Keokuk gets AEA grant for ag drones

KEOKUK, Iowa - The Keokuk High School Agriculture department has been awarded an $8,000 grant through the Iowa Area Education Agencies (AEA) Regional Planning Partnership (RPP) program. 
“This generous funding will be used to purchase four state-of-the-art agriculture drones,” Brady Martin, KHS Agriculture instructor and FFA advisor, said.
“This will bring cutting-edge technology into the classroom and enhance student learning opportunities in agricultural sciences.”
The drones will allow students to explore the practical applications of drone technology in agriculture, including precision farming, crop monitoring, livestock management and environmental stewardship. 
“These advanced tools will help students gain valuable skills that are increasingly in demand in today’s agricultural industry,” Martin added. “We are thrilled to receive this RPP grant and invest in technology that will provide hands-on learning experiences for our students.”
By incorporating drone technology into its agriculture program, KHS is fostering a connection between classroom learning and real-world applications and in turn the drones will be used to better prepare Keokuk students for future careers in agriculture and technology. The Iowa AEA RPP grants are designed to support innovative educational initiatives that align with workforce development goals.
“The Keokuk Agriculture Department is committed to equipping students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in modern agriculture,” Martin said. “This grant represents a significant step forward in that mission, demonstrating the school’s dedication to staying at the forefront of agricultural education.”