May 28th – Farm Droids with Dr. Kristie Buckland
Farmers’ adoption of technology is nothing new. From mechanical innovations, to water saving irrigation, to crop protection enhancements, food producers have long sought better (and cheaper) ways to provide the nation and world with agricultural bounty.
The latest iteration of technological advancement comes in the form of robotics and artificial intelligence. Dr. Kristie Buckland is leading research at the North Willamette Research and Extension Center into how the FarmDroid may help Oregon farmers and will share her insights about this fascinating technology at Wednesday’s meeting.
Program Chair – John McCulley
Meeting Location: Cedar Hall, Main Salem Alliance Building
Agriculture in the Willamette Valley: A Look Ahead with Dr. Kristie Buckland
On Tuesday, May 28, our Rotary Club will host Dr. Kristie Buckland, who will speak about her work with Farm DROID—a solar-powered robotic system that can seed and weed crops with minimal human labor. Her research is helping farmers find new ways to be more efficient and sustainable.
Dr. Buckland’s work is especially relevant here in the Willamette Valley, where agriculture plays a major role in our region’s economy and way of life. The valley produces over 170 different crops, including grass seed, berries, wine grapes, hazelnuts, vegetables, and nursery plants. These farms range from large operations to small, family-owned farms, and they make up a big part of what makes this region unique.
Last summer, I had the opportunity to take a flight over the valley with Rus McCracken. Seeing the landscape from the air really drove home how much of Willamette Valley is devoted to farming. Fields stretched as far as the eye could see—evidence of just how vital agriculture is to this area.
As farming continues to face challenges like labor shortages, changing climate conditions, and rising costs, tools like the Farm DROID could be part of the solution. Dr. Buckland will share how this technology works and what it might mean for the future of farming in our region.
Please join us on May 28 for what promises to be an informative and relevant
presentation.
Rotary Club of Salem
2024-2025
