HENRY COUNTY, Ky. — A slight hum echoes off a field in north central Kentucky.
A large drone is watering the crops at Capstone Farms in Henry County. It’s one of many demonstrations at an agriculture technology workshop.
Kentucky native David Neville is currently growing lettuce in an indoor vertical farming house. The owner of Capstone Farms says crops are used for school lunches.
“As a farmer, I’m always looking for opportunities and I’m looking for different ways to do things,” Neville said.
The container allows farmers to grow the produce in time for the first day of school, despite the hot summer weather.
“It’s pretty bougie for most farmers, including me. And I ain’t bougie, right? But the system is we can grow lettuce. And what’s the challenge with the fresh produce is seasonality.”
Neville said the technology allows him to oversee the crops even if he’s not on the farm.
“I can be in Hazard or Frankfort. And if something’s going on, I can check in the internet to see what the what is right. And now I have cameras to see. I can physically I can be anywhere. Look and see, ‘Are the plants growing or for some kind of problem, what’s the temperature? What’s the humidity?’”
University of Kentucky professor Joshua Jackson said other emerging technologies like drones can also help farmers simplify operations and remain competitive.
“Just have another tool to use and allows them a lot of dynamic capability so they can do this field, that field, even a lot of hillsides, which have been a challenge in the past and no longer a challenge,” Jackson said.
Smaller drones are used to check the health of cattle.
“They’re spread apart on the farm vast distances. So it’s easier for cattle to go check them. As a crow flies, you head up, you fly, and you’re able to check a large area very quickly for your animals.”
According to our partner, The Kentucky Lantern, The National Science Foundation, awarded Kentucky State University a $7 million grant in June. The agriculture research work at KSU focuses on agriculture, climate change and fresh foods.