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NextGen AgTech Innovators
Shaping the Future of Agriculture Through Youth Innovation
NextGen AgTech Innovators program is a statewide youth innovation initiative from UF/IFAS that brings the power of modern technology into the hands of young learners. Designed for students aged 13-18, the program introduces youth to the exciting world of Agricultural Technology through hands-on exploration in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, IoT, Data Science, and digital tools that are transforming agriculture.
Through fun, interactive learning experiences, students discover how technology can solve real problems in fields, farms, water systems, and food production. Whether they are building a robot, training an AI model, coding a sensor system, or exploring satellite imagery, youth learn by doing, creating, and experimenting.
NextGen AgTech Innovators is more than a program, it's a community of young innovators supported by UF/IFAS faculty, IoT4Ag researchers, volunteers, and 4-H mentors across Florida. Together, we are preparing the next generation of problem-solvers and leaders who will build a smarter, more sustainable agricultural future.
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About
The NextGen AgTech Innovators initiative is a youth-focused educational program led by the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). The program is designed to prepare the next generation of agricultural leaders by engaging youth in hands-on learning experiences that integrate emerging technologies with real-world agricultural challenges.
Developed in collaboration with Florida 4-H and the NSF Engineering Research Center—Internet of Things for Precision Agriculture (IoT4Ag), the program introduces youth to the emerging technologies transforming modern agriculture, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, Data Science, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
NextGen AgTech Innovators program engages students in authentic agricultural challenges and promotes experiential learning through hands-on workshops, statewide virtual clubs, and structured problem-solving activities. By integrating the strengths of UF/IFAS research, extension, and teaching, the program connects youth with interdisciplinary expertise in plant science, engineering, agricultural education, and digital technology.
Designed for learners aged 13-18, the NextGen AgTech Innovators program emphasizes real-world application, critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. Through guided instruction and research-connected educational experiences, the initiative builds foundational STEM and AgTech competencies that prepare youth to lead and innovate in sustainable agriculture and related fields.
