Education & Research in Agriculture (ERA) is one USAID’s many Feed the Future Initiatives currently located in Senegal.  Through the incorporation of the U.S. Land Grant model, the ERA project aims to reinforce Senegal’s higher education institutes and human capacity potential in agricultural disciplines.  This poster will summarize the work of one Virginia Tech graduate student and his collaboration with local university students. During the growing seasons of 2013 and 2014 (July – October) a two-year conservation agriculture research project was implemented at two of Senegal’s higher agricultural institutions.  While aiming to understand and improve the millet-cowpea production systems in Senegal, it was noted that the experimental plots could provide more than just scientific results.  Assessments of curriculum and instruction in Senegal revealed an acute lack of connectivity between classroom instruction and field practice.  It was quickly realized that the incorporation of hands-on learning opportunities could greatly enhance students’ classroom-focused education.  To help these agronomy students get their hands dirty, they were invited to get involved at two of the research sites and ended up playing a critical role in seeing the project through to completion.  Agronomic and experimental design concepts were shared with students, while exposure to new technologies such as soil moisture probes and NDVI Greenseekers was offered.  Students were also able to use the data they recorded to put towards their own graduation and thesis requirements.  In the end, students were provided many great opportunities to connect theoretical agricultural principles with hands-on field research experiences.  It is also important to note that student involvement was mutually beneficial as the work could not have been completed without their assistance.