The spring Agronomy and Horticulture seminar series begins with “Translating Drones and AI Toward Public Value in Agriculture,” presented by Nebraska’s Yeyin Shi, associate professor in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Jan. 29.
Shi will discuss how drones and AI can help detect crop stress and enable timely, precise interventions. Her presentation features collaborative research on sensing and spray-drone technologies, developed with agronomists, plant scientists and engineers to support real-time decision-making and targeted interventions that improve efficiency and sustainability.
This seminar and all that follows will be in Keim Hall, Room 150 and streamed live.
All seminars are free and open to the public. Seminars will be in person on Thursdays, streamed live at 11 a.m. CST/CDT, and recorded unless otherwise noted. Refreshments will be served at 10:30 a.m.
Dates and topics for the rest of the series are as follows:
Feb. 5: “From Manure Microbes to Meaningful Policy: Science that Serves the Public, Lisa Durso, microbiologist, Lincoln.
Feb. 12: “Innovation through Collaboration — Celebrating 120 years of UNL-USDA Partnerships,” Virginia Jin, research soil scientist, leader and location coordinator, USDA Agricultural Research Service.
Feb. 19: “Grain Development Under Higher Temperature,” Harkamal Walia, professor, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
Feb. 26: “Generative and Physical AI for Crop Production Decision-Making: Current Progress and Future Directions,” Nipuna Chamara, research assistant professor, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
March 5: “Cultivating Climate Adaptation with Small-Scale and Underserved Farmers: Science as Public Value,” Tonya Haigh, research assistant professor, School of Natural Resources, social science coordinator, National Drought Mitigation Center, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
March 26: “Nebraska On-Farm Research Network 2025 Summary,” Adam Leise, assistant extension educator, on-farm research network manager, Nebraska Extension.
April 2: “Beyond Pyric Herbivory: Expanding Heterogeneity-Based Management in Nebraska’s Rangelands,” Nic McMillian, assistant professor, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture and School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
April 9: “Integrating Teaching, Research, and Outreach in Horticulture Education,” Christian Stephenson, assistant professor of practice, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
April 16: Michael Castellano, professor and lead, Iowa Nitrogen Initiative, William T. Frankenberger Professorship in Soil Science, Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University.
April 23: Jeewan Jyot, director of licensing, NUtech Ventures, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
For questions, contact Tamara “Toma” Sukhova at tsukhova2@unl.edu, Agronomy and Horticulture Seminar Committee, Milos Zaric at mzaric2@unl.edu and Brian Rice at brice7@unl.edu, Co-chairs Agronomy and Horticulture Seminar Committee.
