SC State 1890 Research and Extension Showcases Precision Agriculture at the 2026 DIG STEM Festival
Van Patiluna (CAAI4SA) – August 10, 2026
On August 8, 2026, downtown Williston, South Carolina, transformed into an interactive hub of scientific discovery for the annual DIG STEM Festival. This free, outdoor community event successfully brought together children, teens, families, and STEMM professionals for a day of immersive exhibits, hands-on activities, and engaging technological demonstrations. Despite the sweltering summer heat, the festival drew vibrant crowds eager to explore the future of science and technology.
Among the standout participants was SC State 1890 Research and Extension Center of Applied A.I. for Sustainable Agriculture (CAAI4SA), which hosted a high-profile exhibit dedicated to cutting-edge agricultural robotics and precision farming technologies. Representing the SC State 1890 Research and Extension were Christopher Green (extension agent) and Van Patiluna (research assistant). The 1890 R&E-CAAI4SA booth became one of the focal points of the festival, capturing the imagination of students, families, local growers, and even law enforcement personnel. Visitors experienced firsthand how modern engineering is revolutionizing farming through three core innovations:UGV-Based Sprayer Systems: Attendees explored autonomous unmanned ground vehicles designed to execute targeted crop treatments with pinpoint accuracy, optimizing input usage and minimizing environmental impact.
* UAV-Based Plant Inventory via RFID: The exhibit demonstrated how unmanned aerial vehicles integrated with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology can streamline nursery and field plant inventory, drastically reducing manual labor time.
* UAV Multi-Spectral Imaging: 18990 R&E staff showcased aerial imaging payloads capable of capturing advanced data such as Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) for crop stress detection, health monitoring, and yield prediction.
The interactive displays sparked immense curiosity among younger attendees, inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers. At the same time, local agricultural producers engaged in deep discussions with the 1890 R&E team, examining how these autonomous platforms and data-driven tools can be integrated into local farming operations to boost efficiency, lower overhead costs, and advance technology-driven agriculture.
Ultimately, the 1890 Research and Extension showcase at the DIG STEM Festival was a resounding success, bridging the gap between advanced academic research and the local agricultural community.