S.C. AgriBiz & Farm Expo: Unmanned aircraft take flight for agriculture

FLORENCE – Innovations in agriculture take flight at the 2014 S.C. AgriBiz & Farm Expo Jan. 16-17 at the Florence Civic Center.

Learn how Agricultural Unmanned Aircraft Systems can help farmers have greater precision in crop management and irrigation.

Universities in both South and North Carolina are currently conducting research on practical applications in agriculture for this technology.

“Our laboratory, housed within the School of Agricultural, Forest and Environmental Science at Clemson University, is focused on the use and development of micro Unmanned Aircraft Systems for agriculture, forestry and natural resource monitoring. Our primary interest is creating platforms and workflows to help expand applied use of UAS in the agricultural and natural resource areas. We look forward to visiting with you at the SC AgriBiz & Farm Expo,” said Dr. Chris Post, assistant professor of environmental information science at Clemson University.

“The NextGen Air Transportation Center at N.C. State University is leading the integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems into commercial and civilian operations in North Carolina. In 2013 the NGAT Center began conducting UAS for Agriculture research at the Hyde County UAS Gull Rock Test Site in eastern North Carolina. Visit our booth to meet with NGAT staff, partners and other local UAS resources to see what the buz

z about this emerging market is all about,” said Kyle Snyder, director of the NGAT Center at N.C. State University.

The SC AgriBiz Expo will also feature over a dozen pristine antique tractors, the 100 year celebration of Clemson Extension Service, and more than 100 top agricultural exhibitors. Daily admission is $5.

“A large array of agribusiness and educational displays will feature the latest in agricultural technology,” says Jody Martin, chairman of the event.

Chip Blalock, executive director of the Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, Ga., will present a seminar on “Innovations and Collaborations in Agriculture” on Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

A seminar titled New Farmers will be conducted by the Small Farm and Food Entrepreneurs Organization on Thursday.

A special event titled “A Taste of South Carolina” sponsored by AgSouth Farm Credit on Thursday evening will feature great South Carolina-grown food prepared by chefs on-site.

Breakfast with Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers and an agri-tourism seminar on Friday are ticketed events.

Friday, Jan. 17, has been designated as Farm Bureau Day and members will be admitted free upon presentation of an active membership card. FFA members and their advisers will be admitted free either day by showing an FFA membership card at the entrance to the civic center.

For more information, visit SCAgriBizExpo.com.