Leading the Nation in Precision Agriculture

Transcript

Let’s meet Parker, a senior from Owatonna, Minnesota, who is majoring in Precision Agriculture with a minor in Agronomy. Being the first university in the nation to offer both a major and minor in precision agriculture, SDSU has doubled down on leading the future of sustainable agriculture with the opening of the Raven Precision Agriculture Center on campus. Parker, we’re ready for you.

– Thanks Alex. Hello, y’all. I always knew I wanted to go into agriculture as it was a way to help get back to a more sustainable planet, to help feed the world, and to be on the cutting edge of technology. I love the feel of SDSU as it is a large campus of 12,000 students, with a small town feel where everyone is kind, willing to help, and provide guidance as a way to keep you from getting overwhelmed. The Brookings community becomes home to students quickly, as there’s never a lack of hunting and fishing and outdoor things to do in the surrounding areas. Like the state motto says, “great faces, great places.” There are so many things to do and people to see that it is worth a trip out here to see the Black Hills and to learn about the history that makes South Dakota so great. One of the most impressive facilities SDSU has built in the recent years has been the Raven Precision Ag Center. This center combines agronomy, engineering, and advanced technology. I’m so excited to see the innovation that comes out of this building for the future of autonomous technology, to the advances in soil science that will have brought more sustainability to the world and agriculture. We are leading the next generation of agriculture at SDSU. With being a first generation college student in my family, I really had no idea what impact SCSU would have on my life, let alone a four year degree, but coming into SDSU has shown me so much from the community and how you can bring so many people together, to the amount of applicable education that I am being given with all the hands-on experience. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. SDSU has given me opportunities I never would have imagined. That’s a glimpse of my story, so I’ll hand it right back to you, Alex.

– That’s a great story, Parker. The value of a four year degree is so important. And it’s great to hear about you making the most of the opportunities here at SDSU. Thanks again for sharing your story. Take care.