SBIR-STTR Award

Bubo Learning Design LLC (Bubo) aims to build a library of virtual reality (VR) modules to train the next generation of agricultural workers. The agricultural workforce shortage is crippling small farms across the country and the economic prosperity of their rural communities. New approaches are needed to train workers on complex skills and expose youth to agricultural vocations without the cost and logistics of providing on-site experiences. This project directly aligns with USDA Strategic Goals 2 4 and 7. Bolstering the agricultural workforce will assure the economic stability of American farms and their rural communities while securing access to our food supply. In this Phase I SBIR Bubo will build and assess the impact of a prototype VR module focused on key beekeeping skills. VR will build participants' confidence in risky tasks like identifying the queen and checking mite infestation while reducing the cost and logistics of on-farm training. Project objectives are to determine the best skill characteristics for VR training and the best VR techniques for agricultural skills and assets that convey real-life situations and to assess VR's impact on learners - focusing on at-risk urban youth and on rural youth seeking career paths. Assessment metrics will include skill proficiency as well as evaluating the acceptance of VR by diverse trainees. Bubo will incorporate findings into a prototype that can be used as a model for subsequent training modules on other subjects. Results will establish Bubo's "American VR Farms" brand as a subscription-based training website.