CU-CAT has been laying the groundwork to launch an initiative poised to revolutionize the agricultural technology landscape: EATS, the Ecosystem of Agricultural Technology Sharing. Born from a collaborative vision shared by industry and academic leaders, EATS represents a bold endeavor to harness the synergies of diverse technological capabilities within a single hub dedicated to research and application.
At its core, EATS is about fostering collaboration. It’s about bringing together technology companies and researchers in an environment ripe for innovation. Clemson University’s research facility provides the ideal playground and technical support for this collaboration, offering a space where industry and academia can converge to tackle the most pressing challenges facing the agricultural sector.
The journey to actualize the vision of EATS began with the establishment of CU-CAT (Clemson University Center for Agricultural Technology), building the foundation for effective industry collaboration. Funding was secured, a dedicated CU-CAT team assembled, and pathways for engagement and investment were forged, garnering support from the Clemson community and the state.
The evolution of the EATS model has been marked by consultations with prospective industry participants, leading to the development of a shared request-for-proposal award fund. This collaborative funding mechanism empowers industry stakeholders to pool their resources towards addressing common challenges and seeding agricultural technology innovations.
But EATS is meant to serve as more than just a research effort. It’s a community where industry participants drive innovation, connectivity, and knowledge exchange. The advisory board, comprising both silver and gold members, plays a crucial role in determining research priorities, guiding the direction of the EATS community, and shaping key events.
Joining the EATS community offers a multitude of benefits. From student engagement opportunities like exclusive career fair receptions and access to top talent, to networking events and marketing exposure, EATS participants enjoy a wealth of perks designed to enhance their involvement in the agricultural technology space.
Moreover, participation in EATS contributes to philanthropic initiatives, with participant fees supporting the EATS programmatic funds used to fund research awards and promote agricultural technology solutions. It’s a chance to make a tangible impact on the future of agriculture, driving sustainability, economic development, resource management, and education.
In essence, EATS represents a collaborative effort to drive innovation and address the challenges facing the agricultural technology sector. As stakeholders converge at EATS advisory events, the collective pursuit of transformative agricultural technologies promises to yield benefits in a way that hasn’t been done before. Welcome to the future of agriculture. Welcome to EATS.
