Calling the UC Tech Community to Explore The California Agricultural & Robotics Technology Forum  

Ag Robotics Conference Oct 18-20 in Fresno

For the first time, the world’s largest Agricultural Robotics (Ag Robotics) conference, The World Agricultural Robotics Conference (aka “FIRA,” as it is called in Europe) will take place in Fresno, CA, Oct 18-20 under the name The California Agricultural & Robotics Technology Forum. Those in technology will have the opportunity to learn more about how robotics is revolutionizing the Agricultural Sector.

The technology industry has re-shaped finance/banking, manufacturing, retail, and health care in the US. Today, it is the US agricultural industry that is long over-due for innovations in technology and is poised for unprecedented change. For those interested in opportunities in Ag Robotics, an industry in its infancy, join University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) in-person this October at California Agricultural & Robotics Technology Forum, coming to the US for the first time this year, with a conference in Fresno, California. University of California Technology (UC Tech) community members are encouraged to attend to learn more about how the field of robotics is transforming the agricultural industry and to get a taste of the burgeoning opportunities that lie ahead for those in technology. 

Conference Topics & Approach: New approaches to address climate change and labor issues, including autonomous systems and robots. Conferences audiences will be engaged in problem-solving, decision-making and planning, along demonstrations.  

Target audiences: Participants will include technologists, startup investors and owners, robot manufacturers, scientists and specialty crop growers and farmers. It is jointly organized by the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), Global Organization for Agricultural Robotics (GOFAR), Western Growers Association and the Fresno-Merced Future of Food (F3) Initiative. 

When: From Tuesday, October 18, at 8 a.m. to Thursday, October 20, at 7 p.m.
Audiences will have the chance to see robots performing tasks such as planting, weeding and harvesting in the field Oct. 20 at 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Location:  Fresno Convention & Entertainment Center, 848 M St, Fresno, CA 93721 

Speakers: Karen Ross, Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA); Ben Alfi, Co-Founder of Blue White Robotics; Erez Fait, Co-founder of Agrinoz; Walt Duflock, Vice President of Vice President of Western Growers; Mark Borman, President of Taylor Farms California; Aubrey Bettencourt, CEO of Almond Alliance; Erez Fait, Chairman and Co-founder of Agrinoze; and more. 

Conference URL:  www.fira-agtech.com/event/fira-usa.  

Contact:  Hanif Houston, hrhouston@ucanr.edu, Associate Director, Communications and Marketing, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR)—The VINE.