Smart Farming Takes Flight: YCP Puts AI to Work for Local Growers
From counting pumpkins to catching plant diseases before they appear, a unique YCP collaboration is making a difference in local agriculture. Led by Dr. Drew Wilkerson, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, the Smart Farming project is the topic of the latest episode of At the Center, recorded live on October 23rd at the Marketview Arts Center in downtown York.
The recording and networking event brought together over 50 York College faculty, students, local business owners, and community members for a deep dive into how drones and on-the-ground soil testing are working with AI to transform farming. From predicting weather patterns to spotting crop threats and catching early signs of disease, Dr. Wilkerson and Barron Shaw, owner of Shaw Orchards, shared how AI is quickly becoming one of a farmer’s most powerful tools. In addition to talking about the learning opportunity the program offered him as a student, podcast guest Jordan Wilson (‘25) discussed how these early detections are potentially saving millions of dollars in lost crops. Dr. James Norrie, Professor of Law and Cybersecurity, tied the conversation to other industries and offered insights into tensions between the promise and potential perils of this rapidly advancing new technology.
The new episode will be released in November on Podbean. The next At the Center event, a Listener Lunch on December 9, will explore how most impactful solutions often arise from unexpected connections.
