MAY 2026


In This Month's Issue

 
Elected Leadership: A Call for Nominations
Quarter-Scale Rolls this Weekend—Catch the Livestream

Events Awards & Recognition In Memoriam – Wayne LePori, Tony Grift

 
 
 
 

GOVERNANCE


Elected Leadership: A Call for Nominations


As we've been reporting, the Nominating committee is excited to provide an updated avenue for members to present themselves for nomination for leadership positions within the Society. Now is your opportunity to elevate your impact by volunteering to run for office in 2027 within the Nominating committee, Board of Trustees, or even as Society president. Submit your application and supporting material by June 15, 2026.

Current Nominating committee members are as follows:
Dana Porter (chair)  
Doug Otto (chair-elect) 
Bethany Bertsch (NRES) 
Cale Boriack (ASE) 
Ziynet Boz (ITSC) 
Jim Dooley (District 5) 
Maynard Herron (E-2050) 
Brendan Higgins (ES) 
Jennifer Keshwani (EOPD) 
Isaya Kisekka (District 4) 
John Lawrence (PRS) 
Andy Lenkaitis (MS) 
Alicia Modenbach (District 2) 
Michelle Soupir (District 3) 
Yang Tao (District 1) 
Greg Williams (PAFS) 
Aaron Yoder (ESH) 

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Quarter-Scale Rolls this Weekend—Catch the Livestream


Quarter-Scale logoNow in its 29th year, ASABE's International Quarter-Scale Tractor Student Design Competition take place this weekend at a new location, in Bloomington, Illinois. Twenty-four teams are expected to compete this year.

If you're in the vicinity, join us at the McLean County Fairgrounds. Otherwise, you can catch a lot of the action on the livestream. 
 
Watch the Livestream
 
 

Events


Join Us!

ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL MEETING

 


 

 
 

ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL MEETING

 

July 12 – 15, 2026

Indianapolis



Online registration for AIM 2026 continues through June 12.  

The AIM schedule is full - browse all of the technical sessions, social events, CPDs, and more on the AIM website. Add ticketed events to your registration now so you don't miss out. On Sunday, Monday, and Thursday, there are great tours that have limited capacity. Read about those on the agenda and make plans to add to your #26ASABE calendar!  
Program Highlights
5 CPDs
129 technical sessions
Center Stage! One location for student competitions, informal tech talks, and more
Get creative at the Spouse/Guest Event 
Foundation Dinner—fun for a cause, with a competitive edge! 
Group seating at Victory Field
Career Fair
+ so much more! 

Accommodations
Stay where the action is—the JW Marriott Indianapolis is the host hotel for AIM 2026. Two other hotels have been secured for you to choose from, as well. Find the rates, locations, and reservation link online. Rooms are available until June 12 or until sold out. 

Childcare
Bringing your child to AIM? Sign up for childcare while you attend sessions! KiddieCorp is back and will be available Monday through Wednesday during the technical session programming. Space is limited. 

Don’t let these tours leave without you!
Throttle up at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, iconic home of the Indy 500, then go behind the scenes at a next-generation livestock farm pushing the boundaries of modern agriculture. Two tours. Zero regrets. Register now before it's too late!
  • T#4 Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum Monday, July 13, 10:00 am–1:00 pm 
  • T#5 Tour Fair Oaks Farm; Thursday, July 16, 8:00 am–3:00 pm

AIM General Session and Keynote Event

Photo of Sherry Hunt, ASABE presidentASABE President Sherry Hunt welcomes you to AIM 2026. This year's general session opens with recognition of ASABE trustees and award recipients — including Educational Aids Blue Ribbon, Superior Paper, ITSC Paper, Outstanding Reviewers, retiring editors and associate editors, conference chairs, and standards honorees.

Then, get ready for a conversation that matters. Indiana State FFA officers—young leaders uniquely positioned at the intersection of tradition and transformation—join us for a candid panel on how the next generation connects, communicates, and takes on challenges in food, agriculture, and natural resources. Expect fresh perspectives and real takeaways on engaging emerging talent in an increasingly digital and global field.

