Test & Learn at Øksnevad: Agriculture of the future – in practice

On March 3-4, Nordic Edge gathered students, farmers and technology companies for two full days of testing, dialogue and concrete learning at Øksnevad Upper Secondary School. The result was two days where technology went from presentation to practice - and further into teaching.

The engagement was evident from the first post, and it remained throughout both days. The questions were specific, the discussions honest, and the meetings between schools and industry were characterized by curiosity and professional weight.

- This is exactly the kind of arena we need more of. Here, education and business meet for real, and the technology gains value because it is used in a real learning situation," says Gunnar Crawford, Head of Agritech Cluster at Nordic Edge.

Data first: Digital platforms in practice

The days started in the classroom with insights into how digitalization is already shaping modern agriculture. Representatives from Agdir, Agrilogg and Faunus Hub showed how digital platforms can provide a better overview and documentation, simplify operations and reporting, and collect data that provides a more precise basis for decision-making. At the same time, it became clear how such systems can connect stakeholders more closely across the value chain.

For many students, it became clear that the future of agriculture is not just about machines, but about data flow, system understanding and precision. The questions were about how the solutions are used in practice, what they cost, what you actually save, and how working life on the farm is affected. This was technology they may encounter in their own careers.

Machines and soil - concrete and tangible

From digital solutions, we moved on to the field. SoilMate, TKS Agri and Serigstad demonstrated equipment that makes the technology physical and visible.

SoilMate showed its field equipment for precision work in soil and how older machines can easily be digitized. TKS Agri presented the K2 CombiCutter and showed how modern tools can streamline operations. Serigstad demonstrated the Phoenix wagon, and chose to participate on day two after the strong engagement on the first day.

The students gathered closely around the equipment. They asked about capacity, fuel consumption, profitability and maintenance. This was practice, not theory.

Energy and emergency preparedness - part of farm operations

An important stop along the way was the presentation from Grønn Gårdsenergi at Røysland Farm. Here, energy solutions, self-sufficiency and emergency preparedness were put in the context of modern farming.

The discussion was about how the farm can become more robust, how production can be combined with energy systems, and what this means for operational reliability and economy. The students were also given a concrete introduction to how battery solutions can be profitable at today's prices - by investing in equipment that can both supply energy and act as a backup system.

This gave them a broader understanding of how the future of agriculture is not just about production, but also about energy, risk and social responsibility.

Drones - precision without soil compaction

Day two had a clear focus on the use of drones in agriculture. Skårland Agri Drone and Romvesen demonstrated how drone-based spreading and mapping can reduce soil compaction, provide more precise efforts, strengthen HSE, contribute to financial savings, reduce emissions and at the same time increase the pace of work.

At the same time, the regulatory framework was thoroughly illuminated.

As Ingolf Skårland from Skårland Agri Drone put it:
"With drones, we can massively reduce CO₂ emissions while increasing food production, but it must be done correctly according to laws and regulations."

The students were thus able to both see the potential and understand the responsibility that comes with the use of technology.

From demonstration to curriculum

One concrete result of the days is that the SoilMate Leveler has now been installed and tested by students at Øksnevad.

As Ole Mørch from SoilMate says: "Through Test & Learn, the SoilMate Leveler has been installed and tested by students at Øksnevad. The equipment will be used in the education of future farmers.

Gunnar Crawford summarizes the significance as follows: - "SoilMate is clear proof of how the business community and Øksnevad High School can work together. Technology goes from presentation - to practice - to part of the teaching.

Who took part?

• Agdir
• Agrilogg
• Faunus Hub
• SoilMate
• TKS Agri
• Serigstad
• Skårland Agri Drone
• Romvesen
• Grønn Gårdsenergi (Røysland farm)

Collaboration that builds competence

The project is funded by Rogaland County Council, in collaboration with Øksnevad Upper Secondary School, Nordic Edge and the participating companies. It shows what happens when county councils, schools and businesses work together on specific skills development.

But this is about more than two days in March.

The ambition is for Test & Learn to be repeated annually at Øksnevad, developed further in other relevant arenas and included as a permanent activity in Future Farmer. The aim is to build a structured test arena where technology can be tested, improved and taken further - first regionally, then nationally and in the Nordic region through the Tested in the Nordics initiative.

Why this matters

When students get to ask questions directly to industry, it transforms learning. When companies get to test solutions in real-life environments, products improve. When farmers actively participate, the likelihood of innovation actually being adopted increases.

Students encountered efficient agricultural technology that can save both the environment and their wallets. They heard about entrepreneurship, risk and development. They got to see that the agriculture of the future is technology-intensive, knowledge-based and constantly changing.

This is competence building.
This is innovation in practice.
This is the farmer of the future.