In the Field
Technologists cannot solve a farmer’s problems while sitting in a lab. SmartAg solutions, the ones that make a difference, are not imagined on a computer monitor, they are conceived in the fields, listening to the wisdom and experience of farmers. At CIEI we seek and jump on any opportunity to meet farmers, to listen to their problems and learn from their experience. We are laser focused on building solutions for farmers together with farmers, the users of those solutions.
On a cold and windy February day we had the opportunity to meet with farmers in Hyde county. The meeting was organized by our great local partner, Andrea Gibbs who, a farmer herself and an extension representative, has the pulse of the community, understands the challenges specific to this region of the state. Alongside Dr. Randall Etheridge who provided an update on his research on the water dynamics of Lake Mattamuskeet, Colby Sawyer and Dr. Ciprian Popoviciu presented CIEI’s PITON platform and the solutions currently under test.
One meeting with the right folks led to increased urgency on footprint expansion and a brand-new project. Hyde county is an excellent idea incubator and testing ground. We are grateful for the partnerships we have there with the local community and the Fisheries and Wildlife Services team managing lake Mattamuskeet.