The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) hosted a convening event to analyze barriers to the adoption of a wide range of innovations and technological advances aimed at improving agricultural sustainability. The event focused on the areas where FFAR can research pathways to increase the adoption of innovations across the U.S. food and agricultural production chain.
At this convening event, we explored areas of potential research on barriers to adoption that could fall into the pre-competitive realm with the aim of building a partnership (consortium) with both potential funders and thought leaders.
Download a detailed agenda here.
SUMMARY REPORT
Thank you for your interest in FFAR’s Breaking Down the Barriers Convening Event. We are pleased to share key outcomes from the meeting with you in our summary report. Help us continue this important conversation and inform our research program by sharing your thoughts on challenges in the barriers to innovation area that could be addressed through research, or let us know about your research on food waste.
If you would like to reach FFAR directly, please email us your comments at innovation@foundationfar.org. We look forward to hearing from you!
To stay up to date on FFAR Innovation Pathways programs and opportunities, please join the FFAR Innovation Pathways email list.
FFAR is pleased to recognize the following Event Sponsor:
Graphic Recordings of the Event
AM Plenary Session: Setting the Stage
Panel 1: Identifying Research Needs on Motivations and Barriers to Innovation Adoption Across the Food System Based on Research Findings To-Date
Panel 2: A Holistic View on Barriers to Adoption of Innovations Aimed at Improving Agricultural Sustainability: Identifying Research Needs Across the Food System Based on Research Findings and Experiences To-Date
Panel 3: Impact of Institutional and Legal Structures on Transfer and Translation of Innovations into Commercial Practices: Identifying Research Needs Across the Food System Based on Research Findings and Experiences To-Date
PM Plenary Session
Examination of Outcomes of “At-your-table” Discussions: Research Gaps/White Spaces
Event Presentations
Plenary Session: Setting the Stage
- Defining Innovation—Dr. Gregory Graff, Agricultural & Resource Economics, Colorado State University
- What the Review of the U.S. Literature tells Us about Research Needs on Motivation and Barriers to Innovation Adoption—Dr. Linda Prokopy, Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University
- Novel Successful Technology Transfer/Adoption Models—Ms. Mojdeh Bahar, Office of Technology Transfer, USDA Agriculture Research Service
- Innovative Approaches to Engaging Potential Innovation Adopters—Dr. Charles (Chuck) Hibberd, Cooperative Extension Division, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Panel 1: Identifying Research Needs on Motivations and Barriers to Innovation Adoption Across the Food System Based on Research Findings To-Date
- Motivations and Barriers to Adoption of Innovative Approaches to Address Human and Animal Health—Dr. Ilaria Capua, One Health Center of Excellence, University of Florida
- Social and Ethical Barriers to Innovation Uptake—Dr. Paul Thompson; Agricultural, Food and Community Ethics; Michigan State University
- Opportunities for Innovative Land Uses and Barriers to their Sustainable Development— Bryan Norton, School of Public Policy, Georgia Institute of Technology
- Big Data and Innovation Adoption: Integrating On-farm Innovations—Dr. Steven Sonka, Agricultural and Consumer Economics, University of Illinois-Urbana
Panel 2: A Holistic View on Barriers to Adoption of Innovations Aimed at Improving Agricultural Sustainability: Identifying Research Needs Across the Food System Based on Research Findings and Experiences To-Date
- Innovator’s Perspective—Dr. Ken Giles, Biological and Agricultural Engineering, University of California-Davis
- Farmers—Mr. Blake Hurst, President, Missouri Farm Bureau
- Farmland Owners—Mr. Randy Dickhut, Farmers National Company
Plenary Session
- Digital Approaches for Programs, Research, Extension and Corporate Engagement and Their Impact on Innovation Adoption in the Food & Ag System—Dr. Christine Geith, eXtension Foundation
- Identifying Research Needs in Assessing and Advancing Innovation in Food and Agriculture— Rebecca Chesney, Institute for The Future
Panel 3: Impact of Institutional and Legal Structures on Transfer and Translation of Innovations into Commercial Practices: Identifying Research Needs Across the Food System Based on Research Findings and Experiences To-Date
- Governance Barriers to Adoption—Dr. Larisa Rudenko, Program on Emerging Technologies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Challenges and Opportunities for the Regulatory System: Research Recommendations based on the NAS Report on Future Products of Biotechnology—Mr. David Rejeski, Woodrow Wilson Center
- Public Sector Strategies for Technology Commercialization in Agriculture: Open Science vs. Informal Public-Private Partnerships vs. Formal Licensing vs. Incubating Startups—Dr. William Tucker, Office of Research, University of California, Davis
- Impact of Private “Angel,” Venture Capital and Private Equity Investors on Innovation and New Technologies in Agriculture and Food—Mr. Sam Khoury, Next Stage Partners