Building a Precision Ag Research and Extension Program.

Starting a new career or enterprise, or making a major shift in focus is exciting, but also scary. The process involves many choices, especially for an academic or agency person starting a new position, or for someone making a major career shift. I know this first hand since I have done this several times. With choices come risks and rewards. Building a Precision Ag program is no different. So the following are some of the things I think you should consider.

First, find out exactly what is expected of you and how you will be evaluated. Ask for frank input from your boss, some of the folks who recently went through the process, but also some of the folks who will be making the decision. What is really expected and how tight is the position description? What are the real important measures of success? Papers, grants, grad students trained, course enrollment, teacher or extension meeting evaluations? Are you expected to develop technology, or facilitate adoption? What measures will be used to measure that success? Acres, users, environmental issues resolved, royalties coming to the university?

Second, what aspect of precision ag do I focus on? Nutrients, precision planting, data management, pest management, water use efficiency,? Environmental issues? Which of these segments will help my clientele the most? Do I know who my clientele really are? Do I really know what they want and need? Get involved with folks on the ground using precision ag. Ask them what they would like to see you doing. Focus on things you are good at, and things which sound like fun. Nothing better than going to work each day with a smile on your face.

Third, build a support team: experienced farmers and local industry leaders, tech reps, county agents, extension specialists across the region, crop consultants. And not just folks using precision ag but also some who don’t. There may be good reasons that provide ideas for you. By building that support team and working on things folks really are looking for, you may well find needed support dollars or helpful cooperators that can provide lots of opportunities.