By Mary Hightower
U of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
LITTLE ROCK — In a field that’s increasingly data- and tech-dependent, there’s a new program that encourages youths to embrace the science and technology needed to grow food for a growing global population.
ACE, or Ag-Tech Career Exploration, is an intensive yearlong program that combines STEM skills as well as professional and leadership development for youth ages 16-19. The inaugural program will run from January to July 2025.
Nov. 1 is the application deadline for this U.S. Department of Agriculture-supported program.
Ag-Tech Career Exploration graphic. (U of A System Division of Agriculture image by Chris Meux)
“Agriculture is increasingly technology heavy,” said Jason Davis, extension application technologist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “We are soon to see more automated data collection, decision making and action taking systems in our production fields. It is important that Arkansas's next generation workforce understand these technologies and make early connections to the industry leaders that will bring these changes to fruition.”
Davis is among the researchers who will be working with youths in the program designed for high school juniors and seniors interested in pursuing careers utilizing agricultural technology such as drones, sensors, food genetics and robotics.
Julie Robinson, professor of community, professional and economic development for the Cooperative Extension Service, created ACE as part of her work in community leadership development.
“The goal is to engage students and pique their interest in careers in agriculture before they reach college,” she said. “Students will be able to work with professionals and be exposed to avenues of science they might not have been aware of, or never considered because it was in agriculture.
“The most exciting component of this program is our international trip,” Robinson said. “There are plenty of studies showing the benefits of international study for youths, and we want to help young Arkansans have that opportunity to travel internationally.”
There is no cost to participate in the program. Robinson said some financial assistance is available for students to obtain passports for travel aboard.
“I think Arkansas is a perfect place to be a hub for ag technology,” Robinson said. “We have so many incredibly smart people that we work with, not only here in the Division of Agriculture but also our industry and institute of higher education partners.
“Producing future experts will benefit Arkansas farmers and consumers,” she said.
Find additional information online, including an application link.
The program has been funded for three years by grant No. 2024-67038-42795 from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, part of the USDA. The nearly $750,000 grant was part of NIFA’s $6.7 million investment in education and workforce development.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.