As technology transforms nearly every aspect of modern life, agriculture, rooted as it is in open skies and the most elemental of building blocks, is no exception. Modern farmers and ranchers face a fast-changing landscape shaped by climate variability, rising input costs, shifting regulations, and evolving market demands. To meet these challenges, a growing set of tools and resources, collectively known as “technical assistance”, has emerged, equipping producers with the knowledge and support they need to adapt and thrive.

Technical assistance (TA) bridges the gap between research and on-the-ground land management with a goal of easing the technology transition. In agriculture, TA is often sourced from expert guidance, training, and technology-based support designed specifically for farmers and land managers, with their unique requirements in mind. For example, Waterborne’s scientists have found success providing TA that meets farmers in their own environments, first through web-based applications that can be accessed while working in the field via smartphones, and later through laptop-based tools that simplify crop health and nutrient use and tracking.

No matter how it is accessed, the goal with all agriculture-focused TA is to provide simple support that meets farmers’ needs, be it as one-on-one consultations about soil health to group workshops on pest management, irrigation efficiency, or technology adoption. This advantage has become critical as today’s farmers and ranchers face an ongoing data surge from university and government programs that generate data on soil conservation, nutrient management, cover crops, integrated pest management, and precision agriculture. Without effective TA on the ground, these findings may exist only as data and figures in academic journals instead of being implemented on real farms. TA providers translate complex science into actionable strategies, saving producers time, money, and resources. 

In practice, TA is intended to save farmers and ranchers time while improving the quality of their output. It can also be used to share best practices and relevant information, including conservation tools. As an example, our agriculture conservation web application mentioned above helps support soil, water, and wildlife conservation programs using available geographic and soil data to narrow down what practices would best suit the land characteristics of a particular plot.  For our government-based clients who provide the app to their respective districts, we’ve included contact information for technical experts at the local and county levels. This added layer of information allows the application to serve as the liaison between producers and the resources that can help them thrive.

TA is more than just advice; it’s a lifeline connecting producers with the knowledge, resources, and confidence to innovate and sustain their operations. As the challenges facing agriculture grow more complex, robust TA will be critical to ensuring both farm profitability and environmental stewardship.