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With the increasing emphasis on machine learning and artificial intelligence to drive knowledge discovery in the agricultural sciences, spatial internet of things (IoT) technologies have become increasingly important for collecting real-time, high resolution data for these models. However, managing large fleets of devices while maintaining high data quality remains an ongoing challenge as scientists iterate from prototype to mature end-to-end applications. Here, we provide a set of case studies using the framework of technology readiness levels for an open source spatial IoT system. The spatial IoT systems underwent 3 major and 14 minor system versions, had over 2,727 devices manufactured both in academic and commercial contexts, and are either in active or planned deployment across four continents. Our results show the evolution of a generalizable, open source spatial IoT system designed for agricultural scientists, and provide a model for academic researchers to overcome the challenges that exist in going from one-off prototypes to thousands of internet-connected devices., Comment: 20 pages, 5 figures, 1 table

Agricultural productivity in the United States has doubled over the last 50 years through agricultural intensification and adoption of new innovative technologies. Although efficiency of our agricultural systems has increased, water quality remains a concern with minimal measured improvements observed nationwide. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the processes, conservation practices, and programs that influence the impact of agriculture on surface and groundwater quality. Complexities and difficulties associated with nutrient cycling and transport processes, management decisions and practice trade-offs, and federal conservation program effectiveness create immense challenges to achieving and measuring water quality improvement goals. Development of more precise nutrient recommendations, advancement of water monitoring methods to better differentiate among potential nutrient sources, design and implementation of novel conservation practices that address dissolved nutrient loss and in-stream nutrient retention, increased knowledge of processes influencing nutrient supply and transport, and increased cost-effectiveness of conservation programs integrating regional and industry-based collaboration are needed to continue to improve water quality in agricultural landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]