Project Overview
Commodities
Practices
Proposal abstract:
We want to show that sustainable farming isn't just a buzzword but the future of the industry. Unfortunately, between tight schedules and biosecurity, we are not always able to see sustainability in action. Sustainable Horizons helps bring the farm to the classroom using Virtual Reality technology. Our students will use VR to "walk" through sustainable farms across the Midwest, seeing soil health and tech driven stewardship in action. Students will use 360° cameras to film producers, creating their own immersive tours to teach others about these practices. It's high-tech and hands-on, keeping our kids engaged.
Project objectives from proposal:
MMCRU students will use VR technology to master the three pillars of regenerative agriculture through immersive, tech-driven experiences:
- Ecological Soundness: Students engage in virtual soil pit tours to observe no-till root structures and microbial activity, visualizing the biological health of the land.
- Economic Viability: By virtually visiting farms using conservation methods, such as cover crops, students analyze how reduced fertilizer inputs improve the bottom line compared to traditional budget models.
- Community Wellbeing & Careers: Sessions with producers highlight rural agricultural community ethics, while exposure to ag-tech opens doors to in demand careers in both precision agronomy and sustainable farm management.