NDSU student Joanna Daniella Fajardo was named the grand champion during the 77th annual Agricultural Technology Exposition.
NDSU student Joanna Daniella Fajardo was named the grand champion during the 77th annual Agricultural Technology Exposition, hosted by NDSU and the agricultural and biosystems engineering department.
The sophomore presented her project, “Bugging Out: IoT for Pest Detection,” during the Feb. 15 event.
Fajardo is pursuing a major in precision agriculture and a minor in artificial intelligence at NDSU. She is an international student from the Philippines, who chose her project based on a high school interest.
While attending the research-oriented Philippine Science High School System, she completed a research project as a graduation requirement, choosing to explore the creation of a prototype of an Internet of Things (IoT) device to identify pest and disease damage in cabbage.
“So, I already had a background of what the Internet of Things is, and I wanted to explain that further and explore other new technologies that use Internet of Things,” she says.
During the Ag Tech Expo, students present on a topic related to technology within the agricultural industry.
For her project, Fajardo explored applications of the IoT for pest detection, featuring two technologies.
FarmerLifeLine is a solar-powered device that detects and identifies crop pests and diseases. Data is delivered to the farmer sharing what pest is present, what crop was affected and what type and amount of pesticide should be applied, she explained.
FarmSense is a solar-powered device that detects pests by classifying and counting pests through their wingbeats.
“What’s interesting about their technology is instead of using a camera, they use their patented sensor. So, to detect and classify the pests, they analyze its wingbeat frequency through artificial intelligence. Then it also sends that information to the farmers by SMS and through a dashboard,” Fajardo said.
“Internet of Things is basically interconnected devices that can collect and exchange data over a network. So, even though it’s called Internet of Things, it doesn't necessarily have to be over the Wi-Fi network. Then also what I highlighted during the presentation was how it harnesses the power of AI, because IoT, in itself, is just a device that can collect data, but when you pair it with AI, it transforms that data into valuable insights the farmers can use, such as the type of pesticide to apply. So it turns data into actionable insights,” she said.
Presenting a project during the Ag Tech Expo was a beneficial experience, Fajardo said.
“The expo really taught me about communication and simplifying complex ideas, because a lot of the people who I talked to in the expo were not familiar with the term Internet of Things. As I explained the project, I learned how to make it accessible and engaging,” she said.
Fajardo’s father received his master’s degree from NDSU, which brought her to NDSU.
“I really love the community and just how the students are connected with their professors,” she said, pointing to hands-on experiences and working with professors with their research projects.
The Ag Tech Expo began in 1948 and was led by the student branch of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers and the Agricultural Systems Management Club.
Today, this effort has evolved as a one-credit class at NDSU, and some students have enrolled in the course three times. This class provides an understanding of how to show and explain the latest innovations in agricultural technology. Students practice communication skills and learn task management. Higher-level thinking skills are demonstrated, as students prepare displays for public viewing and interaction. This is the largest student-led activity in the agricultural and biosystems engineering department.
More than $1,000 in scholarships are typically awarded during the event, with the funds obtained by the students from local sponsors. Scholarships are awarded to the grand champion project, division winners and best freshman project.
2025 Ag Tech Expo winners:
Grand Champion: Joanna Daniella Fajardo with “Bugging Out: IoT for Pest Detection.” Scholarship sponsor: NDSU Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department
Reserve Champion: Tyler Bliss, John Kottke and Tyler Bernstein with “Case IH AF11.” Scholarship sponsor: Red River Valley ASABE
Machinery Division: Micah Lundblad and Jaxon Klegstand with “AI in Autonomous Tractors.”
Scholarship sponsor: NDSU College of Engineering
Precision Agriculture Division: Joanna Daniella Fajardo with “Bugging Out: IoT for Pest Detection.” Scholarship sponsor: Premium Ag Solutions Soil, Water and Environment
Division: Chris Thibert, Michael Nelson and Isaac Voller with “Trapview: AI Powered Pest Protection.” Scholarship sponsor: Dr. Thomas
Bon Structures and Processing Division: Andrew Trom, Nicholas Wulfekuhle and Ben Wappes with “Artificial Intelligence in Dairy Barns.” Scholarship sponsor: Bakke Family Farms
Champion Freshman Project: Andrew Trom, Nicholas Wulfekuhle and Ben Wappes with “Artificial Intelligence in Dairy Barns.” Scholarship sponsor: K25 Engineering Inc.
Senior Design Champion: Alex Nelson, Ryan Doe, Nicholas Popp, Tate Reichmann and Matthew Nepsund with “Fertilizer Spreader for Test Plots.” Scholarship sponsor: Dr. Thomas Bon
