Education & Workforce Development
The AI-LEAF Institute’s Education and Workforce Development (EWD) team develops educational and engagement materials and delivers training to help stakeholders understand how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming resilient agriculture and forestry. The EWD team is a multi-institutional and multidisciplinary group of agriculture, forestry, and computer science researchers and education specialists who develop educational and professional development resources focused on resilient agriculture and forestry, digital decision-support tools, and AI. AI-LEAF’s EWD programs use a human-centered approach that emphasizes usability, accessibility, and trust while building a highly qualified AI workforce in agriculture and forestry.
The EWD team brings together faculty and staff from the University of Minnesota, Colorado State University, Cornell University, Delaware State University, and Purdue University. The team engages learners from K–12 through graduate education, with an emphasis on multidisciplinary collaboration and learning across agriculture, forestry, and computer science. Beyond the classroom, the team works directly with farmers, foresters, and other agricultural stakeholders to identify real-world needs and incorporate their perspectives throughout the technology development process. These efforts help connect education, research, and stakeholder expertise while fostering a community of collaboration and co-creation.
This project introduces K–12 students to foundational concepts in computer science, resilient agriculture and forestry, and artificial intelligence through hands-on learning with digital agricultural tools. AI-LEAF is developing a multi-module curriculum for high school students that explores how data and emerging technologies can support agricultural and forestry decision-making. Students are introduced to crop, livestock, and forest systems; greenhouse gases and their environmental and economic impacts; and digital greenhouse gas accounting tools such as USDA COMET-Tools. The curriculum builds on these foundations to explore the use of data, digital decision-support tools, and AI in shaping the future of agriculture and forestry.
Accomplishments: “AI in Agriculture” 4-H Curriculum, 3 presentations at NY State 4-H Career Exploration event, 8 STEM Summer Camps at the University of Minnesota, Digital Agriculture Course for High School teachers and agribusiness.
Undergraduate education and professional development helps train the next generation of agriculture and forestry professionals and computer scientists. Over thirty undergraduate students have been involved with AI-LEAF research and education and workforce development projects. In Fall 2025, Natalie Hunt (UMN), Candace Hulbert (Cornell), Luke Gregory (Cornell), and Robin Sehler (UMN) launched the AI-LEAF Undergraduate Scholars Program. The AI-LEAF Undergraduate Scholars Program, now in its second year, serves as an introduction to foundational topics in resilient agriculture, forestry, and artificial intelligence, as well as professional and leadership development. Through weekly Zoom sessions, a cohort of 15 students - from the University of Minnesota, Cornell University, Purdue University, Colorado State University, Delaware State University, and North Carolina State University - explore and survey topics from our four curriculum pillars and work on applied projects in artificial intelligence, digital agriculture, and broadening stakeholder participation.
Accomplishments: Launch of AI-LEAF Undergraduate Scholars Program pilot with 20 students from all of our partnering institutions, 30 students participating in research and internships, 3 minors developed at 3 institutions, Data Science for Agriculture online course
To train the next generation of AI-LEAF leaders, our program offers education, mentorship, and professional development opportunities for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. Graduate students engage with the AI-LEAF team through events like open houses, monthly seminars, and collaborative team meetings. These activities help students build professional networks, gain hands-on research experience, and explore career opportunities in AI and domain sciences. Graduate students also participate in journal clubs and work closely with AI and resilient agriculture and forestry scientists to stay up to date on cutting-edge research.
Postdoctoral researchers benefit from professional development opportunities, including publishing research and educational content. They also gain access to valuable teaching materials, research experiences, and curated reading lists to support their academic and professional growth.
Accomplishments: There are 82 postdocs and graduate students working with AI-LEAF. Graduate student accomplishments include 40 presentations and 20 publications.
Extension educators, agricultural crop input dealers, teachers, and other agriculture and forestry professionals play an important role in connecting emerging research and technologies with the communities they serve. AI-LEAF provides targeted education and professional development to build their knowledge of resilient agriculture and forestry practices, digital agriculture, and artificial intelligence. These efforts equip agricultural professionals with the knowledge and resources needed to better support and educate farmers and foresters.
Current initiatives include Purdue University’s Agronomy E-Learning Academy for Precision Agriculture, which features modules on AI, automation, data management, and resilient agriculture and forestry. Additional AI-LEAF programs provide training for Extension educators and agricultural teachers while creating opportunities to strengthen partnerships and trust between AI researchers and agricultural advisors. Education and outreach are also delivered through professional conferences, Extension in-service trainings, workshops, and other continuing education opportunities.
Accomplishments: 5,711 agriculture advisors reached at conferences and events, 57 presentations at events and professional conferences, 2023-2026 Croplife/Purdue Precision Agriculture Survey published, new course module on artificial intelligence in agriculture.
Lead: Bruce Erickson, Allison Chatrchyan, Rose Ogutu
Team: Gulnihal Ozbay, Candace Hulbert
AI-LEAF empowers farmers and foresters with tools and knowledge to address evolving environmental stresses and extreme events through education focused on resilient agriculture and forestry practices, digital agriculture and forestry, and AI. Through partnerships with the Cornell Climate Smart Farming program, the USDA Climate Hubs Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Fellowship (CAMF), and the USDA Northeastern Sustainable Research and Education (CARE) program, AI-LEAF is building education and outreach materials for farmers and foresters.
Accomplishments: 1000 farmers reached at conferences and events, 200 COMET-Farm trainings offered, 50 Minnesota regional agriculture resilience plans, 10 NY dairy adaptation and mitigation modules, and 6 NY urban agriculture adaptation modules developed.