By Robert Stevenson…
What an exciting time we had at the Lincolnshire Showground for the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society’s Agricultural Careers Event. With 700 secondary school students, aged 13-18, attending the Lincolnshire Showground from schools across Lincolnshire, ready to explore and gain some real insight into the diverse world of agricultural careers.
Amongst the impressive array of academic and industry exhibitors, were the University of Lincoln and the University of Lincoln’s National Centre for food Manufacturing. Represented by University of Lincoln staff and students, Rob Lloyd, Robert Stevenson, Jonathan Cox, and Oliver Horne, we showcased some of the core technologies and techniques used within Agri-Tech, and demonstrated ongoing research, to aid in inspire the next generation of agricultural innovators.
Unlike a typical careers fair stand setup, we offered a handful of interactive activities at our stand, allowing students to learn how machines can use AI to detect drawings of fruit (using similar principles in automated quality control), and experience driving robots designed to identify and target weeds (mirroring the work that our research explores within infield autonomy).
And, of course, no Agri-Tech showcase would be complete without a bit of fun! Students could test their skills at “weed-detecting” with the robot football activity, a light hearted way to learn about the challenges and solutions in precision agriculture by trying to pick out an object from the background and engaging with data.
The real star of the show, that got a lot of attention, was undoubtedly Spot, our robotic dog. Trotting around the event, playing fetch with enthusiastic students, and generally being his charming, four-legged self, Spot sparked immense interest. He was a fantastic conversation starter, allowing us to discuss the role of robotics in modern agriculture and how these technologies can address real-world challenges together with how we use him in our research, from infield inspection of crops and aphid traps to shepherding sheep. Spot perfectly illustrated how cutting-edge technology can be integrated into traditional farming practices, making them more efficient and sustainable.
The students were genuinely curious, asking insightful questions about technology, the career paths available in Agri-Tech, and the future of farming. It was incredibly rewarding to witness their enthusiasm and see the genuine interest in their eyes at how these technologies work, and only illustrated further why events like these are crucial for bridging the gap between education and industry, showing young people the exciting possibilities that exist within agriculture.
Overall, it was a fantastic Lincolnshire Showground event and was a resounding success. It was a privilege to be part of such an inspiring day, connecting with so many bright young minds and sharing our passion for Agri-Tech. We hope that our interactive demonstrations and engaging conversations have planted the seeds for future agricultural innovators, researchers, and leaders. Who knows, maybe some of the students we met today will be the ones developing the next generation of agricultural technologies tomorrow.
AgriFoRwArdS would like to thank Robert, and all those involved in this event.
If you have something you want to share with the AgriFoRwArdS community, please get in touch at agriforwards.cdt@lincoln.ac.uk.