THIS THREE-YEAR INTEGRATED (RESEARCH AND EXTENSION) PROJECT ADDRESSES TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION IN AGRICULTURE, CURRENT INEFFICIENCIES OR UNDERUTILIZATION OF SMALL FARMS IN KENTUCKY, AND INTEGRATION OF INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES TO ENHANCE FARMS PRODUCTIVITY, DIVERSIFICATION, AND SUSTAINABILITY. RESULTS FROM A PREVIOUS AFRI-FUNDED PROJECT AND OTHER DATA SUGGEST THAT SMALL-SCALE FARMERS DESIRE ASSISTANCE TO LEARN ABOUT UTILIZATION OF RECENT TECHNOLOGIES THAT ARE COST-EFFECTIVE AND SUITABLE TO THE NEEDS OF SMALL-SCALE FARMS. THIS PROJECT WILL UTILIZE INNOVATIVE GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS), UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE (DRONE)-BASED DATA COLLECTION, WEB-BASED INTERACTIVE DECISION SUPPORTS TOOLS, AND MOBILE APPLICATIONS (APPS) TO EDUCATE SMALL-SCALE FARMERS HOW TO BEST MANAGE THEIR LANDS. THE OBJECTIVES ARE TO: (1) EXPLORE DRIVING FORCES AND INTENSITY OF ADOPTION/NON-ADOPTION OF TECHNOLOGY; (2) CONDUCT FOCUS GROUPS AND RELATED ACTIVITIES TO ELICIT FEEDBACK ABOUT ENHANCING FARMLANDS; (3) COMPILE/DEVELOP GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGY-BASED EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS TO USE IN OUTREACH AND EXTENSION EFFORTS; AND (4) EDUCATE SMALL FARMERS ON ADOPTION OF COMPUTER-BASED TECHNOLOGY COMPILED/DEVELOPED IN OBJECTIVE 3. THE IMPACTS OF THE PROJECT WILL BE IMPROVED QUALITY OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND EXTENSION EDUCATION THROUGH COLLABORATIVE, SCIENTIFIC, AND EMPIRICAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE DYNAMICS OF TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION IN AGRICULTURE; ENHANCED PRODUCTIVITY, RETENTION, AND PARTICIPATION OF YOUNGER AND BEGINNER FARMERS IN FARM SUCCESSION; DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES AND THEIR INTEGRATION INTO SUSTAINABLE FARM PRACTICES; AND ENHANCED MULTIPLE-USE VALUE OF FARMLANDS FOR SUSTAINED AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT IN RESPONSE TO AFRI'S PROGRAM PRIORITY AREA FOR MANAGING AND SUSTAINING SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED FARMS. THE PROPOSAL ADDRESSES THE AFRI/NIFA PRIORITY AREA: "AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS AND RURAL COMMUNITIES".