The 2nd annual Precision Agriculture Technology Conference, hosted by the University of Maryland Extension (UME) Agriculture and Food Systems program in partnership with UME’s Precision Agriculture Lab, will feature Dr. John Fulton, professor in the Food, Agriculture, and Biological Engineering department at The Ohio State University, as the keynote speaker.
Fulton, the former president of the International Society of Precision Agriculture, assists in the integration of technologies into the industry and has recently been exploring the use of A.I. to enhance productivity and streamline the food supply chain. He will speak on the topic of scouting and field assessment at the conference, which begins at 9 a.m. on February 26, 2026 at the Crowne Plaza in Annapolis.
Alongside Fulton, other distinguished speakers include Dr. Xin (Rex) Sun, inaugural endowed chair and Director of the Peltier Institute for the Advancement of Agricultural Technology at North Dakota State University, speaking on “AI, Remote Sensing, and Robotics for Site-Specific Weed Control Application,” and Dr. Stephanie Lansing, University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources professor who will share her innovative solutions in livestock and poultry waste technologies.
Dr. Christine Chang, research plant physiologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Agriculture Research Service, will also speak on crop production in her topic “Crop Stress Monitoring Systems for Row Crops, Greenhouse, and Controlled Environment Agriculture.”
“We want producers to get an overview of how technology has been solving real problems in the field – the applications and implications for using technology and what it means for their bottom line,” said Dr. Hemendra Kumar, principal investigator and Precision Agriculture Specialist at the UME Precision Agriculture Lab and organizer of the conference. “We want to share what technology exists in the market that can help them make complex decisions in the field.”
Kumar, who will speak on “Smart Ag-Tech for Water Management in the Mid-Atlantic,” specializes in precision irrigation management, remote sensing, and artificial intelligence for sustainable crop production. “A.I. – or Agricultural Intelligence – is transforming the industry,” Kumar said. “New advancements will enhance productivity and profitability for producers.”
Early bird deadline for conference registration is $85 and ends January 25. After Jan. 25, registration is $120. Registration includes both breakfast and lunch. Participants are also eligible to receive credits for Maryland and Delaware pesticide, nutrient management, and certified crop advisor.
For more information including registration, the full agenda, speaker bios, and sponsorship opportunities, go to https://go.umd.edu/PrecisionAgTechConference. This event is open to the public. For reasonable accommodations, contact PAL@umd.edu.