Kansas Students Explore Future of Farming at Ag Tech Field Day

Moundridge producer showcases emerging tools like crop-scouting robots to next generation of farmers

Apr. 5, 2026 at 3:23am

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A Moundridge, Kansas farmer hosted an agricultural technology field day to introduce young people to the latest innovations in farming, including demonstrations of a field robot designed to scout crops and identify where insecticides are needed most. Representatives from NASA's Acres program also attended, emphasizing the role of data and technology in modern agriculture. The event aimed to expose students to agricultural careers and the evolving tools that could help farmers cut costs amid high input prices and low commodity prices.

Why it matters

As the agriculture industry faces financial challenges, exposing students to the latest farming technologies and career opportunities is crucial to developing the next generation of producers. The field day highlighted how innovations like autonomous crop-scouting robots could help farmers become more efficient and sustainable.

The details

The agricultural technology field day featured demonstrations of emerging tools, including a field robot designed to scout crops and identify where insecticides are needed most, potentially helping farmers cut chemical costs. Representatives from NASA's Acres program also attended, emphasizing the role of data and innovation in modern farming. The event aimed to introduce young people to the broader agriculture industry and the tools being developed to support the next generation of producers.

  • The event was held on Saturday, April 5, 2026.

The players

Ray Flickner

The owner and operator of Flickner Innovation Farms, who hosted the agricultural technology field day.

Owen Flickner

Ray Flickner's grandson, who said the components and implementation of the crop-scouting robot were 'pretty cool'.

Jacob Orser

A program support specialist with NASA Acres, who attended the event to help students get integrated with agricultural data.

Dan Moser

The Dean of Agriculture at Kansas State University, who said exposing students to agricultural careers and technology is critical as the industry continues to evolve.

Jorja Stremel

A sophomore from Haysville, Kansas, who said the challenges in the farm economy do not discourage her and instead encourage her to make a difference in agriculture.

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What they’re saying

“Today, the farm economy is, particularly the cropping side, is in a real financial bind with high input costs and low commodity prices.”

— Ray Flickner, Owner and operator, Flickner Innovation Farms

“Anytime that I think I can expose the younger generation to the agricultural industry and what we're doing is a plus.”

— Ray Flickner, Owner and operator, Flickner Innovation Farms

“I just think that the components and how it was used and implemented in agriculture was pretty cool.”

— Owen Flickner, Grandson of Ray Flickner

“We're also here for the students. And so, the next generation of farmers, help them get integrated with the data already.”

— Jacob Orser, Program support specialist, NASA Acres

“I think young people, when they think about their future, that that's a place that they know in the long run, that there's going to be great opportunities for them.”

— Dan Moser, Dean of Agriculture, Kansas State University

What’s next

The Flickner Innovation Farms plans to continue hosting educational events and demonstrations to introduce the next generation of farmers to the latest agricultural technologies.

The takeaway

This field day highlights how emerging tools like autonomous crop-scouting robots could help farmers become more efficient and sustainable, even as the agriculture industry faces financial challenges. By exposing students to these innovations and career opportunities, the event aims to inspire the next generation of producers to embrace technology and data-driven solutions to address the evolving needs of modern farming.