USDA NIFA Awards $465K to Langston University and AIFARMS for Workforce and Agribusiness Development Project
The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture has awarded Langston University and AIFARMS $465,406 to support the “Cultivating Agricultural Leaders: Establishing Foundations for AI-Driven Innovation in Sustainable Dairy Farming and Student Training” project, which focuses on advancing sustainable agriculture, integrating cutting-edge technologies, providing students with hands-on training for job success, and fostering local agribusiness development. It hopes to provide a solid foundation for the future workforce, instilling confidence in their ability to meet the demands of the industry.
This project, with its potential to overcome challenges threatening their progress—such as resource inefficiencies and limited access to cutting-edge technologies—addresses the pressing need to equip the future agricultural workforce with the skills and knowledge to tackle modern food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences (FANH) challenges.
Project Director Carlos Enrique Alvarado Carrasco from Langston University leads this collaborative effort. He is joined by co-project directors Tiffany Williams, Amlan Kumar Patra, Dawit Woldemariam, and Franklin Fondjo Fotou from Langston University, Angela Green-Miller and Isabella Condotta from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and Jamie Priddy from Homestead Meats & Processing. This diverse team brings together a wealth of knowledge and experience in agriculture, education, AI, and technology.
“As small farmers in Oklahoma face many of the same challenges we encounter on our dairy goat farm, we see tremendous potential in leveraging AI tools to address these issues. Through this project, we aim to improve our practices and share these advancements with other small-scale farmers, empowering them with the knowledge and technology to drive innovation and sustainability in their operations.”
– Carlos E. Alvarado Carrasco, project director
Providing hands-on experiences and cutting-edge AI-integrated dairy farming and food processing technologies for graduates of Langston University’s Sherman Lewis School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences (SL/SAAS) will help LU graduates become a highly skilled workforce capable of driving innovation, promoting sustainability, and addressing the various challenges of the FANH sector. A data collection hub will also be established in SL/SAAS farms to facilitate AI integration and improve productivity, sustainability, and efficiency. Importantly, this model can be replicated by small goat farmers, serving as a blueprint for them to emulate and learn from.
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Moreover, the project aims to conduct thorough market research and needs assessments to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats within the small-scale goat production sector, focusing on herd management practices, farm management strategies, marketing techniques, technology utilization, and training needs. Based on assessment results, the project team plans to develop an engaging educational resource package and an Agribusiness Incubator space tailored to the specific needs of small-scale goat producers. This will give them the knowledge and tools to incorporate cutting-edge technologies, such as AI, to improve their farming practices and promote agribusiness development. The project’s success promises significant societal benefits, including increased agricultural productivity and sustainability, enhanced environmental stewardship, and improved food security for communities nationwide.
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