By Blake Jackson
Growing vegetables or berries on a small farm often means juggling crops with different heights, shapes and canopy structures. That diversity usually requires constant sprayer adjustments and leads many growers to rely on backpack or traditional boom sprayers. While common, these tools can be physically demanding, inefficient, and prone to overapplying chemicals.
Researchers at Penn State, including Long He and Leah Fronk, are working to change that through precision sprayer technology tailored for small farms. Their goal is to develop an affordable, easy-to-use sprayer that can adjust to various crops and deliver the correct amount of spray only where it is needed. By improving accuracy, the system could help reduce input costs, save time and limit unnecessary chemical use.
Before moving into full development, the research team is seeking input from growers. Which features matter most to you simplicity, price, versatility, or something else? They also want to know what cost would make this technology practical for small-scale operations.
The project will include on-farm demonstrations and presentations at statewide conferences. A brief survey is available for growers to share feedback and express interest in learning more or participating.
Photo Credit: pexels-orlovamaria
Categories: Pennsylvania, Crops, Fruits and Vegetables