By: Charlee Williams
When people think of agriculture, it’s easy to picture rows of corn, a dusty tractor at sunset, or boots in the dirt—and to be honest, I love all of that. The hands-on, hard-working side of farming is what first drew me to environmental science and agriculture. But what I didn’t realize until becoming a Field Atlas Ambassador with AgriNovus Indiana is just how wide and innovative the world of agbioscience really is. It’s not a replacement for traditional ag—it’s a powerful extension of it. And that realization completely shifted how I see the future of food, farming, and my place in it.
Discovering Agbioscience with Field Atlas
As a Field Atlas Ambassador, I had the opportunity to connect with students across campus and introduce them to the world of agbioscience—a term many had never even heard before. Through conversations, presentations, and career exploration events, I got to share how agriculture is evolving far beyond what most people expect.
AgriNovus Indiana is dedicated to growing Indiana’s agbioscience economy, which brings together food, agriculture, science, and technology to solve some of the world’s biggest challenges—everything from food security and sustainability to plant genetics and precision ag. As I dove deeper into what agbioscience really is, I started to see agriculture in a whole new light.
A Broader Perspective on Agriculture
Before this experience, I saw agriculture primarily as the boots-on-the-ground side of things: crop rotations, soil health, weather patterns, and livestock management. I still have a deep respect for those areas, and I believe they form the backbone of our food system.
But through AgriNovus, I came to see how data science, biotechnology, environmental engineering, and even entrepreneurship all play a critical role in feeding the world and protecting our natural resources.
I learned about companies using AI to detect crop disease, startups engineering sustainable fertilizers, and researchers designing climate-resilient crops. Suddenly, the image of agriculture in my mind expanded to include lab coats and algorithms alongside tractors and grain bins.
It was eye-opening—and incredibly exciting.
Connecting Innovation with Purpose
One of the most impactful parts of this journey was realizing that innovation in agriculture isn’t about being high-tech just for the sake of it—it’s about solving real-world problems in meaningful ways. Agbioscience is helping farmers boost productivity while adopting more sustainable practices, offering new tools and strategies for conservation management and resource efficiency. It’s also opening doors to careers that combine a passion for science with a deep sense of purpose—careers grounded in service, stewardship, and sustainability.
The Role of Community in Agriculture
Throughout this experience, one theme that kept resurfacing was the strength of
community within agriculture. Whether it’s multi-generational farms, collaborative research teams, or statewide organizations like AgriNovus, the people behind the work matter just as much as the innovations themselves. Agriculture thrives on relationships— between farmers and the land, between producers and consumers, and among those working together to solve complex challenges. Even as the industry grows more high-tech, that sense of shared responsibility and support remains at its core. It reminded me that progress isn’t just about what we build—it’s about who we build it with.
Why This Matters for the Next Generation
I used to think I had to choose between “old-school” farming and modern science, but now I know that the two aren’t in competition—they’re part of the same story. The Field Atlas Ambassador program helped me realize that we need both the wisdom of the past and the tools of the future to build a resilient agricultural system.
If you’re a student interested in agriculture, science, sustainability, or technology—and especially if you haven’t considered how those things intersect—I highly recommend checking out Field Atlas and AgriNovus Indiana. There’s a place for every kind of thinker and doer in agbioscience.
Final Thoughts
My experience as a Field Atlas Ambassador didn’t just add a line to my resume—it gave me a new way of thinking about agriculture. It challenged me to grow, to communicate, and to see the world through a wider lens. And most of all, it reminded me that agriculture is evolving every day—and we all have a role to play in shaping its future.
The 6th Annual Indiana Science Communication Day is being held March 3rd 2025 at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis from 9:00am-3:00pm EST. Join fellow graduate students from across the state for the chance to engage with policymakers and practice communicating your research to a non-technical audience.
Join us on zoom at 6:00 pm on January 14th for an open/optional office hours for questions regarding IN Sci Comm Day. It is a great time to ask organizers any questions, if you are curious and interested to join us! See flyer for zoom link.
In addition to attending the Communication Day in-person, all attendees are expected to attend two events: a Science Policy Communication Workshop on Monday, January 27th and a virtual All-Participant Prep Meeting on February 17th from 6:00-7:30 pm EST. If you have prior conflicts and cannot attend one or both of these virtual preparatory meetings, please reach out to the event organizers to determine possible accommodations. The workshop is an all day event, but we recognize some people may have prior conflicts that require them to miss part of the day. The workshop can be joined in person (strongly encouraged) or virtually and must be registered for separately.
This event is free to attend, and participants have the opportunity to apply for assistance with poster printing costs and reimbursement for gas money for those who carpool together to drive into Indianapolis. We don’t want finances (or anything else) to be a barrier for attendance, so there are questions below to help us provide accommodations. Please reach out to scipolnd@nd.edu (with the subject line: INSciCommDay25 Assistance) if you have any specific needs and we will do our absolute best to provide those.
