The four students listed as co-leaders on this project are enrolled in BAE 402/403: Biosystems Engineering Design I and II. The students will design a front loader weighing system in the Spring 2015 semester followed by fabricating and testing a prototype in the Fall 2016 semester. The funding from the Barnhart Fund for Excellence will be used to purchase sensors and raw materials to fabricate a prototype front loader weighing system. The system will be developed and tested on campus and then deployed at a Kentucky dairy in Oldham County for validation. The system is intended to be used to measure the amount of compost in a front loader bucket before it is loaded into a manure spreader. Because the moisture content and composition of compost can vary significantly, knowing the actual weight will improve the practice of land application of compost for plant nutrient and soil structure requirements. This project will contribute to excellence in student involvement. The scope is statewide, with a goal of becoming national.