IGIS is proud to announce its collaboration with 4H on a new and exciting, three-year, USDA-funded grant, Ag from Above x Ag for All (AFA²), aimed at sparking interest in food and agriculture among teenagers by using cutting-edge drone and mapping technologies. By blending hands-on activities with real-world applications, AFA² empowers young people to explore the science behind agriculture in fun and meaningful ways. AFA² is not just about teaching technology—it's about using that technology to make a real difference in communities and ensuring that the next generation of agricultural scientists and leaders is diverse, skilled, and ready to take on the challenges of the future.

Period: 3-years from August 1, 2024 to July 31, 2027.

Tasks: Develop, test, and evaluate two curricula, SkyMappers: Agricultural Drones and GIS Mastery, Dronovation: Cultivating Change with Teens, and prepare an educator professional development guide.

Who It's For: This project targets teenagers aged 13 to 18, with special attention to including girls and Latino youth—groups often underrepresented in STEM fields.

Why It Matters: The future of farming and food production will increasingly rely on technology. By engaging young people with drones and GIS, AFA2 aims to build their scientific literacy and interest in agriculture, while also preparing them for future careers in these vital fields. Additionally, by focusing on food justice and culturally relevant learning, we aim to empower all young people to see themselves as future leaders in science and agriculture.

Our Partners: University of California's Cooperative Extension, 4-H Youth Development Program, Informatics and GIS Program, the UC Santa Cruz CITRIS Initiative for Drone Education and Research, and the UC Davis AI Institute for Next Generation Food Systems.

• PI: Steven Worker, 4-H Youth Development Advisor (Sonoma)
• Co-PI: Nathaniel Caeton, 4-H Youth Development Advisor (Shasta)
• Co-PI: Matthew Rodriguez, 4-H Youth Development Advisor (Placer)
• Co-PI: Andy Lyons, IGIS Program Coordinator (UC Berkeley)
• Co-PI: Sean Hogan, IGIS Academic Coordinator (Davis)
• Collaborator: Flavie Audoin, Rangeland Management Extension Specialist (Univ. of Arizona)
• Collaborator: Lucy Diekmann, Urban Agriculture/Food System Advisor (Santa Clara)
• Collaborator: Becca Fenwick, Director, CITRIS Initiative for Drone Education and Research (UCSC)