University of São Paulo (Brazil)
McGill University (Canada)
Cornell University
University of Minnesota
University of Georgia
North Dakota State University
Washington State University
University of Kentucky
University of Missouri
University of Florida
Auburn University
Texas Tech University
Mississippi State University
Perhaps the biggest step in the process is choosing a major. In agriculture, more and more students are focusing their studies on the quickly growing field of precision agriculture. And colleges are taking notice. South Dakota State University (SDSU), for example, was the first college in the U.S. to offer a four-year precision ag degree in 2016. I anticipate more schools will follow SDSU’s lead, further developing the ag technology programs and courses that they already offer.
So which schools are the best of the best when it comes to precision agriculture? The editors at PrecisionAg Professional recently attempted to answer this question. Based on feedback from industry experts and Internet research, we compiled a list of the top precision ag programs at colleges and universities in the world (see slideshow above). We also surveyed the heads of these programs to provide a self-assessment and peer review, including listing the schools they think have the best reputation in education, research, and extension/outreach for precision agriculture. Only four-year schools are included in this initial list. We also have published a separate ranking of the top technical and community colleges for precision agriculture.
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Matt Hopkins is Senior Online Editor for the Agribusiness Group at Meister Media Worldwide including such brands as CropLife, CropLife IRON, AgriBusiness Global, PrecisionAg, and Cotton Grower. He is responsible for managing an array of online products including newsletters, websites, video, and social media. Hopkins joined Meister Media in 1994 as an editor for Greenhouse Grower before transitioning to Business Manager of its MeisterPro division. He holds a Communications degree from Cleveland State University.
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