Kelly Scott

Kelly Scott is Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations at UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) and leads the Farm Robotics Challenge, an annual student competition advancing the next generation of agricultural technology leaders. He brings more than 20 years of University of California experience building high-impact programs, partnerships, and student opportunities at the intersection of innovation, education, and industry.

In his leadership of the Farm Robotics Challenge, Kelly convenes college students, educators, growers, researchers, and technology partners around real on-farm challenges. The Challenge gives student teams an opportunity to develop and test robotics, automation, artificial intelligence, and computer-vision solutions designed for agriculture—building both technical capability and a practical understanding of the needs of modern farming. His work focuses on making the competition a meaningful bridge between the classroom, the field, and the rapidly evolving ag-tech workforce.

Kelly also leads corporate and foundation relations for UC ANR, where he develops partnerships that support forward-looking research, extension, education, and workforce-development initiatives across California. He is particularly skilled at translating shared priorities into durable collaborations that connect industry expertise, university research, student talent, and community impact.

Driven by the belief that agriculture’s future depends on collaboration and innovation, Kelly is committed to helping students see themselves as part of the solution—using technology to address the labor, sustainability, efficiency, and production challenges facing growers today.