The Innovation Station, sponsored by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) within the Virtual FFA Blue Room, features the innovative technologies and careers agriculture has to offer.
Ag-tech startups and cutting-edge companies like Global Unmanned Spray System (GUSS) and Monarch Tractor shared their technologies and showcased the future of agriculture to FFA members during the 94th National FFA Convention & Expo.
“We are putting a lot of the fun back into agriculture,” says the chief operation officer for GUSS Gary Thompson. “We’re really hoping these new technologies and ideas really bring excitement back into ag and get more kids involved in programs like FFA.”
GUSS is an autonomous orchard sprayer designed to remove human error from the irrigation, fertilization and pesticide process. The technology improves precision and efficiency, enhances safety, and achieves more coverage with less labor. By using an autonomous computer onboard, the machine can drive itself and apply precise amounts of materials while capturing highly accurate data points such as application speed, flow rate of the material, and pump pressure, all on a coverage map.
“Every kid just lights up when they see the machine,” Thompson says. “It looks like something that should be on Mars.”
Monarch Tractor featured the Pilot Monarch Tractor (pictured above), which is a 100% electric implement. Monarch Tractor uses electrification, automation and artificial intelligence to reduce emissions, and increase safety and productivity — all while saving farmers money.
“At Monarch Tractor, we’re really grateful to work on creating a platform to engage with passionate individuals,” says Monarch Tractor Marketing Director Kelsey Ducker. “It’s an honor to usher in the next generation of farming, those who will continue to change and advance how we feed our communities.”
Many customers and employees at Monarch Tractor were members of FFA themselves. Because of this, the company understands the significance of youth organizations like FFA and is invested in supporting future leaders in agriculture.
“As a company, we’re focused on sustainability,” Ducker says. “That means it’s really important to us to engage not only with current farmers on their needs and challenges, but also actively work with and prepare future generations for how we can use technology as a tool for cleaner and more precise operations.”
Visit the FFA Blue Room for all things agriculture innovation.