 
 
 
 
 
Be the First to Know
 
 
Artwork showing details of 2026 career fair
Join us Tuesday afternoon in the Exhibit Hall for our Career Fair. It's a one-stop location for employers and job seekers to network and share information about career opportunities.

Employers, register your booth through the link below. Contact Tuyi Olowoyeye with questions.
Register a Booth
 

Support the ASABE Foundation at AIM


Tickets available via your AIM registration  
Image card showing details of the Foundation event
Student competitions are where ideas come to life, where students design, build, test, and collaborate in ways that prepare them for real careers in agricultural and biological engineering.

Your support will provide the materials, travel assistance, and resources that make these hands-on experiences possible. By giving today, you’re not only helping current students, you’re building a sustainable source of funding that will support these opportunities year after year. And with every dollar matched right now, your impact goes twice as far in shaping the next generation of innovators and leaders.
Support Student Competitions
 
 
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Project Management 101 – Register Now!

I
Register
 
 
 

Community News

 
 

ASABE PUBLICATIONS


ATSM Programs to Be Featured in Special Resource Issue


Thumbnail image of a Resource Explore coverWe’re preparing the upcoming "Explore" issue of Resource magazine—a special edition dedicated to careers in agricultural technology and systems management. Published only once every three years, this highly anticipated issue reaches ASABE members as well as non-member Resource subscribers nationwide in September. This is a valuable opportunity to showcase your department and connect with prospective students, industry professionals, and future collaborators who are actively exploring programs and careers in the field. Join peer institutions from across the country in highlighting the strengths, opportunities, and impact of your program.

To help support your outreach and recruitment efforts, we’re also offering special advertising packages that include additional copies for distribution at recruiting events, campus visits, career fairs, and other promotional activities.

Please contact Jill Straub by June 12 of your intention to advertise and of the ad size you'd like. The deadline to submit your ad is July 15. Details on sizes and acceptable formats can be found in the online Resource Media Kit.

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Become an ASABE Certified Reviewer


Continuing Professional Development Session
2026 Annual International Meeting
Tuesday, July 14, 5:15 – 6:15 pm
Registration: $10


Join us this summer at the annual meeting in Indianapolis for a special session to become certified as an ASABE reviewer. Learn about the peer-review process and how to write a helpful peer-review report. Discuss best practices and approaches with other ASABE reviewers.

This CPD is targeted at newer authors and reviewers but is open to all. Participants will receive certificates at the completion of the CPD noting their designation as ASABE Certified Reviewers. Register through the AIM registration portal.

Thanks to the Young Professionals Community and EOPD-210 Department Heads committee for sponsoring this event.

Full Details
Register


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Call for Papers: Ecosystem Evapotranspiration, Regenerative Agriculture, Water-Quality Monitoring



We invite you to contribute to our scholarly community by submitting manuscripts to our new all open access (OA) Journal of Natural Resources and Agricultural Ecosystems and our other hybrid journals. Just follow our step-by-step submission instructions

These special collections are accepting manuscripts:
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Hackathon Returns!


Photo of ASABE Hackthon participantsThe ASABE AIM Hackathon is returning this year!, in its first year as an official ASABE competition.

The 2026 event promises to be the most exciting year yet. The new tools for bringing concepts to reality are better than ever, and we can't wait to see all the creative ideas our students come up with!

Interested in participating? We'd love to have you join us. Click the link below to learn more and register.

Learn More and Sign Up
 
 

COMING UP


Member Events


Casual business conversation







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May 28–31
International 1/4-Scale Student Design Competition
Membership Event

ASABE Continuing Education Webinar: Project Management 101
Membership Event

June 10
Florida Section Annual Conference
Section Meeting

June 24
YPC Presentation Workshop
Young Professionals Event

July 1
AIM Orientation for Young Professionals
Young Professionals Event
 
 
 
 
 

Awards & Recognition

 

2026 Award Winners and Fellows


Join us at AIM 2026, in Indianapolis, where you'll have the opportunity to celebrate this year's Fellows and major-award winners, at the Fellows induction ceremony and the Wednesday luncheon.


