Transforming Agriculture with AI
October 23, 2024
This NCSA feature story showcasing the myriad ways in which CDA is harnessing and championing the power of AI in our collaborative efforts.
Center for Digital Agriculture
Illinois Scientists to Test Modernized Genetic Model for Optimized Crop Breeding
September 3, 2024
NSF awards $795,000 to a collaborative effort led by CDA affiliate Alex Lipka that investigate new theories on how genetics influence complex crop traits, such as yield or grain quality over four years.
Illinois Scientists to Revamp Corn Breeding with Focus on Climate Resilience
August 20, 2024
CDA affiliate Martin Bohn is leading a three-year project, funded by USDA-NIFA, that could expedite the development of climate-resilient corn.
Where Technology, Agriculture and Young Minds Meet
August 19, 2024
This summer, we welcomed the largest CDA REU cohort in our 4-year history. Students got to experience how advanced technology is transforming traditional agricultural practices.
Meet Christina Tucker
June 23, 2024
As CDA’s Director of Operations and Associate Director of Education, Christina brings over a decade of experience and expertise to the table, helping us continue transforming how we feed and support a growing global population. Learn more about Christina in this interview.
NCSA and I-Sci Explorers Inspiring Kids in STEAM
April 19, 2024
Through the I-Sci Explorers program at UIUC, CDA’s Christina Tucker and Isabella Condotta teaches third-graders about digital agriculture.
The Future of Digital Agriculture
March 13, 2024
The Center for Digital Agriculture showcased the many advancements in digital agriculture during its annual conference.
New Leadership to Take Illinois’ Center for Digital Agriculture Into the Future
December 13, 2023
Exciting updates to the leadership team at the Center for Digital Agriculture. Help us welcome John Reid as CDA’s new director.
Five Years of Success with CDA
October 10, 2023
Since its launch in 2018, CDA has grown tremendously. Check out some key milestones from the last five years.
IL INNOVATIONS – Farm of the Future
October 3, 2023
Illinois Public Media releases a video segment on the Farm of the Future, which includes an interview with Dr. Girish Chowdhary.
Summer Interns Experience the Future of Agriculture
August 17, 2023
An all-women cohort of young researchers joins CDA’s REU program this year, and they share their experiences
AI Foundry for Ag Applications Short Course
July 6, 2023
This summer, the Center for Digital Agriculture, AIFARMS, and CROPPS co-hosted its 2nd annual AI Foundry for Ag Applications Short Course on June 12-17.
Driggs-Campbell receives Early Academic Career Award in Robotics and Automation
April 24, 2023
Assistant Professor Katherine Rose Driggs-Campbell has received a 2023 Early Academic Career Award in Robotics and Automation from the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society for “contributions to the design
CDA To Lead Undergrad Research Program On Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence Practices
April 14, 2023
The Center for Digital Agriculture will lead an on-site Research Experience for Undergraduates program titled “Drivers for Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Practices (MAPs).” CDA is a
CDA To Create Profitable Food Oases In Urban Ecosystems
April 13, 2023
The Center for Digital Agriculture at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign received a $975,000 grant from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture for Robotics Integrated High Tunnels (RobInHighTs)
Ainsworth and Guan Rank Among World’s Most Influential
November 17, 2022
Nine researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have been named to the 2022 Clarivate Analytics Highly Cited Researchers list. The list recognizes research scientists
Robots roam at UI’s $3.9 million ‘Farm of the Future’
November 16, 2022
Between rows of corn near Curtis Road and Race Street sprouts bright-green cereal rye, planted by an autonomous robot. Earlier this fall, University of Illinois
EarthSense Creator Girish Chowdhary Discovers Unique Audience, Energy from NSF Visit
November 16, 2022
Illinois Autonomous Farm Chief Scientist, and EarthSense Co-founder, Girish Chowdhary received an invitation from NSF director Sethuraman Panchanathan to address a special audience that included
Master’s Degree in Engineering with Concentration in Digital Agriculture
September 13, 2022
Agricultural production increasingly relies on digital tools and knowledge to address the challenges of climate change and provide resources for a growing world population. Practices
Improving the World Through Agriculture
August 31, 2022
This summer, the Center for Digital Agriculture, AIFARMS, and CROPPS co-hosted the eight-week (June 13 – August 5, 2022) on-site REU summer program. The program pairs promising students with mentors
CDA Partnership with EarthSense
July 14, 2022
For US farmers, enormous GPS-guided equipment makes easier work of planting and harvesting thousands of acres each season. Now, thanks to a partnership between UIUC’s
Dr. Leona Su and Yi-Cheng Wang Awarded NIFA “Small and Medium-Sized Farms”
June 2, 2022
USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) invested $5 million as part of AFRI’s Agriculture Economics and Rural Communities (AERC) Small and Medium-Sized Farms program.
