Extension accepting applications for Ag-Tech Career Exploration Program
Oct. 22, 2026
By Tracy Courage
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts
- Seven-month program combines STEM skills, professional and leadership development
- Applications close Oct. 30
- Learn more: https://uaex.uada.edu/ace
- Apply online at https://bit.ly/agtech-app
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LITTLE ROCK — High school students have until Oct. 30 to apply for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture’s Ag-Tech Career Exploration program, which offers participants a firsthand look at how technology is transforming agriculture in Arkansas and beyond.
The program is for students ages 16-19 interested in careers that use technology such as food genetics, robotics, precision agriculture, sensors, drones and data analysis. The seven-month program runs from January to July 2027 and includes study tours in Arkansas and abroad, hands-on experiences and job shadowing.
Applications close on Oct. 30 at midnight. The online application is available at https://bit.ly/agtech-app.
“You don’t have to work on a farm to have a career in agriculture,” said Julie Robinson, professor of community, professional and economic development for the Cooperative Extension Service. “Future agricultural careers will increasingly combine agriculture with technology. Opportunities are growing in software development, robotics, biotechnology, data science and many other fields.”
The program kicks off in January with two-day sessions to be held monthly in various parts of the state, including visits to the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville to learn about food science and robotics; a visit to northeast Arkansas to learn about precision agriculture, sensors, data use and animal science; and a stop in Monticello to learn about technology used in forestry and wildlife management.
An international study tour is planned for June 2027. The destination will be announced later.
“One of our goals within the Division of Agriculture is to prepare the agricultural workforce of tomorrow,” said John Anderson, director of the Cooperative Extension Center. “The Ag-Tech Career Exploration Program is just one of the ways we are introducing young people to the wide variety of career opportunities within our state’s largest industry.”
The Ag-Tech Career Exploration program is offered by the Cooperative Extension Service, UADA’s educational outreach arm. The program is supported through a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. To learn more about ag and food research in Arkansas, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station at aaes.uada.edu.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three system campuses.
Media Contact: Tracy Courage
Director of Communications-Extension
U of A Division of Agriculture
501-658-2044