[UAS] UAS as a tool in teaching ag

Tue Sep 15 10:08:46 MST 2015

I think both Kamel and Andy are correct – need to identify players and supporters.  Starting now you could have a course ready by next fall.  It would probably be team taught and interdisciplinary.   And get the support of appropriate department heads and also academic programs (copy Joy on here.)

For $ there are USDA grants for education/new course, etc.  e.g. http://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/higher-education-challenge-hec-grants-program  (These are due in March so good timing)

So are there those who would be willing to teach a part of such a course, and what part would fit?  Personally I would like to see a data collection component with multi-spectral imaging, as well as the treatment side of droning, and natural resource as well as farm management.

From: French, Andrew [mailto:Andrew.French at ARS.USDA.GOV]
Sent: Monday, September 14, 2015 6:20 PM
To: didan; Macarthur, Robert - (robmac)
Cc: UAS Interest Group
Subject: RE: [UAS] UAS as a tool in teaching ag

I agree completely that we need to identify objectives but it is important to consider that the costs and complexities are changing very rapidly. Both cost and complexity are being reduced continuously which means that now is the time to stake out some local expertise. –Andy French

From: UAS [mailto:uas-bounces at list.cals.arizona.edu] On Behalf Of Kamel Didan
Sent: Monday, September 14, 2015 1:32 PM
To: Macarthur, Robert - (robmac) <robmac at ag.arizona.edu<mailto:robmac at ag.arizona.edu>>
Cc: UAS Interest Group <uas at list.cals.arizona.edu<mailto:uas at list.cals.arizona.edu>>
Subject: Re: [UAS] UAS as a tool in teaching ag

I agree this is all wonderful,

But this technology (UAV and the required supporting activities, tools, resources, etc...) is quite expensive and time consuming if not within/or in support of a well funded and clear activity(ies).

I suppose "everyone" would be quite interested in pursuing this (even for the fun of it initially) but an initial objective should be to identify a path and and seek funding to drive this forward. Maybe that is where some of the efforts should be focused.

We should probably sit down and talk/brainstorm about this.

Regards,

K.Didan
AZ

On Mon, Sep 14, 2015 at 9:26 AM, Macarthur, Robert - (robmac) <robmac at ag.arizona.edu<mailto:robmac at ag.arizona.edu>> wrote:
This is a terrific idea, and I could see interest from several departments – ABE, SRNR, Soils, etc.   Would be good to extend it to natural resource management as well.

BTW, saw this the other day - http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/09/10/california-drones-veto-governor-jerry-brown-news-photographers/71987132/

From: UAS [mailto:uas-bounces at list.cals.arizona.edu<mailto:uas-bounces at list.cals.arizona.edu>] On Behalf Of Ward, Richard - (rickw)
Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2015 9:10 AM
To: UAS Interest Group
Subject: [UAS] UAS as a tool in teaching ag

Colleagues- I am interested in developing concepts and applications for using MAC and other Exp Station Units as tools in UA classes and Extension.  UAV’s seem to have potential to contribute to this.   I am imagining that a semester-long combination of a fixed-wing all-of-farm scans, coupled with copter-based stationary still images and prerecorded/ live-stream video could be used to provide a framework through which various aspects of farm management and crop development could be taught.    At least an initial on-site visit would be valuable, but not required, I think.   Tillage operations, pesticide applications, harvesting, etc. could be shown from elevation, ground level from side, ground level from behind, close up from behind, etc.   Crop genetic variation in phenology, morphology, etc. ; plus design of breeding programs could be shown and tracked through the semester.    I imagine that courses in weed management, cropping systems, irrigation management, plant breeding, field research methods, and general agriculture could be augmented.    I am guessing that our Yuma colleagues are already doing some of this with their Community College connections, and that model could be expanded.

Are any of you or colleagues elsewhere pursuing these concepts?  I welcome links or contacts that could inform this concept.

Rick

Rick Ward, Director
Maricopa Agricultural Center
Bud Antle Endowed Chair
University of Arizona
37860 W Smith-Enke Rd
Maricopa AZ 85138

Cell: +1 (520) 510-5785<tel:%2B1%20%28520%29%20510-5785> / Fax: +1 (520) 374-6394<tel:%2B1%20%28520%29%20374-6394> / Skype: wheatbreeder /rickw at email.arizona.edu<mailto:rickw at email.arizona.edu>

_______________________________________________
UAS mailing list
UAS at list.cals.arizona.edu<mailto:UAS at list.cals.arizona.edu>
http://calsmail.arizona.edu/mailman/listinfo/uas

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://list.cals.arizona.edu/pipermail/uas/attachments/20150915/825103e1/attachment.htm>