ANNAPOLIS, MD – Farmers play a vital role in sustaining communities and ensuring national food security, but they face significant challenges, including extreme weather and financial burdens. To assist farmers in implementing the latest technology and processes, Dr. Hemendra Kumar, Precision Agriculture Specialist, initiated the Precision Agriculture Technology Conference, hosted in partnership with the University of Maryland Extension (UME) Agriculture and Food Systems program.
Coming from a farming family, Kumar, Precision Agriculture Specialist with UME, brings a deep personal appreciation for the challenges and efforts required in food production. “I deeply understand the hard work, dedication, and resilience required to produce the food that sustains our communities and our nation,” he said. “It’s easy to get food on the plate, but it’s incredibly hard to bring it to the plate.”
Now in its second year, the conference, which begins at 9 a.m. on February 26, 2026 at the Crowne Plaza in Annapolis, will feature Dr. John Fulton, professor in the Food, Agriculture, and Biological Engineering department at The Ohio State University, as the keynote speaker.
Fulton, the former president of the International Society of Precision Agriculture, assists in the integration of technologies into the industry and has recently been exploring the use of A.I. to enhance productivity and streamline the food supply chain. He will speak on the topic of scouting and field assessment.
Alongside Fulton, other distinguished speakers such as Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks, Dr. Xin Sun of North Dakota State, and the USDA’s Dr. Christine Chang, will speak on topics like remote sensing, solutions in livestock and poultry waste technologies, crop stress monitoring, and smart water management in crop production.
“We want producers to get an overview of how technology has been solving real problems in the field – the applications and implications for using technology and what it means for their bottom line,” said Kumar. “We want to share what technology exists in the market that can help them make complex decisions in the field.”
Registration is $85 and includes both breakfast and lunch. Participants are also eligible to receive credits for Maryland and Delaware pesticide, nutrient management, and certified crop advisor.
For more information including registration, the full agenda, speaker bios, and sponsorship opportunities, go to https://go.umd.edu/PrecisionAgTechConference. This event is open to the public. For reasonable accommodations, contact PAL@umd.edu.