West Virginia State University Extension Service Offering Online Training in Spatial Mapping for Farmers and Land Managers

5/13/2020

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Contact: Jack Bailey
(304) 766-4109
jbaile19@wvstateu.edu    
INSTITUTE, W.Va. –  West Virginia State University (WVSU) Extension Service has launched a free, on-demand online course in spatial mapping for farmers and land managers. The self-paced modules provide an essential training to apply and scale new technology and precision agriculture to agricultural production systems. 

 “While we originally envisioned this project as an in-person workshop series, we are excited to convert it to a digital, learn-as-you-go platform for West Virginia’s farmers and land managers,” said WVSU Extension Agent Kristie Martin. “Those with an interest in remote sensing, digital mapping and resource analysis to improve the bottom line of their agricultural enterprise, as well as learning about opportunities to reduce time and better manage resources, are encouraged to sign up.”

The short course is accessible immediately upon registration and begins with the basics, requiring little to no prior computer experience to get started. Participants will learn how to create scaled maps of their farm, access detailed soil and landscape information, and collect data with the use of drones and state of the art GPS and surveying equipment. 

Enrollment and completion of the series will ensure eligibility for WVSU Extension Service’s technical support to manage data and resources through an individually designed production management plan. A live, online discussion of case studies from the program will take place on Saturday, May 30, at 10 a.m.  
Register for the course at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Spatial2020.

Funding for the course is provided by the 1890 Universities Foundation. 

To learn more, contact Martin at kristie.martin@wvstateu.edu or (804) 482-0178.

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West Virginia State University is a public, land grant, historically black university, which has evolved into a fully accessible, racially integrated, and multi‐generational institution, located in Institute, W.Va. As a “living laboratory of human relations,” the university is a community of students, staff, and faculty committed to academic growth, service and preservation of the racial and cultural diversity of the institution. Its mission is to meet the higher education and economic development needs of the state and region through innovative teaching and applied research.