Parsons visited Durango on Tuesday for an alumni event at EsoTerra Ciderworks \u2013 part of her community outreach trip to the Western Slope. The land-grant university, with almost 33,000 students, has many alumni living in the Durango area, she said.<\/p>\n
The college\u2019s goal is to be as accessible as possible to rural students.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe do a lot with 4-H as part of CSU,\u201d Parsons said. \u201cAnd so we think a lot about how to really connect with 4-H students and let them know that there are scholarships there for students.\u201d<\/p>\n
Parsons has noticed an increase in interest in agricultural studies, with many students pursuing degrees from urban areas rather than rural ones.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think this generation of students, especially students who have gone through the COVID years and whatnot, have a very global perspective and want to work on issues that really matter,\u201d Parsons said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey see how important agriculture is not just to their communities but globally, and safe food supply,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s really part of the sustainability and climate issues we\u2019re all trying to solve.\u201d<\/p>\n
Knowing about the food people consume and how agriculture is linked to climate issues are at the top of younger generations\u2019 minds, she said. They want to have an impact and do it in agriculture fields. But agricultural fields are not the same as they were 20 years ago.<\/p>\n
Technology is becoming more prevalent in the field and innovation continues to provide ways to make production more efficient.<\/p>\n
Parsons had the opportunity to visit the university\u2019s agricultural experiment stations in Grand Junction on Monday where she witnessed the college\u2019s artificial intelligence-powered irrigation system.<\/p>\n
The irrigation system uses AI to complete data analysis on soil and ambient temperature to understand how much water a particular crop should receive. It then uses the precise amount of water needed for the crop to grow based on those conditions.<\/p>\n
Parsons said the technology will prevent producers from overwatering their crops and allow them to conserve water.<\/p>\n
Drones are also becoming a frequent tool for farmers and ranchers. The unmanned aerial vehicles are used to hover over fields and view areas that need fertilizer and water.<\/p>\n
Drones have become a heavily used piece of technology across all fields of education. Last year, Pueblo Community College Southwest started offering drone certification classes for that reason.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s career opportunities that this license will get them, and having the additional certificates that we can provide give them something much bigger to add to their r\u00e9sum\u00e9,\u201d said PCC Agriculture Program Coordinator Heather Houk in an interview in September.<\/p>\n
Colorado State is also moving forward on the construction of its $150 million laser facility in Fort Collins for its engineering program. The school is touting it as one of the most powerful laser labs in the world.<\/p>\n
CSU is a member of LaserNetUS, a program funded by the Department of Energy\u2019s Office of Fusion Energy Sciences. LaserNetUS works to ensure North America has a strong network of capable laser research facilities.<\/p>\n
The project is set to be completed in 2026. It\u2019s planned to feature at least three laser systems.<\/p>\n
Parsons also planned to visit the Ute Mountain Ute reservation this week to meet with tribal leaders about the school\u2019s Indigenous Science, Arts, Technology, and Resilience Camp.<\/p>\n
The program offers a summer camp for kindergarten through eighth grade students, as well as community nights and cultural activities. Their work builds strong, positive relationships that foster belonging and help participants be a source of strength and support for each other, according to the university\u2019s website.<\/p>\n
Throughout the program, campers participate in hands-on activities led by guest experts. The activities and instructional time are designed to help students connect Indigenous knowledge and cultural practices to their own lives and establish their relevance to contemporary issues.<\/p>\n
She says the camp is growing in popularity and so is enrollment at Colorado State in general.<\/p>\n
\u201c(This year\u2019s freshman class) is one of the largest classes we\u2019ve ever had and it really reflects, I think, the diversity of Colorado,\u201d Parsons said. \u201cIt\u2019s our most diverse class we\u2019ve ever had.\u201d<\/p>\n
Colorado State has a strong Western Slope pipeline and nearly 60% of CSU\u2019s student population receives in-state tuition, she said.<\/p>\n