Events
Hartnell to host 5th Annual Salinas Valley Ag Tech Summit
(Contributed)
March 15, 2018 — Salinas, CA
Organizers are expecting 1000-1200 attendees this year
5th Annual Salinas Valley Ag Technology Summit: Education, Exhibits, Pitch Competitions, DPR CE Credits
- VIP Fireside Chat and Opening Reception:
- Tuesday, March 27, 2018
- 5:30pm-7:30pm
- Hartnell College, Main Campus, 411 Central Ave, Salinas, CA 93901
- Free but register
- All-day Summit:
- Wednesday, March 28, 2018
- 7:30am-5:30pm
- Hartnell College, Main Campus, STEM Center (Building S)
- Free but register
- Additional information: http://svagtechsummit.com/
The 5th Annual Salinas Valley Ag Technology Summit will open Tuesday evening, March 27, 2018, with a fireside chat and reception featuring Salinas natives Kirk L. Haney, CEO & Managing Partner, Radicle Growth and Dennis Donohue, lead for Western Growers Innovation and Technology Center. This no-charge reception will take place in the STEM Center (Building S) on Hartnell’s main campus starting at 5:30pm.
On Wednesday, March 28, 2018, the Ag Tech Summit events commence at 8:00am and run through 5:00pm, also at the main campus. This full day is free of charge and includes lunch.
An impromptu mini-educational session takes place in the vendor space at the 2017 Salinas Valley AgTech Summitt. (Contributed)
With 45 speakers and three full educational tracks along with a sold-out trade show and early stage pitch ideas/startup ag tech company pitch competitions, Dr. Susan Pheasant (Director, Agriculture Innovation and Technology for Hartnell College) declares it is challenging to isolate just a few highlights:
- Colby Pereira, president of Monterey County Farm Bureau is moderating a discussion the Scalability of Technology: Best Practices on Utilizing Technological Innovations from the Netherland and California. Panelists include two experts, Aad van den Berg (Knowledge Development Horticulture) and Hein Kruyt (Solynta), from a 20-member Dutch delegation attending the Summit along with Brian Antle (PlantTape) and Britton Willson (AGCESS – a Pacific Ag Rentals entity).
- Drew McDonald, vice president Quality & Food Safety at Taylor Fresh Foods will be moderating a session focused on Ag Tech in Food Safety featuring national leaders Dr. Jennifer McEntire (VP Food Safety and Technology, United Fresh Produce Association) and Bob Whitaker (Chief Science & Technology Officer, Produce Marketing Association). They will be exploring topics such as what is Whole Genome Sequencing and what does it mean for us; what are the food safety implications of more and more automation – people can introduce risk but equipment can too; and the phone many of us use today wasn’t the first smartphone which suggests that innovation may more often be about subtle refinements over time and how can we apply that to facets of our business such as equipment design within a facility or a piece of farm equipment.
- Yinon Eliza (Taranis) will be presenting on next generation aerial imagery technology to prevent crop diseases. Also featured in that session will be a presentation by Chandler Bennett (Parabug) on the release of beneficial insects by drones.
- Nikki Rodoni (founder Measure to Improve) is leading an all-star panel entitled Addressing Plastic Pollution as an Innovation Opportunity. Panelists include Tony Bova (Grow Bioplastics), Sam Farr (retired Congressman 20th district), Gina Nucci (formerly of Mann Packing – a Del Monte Fresh Company and now Nucci Connects, Inc.), and Daniella Russo (Think Beyond Plastics). Plastic is a valuable and immensely useful material: it is inexpensive, versatile and practically indestructible. It is widely used for packaging, food transportation, irrigation, crop and soil covering, and more. As the industry projects a tripling in production by 2050, we must face the staggering negative externalities: Plastic production will use up almost 20% of global oil production, will represent 15% of the global carbon budget, and will likely surpass the airline industry’s use of petroleum products. To address this global challenge, Think Beyond Plastic is leading a global multi-disciplinary effort to accelerate commercialization of research and innovation of bio-benign materials, associated manufacturing, consumer and business products, and innovative packaging design utilizing these new materials.
Dr. Pheasant explains, “The beauty and value in the Ag Tech summit is that 1) it is designed by and for the ag tech industry based in the Salad Bowl of the World and 2) it includes key technology topics and literally brings them to the land and the facilities that produce, harvest, handle, store, and ship the food we all need to nourish our bodies and minds to address challenges and create meaningful solutions. Additionally, a common theme throughout the summit will be identifying in what areas do today’s employees need to be gaining/improving skills in order to be optimum employees tomorrow.”
Reservations are available on the Salinas Valley Ag Tech Summit website at: http://svagtechsummit.com/register/
For more information:
http://svagtechsummit.com/register/
Exhibitor, Sponsor and Program information can be found at: http://www.svagsummit.com
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Tagged Hartnell College, Salinas
