Dozens of FFA chapters around the United States are getting a new classroom resource for the 2024-25 school year as part of a Microsoft grant. The grant will help FFA members and advisors launch a new version of FarmBeats for Students, a hands-on education program built around precision agriculture that Microsoft developed in collaboration with the National FFA Organization.
This summer, FFA advisors will attend a training session hosted by Microsoft in select states where digital agriculture is ripe for growth. This technology will allow students to experience cutting-edge technology and participate in hands-on lessons, fostering a new generation of tech-savvy agricultural leaders. FarmBeats for Students offers learners direct experience with topics like digital sensors, data analysis, and artificial intelligence — all through the lens of agriculture.
The program consists of an affordable hardware kit and a free curriculum aligned with national educational standards, including the National Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources Career Standards. Hardware kits are centered on a micro:bit — a mini computer that’s the size of a credit card. Sensors connected to the micro:bit allow users to measure sunlight, air temperature, and soil moisture in their crops. This data enables them to see the relationship between environmental variables and also to make data-driven decisions about optimal growing conditions.
“As the agricultural sector advances, training and skilling curriculum must become accessible to all,” said Naria Santa Lucia, General Manager, Skills for Social Impact, Microsoft Philanthropies. “Empowering organizations like FFA as they provide agricultural training pathways for students will be critical to expanding economic opportunity nationwide.”
This latest donation builds on earlier contributions and partnership around FarmBeats for Students. In 2019, Microsoft worked with National FFA to design the curriculum and hardware kit, and then donated student kits to 50 FFA chapters as a pilot program. Feedback from agricultural educators involved in the pilot was incorporated into this new version of the program, which will work on any device with an internet connection.
“We are so thankful for Microsoft’s generous donations and support,” said National FFA Organization Chief Program Officer, Christine White. “Their investment in our advisors and students is an investment in the future leaders in agriculture, and eventually will help fill the void in the talent pipeline. The ability to think critically and make data-driven decisions and then apply them to real-world solutions are transferable skills students will use regardless of their eventual place in the workforce—whether going into a manufacturing position or a laboratory setting.”
Throughout the country, the National FFA Organization boasts teacher ambassadors who are equipped to help answer questions and provide training related to the various opportunities offered by FFA. As part of their training, each teacher ambassador will also receive five computers and 24 headsets, as well as FarmBeats for Students kits that can be used in their classrooms this fall.