Grand Farm recognizes the gap between careers in the autonomous industry and the future workforce which includes a lack of awareness, skills development, access to Industry resources, and mentorship. These careers span various industries, including automotive, aerospace, agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, and more. Each role requires a unique set of skills, from engineering and programming to data analysis and ethical decision-making. To elaborate:
- Awareness: Many students are unaware of the diverse career paths available in the autonomous industry.
- Skills Development: Schools may lack curricula that focus on the technical and interdisciplinary skills required by the autonomous sector.
- Access to Industry Resources: Limited exposure to industry professionals, internships, and hands-on experiences hampers students’ ability to connect their education with real-world careers.
- Mentorship and Guidance: Students often lack mentorship to navigate the industry and understand the steps needed to enter the field.
Join us at TechConnect on September 12th from 10:30am – 12:30pm at 1351 Main Ave W, West Fargo, ND 58078.
But wait… what is TechConnect?
The TechConnect Workshop is a part of the Autonomous Nation, an annual conference hosted by Grand Farm. TechConnect is primarily focused on connecting educators and students with accessible leaders and resources to learn, explore, and navigate their careers in the autonomous industry. This year, attendees will get to learn about:
Different Industry Perspectives
Aigen
- Aigen is an agricultural technology startup that develops solar-powered, autonomous robots for sustainable farming. They lead the way in the autonomous industry by creating a platform that uses AI, robotics, and renewable energy to reduce the reliance on chemicals in agriculture. Aigen’s robots not only help manage crops by eliminating herbicide-resistant weeds but also provide real-time field insights to farmers, making their operations more efficient and environmentally friendly
Bobcat
- Bobcat is a leading manufacturer of compact construction equipment, known for its skid-steer loaders and other machinery. In the autonomous industry, Bobcat is pioneering with innovations like fully electric and autonomous compact loaders, leveraging AI and robotics to revolutionize job site operations by enhancing efficiency and safety.
RDO Equipment
- RDO Equipment is a leader in providing heavy machinery and precision agriculture technology. They are at the forefront of the autonomous industry by integrating cutting-edge technologies, such as Teleo’s Supervised Autonomy, which retrofits existing machinery with autonomous capabilities. This innovation allows operators to control machinery remotely, improving safety and efficiency in both agriculture and construction sectors. RDO is committed to helping farmers and contractors adopt these advanced technologies, driving productivity and reducing waste.
Fenworks
- Fenworks is a company that offers innovative programs in esports and drone racing for schools, focusing on fostering student engagement through technology and competition. They lead the way in the autonomous industry by integrating drone racing into educational environments, helping students develop hands-on skills in operating and troubleshooting drones, which are key components of future autonomous technologies
North Dakota’s UAS Council
- North Dakota’s UAS Council which is all about promoting and advocating for the UAS industry in North Dakota. North Dakota is uniquely positioned as one of the best places for testing, developing, and commercializing UAS technologies, thanks to its advanced infrastructure and partnerships with key players in the industry. Their mission includes driving education and workforce development to ensure that the state remains at the forefront of UAS innovation.
Different Higher-Ed Perspectives:
- UND’s Cybersecurity Department offers cutting-edge research and education focused on securing autonomous systems, including drones and AI-driven technologies, making it an essential resource for students and educators interested in the intersection of cybersecurity and autonomy
- NDSU’s Precision Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering Department offers cutting-edge research and education in the autonomous industry by focusing on precision agriculture technologies like drones, remote sensing, AI, and robotics. Students in the program learn to integrate these technologies to enhance crop production, optimize resources, and meet the growing demands of modern agriculture
- NDSCS’s UAV and Robotics programs offer hands-on training in unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and autonomous systems technology, preparing students for careers in agriculture, manufacturing, defense, and transportation. These programs teach students to operate and program autonomous ground and aerial systems, equipping them with skills in sensor integration, data science, and system control methods to meet the growing demand for automation in various industries
- Student Voice: Exploring a degree in Precision Ag while interning at AgCo!
- BONUS: Upskill Moment- Learn everything about earning your Remote Pilot License!
Many students feel intrigued to advance in a career related to the AgTech industry, however they do not know where to begin their search. Throughout TechConnect 2024, individuals will hear from an industry panel, keynote Speaker, a Higher Education Panel, as well as a Show and Tell session on achieving a Remote Pilot License.
Whether you are a student, (high-school, homeschooled or college) an educator, industry professional or a curious mind – this workshop is a great opportunity for YOU!
Who will we hear from?
Meet your moderators for TechConnect 2024!
Dr. Ruchi Joshi Bhardwaj
Dr. Bhardwaj is the Grand Farm Senior Program Manager of Education and Research, where she leads initiatives aimed at advancing agricultural innovation through education and research. She is responsible for developing and overseeing programs that bridge the gap between cutting-edge agricultural technologies and practical applications in the field. Grand Farm helps growers achieve efficiency and effectiveness by working with small businesses, startups, research institutions and large corporations to integrate applied technology to solve problems in agriculture.
