Providing our farmers and rural communities with the latest technological advantages is another aim of AgAmerica.  The availability of these innovations, and knowing how to use them to maximize economic potential, will be imperative for sustainable agricultural communities in the 21st century.  AgAmerica recently received funding to begin Phase 2 of their latest project: The Dooly/Crisp Technology Infrastructure Project.  There are three components to this project, addressing various innovations.

AgAmerica's Precision Ag Network will utilize GPS (Global Positioning System) technologies in RTK (Real Time Kinematics) to enable farmers to more precisely conduct field operations and input applications.  Ideally, the network would provide farmers, agribusinesses, and other custom applicators with a blanketed area of corrected GPS signal information to be utilized by various roving receivers for in-field applications and analysis.   These technologies are new, and just becoming practically applicable in farming operations.  By providing the signal correction, the agency hopes to simplify the initiation process for the farmer, and help him through the learning curve for the technology.  AgAmerica's Precision Ag Network signal will enable the farmer to begin field operations anywhere within the coverage area (initial focus--Crisp & Dooly Counties), with only the installation of a rover receiver unit in the farm vehicle, saving the cost and hassle of establishing signal coverage over each individual operator's field locations.  While limited to proprietary signal and units at this time, the agency envisions making the signal available in a universal format as soon as practical in agricultural applications as the technology advances.  Phase 1 is complete, with the initial service area functional on 3-31-05; Phase 2 is progressing with completion projected by Spring 2006.

Subscriber training on the use of rover units on the network is underway, conducted by Ag Technologies, LLC (Cordele, GA) and Trimble Navigations. More updates on the Precision Ag Network will be posted throughout the following months.  (SEE ALSO UGA'S IMPACT STATEMENT OF PRECISION AG IN OUR AREA)  A general information brochure is available (in PDF format), and may be accessed online here. For more information contact the office at 229-268-8928 or email phyllis@ag-america.org .

For more information on Precision Ag Technologies, see the following link to the National Environmentally Sound Production Agriculture Laboratory (NESPAL), which has worked with the agency in developing its ag technology program.

A Series of Weather Stations have been established in the two-county area to provide better information and analysis tools through GeorgiaWeather.net   This has expanded data coverage for the large area, with data collection & summaries calculated every 1/4 hour and posted on the website hourly.  --Another decision-making tool for farmers to use for more precise infield applications and micro-management, and for farm agencies to use in analyzing crop production problems.  A weather link page is coming to our website in March 2006.  AgAmerica sponsored WEATHER STATIONS:  Station #1 Byromville (Murphy's Curve), Station #2 Unadilla (off Hwy 230 E), Station #3 Vienna (Calhoun Rd), Station #4 Arabi (Hardin Rd), Station #5 Hatley (Sandy Mt Rd S). (Click on the GeorgiaWeather Link above for main map.)

The agency is also working with county officials to convert County data into GIS (Geographic Information System) format.  (A very useful system for graphic record-keeping, analysis, and reporting)  Often a difficult project to fund given rural economic constraints, the agency will focus on getting basic county information in this format, with emphasis on information that may be used in agricultural endeavors.  This will coincide with USDA's plans to get their farmer agencies fully GIS functional, and will enable farmers, Extension agents, and others to better utilize improved software for advancing farm production and operations.  Many citizen services will benefit from the conversion, and the agency plans to provide training for various agencies in proper use of the data.  Phase 1 was completed in March 2006 for Dooly County.  Phase 2 is projected as soon as funding is acquired for Crisp County.

These programs are part of a community collaborative effort made possible with funding from the Southwest Georgia United Empowerment Zone through USDA's EZ Program.

For more information, please contact our agency office.

Last modified: 11/06/06