Kentucky’s Farming Future Takes Flight With the hum of drones and the glow of vertical farming, Kentucky’s agricultural scene is experiencing a technological revolution. In Henry County, Capstone Farms is at the forefront of this transformation, hosting an agriculture technology workshop that showcases the latest innovations in the field.
Farmers are adopting new technologies to improve crop yields and reduce labor costs.
According to David Neville, the owner of Capstone Farms, the key to success lies in embracing new methods. ‘As a farmer, I’m always looking for opportunities and I’m looking for different ways to do things,’ Neville said. His indoor vertical farming house is a testament to this philosophy, producing lettuce for school lunches despite the harsh summer weather.
David Neville’s vertical farming house allows him to grow crops year-round.
Neville’s system enables him to monitor his crops remotely, ensuring that he can respond to any issues that may arise. ‘I can be in Hazard or Frankfort. And if something’s going on, I can check in on the internet to see what’s going on. And now I have cameras to see. I can physically be anywhere. Look and see, “Are the plants growing or is there some kind of problem, what’s the temperature? What’s the humidity?”’
University of Kentucky professor Joshua Jackson agrees that emerging technologies like drones can greatly benefit farmers. ‘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 also being used to check the health of cattle, allowing farmers to quickly survey large areas and respond to any potential issues.
Drones are being used to monitor crop health and livestock in Kentucky’s farms.
Kentucky State University has also been at the forefront of agricultural research, receiving a $7 million grant from the National Science Foundation in June. The grant will support research into agriculture, climate change, and fresh foods.
As Kentucky’s farming industry continues to evolve, one thing is clear: technology is key to its future success. With innovations like drones and vertical farming, farmers are better equipped to meet the challenges of the modern agricultural landscape.
Kentucky’s farming industry is embracing technology to improve crop yields and reduce labor costs.
