By Andi Anderson
The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) has announced the funding of four new research projects through the AgTech Innovation Hub.
This collaboration between CFAES, Nationwide, and the Ohio Farm Bureau aims to address key challenges in agriculture and climate risk management.
The newly funded projects focus on crucial issues such as workforce development, climate resilience, and advanced monitoring technologies. These projects will run for one year, with the goal of providing practical solutions to real-world problems, according to Gary Pierzynski, CFAES associate dean of research and graduate education.
The Hub Council selected these projects based on their potential to meet the needs of farmers and the broader agricultural sector.
One project explores the idea of applying the independent contractor model, seen in ride-share platforms, to the agricultural workforce. Another focuses on using drones to enhance safety in controlled environment agriculture, detecting potential hazards before they lead to losses.
The remaining two projects target climate-related challenges—one helps farmers adopt climate-smart practices to handle extreme weather, and the other upgrades Ohio’s weather monitoring system for more precise agricultural data.
Cathann A. Kress, Ohio State’s vice president for agricultural administration and dean of CFAES, emphasized the importance of collaboration between researchers, Extension professionals, and partners in driving agricultural innovation.
The AgTech Innovation Hub, launched in 2022 with a $2 million commitment from Nationwide, continues to support research that benefits Ohio farmers and communities.
With these new projects underway, Ohio State and its partners aim to deliver cutting-edge solutions that address the evolving challenges in agriculture and climate risk management.
Photo Credit: ohio-state-university
Categories: Ohio, Education