By Christine Bellport

University of Wisconsin System

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville School of Agriculture faculty Dr. Joe Sanford, Dr. Chris Baxter and David Heimerdinger have been awarded a substantial grant from the CHS Foundation to advance the university’s precision agriculture initiatives. The grant will specifically support the enhancement of the precision agriculture course curriculum and the potential development of a precision agriculture certificate program within the university’s offerings.

Precision agriculture utilizes cutting-edge technology to optimize crop production efficiency and sustainability, making it a crucial area of study for the next generation of agricultural professionals. With the support of an $80,000 grant from CHS Foundation, the School of Agriculture team will integrate state-of-the-art tools and techniques into the coursework. This initiative will provide students with hands-on experience and prepare them for careers in modern agriculture.

“We had textbooks, guest lecturers, and some equipment, but we lacked our own resources to develop labs,” explained Dr. Joseph Sanford, assistant professor of soil and crop science. “Precision agriculture is grounded in technology, not paper. Recognizing this, we knew we had to integrate more advanced technology for our students, and the grant from the CHS Foundation has been a gamechanger for us.”

The CHS Foundation, renowned for its commitment to fostering agricultural education and innovation, selected Sanford’s proposal following a competitive grant process. The foundation funds universities and colleges nationwide, focusing on various agriculture-related topics that directly impact students such as undergraduate research, student recruitment and technological advancements in farming practices.

“As the giving arm of the nation’s largest farmer-owned cooperative, the CHS Foundation is dedicated to developing a robust, diverse talent pipeline for agriculture,” said Megan Wolle, president, CHS Foundation. “We are pleased to support Dr. Sanford and the team at the School of Agriculture at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in their efforts to expand their precision agriculture program, which will help today’s students be better prepared for careers in the ag industry as they have first-hand experience with the latest precision ag technology.”

Located in the tri-state area, graduates from UW-Platteville with agriculture-related degrees benefit from extensive opportunities across Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Michigan. The university’s strong agricultural tradition, especially in agronomy, serves as an asset, attracting students who appreciate the diverse regional opportunities available, and the quality of education provided.

“We are thrilled to receive this generous grant from the CHS Foundation,” said Sanford. “The funding will allow us to not only enrich our precision agriculture course but also explore the possibility of establishing a dedicated certificate program. By equipping our students with the latest advancements in agricultural technology, we aim to empower them to become leaders in the field and drive innovation in agriculture.”

UW-Platteville is known for its strong commitment to agricultural education and research, and the CHS Foundation’s investment will further strengthen the university’s position as a leader in preparing students for the challenges and opportunities of the agricultural industry. 

For more information about the School of Agriculture at UW-Platteville, visit: www.uwplatt.edu/department/school-agriculture.

For more information about the CHS Foundation, visit: www.chsinc.com/stewardship.