Precision Agriculture Update
During the first eight months of ATI funding for the precision agriculture cluster of the ATI much has been accomplished. More details on any point can be obtained by contacting Dr. Denny Davis (davis@wsu.edu) the Interim Director of the Center for Precision Agricultural Systems.
Precision agriculture is the application of "high-tech information age" technology across the spectrum of agriculturally related industries.
Some accomplishments in the first 8 months:
1. Conducted Western Precision Agriculture Conference in Pasco. Over 280 agricultural producers, suppliers and consultants paid to attend this two-day conference, workshop and trade show. Over 20 vendors paid to display their companies at the trade show. One Washington agricultural producer sent 20 employees to the Conference. The kick-off speaker, Dean James Zuiches of WSU`s College of Agriculture and Home Economics, paid explicit tribute to the legislature`s funding of the ATI for making the conference and related precision agriculture activities possible. The Conference received praise from participants, local and national as well as garnering notice in news outlets across the state. The program brought together the leaders in precision agriculture, academic and industrial. One attendee wrote on his/her evaluation form, "I met my new employer at the conference".
2. Searching for the Director of the Center for Precision Agricultural Systems. The precision agriculture activities at WSU, enhanced by the support of the ATI, have made it possible to conduct a highly successful search for the Director of the Center for Precision Agricultural Systems (an individual who is to be a highly regarded and productive researcher that will also have responsibility for leading the activities of the Center`s faculty). The applicant pool contains the top people in the US in the field of precision agriculture. Letters of recommendation for these outstanding candidates are replete with praise for the "vision of the State of Washington in creating and funding the Center for Precision Agricultural Systems." Clearly, the leadership of Washington in this important endeavor hinges on the vital support from ATI. This search is in a critical stage where we are inviting the finalists to interview. These highly sought-after individuals have other position opportunities that are competing with us for their professional service. Loss of ATI funding would mean loss of these people.
3. Solicited research and educational outreach proposals and received 12 from WSU faculty members, industrial partners and scientists at Battelle. $326,000 of funding was allocated. $90,000 came from ATI, $236,000 from industrial cooperators with the Center.
4. Completed documentation and have nearly completed WSU`s approval process for formal recognition of the Center for Precision Agricultural Systems.
5. Brought faculty members from across WSU, along with scientists from Battelle and industrial leaders together to work on the practical issues facing the implementation of high-tech precision agricultural concepts in Washington`s industry. These activities will benefit the state economically and environmentally.
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