Champaign-Urbana AgTech Week

Champaign-Urbana AgTech Week: March 6-10, 2023

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.” Learn more about AgTech in Champaign-Urbana at https://www.yourewelcomecu.com/agtech/.

Champaign-Urbana AgTech Week celebrates Champaign-Urbana’s robust AgTech ecosystem, including the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Parkland College, corporate innovation partners, startups, state-of-the-art facilities, student organizations, local ag companies, the Illinois AgTech Accelerator, and more.

Champaign-Urbana AgTech Week is presented by the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation, University of Illinois Research Park, and You’re Welcome CU.


SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

Monday, March 6, 2023

University of Illinois Research Park Tours
(In-Person Event)
@ EnterpriseWorks: 60 Hazelwood Drive, Champaign, IL 61820
Monday, March 6, 2023
2-4 PM
Join University of Illinois Research Park on Monday, March 6 from 2-4 PM for tours of the Research Park. Visit with startup companies in the EnterpriseWorks incubator and corporations throughout the Research Park. Tours will begin at EnterpriseWorks at 60 Hazelwood Drive in Champaign. Contact: lfrerich@illinois.edu.

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Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory (IBRL) Tours
(In-Person Event)
@ IBRL: 1300 W. Pennsylvania Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801
Monday, March 6, 2023
3-3:45 PM & 4-4:45 PM
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0a4da5af28a2fb6-integrated
The Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory (IBRL) was designed to help industry move technologies from the bench scale through pilot scale. With over $15 million worth of equipment, IBRL’s capabilities are broad in the bioprocessing and biomanufacturing space. Over the last four years of operations, IBRL staff has successfully completed over 300 projects with several dozen different companies. Learn more at https://ibrl.aces.illinois.edu/

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AirScout Open House – (Beer) Flights with Pilots, sponsored by the Village of Savoy
(In-Person Event)
@ Triptych Brewing: 1703 Woodfield Drive, Savoy, IL 61874
Monday, March 6, 2023
5-6:30 PM
Stop by to grab a brew and learn more about AirScout, a local AgTech startup that enables producers to shift from reactive to proactive crop management, solving problems before they appear. AirScout’s patented aerial thermal imagery and AirScripts™ prescription-generating app put tools directly into the hands of farmers and agronomists, allowing them to identify problems before they can be detected with other imagery formats. Their precision ag technology gives farmers advanced warning of developing crop problems and allows for strategic scouting and action within hours. AirScout’s Bob Coverdill will be on hand to share information and answer your questions. Learn more about AirScout at https://airscout.com/. This event is sponsored by the Village of Savoy

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

2023 AgTech Summit
(In-Person Event)
@ Illinois Conference Center: 1402 S. First Street, Champaign, IL 61820
Tuesday, March 7, 2023
All Day
https://researchpark.illinois.edu/events/agtechsummit/
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. This interactive conference offers participants the opportunity to learn and share knowledge about the current state of AgTech and look into the future through dynamic panels, inspiring keynote presentations, and networking opportunities. The event is free to attend thanks to the generosity of sponsors.

Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Center for Digital Agriculture Annual Conference
(Hybrid Event, In-Person is Encouraged)
@ National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA): 1205 W. Clark Street, Urbana, IL 61801
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
8 AM – 5 PM
https://digitalag.illinois.edu/center-for-digital-agriculture-conference-2023/
Join the Center for Digital Agriculture for their annual conference that brings together interdisciplinary groups of researchers from the areas of automation, data, animals, crops, and people in agriculture. This year’s conference theme will be “How Can Digital Agriculture Help Moderate Climate Change?” This event will allow local and national AgTech leaders, researchers, and government officials to address this critical question.  

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Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory (IBRL) Tours
(In-Person Event)
@ IBRL: 1300 W. Pennsylvania Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
8:15-9 AM
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0a4da5af28a2fb6-integrated
The Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory (IBRL) was designed to help industry move technologies from the bench scale through pilot scale. With over $15 million worth of equipment, IBRL’s capabilities are broad in the bioprocessing and biomanufacturing space. Over the last four years of operations, IBRL staff has successfully completed over 300 projects with several dozen different companies. Learn more at https://ibrl.aces.illinois.edu/

