As a leading nationwide youth-development organization, 4-H delivers research-based, positive youth development practices through its community-based programs. Youth gain life and work readiness skills through hands-on projects. Photo courtesy of National 4-H

Event at FIRA USA in Yolo County includes look at agricultural robotics, automation

The FIRA USA ag tech conference, Oct. 22-24 in Woodland, showcases the latest robotics and automation innovations. A special breakfast during the event will support tomorrow's leaders, scientists and engineers who will realize the potential of those technologies.

Proceeds from the breakfast (Thursday, Oct. 24, 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Yolo County Fairgrounds) will benefit higher education scholarships for 4-H youth participants interested in applying technology to a wide array of agricultural practices.

During the breakfast, attendees will hear from 4-H alumni – including Glenda Humiston, University of California vice president for agriculture and natural resources – on the impact of their participation in the program.

As a leading nationwide youth-development organization, 4-H delivers research-based, positive youth development practices through its community-based programs. Youth gain life and work readiness skills through hands-on projects. Studies have shown that youth who engage with 4-H programs are more likely to:

• Achieve academically
• Serve in leadership roles in school and community
• Engage in some form of community service

“4-H clubs, project teams and after-school programs develop skills in areas ranging from animal science to robotics, and from natural resources to coding,” said California 4-H Director Kimberly Sinclair Holmes, who will speak at the breakfast. “Scholarships help ensure those seeds of interest and passion blossom into meaningful careers that contribute to agriculture and society.”

Tickets are $100 each and can be purchased at https://bit.ly/4-HFIRAEvent.

The ticket includes all-day access to FIRA USA, touted as “the largest robot playground in the world,” where attendees can get an up-close look at laser weeders, autonomous harvesters, drone applications and a host of other ag tech innovations.

FIRA USA is a collaboration of GOFAR (Global Organization for Agricultural Robotics), Western Growers, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, and The VINE.