Dr. John Fulton, a professor in the Food, Agriculture and Biological Engineering department at the Ohio State University, is an experienced researcher whose work focuses on equipping farmers with modern practices and tools to manage nutrients and pesticides effectively, while promoting on-farm environmental stewardship. The former president of the International Society of Precision Agriculture also helps ag dealers and consultants integrate precision technologies in their business. Most recently, he has been exploring the integration of AI in agriculture to enhance productivity and streamline the food supply chain.
Speaking Topic:
Scouting and Field Assessment: Applied Analysis for On-Farm Decision Making
This session explores approaches to crop scouting and field assessment that translate observations into actionable insights. Participants will learn how applied analysis techniques support data‑driven decisions on pest management, nutrient needs, and overall crop health. The discussion will cover tools and technologies that help collect timely in-field data. Emphasis will be placed on integrating field observations with analytical tools to improve efficiency, sustainability, and profitability in farm operations.
Dr. Xin (Rex) Sun serves as the inaugural endowed chair and Director of the Peltier Institute for the Advancement of Agricultural Technology at North Dakota State University. He integrates robotics, sensing and digital technologies to advance crop, livestock and food production systems. He has authored more than 150 peer-reviewed publications, book chapters and conference papers, and has been supported by over $20 million in various funding from federal agencies, state programs and industry partners. At the Peltier Institute, Dr. Sun leads initiatives that drive agricultural innovation, build strategic partnerships and prepare the next generation of professionals to strengthen sustainable and resilient farming systems.
Speaking Topic:
AI, Remote Sensing, and Robotics for Site-Specific Weed Control Application
This talk highlights how AI, remote sensing, and robotics advance site-specific weed control by converting high-resolution drone and ground-based imagery into reliable prescription maps that guide targeted herbicide application. Automated scouting, lightweight detection models, and robotic platforms improve the timing and accuracy of weed management while also enabling mechanical control options such as robotic spot-removal solutions. The same sensing data used for weed mapping also strengthens nutrient and pesticide placement decisions and supports more efficient, sustainable natural resource management across production systems. This presentation is well-suited for anyone seeking practical and research-based information on improving nutrient and pesticide management through advanced technologies.
Dr. Stephanie Lansing is a Professor in the Department of Environmental Science & Technology, with an Extension appointment in Agriculture and Food Systems. She serves as the co-Chair of the Maryland Food System Resiliency Council. She leads the Bioenergy and Biotechnology Laboratory, managing > $20 million in federally funded grants researching food system resiliency, anaerobic digestion, nutrient management, and strengthening the circular bioeconomy. She has 20 years of experience in on-farm bioenergy research, extension education, and improving the sustainability of food and waste systems.
Speaking Topic:
Innovations in Livestock and Poultry Waste Technologies
An overview of livestock manure and poultry litter resources in Maryland, with descriptions of anaerobic digestion, composting, and gasification/pyrolysis technology applications. These animal waste technologies will be placed in the context of using waste resources to build circular economies that use waste to create nutrients, biochar, and value-added products on-farm. Community engagement in siting waste systems will be discussed, as well as the nutrient production from livestock and poultry waste on a county-by-county basis.
Dr. Hemendra Kumar is a Principal Investigator and Precision Agriculture Specialist at the Precision Agriculture Lab at the University of Maryland Extension in the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources. He holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural Engineering with a specialization in precision irrigation management, remote sensing, and artificial intelligence for sustainable crop production. Dr. Kumar leads the initiatives focusing on data-driven agricultural management, including drone-based sensing, irrigation and drainage water management, automation technologies, and the development of AI and machine-learning models for detecting crop stress related to water and nutrients. His research and Extension programs support farmers, industry partners, and government agencies across the Mid-Atlantic region in implementing advanced technologies to enhance productivity, profitability, and environmental sustainability.
Speaking Topic:
Smart Ag-Tech for Water Management Mid-Atlantic
Dr. Hemendra Kumar’s talk on Smart Irrigation and Drainage Water Management in the Mid-Atlantic highlights innovative, data-driven approaches to optimize water use in row-crop under the region’s highly variable climate and soil conditions. His presentation focuses on the integration of real-time soil moisture sensing and AI-enabled decision support tools to improve irrigation scheduling and drainage control. The talk emphasizes site-specific water management strategies that enhance water-use efficiency, reduce nutrient losses, improve crop resilience to drought and excess rainfall, and support farming systems across the Mid-Atlantic region. This presentation is well suited for farmers, crop advisors, researchers, and industry professionals seeking practical, research-based insights on improving irrigation and drainage water management through advanced sensing technologies, data analytics, and AI-enabled decision support tools.