Knoxville Welcomes a Farming Robot to Enhance Community Learning and Nutrition

Knoxville Welcomes a Farming Robot to Enhance Community Learning and Nutrition

In Knoxville, excitement is growing as the community introduces a new farming robot aimed at improving local nutrition and providing valuable training opportunities. The robot made its debut at the Morningside Community Center on Dandridge Avenue, where it is set to play a significant role in the Edible Forest project initiated by the nonprofit Socially Equal Energy Efficient Development (SEEED).

A Helping Hand in Agriculture

This innovative robot, sourced from Farmbot, is not just a piece of machinery; it boasts the ability to plant seeds, water crops, measure soil moisture, take images, and even remove weeds from raised garden beds. Its introduction marks a major step forward in the efforts to combat food desert conditions in East Knoxville, where access to fresh produce has been limited.

Stan Johnson, the founder and executive director of SEEED, shared the organization’s vision: “These are young people who are unemployed or underemployed. We want to teach them new skills so they can actually learn how to do things differently and make more money with the education they currently have. We want to make sure we’re building a future for our community.”

Filling the Gaps in Nutrition

The Edible Forest, created by SEEED, serves a community within a two-mile radius with no grocery stores offering fresh fruits and vegetables. Since its inception in 2017, the nonprofit has made strides by planting 52 fruit trees, distributing an additional 75 trees, constructing raised beds, and building a greenhouse for public benefit. The robot will support these ongoing agricultural efforts and provide a hands-on learning experience for locals.

STEM Education at the Forefront

During a demonstration on August 12, faculty members from the University of Tennessee showcased the robot’s capabilities. Using a web app, professors and students commanded the robot from a computer, illustrating how technology can enhance agriculture. According to Sai Swaminathan, an assistant professor of computer science, the robot can be tailored to fit the needs of individual users, paving the way for valuable vocational training.

“Some of the skills that people could learn, like 3D printing a small part for the robot or programming its sensors to make specific measurements, can accumulate over time,” Swaminathan explained. “This could lead to credentialing which participants can carry over to various job opportunities that don’t always require formal degrees.”

Support from the University

Swaminathan and his colleague, Sukanya Moudgalya, assistant professor of STEM education, successfully applied for a Challenge Grant from the university’s Division of Access and Engagement. Grants of this kind, yielding up to $3,000, allow researchers to partner with the community on impactful projects, including the purchase of the farming robot, which has a starting price of $2,995.

“Hopefully, there will be more such grant opportunities,” Moudgalya noted. “One of the ways to get funding in academia is to show research and actually demonstrate its positive impact.”

Involvement of Local Schools

Excitingly, professors plan to involve students from nearby schools, including Vine Middle Magnet School and Austin-East Magnet High School, in the Farmbot project. Their goal is to inspire students to explore STEM careers in creative and engaging ways, potentially leading to brighter futures for many in the Knoxville area.

As Knoxville embraces this unique robotic addition, the community looks forward to both enhanced food security and opportunities for local youth to develop skills that will serve them well in the future.