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2026 Class of ASABE Fellows


Danielle Julie Carrier
Scott C. Cedarquist
Dwayne R. Edwards, PE
Sanjay Shukla
Travis Tsunemori
Lingjuan Wang-Li
Gregory D. Williams, PE
Qiang Zhang, PE
 

Keep Us in the Loop


Don't miss the resources, news, and opportunities your membership delivers.

If you've moved inboxes, let us know. Update your email address so everything reaches you. 
Update Your Record
 
 

In Memoriam

 

Photo of Wayne LePoriWayne A. LePori


Wayne Anderson LePori passed away May 17,  Born in Harwood, Texas, and raised on the family farm, LePori helped with the hatchery and chickens from an early age, developing the strong work ethic and love of agriculture that would guide him throughout his life. Although reluctant to leave the farm, he enrolled at Texas A&M College, where he earned a bachelor's degree in agricultural engineering, in 1960. A master's degree from the University of Arizona and PhD from Oklahoma State followed. He then moved, with his young family, back to College Station, where he began a 30-year distinguished career in the agricultural engineering department.

His work took him around the world, including time spent in Israel, Sri Lanka, England, and Mexico. He received numerous honors and professional recognitions, and one of the accomplishments he valued most was helping establish the exchange program between Texas A&M and the University of Guanajuato. He retired from Texas A&M in 2005 but remained deeply engaged in the communities and causes he loved. He continued living in College Station while caring for the family ranch in Gonzales County, where he took great pride in his Red Brangus herd. A passionate advocate for rural water rights and water conservation, Wayne assisted with the Water Protection Association and shared his knowledge and experience in efforts to protect rural water resources from SAWS. He also served on the board of the Wickson Utility District, supporting the residents of Brazos County.

LePori was a 70-year member of ASABE. 

Full obituary
 
 

Photo of Tony GriftTony Grift


ASABE Fellow Tony Grift, Champaign, Illinois, passed away on April 22, 2026, at the age of 63 after a brief illness. 

Born in 1963 in Putten, The Netherlands, Grift earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial automation from Utrecht Polytechnic, followed by a master’s degree in systems and control in agricultural engineering from Wageningen Agricultural University, The Netherlands. He later completed his PhD in engineering at the University of Arkansas. He went on to build a 23-year career in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he attained the rank of professor. He was also affiliated with programs and collaborations in The Grainger College of Engineering. His contributions included teaching Engineering Measurement Systems, ABE 425, his long-standing service on Grainger Engineering’s Executive Committee, and affiliation with the National Center for Supercomputing Applications.

Grift's research focused on agricultural robotics, biosystems automation, and advanced machinery for agricultural and biomass production systems. He developed robotics and sensing technologies designed to improve agricultural production efficiency while reducing environmental impact, contributing to broader efforts to advance sustainable food and energy systems. As an educator, he was known for his high standards, thoughtful mentorship, and genuine investment in student success. He believed strongly in critical inquiry, ethical practice, and the responsibility of scholars to engage the world beyond academia. Many of his students credit him with shaping not only their professional trajectories but also their approach to leadership and service. He was a contributing author for ASABE and in 2019 was named an ASABE Fellow, an honor which he was deeply proud to hold. In these roles, he was valued for his steady judgment, collaborative spirit, and principled decision-making. He approached professional service with the same care and integrity that defined his teaching and research.

Beyond his professional life, he was known for being full of life. He enjoyed racquetball and was an avid motorcyclist. He will be remembered as a thoughtful listener, a generous mentor, and a person of not so quiet conviction.

Grift was a 27-year member of ASABE. 


Full obituary


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