Agricultural Technology Workshop

AURPI has partnered with Southern Union State Community College (SUSCC) to offer an Agricultural Technology Certificate Program. The pilot workshop took place on June 23rd-26th at Auburn University research stations.The 4 day workshop was embedded in the Southern Union Mechatronics 2-year degree program and consisted of four modules – Precision Agriculture, UAV Technology, Poultry Technology, and Forestry Technology.

Through these modules, students were exposed to state-of-the-art technologies utilized in agricultural and forestry systems and how their hands-on mechatronics training can be applied and utilized in the agriculture and forestry sectors.

Program Sections

Inside of the Auburn University Poultry Processing building during a tour

Poultry Technology

This module provided an overview of the commercial poultry industry, covering key technology components within the feed mill and processing plants.

Instructions showing students what is displayed on a drone controller

UAV Technology

This module explored remote sensing and UAV applications in the agriculture and forestry industries with demonstrations and hands-on training.

student using a John Deere forestry simulator with help from instructor

Forestry Technology

This module offered an introduction to forestry technology, with John Deere equipment simulators, log truck research discussion, a sawmill tour, and UAVs in forestry.

students listening to a talk about a harvester

Precision Agriculture

This module covered GPS/GNSS systems, auto-guidance, and precision technologies, including soil sampling, variable-rate applications, harvest technologies, and data management.

Future Plans

Our vision is to grow this program beyond Southern Union, bringing it to additional community colleges across Alabama with similar 2-year technical degree programs. The goal is to introduce students to high-demand careers in the forestry and poultry industries—opening the door to fulfilling job opportunities and encouraging the next generation to stay and thrive in rural Alabama.

We are proud to continue our annual Agricultural Technology Workshop in partnership with Southern Union and are excited to build on its success. We've also received interest in adding new modules—such as green infrastructure and cybersecurity—which we hope to launch soon.

If you're interested in partnering with us to host a workshop at your college, please contact us.