The ISPA Board has been busy in 2023 with a focus on expanding the capacity of the society and attempting to make it more global.  We have accomplished several items including updating the logo, rethinking and increasing the number of Country Representatives, creating a Precision Ag / Digital Ag Course database, partnering with new technology conferences globally to increase our reach, expanding our social media presence, and starting to organize the 16th ICPA (https://www.ispag.org/icpa) to name a few Board tasks. 

A few highlights and comments on the Board’s work.  As of July 1, 2023, we have 42 Country Representatives from 33 countries (https://www.ispag.org/Leadership/CountryRep).  Soon we will start to ask the Country Representatives to provide updates on precision ag in their country and/or region as well as actively recruit new ISPA members while promoting the society in their country.  If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a Country Representative, please email info@ispag.org with your bio highlighting your experience in precision agriculture and your CV.  You must be an active ISPA member to be considered for the position.

The Precision Ag / Digital Ag course database is available to ISPA members and can be viewed at https://www.ispag.org/course_database.  So far, we have had 84 courses submitted and have requested syllabi for each to be included in the database.  The lead faculty member or instructor is listed for each.  We hope this information provides a resource for members looking to update or create a new precision / digital agriculture course at your institution.  There is much to be learned from reviewing the course names.  The submission form will remain open, and you do not need to be a member to submit a course listing https://www.ispag.org/survey/Agriculture_Course_Submission

Additionally, an update to the ISPA Bylaws has been drafted and sent to all members for review and approval. The Bylaws have not been updated since the inception of ISPA and this new version will align with the current structure and operations of the society.  One of the proposed Bylaw changes will expand the Board from 5 to 9 members to include members from the different global regions.  We felt this was needed to ensure global input to ISPA work and its future.  If you are a member and did not receive the emails regarding ISPA Bylaws feedback, please email info@ispag.org.

Lastly, I would like to congratulate all the organizers on a successful 14th European Conference on Precision Agriculture in Bologna.  It was great to hear that there were over 400 attendees and a variety of papers and posters presented. 

I will have more to share later this year but I will conclude by inviting you to submit an abstract and join us at the 16th ICPA 21-14 July 2024 in Manhattan, KS.  It’s going to be a great event with plenty of networking opportunities.

If you have any comments or feedback to improve ISPA, please feel free to reach out to any of the ISPA Officers or reach me personally at president@ispag.org. 
 
Thank-you,
John Fulton, ISPA President