Nov. 17, 2017
Technology impacts every industry – and farming is no exception. For a quarter of a century, agricultural engineering specialist Kent Shannon has been helping farmers harness new technology through University of Missouri Extension programs.
Shannon’s most recent project is the Missouri Strip Trial Program, which is designed to help Missouri farmers and crop advisors compare management practices in a low-cost setting. Bringing together GPS technology, farm drones and other special equipment, the program provides growers with farm-specific data and information they can use to make decisions.
In November 2017, Shannon was recognized as a top 10 Extension Specialist in the nation by Successful Farming magazine.
Shannon finds satisfaction in the work he does through MU Extension – and in Extension’s outreach mission. “This is an Extension niche in providing unbiased, research-based information,” he says. “I like helping farmers see what works on their farms.”
Kent Shannon, agriculture engineering specialist, showing off a quadcopter and how a mounted camera can take crop scouting and infrared pictures to benefit farmers.
Photo by Kyle Spradley
