FFAR builds unique public-private partnerships to fund the groundbreaking research needed to combat agriculture’s most pressing issues. In this spirit, the event kicked off with remarks from Dr. Sally Rockey, Executive Vice President at American Farm Bureau Federation Dale Moore and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue.
The event featured interactive exhibits that brought science to life in new and different ways:
- General Mills created a display to highlight advancements in regenerative agriculture.
- AeroFarms invited participants to tour their vertical farms through virtual reality, while tasting lettuce grown without soil or sunlight.
- The Irrigation Innovation Consortium demonstrated the benefits of their new soil moisture sensors.
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture allowed participants to interact with their bee hive, while a USDA beekeeper explained the risk that varroa mite poses to these important pollinators.
- The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance took participants on a virtual reality field trip to a farm and offered them the opportunity to engage with farmers.
- The Yield Lab’s entrepreneurs outlined plans to sustainably revolutionize food and agriculture systems.
The panel discussions were equally engaging. The event started with a discussion about regenerative agriculture and the role it plays in the food system. Later in the afternoon, participants heard from government, non-profit and industry officials about the importance of driving innovation through public-private partnerships. The crowd also had the opportunity to hear about the research land-grant universities are currently conducting and how they plan to develop solutions for tomorrow.
Additionally, two videos that aired during the event explained the importance of adaptive multi-paddock grazing and how this practice can increase farm resiliency, advance soil biodiversity and improve animal welfare.
The full list of event speakers and the complete agenda is available online.