Welcome To the Orchard of the Future Right Now
Smartphone etiquette is of no concern in the orchard of tomorrow (which is quickly becoming the orchard of today), writes Thomas Skernivitz at Growing Produce. When in doubt, whip one out … and say a little prayer for wireless connectivity.
More than ever the go-to tool in the field is an iPhone or an Android or, for those inclined, a laptop back at the home office. Surround it from every imaginable angle with a skyrocketing number of sensors that read everything but minds, and you have yourself a “smart orchard.”
The most noteworthy of these settings is Columbia Reach’s Chiawana Orchards in Pasco, WA. Since last March the apple farm, in partnership with the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission (WTFRC), has entertained the Smart Orchard Project. Innov8.ag, a farm management venture from nearby Walla Walla, oversees the pilot program with support from Washington State and Oregon State universities.
The goal of the project, according to innov8.ag, is to “sensorize” orchards via multiple hardware providers, bringing together growers, data, and researchers to create a sustainable smart orchard with insights that impact grower profit.
MORE BY GROWING PRODUCE
Agricultural Robotics Market Poised To Kick Growth Into High Gear
Continue reading at Growing Produce.
Subscribe Today For
