Barns to Beaches: Multi-disciplinary use Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in Agricultural Extension in Florida
Teaching & Educational Technologies
Jennifer Bearden
Agriculture Agent
UF/IFAS
Crestview
Abstract
The University of Florida, like other universities, has increased its utilization of drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). In many sectors, including agriculture, there is a growing demand for people who can understand, develop, or fly drones. To satisfy this demand, we must train and educate professionals that can fulfill these roles. To this end, new pilot educational programs were developed for youth and adults.
To increase the understanding of where and how UAVs can be implemented into extension programs, educational efforts were designed to provide opportunities for youth and adults to engage in modern production practices.
To achieve the objectives of this project, multiple trainings, demonstrations, and engagements have occurred since 2019, when the first workshop was held. Training workshop topics included Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements, drone equipment, flying methods, standards of operation, and pre-planned flight missions. Also, regular meetings were held for extension educators to collaborate on drone projects creating multi-disciplinary teams.
Through the utilization of mixed teaching methods, Extension educators were able to provide nine programming events reaching over 140 adults throughout the duration of the project. Over 60 youth were taught remote pilot skills through two day camps and a 4-H club. In addition, Extension educators were able to perform three pre-planned flights with cattle operations across Northwest Florida to provide both insight and integration of UAVs for future livestock management. Quarterly meetings of extension educators allowed for opportunities for them to learn new applications of UAVs in extension programs.
Integration of advanced technologies in both youth and adult extension programming provides a novel approach to the pioneering utilization of UAVs in agriculture. Utilization of UAVs in traditional Extension education should be performed within the guidelines of local and national regulations. The introduction of modern agriculture technology to youth should be an integral part of future Extension programming. The source of UAVs in regard to make, model, and type can vary but should meet the priorities of the Extension program. It is encouraged that all educators of UAV implementation have the proper training and program priorities to implement the technology.
Authors: Jennifer Bearden, Nicholas Simmons, Ray Bodrey
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Jennifer Bearden Agriculture Agent, University of Florida/Okaloosa County Extension, Florida, 32539
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Nicholas Simmons County Extension Director, University of Florida/Escambia County Extension, Florida, 32533
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Ray Bodrey County Extension Director, University of Florida/Gulf County Extension, Florida, 32465