Thanks to donated agricultural technology education simulators from New Holland North America and Raven Industries, 11 FFA chapters nationwide are gaining firsthand knowledge and experiences in the field of precision agriculture.
These simulators are being used in classrooms like Erin Smith’s, where she teaches agricultural education and advises the Stockbridge Valley FFA Chapter in New York.
“The chance [for students] to get hands-on opportunities by using the simulator will make precision agriculture come to life,” she says. “They’ll grasp real-world applications in a way we wouldn’t be able to show them without the display.”
The unit, a Raven RS-1 Demo Education Simulator, will also be shared with more agriculture programs in Smith’s area, providing additional avenues for students and FFA members to strengthen their skills.
Cedar Crest FFA in Pennsylvania received a simulator during a special event hosted at a local New Holland Agriculture dealership.
In Mansfield, Ky., Graves County FFA is implementing the simulator in its agriculture power and equipment operation and introductory agriscience courses.
“We’re very excited for what this will bring to students in our program,” says Abbey Lyell, the chapter’s advisor. “We intend to use the simulator as part of a pathway exploration unit with our first-year students, which allows them to experience equipment they’ve likely never used before. They’ll also learn about the abundance of agricultural technology being used to increase efficiency and sustainability.”
To further enhance their learning experiences, New Holland North America and Raven Industries are providing FFA chapters with a Precision Toolkit, which includes additional online resources and curriculum. Members and advisors can access this resource here.
