The next AgTech Innovation Summit will take place on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. Join us to explore how technology solutions are addressing some of the most significant challenges facing agriculture today – and learn about what is on the horizon. One of the premier AgTech hubs in the nation, Champaign-Urbana is uniquely positioned to bring together entrepreneurs, investors, academics, and industry for learning, networking and advancing this sector.
March 7, 2023
Illinois Conference Center
1402 S. 1st St. Champaign, IL
This interactive conference offers participants the opportunity to learn and share knowledge about the current state of agtech and looking into the future through dynamic panels, inspiring keynote presentations, and networking opportunities.
If you have any questions, please contact Laura Bleill at lwbleill@illinois.edu.
AgTech Student Career Panel
Students are invited to join us to hear from their peers working in agtech within the Research Park. Join us in the ACES Library Wednesday, February 15 at 5pm. Learn more and register here.
Sponsors
2023 Agenda
*Please continue to check our website for agenda updates.
7:30 AM REGISTRATION OPENS
8:00 AM WELCOME AND OPENING REMARKS
- Laura Appenzeller | Executive Director, University of Illinois Research Park
Champaign-Urbana Welcome Week Proclamation
- Deborah Frank Feinen | Mayor, City of Champaign
- Diane Wolfe Marlin | Mayor, City of Urbana
The Journey of Sustainability
- Brad Arnold | SVP, General Manager Precision, AGCO Corporation
- Paul Hunter | Global Sustainability Manager, Kin + Carta
- Emily Heaton | Regenerative Ag Stakeholder Coordinator, UIUC College of ACES
- Moderator: Kim Kidwell | Associate Chancellor for Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives, University of Illinois Urbana – Champaign
Opportunities in Alternative Proteins
- Michelle Ruiz | CEO & Co-Founder, Hyfe
- Sean Madison | Director of North American Business Development, Innovafeed
- Michael Tai | Cofounder & CEO, Boston Bioworks
- Moderator: Jack Marck | Managing Director, Illinois AgTech Accelerator
Carbon Strategy in AgTech
- Dennis Beard | Managing Partner, Serra Ventures
- Nick Reinke | CEO, HabiTerre
- Pamela Bachman | Director or Sustainability and Outreach, Climate
- Moderator: Lisa Ainsworth | Research Leader, USDA ARS
GLEN “GB” BRANDT PRIZE FOR AG ENTREPRENEURISM
- Nominations are open here.
The Future of the AgTech Workforce
- Laura Gerstner | Director of Precision Tech Enterprise Program Management, CNHI
- Maggie Brickerman | Partner, gener8tor
- Jen Quinlan | Food & Agtech Innovation Program Lead, Cargill
- Amy Funk | Director, Jackie Joyner Kersee Foundation, Agriculture and Nutrition Innovation Center
- Moderator: Amy Fruehling | Sr. Director Corporate Relations, UIUC College of ACES
The Intelligent Farm
- Brian Sutton | Founder and President, AirScout
- Mark Moran | Tech Innovation Leader, John Deere
- Connie Bowen | Co-Founder, Farmhand Ventures
- Jeff Klock | North America Digital Strategy Leader, Cargill
- Moderator: Germán Bollero, Interim Dean, UIUC College of ACES
MOORE INNOVATION PRIZE AND STARTUP PRESENTATION
Perspective of Growers & Producers
- Mark Scholl | President, J and M Scholl, Inc.
- Lena Head | Co-Owner & External Relations Manager, Head Bros. Land and Cattle LLC
- Matt Riggs | President, Riggs Beer Company
- Moderator: Sarah Michaels | Agriculture Reporter, WEEK 25
AGTECH SHOWCASE & NETWORKING RECEPTION
You’re invited to join us for the AgTech Showcase & Networking event immediately following the Summit at the Illinois Conference Center. The AgTech Showcase is an opportunity to connect with other attendees and see what innovations companies are working on. Snacks and beverages will be provided.
Questions
Each panel will include a brief Q&A session. If you’d like to ask a question, submit it here.
Hotel Information
Out-of-town attendees can book a room at the I-Hotel using our room block code at this link. The deadline to book using this code is February 4, 2023.
Block Code: AGTECH23
Password: *n5hm
Champaign-Urbana AgTech Week
Champaign-Urbana has long been a hub for technology as well as agriculture. In the past decade, those two paths have converged, paving the way for the community to become an “epicenter for AgTech.” In addition to the AgTech Summit, there are several events during AgTech Week from March 6-10.
AgTech Award
Edwin Moore Family Agriculture Award
The Edwin Moore Family Agriculture award was established in 2016 with a generous gift to EnterpriseWorks. The goal of this award is to help startup companies engaged in the development of new innovative technologies that may lead to increased productivity and/or efficiency in farming or to create new agricultural opportunities, including new processes, new crops, and new food production systems.
The award honors the legacy of Edwin E. Moore (1924), who graduated from the University of Illinois College of Agriculture and began farming in Will County. Throughout his agricultural career, he and his wife, Iva, used innovative farming practices for both crop production and livestock management. Two of their four children also became farmers, Edwin and Thomas (1953, College of Agriculture), and continued use of innovative farm practices. Subsequent generations of Edwin Moore’s family have continued to pursue farming and ag-related careers capturing the same innovative spirit.
The previous winners include:
Glen “GB” Brandt Prize for Ag Entrepreneurism Award
The Glen “GB” Brandt Prize for Ag Entrepreneurism was established in 2021 in honor of Glen “GB” Brandt, a legendary figure in the field of Illinois agriculture, who passed away in late 2020. The BRANDT Foundation partnered with the University of Illinois to provide the winner a $10,000 prize.
The BRANDT Foundation was established in 2012 as a philanthropic extension of BRANDT, Inc. The Brandt family has always stood with their communities and as their company grew, so did the opportunities to give back. The BRANDT Foundation offers donations, grants, and support to the charities, organizations, and communities that reside in the same area of the company; geographically and industry-related.
The previous winners include:
AgTech Summit History
Check out these highlights from our AgTech Innovation Summits of past years.
2022
2022 AgTech Innovation Summit Photo Gallery
March 9, WCIA: AgTech Innovation Summit
March 9, Brownfield: Vertical Integration has farmer/brewer less concerned about inflation
February 23, Speaker RFD Profit Watch
2021
2021 AgTech Innovation Summit Recap Video
2021 AgTech Innovation Summit Photos
AgTech Summit 2021 in the Media
March 20, The News-Gazette: Rural Paxton farmer’s spirit recognized
March 12, AgDaily: Illinois Farmer Receives Ag Entrepreneurial Award
March 4, WCIA: We’re thinking spring in Champaign County
February 10, Smile Politely: The 2021 AgTech Innovation Summit is Happening on March 10th