Florida Awards $276,069 to Polk State College for Agricultural Technology: Drone Purchases Expand Dual Enrollment Through AgriPolk
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis visited Polk State College's JD Alexander Center in Lake Wales on November 4 to announce a $276,069 Workforce Capitalization Grant from the Florida Department of Education. Lake Wales is in southeastern Polk County, where agriculture remains an important part of the community's identity and economy.
The funding will support the acquisition of several unmanned aircraft systems for the college's AgriPolk initiative and expand dual enrollment opportunities for high school students to gain hands-on experience in agricultural technology, including drone operation and related certifications. Launched in October 2025, AgriPolk combines Associate in Arts coursework with agricultural training through a partnership with the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), providing a pathway into the university's agricultural programs.
Polk State is also developing an Associate in Science degree in Precision Agriculture Technology, which will go before the college's District Board of Trustees for approval on November 30. Florida Commissioner of Education Dr. Henry Mack attended the announcement, and college President Anastasios Kamoutsas said the partnership addresses community workforce needs. New Florida Department of Transportation wayfinding signage for the center was also unveiled at the event.
DeSantis said Florida leads the nation in workforce education and that the partnership will expand opportunities for students to gain technical skills while supporting agricultural innovation and the state economy.
(Source: Polk State College)
Source: Polk State College
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 农业无人机在田间作业（资料图）。CC BY-SA 4.0，Shreesha Sharma 摄，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / An agricultural drone spraying a field (file photo). CC BY-SA 4.0, by Shreesha Sharma, via Wikimedia Commons.
