Each summer, around 40,000 people attend Wisconsin Farm Technology Days, the largest agricultural show in the state. The three-day event showcases improvements in production agriculture, including applications of research findings and technological developments. Many of the thousands of visitors are looking to see or try out new equipment and technologies, and hundreds of companies bring their latest offerings to share at the show.

Coordinating those exhibits is Brian Luck, assistant professor and extension specialist in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering. Since 2015, Luck has been the contact for exhibiting companies participating in field demonstrations, ride and drive areas, and Innovation Square. His goal for the event is to help companies showcase their technologies while maintaining safe demonstrations.

In recognition of his efforts, Luck received the 2018 Donald R. Peterson Technology Transfer Award. The award recognizes outstanding educational effectiveness and impact via an interactive exhibit and/or activities at Wisconsin Farm Technology Days that engage audiences around topics such as: effectively using new management tools, processes, or concepts; incorporating new technologies into a modern farm operation; or issues that challenge contemporary agriculture and our natural resource base. The award will be presented to Luck on Monday, July 22.

In addition to his work at Wisconsin Farm Technology Days, Luck undertakes both extension work and research. He has been the director of the Badger Ag Tech Lab at UW–Madison since 2014. His extension programming is centered around precision agriculture technology, including topics such as variable rate technology, remote sensing and the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Luck’s research interests include machine logistics and applied image processing. He is also studying remote sensing technologies and their application to cranberry, soybean and carrot production.

The Donald R. Peterson Wisconsin Farm Technology (Progress) Days Technology Transfer Award was established in honor of Don Peterson, UW–Madison College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) Professor and Associate Dean. Peterson was Chair of the Board of Directors from 1975-1993 and Executive Director of Wisconsin Farm Progress Days from 1993-1998. The award memorializes Peterson’s diligent efforts to encourage CALS faculty and staff to convey the fruits of their research and knowledge to the public through Wisconsin Farm Technology Days.