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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin got a firsthand look Saturday at how �ձ�av��Ƶ is leading the future of technology in the agricultural industry. 

Zeldin visited campus to discuss the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences’ precision agriculture program and how �ձ�av��Ƶ is making technology accessible for farmers. 

"It was very encouraging to see the ongoing research and precision agriculture developments at �ձ�av��Ƶ,” Zeldin said. “Their work is exceptionally educating the future of American farmers and helping ensure a safe and abundant food supply.” 

South Dakota State was the first university in the nation to offer a bachelor’s degree in precision agriculture and continues to be a leader in testing and researching innovative farming technology. As part of his visit, Zeldin toured the Raven Precision Agriculture Center to see firsthand the types of precision technology being researched by �ձ�av��Ƶ faculty and staff. From fine-tuning technology that has been available to farmers for years like yield and application maps, to newer technology like robotic herbicide application, drone field scouting and virtual fencing, the wide range of technology displayed was all developed with one goal in mind — to help farmers improve their efficiency and their profit margins. 

“As South Dakota’s land-grant university, it is our duty to educate students, conduct research and share the results of that research to better the lives of the state’s residents,” Joe Cassady, South Dakota Corn Endowed Dean of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, said. “We are proud to welcome Administrator Zeldin to campus to show him what the land-grant mission looks like in practice and what the future of agriculture technology could look like for farmers across the country.” 

Cassady and other members of university and college leadership attended the tour, including �ձ�av��Ƶ President Barry Dunn, who was dean of the college when the precision agriculture program was developed as a collaborative degree program between the departments of Agricultural and Biosystems and Engineering and Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science. Both department heads and other honored guests were also in attendance. 

One of those guests, U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, was quick to point out the difference the technology and data collected can make for farmers and producers in South Dakota. 

“Precision ag isn’t a ‘tomorrow’ thing. It’s here today and has a major impact on the profitability of a farm and will allow us to double the corn crop over the next quarter century,” Johnson said. “�ձ�av��Ƶ is truly a global leader in this technology, which is why Administrator Lee Zeldin came to visit. They could not have done a better job briefing him.” 

Tour attendees left with renewed optimism about precision agriculture making a positive impact for farmers in the not-so-distant future and confidence that �ձ�av��Ƶ will continue to lead the way.