��ֱ����

From plot testing to planter repair, 21 South ��ֱ���� high school students got a taste of precision agriculture during the 2nd annual Precision Ag Camp at South ��ֱ���� State University, July 10-11.

Sponsored by Titan Machinery and hosted by SDSU’s Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, the camp drew primarily younger high schoolers from eastern South ��ֱ����. Among them was Lucas Underwood, a 15-year-old from Brookings.

“I learned a lot more of what precision ag is. While there is a lot of mechanics, there is a lot more technology than I thought,” Underwood said. He particularly enjoyed removing and reinstalling the speed tubes and meters on a Case-IH 2155 12-row planter and driving the 2024 New Holland CR990 combine in the tailgating area north of campus.

The campers drove with agricultural and biosystems engineering students in Kubota four-wheelers equipped with GPS systems so they could learn field mapping. Students also had a chance to do electrical troubleshooting of the Kubota’s.

One of Carson Pearson’s favorite activities was mapping soil types in a field using a computer program. The 14-year-old Aberdeen boy, who works on a farm, also enjoyed troubleshooting the planter.

Jesse Enstad, program coordinator for the department and camp director, said, “The camp is so valuable is because it allows students to learn about various areas of precision agriculture and the technology that is about expanding within precision ag. 

“The camp includes learning topics and hands-on activities that would also be covered in courses for ag majors at SDSU. The camp also allows students a chance to get to know the SDSU campus better and we hope this experience helps students decide to attend SDSU someday.”

While Precision Ag Camp was a first-time experience for most, Crayton Ehrich, 17, of Tea, had also attended in 2024. He returned out of a desire to learn more. He observed in 2025 there was greater emphasis on technology. “They teach more about technology and less on the mechanical side.”

He added he enjoyed “knowledgeable teachers who are excited to teach you something and having hands-on learning demonstrations with actual equipment.”

Other activities including learning to fly drones, a lesson on how sensors function and a scavenger hunt on a Case IH Pro 1200 monitor utilizing a simulator trailer provided by CHNi in the high bay unit of Raven Precision Agriculture Center.

SDSU and Titan plan to offer this camp annually and are excited to expose high school students how technology is implemented in agriculture to improve food production.