Register here.
By: Karis Witte, Career Success Manager
Have you started your career but are struggling to find purpose? Or maybe you’re in college and want to be intentional about your journey into the professional world. No matter where you are in the process, one thing is clear: having great resources and connections will help your career flourish.
Introducing Field Atlas’ Agbioscience Mentorship Program, or as we call it – AMP – a year-long experience connecting late college and early professionals to industry leaders excelling in their field. This program will pair mentees with an industry leader based on their career aspirations, skills and goals. Mentors will provide career and professional development advice and will help young professionals expand their network.
The Agbioscience Mentorship program will give students and young professionals a unique opportunity to kickstart their career journey through 1:1 guided mentorship, while also providing mentors with the opportunity to gain new perspectives and play a role in developing future industry leaders. Whether you are an industry professional with a desire to guide the next generation of talent, or a young professional looking to boost your career development, we encourage you to apply for a spot in the Agbioscience Mentorship Program.
Space is limited in 2025 and the deadline to apply is Friday, January 20. Learn more here.
How can computer science solve some of agbioscience’s most critical challenges? Likith Mouli Konka, a graduate student studying Human-Computer Interaction at Indiana University Indianapolis, is gaining some first-hand experience through Field Atlas Agbioscience Tours and the Producer-Led Innovation Challenge. From his motivation to enter the agbioscience space to reshaping his perspective of agriculture, Likith dives into what he has learned about the agbioscience industry and how he sees it playing a role in his future endeavors.
What motivated you to step into the agbioscience industry and participate in AgriNovus / Field Atlas programs?
Growing up in India, I saw firsthand how crucial farming is to people’s livelihoods, but also the many challenges farmers face — climate variability, water scarcity, low productivity, and limited market access being just a few. When I learned about the AgriNovus and Field Atlas programs, I saw an opportunity to explore how my skills in UX Design and Research could potentially address these real-world agricultural challenges and make a tangible impact on farmers’ lives.
What AgriNovus programs + agbioscience events have you participated in? Briefly describe your experience participating in these programs and events.
I’ve participated in the Company Tours organized by Field Atlas, the Producer-Led Innovation Challenge, and my year-long Capstone Project. These experiences have been eye-opening and transformative. They’ve allowed me to apply my HCI skills to real agricultural problems and gain valuable insights into the cutting-edge technologies being developed in the agbioscience sector.
Prior to engaging with AgriNovus Indiana and Field Atlas, did you have any stereotypes about the Agriculture Industry? If so, what were those stereotypes?
Before getting involved with AgriNovus, my understanding of agriculture was largely based on my experiences in South India, where it often relies on traditional methods and limited access to modern technology. I perceived it as a sector facing constant uncertainty, with farmers struggling against numerous challenges.
How has your involvement with AgriNovus and Field Atlas programs reshaped your idea of the agbioscience industry?
Through my involvement with AgriNovus, my perspective has completely changed. I’ve been exposed to the agbioscience industry, where innovation and technology are at the forefront of addressing real-world agricultural challenges. From precision farming and climate-resilient crops to digital platforms and advanced machinery, I’ve seen how technology can revolutionize agriculture, making it more efficient, productive, and sustainable. It has shifted my perception from viewing agriculture as labor-intensive and traditional to seeing it as a tech-driven, data-powered industry with immense potential.
What has kept you reengaging with Field Atlas + AgriNovus programs?
What excites me most about agbioscience is the way it integrates technology to solve complex problems, such as optimizing resource use through precision agriculture or improving market access with digital platforms. These innovations are game-changers for farmers, offering solutions to issues like water scarcity and unpredictable weather, which were so prevalent in my earlier experiences. Each program offers new insights into how technology can address these challenges.
How do you think the knowledge you have about the agbioscience industry now will play a part in your future endeavors?
This experience with AgriNovus has significantly influenced my career aspirations. I now see the potential for my skills in design and research to make a tangible impact in agriculture, particularly in creating technology-driven solutions that empower farmers. My goal is to work at the intersection of agriculture and technology, developing tools and platforms that can help farmers overcome challenges and thrive in an increasingly complex environment. The knowledge and insights I’ve gained through AgriNovus have fueled my desire to contribute to a more sustainable and innovative agricultural future, both in regions like where I grew up and beyond.
What advice do you have for other students interested in getting involved in the agbiosciences?
To other students, I’d say don’t let preconceived notions limit your perspective. My experience has shown me that agriculture is a field full of opportunities for innovation and technological advancement. Engage with programs like those offered by AgriNovus and Field Atlas to gain hands-on experience and exposure to the industry. Be open to learning about the diverse challenges in agriculture and how your unique skills and background can contribute to solutions. Most importantly, recognize that your work in agbioscience has the potential to make a real, tangible impact on food security, sustainability, and farmers’ livelihoods worldwide.
