Grant powers STEM and ag at Kimmel

By Scout Nelson

The Kimmel Orchard & Vineyard Educational Foundation has awarded a grant to Dr. Wei-zhen Liang of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) Biological Systems Engineering Department to advance precision agriculture and STEM education.

Based at the Panhandle Research Extension and Education Center in Scottsbluff, Liang’s research focuses on using advanced technologies to improve grapevine health and management.

The project integrates tools like cameras, weather stations, and soil moisture sensors to monitor grapevine conditions. The primary goal is to develop and validate an early disease detection algorithm and enhance water management practices.

“The initiative aims to improve grapevine health by detecting diseases early and optimizing water use,” said Liang. This research not only benefits local growers but also engages students in hands-on learning and real-world agricultural challenges.

Liang’s team includes students from Western Nebraska Community College who are gaining valuable experiential learning through their involvement in the project.

The program also provides opportunities for undergraduate internships and features precision agriculture and drone demonstrations for elementary to high school students at educational events.

“My students contribute actively to developing solutions that help local growers while building essential skills for their future careers,” Liang added.

Liang’s work extends beyond Nebraska, as she collaborates with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) on projects related to water stress management and disease detection for grapevines at the Viticulture and Small Fruit Research Center of Florida A&M University.

Additionally, she is building AI and machine learning capacities for muscadine grapevine research at Florida A&M University.

Another project with the National Science Foundation (NSF) ExLENT focuses on integrating advanced technologies to monitor grapevine health, aligning with her broader goal of advancing precision agriculture and STEM education.

Through these initiatives, Liang is leading the way in merging cutting-edge technology with agricultural practices to enhance crop management and student learning.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-poike