Published October 24, 2026.
Moultrie, GA, hosted one of the largest agricultural events east of the Mississippi River: the Sunbelt Ag Expo. With South Carolina featured as this year’s “Spotlight State,” South Carolina State University was invited to exhibit for the first time in years. Inside the Spotlight State barn, SC State University 1890 Research and Extension exhibited alongside fellow land-grant institution Clemson University (CAFLS), the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA), the South Carolina Farm Bureau, and the South Carolina Governor’s School for Agriculture at John de la Howe.
The Center of Applied AI for Sustainable Agriculture (CAAI4SA) made the SC State exhibit particularly engaging. Their UAV-RFID and UGV-based sprayer systems captured the attention of growers, students, and young attendees. Live demonstrations led by CAAI4SA’s Van Patiluna and Christina Chiu illustrated how these systems operate, leaving visiting growers amazed by the technology’s potential to sustain the future of agriculture. Supported by SC State University 1890 Research and Extension staff—led by Program Leader Dr. Joshua Idassi—the team actively engaged with the public. The three-day expo from October 20-22 also provided valuable networking opportunities with agricultural vendors and peer institutions, including the University of Florida, Florida A&M University, Auburn University, and the University of Georgia. Ultimately, the exhibit was a resounding success, highlighting the innovative technology poised to shape the future of South Carolina agriculture.