Aaron Skyes
Keynote Speakers
Kenley Nebeker
Kenley serves as the Board Chair for the North Dakota Unmanned Autonomous System Council. He promotes and advocates for the UAS industry in North Dakota – whether that be community outreach, networking or sharing his findings. Kenley is an experienced higher education administrator, he has a passion for autonomous technology and what the future holds for AgTech and education.
Lacee Bjork Anderson
Lacee is a serving member for the North Dakota Unmanned Autonomous Systems Council. This council has a mission of promoting and advocating for the UAS industry in North Dakota and provides ongoing opportunities for sharing, networking, etc. These council members, including Lacee strive to share their findings when focusing on the future for the UAS council.
Industry Panel
Molly Hane
Molly serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Fenworks and is an active member of the Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals board. With a strong background in teaching and deep involvement in local business communities, she helps drive Fenworks’ mission of fostering community and personal growth. Fenworks connects individuals through shared passions in esports and drone racing, offering programs that allow participants to showcase their talents while providing schools with the resources and support to introduce these dynamic activities to their students.
Kenny Lee
Kenny is a co-founder of Aigen, focused on regenerating the Earth with robotics and AI. With over 20 years of experience in consulting, IT, and information security, he brings valuable expertise to the agtech sector. Kenny, an MIT MBA graduate with a focus on sustainability, is passionate about transformative technologies in food, agriculture, and climate change. He mentors startups, serves on non-profit boards, and has co-authored a publication on IT governance.
Tyler Zima
Tyler is the Product Manager at RDO Equipment, he collaborates closely with Ag Regional leadership and Product Specialists to develop localized value propositions for precision agriculture. He supports field trials, demonstrations, training, and offers product expertise on both current and future precision agriculture solutions. Since beginning his career with Bobcat Company in 2010, Tyler has gained experience working across multiple functional groups, including marketing, finance, engineering, sourcing, aftermarket parts, and warranty. His involvement in cross-functional projects has provided him with valuable insights into how each group contributes to the overall success of a project and the company.
Show & Tell: Getting your Drone Pilot License
Dr. Nitin Rai
Dr. Nitin Rai is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at North Dakota State University, where he applies advanced data analytics to agricultural datasets to automate farming tasks and estimate plant phenotype traits. He earned his doctoral degree in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, focusing on differentiating weeds from crops using ground and aerial images for real-time site-specific weed management. He has published his research in top-tier journals and thrives in dynamic environments.
Dr. Billy Ram
Dr. Billy Ram is a postdoctoral research associate at North Dakota State University with over five years of experience in precision agriculture. He specializes in developing open-source tools for the research and farming communities and has worked on deep learning models for hyperspectral image analysis. Currently, he focuses on real-time field robotics for dynamic agricultural conditions. Beyond his research, Billy is passionate about social issues, writing, and documentary filmmaking. He founded SOWERS, a group that engages youth through articles, blogs, and videos.
Higher Education Panel
Dr. Prakash Ranganathan
Dr. Ranganathan is an Associate Professor and Director of Cyber Security Research Programs at the University of North Dakota. He has an interest in software engineering, cyber security, wireless sensor networks and sequence domain analysis, etc. The cybersecurity program is crucial for the AgTech industry because it allows professionals to gain the skills to protect vital agricultural technologies and infrastructure from evolving cyber threats. As the industry increasingly relies on technology, the need for cybersecurity specialists to safeguard data, operating systems, and networks becomes essential for maintaining food security and operational integrity.
Seth Simonson
Seth is an Associate Professor at the North Dakota State College of Science and the Drone Services Coordinator at Moore Engineering. Moore Engineering is an employee-owned engineering and land surveying firm that specializes in water treatment, flood control, sewer systems, streets, GIS, and drone inspections. Committed to the success of the region, they collaborate with municipalities, counties, developers, and private citizens to deliver innovative, community-focused solutions.
Dr. Ahmed Harb Rabia
Dr. Rabia is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at North Dakota State University. He has an interest in Soil Science, Unmanned Aerial Systems, Plant Phenomics, Land Use Change, etc. Ahmed’s specialities include Precision Agriculture, GIS, Remote Sensing, Plant Nutrition and Soil Science.
Sai Sri Sravya Vishnumolakala
Sravya is a PhD student at North Dakota State University studying in the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department, she is also currently interning at AgCountry as the Agronomy Intern. AgCountry is a customer-owned cooperative that provides financial services and loans to support farmers, ranchers, and rural communities across the United States and Puerto Rico. By financing agricultural operations, rural infrastructure, and U.S. agricultural exports, AgCountry plays a crucial role in strengthening the rural economy and ensuring the success of American agriculture.
As the day progresses at TechConnect, we are confident that educators and students will forge meaningful connections with industry professionals, bridging the gap and empowering them with the confidence to embark on their career journeys with autonomous technology resources available in ND.
Join us on September 12th from 10:30am – 12:30 pm at 1351 Main Ave W, West Fargo, ND 58078.
Questions? Email ruchib@emergingprairie.com
