From Dirt to Data: Precision Agriculture at the Data-Intensive Farm Management Project

Precision agriculture first gained traction in the 1990s, when GPS technology made it possible for farm equipment to map and manage fields with a level of detail that was not possible before. Farmers could accurately apply fertilizer or seed at different rates across a field, responding to variations in field conditions.

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From survey to service: Illinois students listen closely to deliver community-based solutions

How do you assess the health needs of an entire community, especially its most vulnerable members? It’s a huge logistical challenge for public health offices serving counties and states around the country, but an accurate view of community health is needed to guide the services they offer and to reach their intended audiences. 

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From farmland to food bank: Eric Hodel’s journey to serve

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign alumnus Eric Hodel didn’t begin his career expecting to lead one of the nation’s largest faith-based food banks. But the journey from his childhood on a Central Illinois farm to his current role as CEO of Midwest Food Bank makes one thing clear: Agriculture and serving his community have always been central to his story.  

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Meat from Illinois State Fair Sale of Champions donated to Feeding Illinois food banks through new ACES, IDOA partnership

Through a partnership among the College of ACES, the Illinois Department of Agriculture, and Feeding Illinois, student-raised livestock from the Illinois State Fair Sale of Champions is being transformed into meaningful support for local food banks — helping nourish neighbors and fight food insecurity.

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U. of I. project uses large-scale, real-world data to improve farm management practices

Agricultural field trials can provide crucial information that helps scientists and farmers optimize production and reduce environmental impacts. The Data-Intensive Farm Management Project, housed at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, works with farmers to conduct large-scale scientific experiments using precision agriculture. The goal is to generate real-world data that can help farmers make efficient management decisions and increase profits.

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