Hands-on learning at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) has reached a new level. Recently, ABAC cut the ribbon on the state-of-the-art Valley Irrigation DATA Farm Building, providing students and faculty access to the latest technology for cultivating crops and preparing for future careers.

The DATA Farm, short for Demonstrating Applied Technology in Agriculture, serves as a cross-disciplinary learning laboratory that blends classroom instruction with real-world agricultural applications.

Global Vice President of Marketing and Policy for Valley Irrigation Darren Siekman said, “ABAC students have the curiosity and hands-on skills to excel with the irrigation technology the DATA Farm provides.”

The Global Senior Director at Valley Irrigation Tyler Fields, agreed. “Valley Irrigation technology equips ABAC students with real-world tools to explore precision agriculture through data-driven irrigation systems and remote monitoring. By working directly with advanced equipment, students gain practical insights into optimizing water use and improving productivity,” Fields said.

ABAC’s collaboration with Valley Irrigation represents more than just a class; it is a gateway to future job opportunities for students.

“At ABAC, we take great pride in preparing students for the challenges and opportunities of modern agriculture,” said ABAC President Tracy Brundage. “We know that means going beyond textbooks and lectures, which are critical, but our institution values putting real tools, real technology and real data into the hands of our students.”

Brundage noted that ABAC students working with Valley Irrigation technology are “gaining practical knowledge they can take straight into their careers.”

That career boost is already happening, said Siekman.

“Our team set out to build a true talent pipeline—not just another internship program. Since then, six ABAC students have interned with Valley. They didn’t fetch coffee; they helped spec systems, analyze telemetry, and support growers in the field. We’re proud that three of those interns converted to full-time roles.”

ABAC’s Department of Agriculture boasts an impressive 90 percent job placement rate for its graduates.

The partnership between Valley Irrigation and ABAC’s driven, hands-on students ensures the college will continue leading the way in agricultural innovation and workforce development.

To learn more about ABAC’s academic programs and how to apply, visit www.abac.edu.