Academics

Build these key skills:

  • Understanding of fundamental agricultural principles and practices, like plant and soil sciences, crop production, pest management, and irrigation techniques.
  • Using advanced technologies and tools in digital and precision agriculture, such as geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, global positioning systems (GPS), drones, and data analytics.
  • Collecting, managing, analyzing, interpreting, and communicating agricultural data effectively, including data collection methods, data quality assessment, statistical analysis, and interpretation of results for informed decision-making.
  • Development and practice of a dynamic, context specific, decision framework using problem-solving and critical thinking skills to integrate agronomic knowledge and digital and precision agriculture technologies, to address challenges in real-world farming scenarios.
  • Understanding the importance of sustainable agricultural practices, using an ecological systems approach to maximizing ecosystem services, optimizing resource utilization, and promoting conservation agriculture, using digital and precision agricultural tools and thinking.
  • Communication of agricultural concepts and digital and precision agriculture tools to a variety of audiences.
  • Understanding of the ethical and regulatory considerations associated with digital and precision agriculture, including privacy concerns related to data collection, intellectual property rights, and adherence to regulatory frameworks.
  • Professional skills, including project management, technical salesmanship, business acumen, leadership, and staying abreast of emerging technologies and industry trends.
student and professor working on sprayer drone in field

Areas of study within Digital and Precision Agriculture

  • Precision Agronomy
    Can’t stand the thought of working indoors? This path is for you! Work directly with farmers, helping them make progress toward a more sustainable operation.
  • Applied Data Management
    You’ll learn about crop and soil modeling as you become an expert in interpreting data and communicating its real-world impact to stakeholders.
  • Geospatial Applications
    Help companies create the next generation of land and crop mapping technologies.
  • Precision Conservation
    You’re a sustainability mastermind, plant whisper, soil superstar all in one. You’ll interpret maps and data to plan and apply precision practices that maximize environmental benefits.
  • Agricultural Technology
    You’ll work with the next generation of ag equipment as you become an expert in precision vehicles. From selling equipment to testing it on the farm, you love the idea of working with machines and the technology that drives them.

Learn more about Digital and Precision Agriculture

Have questions about the major? Ready to join the Digital and Precision Agriculture program? Contact academic advisor Jordan Smith, josmith1@iastate.edu.