As climate change, labour shortages, and sustainability demand a reshape of the agricultural landscape, farmers and educators are seeking smarter ways to grow food and manage resources. That’s where Course 6: Bringing Innovation to Farms, part of the SmartSkills project, steps in—equipping today’s agricultural educators and agricultural learners (farmers/smallholders) with awareness and knowledge of the opportunities that lie within digital tools and how these tools can help to future-proof farming.
Whether you're managing crops in the field or raising livestock in barns, this course reveals how automation, IoT, AI & cloud-based systems are revolutionising agriculture from the soil up.
1. Introduction to Control Systems
Explore how control systems such as SCADA and PLCs are the digital brains behind smart farms. You'll gain insight into how sensors, controllers & actuators work together to monitor and automate processes like irrigation, feeding, and climate control—improving precision and reducing environmental impact.
2. Greenhouse Automation
Dive into the world of IoT-enabled greenhouses, where temperature, humidity, and lighting are fine-tuned automatically. Real-life case studies from Ireland & the Netherlands show how vertical farming and smart greenhouses are transforming yields and slashing resource use.
3. Livestock Monitoring Systems
Discover how wearable sensors, automated feeding systems, and environmental controls help farmers monitor animal health in real-time. From preventing disease to improving nutrition, automation leads to better animal welfare, higher productivity, and sustainable practices.
4. Field Automation & Real-Time Monitoring
Study how drones, AI, and smart irrigation systems boost crop health and conserve water. Real-time data helps farmers make smarter decisions on fertilisation and planting, optimising every drop and every square metre.
5. Integrating Smart Systems for Whole-Farm Management
This module ties it all together—showing how diverse technologies can be integrated through cloud platforms for holistic, remote farm management. The future farm is connected, responsive, and efficient—reducing waste, boosting yields & protecting natural ecosystems.
For farmers, Course 6 offers practical, scalable solutions to everyday challenges—like managing limited water, reducing labour costs, and adapting to unpredictable weather. For educators, it’s a powerful toolkit to teach the next generation of farmers and adult learners about the future of food, energy, and land use.
By embracing these innovations, we’re not just making farms more productive—we’re making them part of the solution to climate change and food insecurity.
Whether you're delivering adult education, running an agricultural training centre, or looking to update your curriculum, Course 6 provides:
Because farming isn't just about working the land—it's about working with it, wisely.
