 BlueSTEM AgriLearning Center is getting a FarmBot!
Known as humanity's only open-source automated precision farming machine, the FarmBot is a scalable robotic system which uses easily programmable software to improve sustainable agriculture. Students can design and schedule soil testing, seed planting, specialized watering, and weed elimination within the raised beds under the FarmBot. The entire system is numerically controlled and fully automated from the sowing of seeds to harvest! The hardware enables planting in a more space efficient layout that minimizes the distance between plants. Robotic arms gliding along rails can pinpoint where seeds should be planted, the quantity of water required for each plant, the elimination of weeds, and the prime harvest time.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary Scott Hutchins announced on Thursday, September 12, 2019, that the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has invested $77.8 million in research that will focus on sustaining a more abundant, nutritious, and accessible food supply. As part of this funding investment, eight universities will lead projects aimed at integrating sustainable agricultural approaches covering the entire food production system.
Among those recipients is New Mexico State University (NMSU) which will focus on improving the efficiency of food production in the southwestern part of the United States. Invited to be a partner with NMSU, BlueSTEM AgriLearning Center, located at the USDA Grazinglands Research Lab (GRL) at Historic Fort Reno, will utilize the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics of FarmBots to inspire students and teachers to think outside the box and develop strategies to contribute to the global problem of adequate food production. When the first FarmBot arrives in late November of this year, BlueSTEM students will assemble the component parts, connect to the Internet, program the system, collect data, and produce food more effectively and efficiently. By spring 2020, the FarmBot is expected to be up and running fully, and ready for a hearty growing season. BlueSTEM's existing garden, now in its third year, will be planted, watered, weeded, and harvested using traditional methods. Students will be able to compare and contrast the two agriculture sites to draw economic, efficiency, and production conclusion. Additionally, BlueSTEM will continue its strong partnerships with the Canadian County Master Gardeners, Canadian County Health Department, Camino Energy Resources, BancFirst, and Redlands Community College.
Dr. Kristy Ehlers, El Reno Public Schools' Director of School Partnerships, and Ms. Ann Marshall, BlueSTEM's Education Director, have worked for the last year with NMSU, USDA GRL, Southern Plains Climate Hub, and others to find unique, advanced, and innovative STEM projects. High school students from El Reno, Yukon, and Ninnekah who are currently enrolled in BlueSTEM's experiential research program will benefit from the collaborative partnerships within this grant project. In return the students will present their research findings and the FarmBot technology to community stakeholders, colleges and universities, GRL scientists, educators and others. Each summer the grant award allows BlueSTEM to train educators who are interested in investing in the future of efficient food production. A lottery of those trained districts will be held, and BlueSTEM's grant funds will purchase a FarmBot for the lucky school. Ehlers and Marshall have written the grant application to give away a FarmBot for each of the next four summers. Lesson plans developed through FarmBot experiences will increase K-12 knowledge about the interplay of STEM in sustainable agriculture and multigenerational learning opportunities.
BlueSTEM's board of directors president, Mrs. Keri Conley, said she is proud of the accomplishments of all students who have been a part of the personalized learning options at the Center. She commented that the FarmBot grant award will further enhance the twenty-first century skills the students will need for jobs that may not even be created yet.
NMSU will be awarded over $8.9 million through this NIFA grant. BlueSTEM's portion is valued at more than $625,000 over the next five years. The knowledge and collaboration opportunities for students and teachers between and among all of the grant's partners cannot be measured in dollar amounts. Not bad for a five year-old STEM program housed in a 19th century restored officer's quarters just west of El Reno, Oklahoma.
For more information or clarification, please contact Kristy Ehlers and Ann Marshall (Ann is a Blue Thumb volunteer!).
Oklahoma Conservation Commission will be hosting a hands on workshop on October 26th in Edmond. If you would like to learn more, please contact Amy Seiger.
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