Improving Crop Yield through Precision Farming Technologies:
Precision agriculture uses technologies like GPS, GIS, yield monitors, and variable rate applications to precisely apply water, fertilizers, seeds, and pesticides based on soil conditions and other variables within a field. This allows for optimized inputs and reduces waste. A capstone project could evaluate the impact of precision farming technologies on crop yields for a particular crop grown on the student’s farm or a local farm. The student would implement technologies in a section of the field and compare yields to a control section without the technologies. Data on inputs, weather, soil sampling, and harvest yields would need to be collected over multiple seasons. Analysis of cost-benefit of the precision technologies could also be included.

Developing Conservation Tillage Practices to Reduce Soil Erosion:
Conventional tillage can lead to loss of topsoil through erosion. Conservation tillage leaves more crop residue on the soil surface to protects it. A capstone project could test different minimum and no-till planting techniques on crops commonly grown in the region. Plots with different tillage intensities would be established and soil samples could be taken at planting, during the season, and post-harvest to measure changes in organic matter and nutrients. Rates of soil loss could also be directly measured. Economic analysis of any changes in inputs or yields would help evaluate adoption potential of best conservation practices. Long-term monitoring may be needed.

Optimizing Livestock Forage Production and Grazing Management:
Forages provide feed for ruminant livestock but their productivity and sustainability needs to be optimized. A capstone could study different forage varieties, seeding rates, and fertilizer levels to determine highest dry matter yields and nutritional quality for different soil and climate conditions. Optimal harvest schedules could also be developed. The impacts of grazing management practices like pasture sizes, water access, fencing, and rotation schedules on forage productivity and animal performance could be analyzed. Economic and environmental implications of optimized systems would require analysis over multiple years.

Developing Value-Added Products from Agricultural Byproducts and Wastes:
Many farms generate byproducts and wastes that could potentially be turned into value-added products. A capstone project may focus on developing a new product and evaluating its economic viability. For example, developing fruit or vegetable powders, juices or other products from crop waste or culls. Or utilizing manure or other organic wastes to produce compost or biochar for gardens, landscaping or mushroom growing substrates. Processes would need to be designed, products developed through testing sensory and nutritional properties. Marketing and business plans would analyze production costs and potential revenues. Pilot production and initial sales/promotions could provide valuable feedback.

Assessing Viability of Innovative Cropping Systems:
New cropping systems are being developed to improve sustainability, productivity and farm resilience. A capstone could evaluate the agronomic, economic and environmental impacts of such novel systems. Examples include intercropping different crops together, alley cropping systems with trees/shrubs between rows, silvopasture that integrates trees/forages/livestock, perennial grain or biomass crops, aquaponics, etc. Field trials would compare yields, inputs, soil impacts of the new system versus traditional counterparts. Economic analyses factoring in establishment costs, projected yields over multiple years, and market prices would assess viability.

Developing New Markets Through On-Farm Food Production and Agritourism:
With consumer interest in local food and rural experiences growing, agritourism offers opportunities for farmers. A capstone may develop an on-farm agritourism operation or direct marketing strategy for produce. This could involve establishing U-Pick operations, conducting market research and planting appropriate crops, building facilities for events, developing promotional materials and business plans. The economic, logistic and legal aspects would require thorough evaluation. Piloting activities and evaluating visitor numbers, sales revenues would help refine plans for development.