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CU AgTech Happy Hour, presented by GDM Seeds
(In-Person Event)
@ Riggs Beer Company: 1901 S. High Cross Road, Urbana, IL 61802
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
4:30-6:30 PM
Join us for AgTech Week Happy Hour at Riggs Beer Company! GDM is committed to innovative research and development, which has served as a beacon for its global brand over the past 40 years. They take great pride in investing 25% of their revenue into research and development. That prioritization is why over 41% of soybean acres in the world contain GDM genetics. Join the GDM team at AgTech Happy Hour to mix and mingle with the local AgTech community, and learn more about GDM’s U.S. Research & Development in Illinois, Iowa, Arkansas, and Minnesota. Learn more at https://www.gdmseeds.com/?lang=en. Want to know more about Riggs Beer Company and its innovative beer-making? Listen to Matt Riggs on this episode of the Chambana Proud podcast

Thursday, March 9, 2023

Parkland College AgTech Showcase
(In-Person Event)
@ Parkland College
Thursday, March 9, 2023
8:45 AM – 2:15 PM
Parkland College is hosting its second annual AgTech Showcase on Thursday, March 9! This year they are hosting 200 students in 2 separate sessions that will allow students to explore seven program areas of Agricultural Technologies while they learn about high-tech equipment, visit laboratories, talk with Ag Tech faculty, and see demonstrations from current Parkland Ag students. Area agriculture and technology employers will engage with the attendees to provide postsecondary and career exploration in agriculture technologies. 

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Center for Digital Agriculture Information Session – M.Eng and Certificates in Digital Ag
(Online Event)
@ Zoom
Thursday, March 9, 2023
6 PM
https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/291646246
With an advanced math and computer science focus, our online, non-thesis Master of Engineering (M.Eng) in Digital Agriculture degree is the first interdisciplinary program specializing in digital agriculture. Designed for students and working professionals interested in learning the in-depth technical aspects of digital agriculture in a fully online environment, the M.Eng in Engineering with a concentration in digital agriculture builds on the groundwork laid by other programs which focus more on training and application of the technology making the agricultural system more efficient, resilient and sustainable. The program also offers professional certificates that only require 12 credit hours to complete. For more information on the program, visit https://digitalag.illinois.edu/meng/.

Friday, March 10, 2023

How to Get Involved in the Illinois AgTech Accelerator – A Session for Future Mentors and Advisors
(Online Event)
@ Zoom
Friday, March 10, 2023
10-11 AM
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAucuutrj0sHd1LmoKy1ao7n9eSra0qO_J8
Perhaps you are a subject matter expert – it could be growing a startup, HR, payroll and benefits, marketing, legal, ag or industry background – you name it! The Illinois AgTech Accelerator is looking for more individuals who can share their knowledge with early-stage founders to help guide their journey. Mentors are kind enough to lend their time to offer feedback and advice in a safe, casual setting and play a huge role in strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem. This session will be led by Jack Marck, managing director of the Illinois AgTech Accelerator. Learn more about the Illinois AgTech Accelerator at https://www.gener8tor.com/investment-accelerators/illinois-agtech.

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Research Park Celebrates Pi Day
(In-Person Event)
@ EnterpriseWorks: 60 Hazelwood Drive, Champaign, IL 61820
Friday, March 10, 2023
12-1 PM
https://calendars.illinois.edu/detail/3462?eventId=33447044
Join us in celebrating Pi Day (early) on Friday, March 10! In 2021, Illinois maintained its leading position in pumpkin acreage, harvesting more than twice as many pumpkin acres as any of the other top States, at 15,900 acres. In 2021, farmers in the top six pumpkin-producing States harvested more than 1 billion pounds of pumpkins combined. Leading in pumpkin acreage harvested and yield, Illinois produced 652 million pounds in 2021, more than the other 5 most productive States combined.


AgTech Community Highlights, March 2022 – March 2023


2023 CU AgTech Week – Photos & Videos:

How to Get Involved in the Illinois AgTech Accelerator – A Session for Future Mentors and Advisors (Video)

2023 CU AgTech Week – Press:

Champaign-Urbana AgTech Week Returns for Fourth Year

Parkland AgTech Showcase, March 9 

AgTech Week back for fourth year

AGCO Announces Agriculture Service Technician AAS Degree Program at Parkland College

Ag company investing $5 million in Parkland training facility

Parkland College announces new facility, program for ag training

U of I kicks off AgTech Week

2023 UI Research Park AgTech Summit Attracts Global Audience, Speakers

Farmers Risk Awarded 2023 Edwin Moore Family Agriculture Innovation Prize

Eric Miller Awarded 2023 Glen “GB” Brandt Prize for Ag Entrepreneurism