Penn State Advances Climate-Smart Farming with AI Tools

By Blake Jackson

Artificial intelligence (AI)-powered precision agriculture technologies are transforming how growers manage their orchards, helping to minimize waste, enhance resilience, and make informed decisions about water use, fertilizer, and pest control, according to researchers at Penn State.

However, the team emphasized that there is currently a shortage of agricultural scientists trained to apply these tools effectively in real-world farming conditions.

To address this gap, Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences has launched a project to train three doctoral students in this growing field. Supported by a three-year, $238,500 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, along with more than $500,000 in matching funds from the college and its departments, the initiative brings together a multi-disciplinary team with expertise in plant science, weed science, plant pathology, entomology, precision agriculture, machine learning, and economics.

The goal is to develop innovative, systematic solutions to challenges in tree fruit production using AI and precision technologies.

“These students will learn how to apply AI and precision tools to solve real problems in tree fruit farming,” said project leader Long He, associate professor of agricultural and biological engineering.

“They’ll be trained by a diverse team of experts and get opportunities to grow professionally - through research, mentorship, career planning and public speaking. By the end, these doctoral fellows will become leaders in using AI to improve farming and adapt to climate change.”

According to He, the project’s objectives include recruiting talented doctoral students, particularly from underrepresented backgrounds; providing hands-on training through courses, workshops, and mentorship; and sharing research outcomes through conferences and public outreach.

Penn State’s tree fruit research team already uses advanced tools such as drones, smart sprayers, robotic AI systems, and precision irrigation to monitor and manage crops. “They will get hands-on experience with AI and precision tools, participate in workshops, seminars and field trials with real farmers, and learn to communicate their research to both scientists and growers,” He said.

He added that the program will not only prepare future leaders in climate-smart agriculture but also encourage greater adoption of AI technologies among fruit growers and strengthen collaboration between academia, industry, and farming communities.

Photo Credit: pexels-flo-dnd