UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Those interested in building practical field survey skills can attend an upcoming hands-on workshop from the Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training, administered by Penn State Extension.
The “Field Survey for Conservation Practices” workshop will occur from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 3, at the Agricultural Engineering Building, 436 Shortlidge Road, Room 312, State College.
The workshop is aimed at students or anyone interested in learning the basics of field surveying to apply in the agricultural sector.
“There is a growing and critical workforce demand in this agricultural conservation sector that many students don’t know about,” said Weiyun Hua, assistant teaching professor of agricultural and biological engineering. “Many of them do not know the basic surveying skills required for this kind of career, so we would like to organize this training to help prepare them.”
The experience will provide participants with hands-on training in field survey tools for mapping agricultural topography and supporting conservation planning and engineering solutions.
The field day begins with a lecture covering surveying fundamentals, field measurements and equipment, followed by afternoon fieldwork where participants apply technical skills at a field site. The experience concludes with a collaborative team survey competition that puts newly developed skills to the test.
The Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training at Penn State Extension is supported by funding from the Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program, administered by the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission.
Organizers note that space is limited, so preregistration by Oct. 1 is required. Preregistration carries a $20 fee. Students can register for a discounted fee of $5. Lunch will be provided.
More information is available on the Penn State Extension website.