CF Announces Partnership with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

The College of Central Florida (CF) has formalized a new partnership with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to enhance student education and advance the use of uncrewed aircraft systems in agriculture.

The agreement, approved by the CF Board of Trustees on May 28, gives CF Agribusiness Management students unprecedented opportunities to access innovative technologies and get hands-on experience with the latest industry equipment. Learners studying at the CF Vintage Farm Campus will benefit from autonomous aircraft demonstrations and guest lectures by Embry-Riddle experts, who will focus on agricultural operations such as crop monitoring, livestock management and precision farming.

“Expanding the college’s agribusiness training opportunities is responsive to the needs of employers,” said Dr. Jim Henningsen, CF president. “With our area producing nearly $400 million in agriculture exports each year and generating an economic impact of more than $4 billion through our equine industry, CF is positioned to be Florida’s top educational provider for agribusiness career training, talent development and applied research.”

Embry-Riddle, located in Daytona Beach, will have access to CF facilities for collaborative events, research and career awareness initiatives.

“This partnership represents an exciting opportunity for students to explore the intersection of aviation and agriculture in a real-world setting,” said Dr. Alan Stolzer, dean of the Embry-Riddle College of Aviation. “We look forward to engaging with the College of Central Florida community and providing meaningful experiences that inspire the next generation of uncrewed aircraft systems leaders.”

College of Central Florida was certified in 2024 as a National Institute of Food and Agriculture Non-Land-Grant College of Agriculture, and is one of only three Florida educational institutions with this designation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, alongside Florida State University and Florida International University. CF’s 103-acre Vintage Farm Campus, located on County Road 475 just south of downtown Ocala, is the only working farm campus in the Florida College System.

For more information about CF’s Agribusiness Management program, visit CF.edu/Agribusiness.