$3.9M USDA NIFA Grant Funds ‘Farm of the Future’ Project
June 2, 2022
Urbana, Ill. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that it is funding a new collaboration between two institutes and a research center
AI Foundry for Agricultural Applications Summer School
May 24, 2022
AIFARMS is hosting an AI Foundry for Agricultural Applications Summer School from July 11-16th. Participants in the AI Foundry for Agricultural Applications summer school will
CDA Affiliates featured in WIRED
May 23, 2022
CDA Affiliates and AIFARMS Thrust 1 lead, Dr. Girish Chowdhary of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, and Thrust 5 lead, Dr. Madhu Khanna of Agriculture and
Illinois Digital Agriculture Course
April 13, 2022
The Center for Digital Agriculture is hosting a two week course of lectures and hands-on activities on various topics revolving around digital agriculture. Students will
Seminar with Iowa State Dr. Carolyn Lawrence-Dill
December 6, 2021
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, December 8 at 12:00pm CST! The Center for Digital Agriculture along with UIUC Crop Sciences and Plant Biology are hosting
CDA COLLABORATES TO LAUNCH $25 MILLION CROPPS INITIATIVE
September 9, 2021
Researchers from the Center for Digital Agriculture (CDA) at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) will be part of the newly-announced Center for Research on Programmable
Position opening for GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT
July 9, 2021
WHO WE ARE The Center for Digital Agriculture (CDA) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign was formed to help agricultural producers, researchers, and industries keep pace
Illinois Autonomous Farm Workshop
June 16, 2021
Mark your calendars! The Illinois Autonomous Farm (IAF) is hosting an in-person workshop on July 7th from 8:00am-5:00pm at the Illinois Autonomous Farm (3603 S
CENTER FOR DIGITAL AGRICULTURE CONTRIBUTES TO LAUNCH COALESCE
April 30, 2021
Can machine learning, artificial intelligence and advanced computing help to make farming more efficient? The COALESCE (COntext Aware LEarning for Sustainable CybEr-agriculture systems) initiative, a $7 million
Girish Chowdhary Awared with Paul Funk Faculty Award for Excellence in Research
April 23, 2021
Center for Digital Agriculture faculty affiliate, Chief Scientist for the Illinois Autonomous Farm, and AIFARMS Thrust 1 lead, Dr. Girish Chowdhary has won the 2021
USDA’s Agricultural Research Service Honors Scientists of the Year
April 23, 2021
The Center for Digital Agriculture faculty affiliate Dr. Lisa Ainsworth was awarded the USDA’s Distinguished Senior Research Scientist of the year for 2021. Ainsworth, research
Dr. Vikram Adve Guest on Depth Charge Podcast
April 8, 2021
The Center for Digital Agriculture co-director and AIFARMS PI Dr. Vikram Adve was a guest on the Depth Charge Podcast talking about AI in Agriculture,
Purely on the Promise That We Could Do Great Things
March 26, 2021
“The Center for Digital Agriculture is helping researchers, educators, farmers, and industry keep pace with enormous changes to the world’s food systems.” The Grainger College
University of Illinois precision agriculture program to debut summer 2021
March 25, 2021
The College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois has been gifted more than $195,000 in funding from the CHS Foundation, to provide high
FARMS ARE GOING TO NEED DIFFERENT KIND OF ROBOTS
March 5, 2021
Dr. Girish Chowdhary, Assistant Professor in Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Center for Digital Agriculture Affiliate and AIFARMS Associate Director of Research, agbot research is making
AIFARMS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POSITION AVAILABLE
February 15, 2021
The Artificial Intelligence for Future Agricultural Resilience, Management, and Sustainability (AIFARMS) National AI Institute is seeking a talented, highly-motivated individual to provide leadership as the
NEW USDA NIFA GRANT AIMS TO INCREASE LEVEL OF AUTONOMY IN AGRICULTURAL ROBOTS
December 21, 2020
Center for Digital Agriculture Faculty Affiliate Katie Driggs-Campbell was awarded a new USDA NIFA grant to increate levels of autonomy in agricultural robots. Read more
The future of farming is autonomous
October 23, 2020
CSL’s and Associate Director of Research: AIFARMS National AI Institute, Girish Chowdhary has spent years developing robotic technology to improve on traditional farming practices. He
Old McDonald had a robot
October 20, 2020
AIFARMS at the University of Illinois is one of seven National Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes funded by the US government. AIFARMS is developing an autonomous
Illinois becomes integral in future of artificial intelligence
September 8, 2020
The University of Illinois will host two new artificial intelligence institutes funded by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute
NSF and NIFA awards CDA $20M to develop new AIFARMS Institute
August 26, 2020
UIUC Center for Digital Agriculture wins $20M award from National Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes program to accelerate AI research and agricultural innovation through new AIFARMS Institute.
Center for Digital Agriculture announces 12 seed funding recipients
August 20, 2020
The funded projects will span nearly every facet of digital agriculture, from crop sciences to deep learning.
National Academy of Sciences Elects New Members
April 27, 2020
Center Affiliate Lisa Ainsworth has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences in recognition of her distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Read
Request for Proposals
December 11, 2019
The Center for Digital Agriculture is now accepting proposals for 2020. Seed funding awards up to $50,000 for one year will be made for new
Digital Agriculture Program Yields Promising Prospects
November 22, 2019
The Center for Digital Agriculture was initiated one year ago with a $2 million investment from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Its official kick-off
Center for Digital Agriculture Industry Conference
October 8, 2019
There will be a Center for Digital Agriculture Industry Conference October 8, 2019 at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications building in Urbana, Illinois. This
University of Illinois announces Center for Digital Agriculture
October 8, 2019
The new center will combine campus’ areas of expertise in engineering and agriculture to cement Illinois’ position as an innovator in this emerging field of agricultural technology, and develop solutions to agricultural problems that use digital technology.
March 2019 workshop
March 6, 2019
Join us for an Illinois faculty and staff workshop that will shape the future of the forthcoming Center for Digital Agriculture at Illinois on March
Announcement of Seed Funding Opportunities
March 4, 2019
The Illinois Center for Digital Agriculture is pleased to announce a request for seed funding proposals. Seed funding awards up to $50k for one year
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