Schweitzer Orchards, a family-run farm that has been in Alpine Township since the 1850’s, is now run by 4th and 5th generation growers who are looking to the future and the role of artificial intelligence in agriculture. Owner Nick Schweitzer discussed systems like Hectre which takes photos of crates of apples and analyzes data.
“It helps us identify what we’re picking – size, quality, color - which also helps to get it to the customer that wants those certain specifications with their fruit.”
“Smart traps” are capable of monitoring harmful insects in the fields to better target pest management.
“We’re following those lifecycles and targeting those pests when we need to rather than just spraying broadly so we can use less materials and be more environmentally friendly.”
Schweitzer also showed where he’s experimenting with new ways to grow trees that will make it easier for robots to pick the apples in future years.
“The more data we can collect now, we can utilize that in the future to integrate with AI to make picking more efficient.”
On the tour were representatives from agricultural businesses and agencies and Congresswoman Hillary Scholten who noted that many people worry AI will take their jobs but, in this case, the challenge is in finding enough agricultural workers as production demands increase.
“This technology, it seems to me, is going to enhance the ability of individuals who are already here doing these jobs just to do them better.”
Supporters say jobs won’t necessarily disappear but change to become more technical than physical.
