8:30 am Registration & Morning Coffee
8:50 am Chair’s Opening Remarks
THE VOICE OF THE GROWER
9:00 am Panel Discussion
Synopsis
• What are the challenges growers are facing with regards to using microbials in the field?
• How can hesitancy amongst growers towards microbials be reduced?
• What are the processes growers use to adopt new technologies and products?
9:30 am Grower Roundtable Discussions
Synopsis
This session is centered around networking with the growers and offers the opportunity for more intimate and comprehensive discussions with growers about their needs and perspectives.
ANALYZING DIFFERENTIAL CROP TYPES AND APPLICATION METHODS
10:00 am Deconstructing Product Application Systems
Synopsis
• Challenges in delivering biological products to target applications
• Exploring implications for precision agriculture and novel application methods
• Understanding the differential application requirements for row and specialty crops
10:30 am Morning Break and Refreshments
11:30 am Case Study: Developing Biopesticides as Seed Technologies for Row Crop Treatment
Synopsis
• Exploring, advancing and developing technologies being applied to row crop seeds, such as wheat, corn, soybean, and cotton
• Outlining current success in the field displayed by biopesticides applied on seed for management of nematodes and soil dwelling insects
• Discovery story of a unique microbe for metabolite-based activity through successful field testing to commercial use
12:00 pm Considerations for Specialty Crop Production
Synopsis
• Tackling increased application frequency demand and creating cost effective methods
• Evaluating field vs hydroponic systems for specialty growth
• Reviewing hydroponic growth for specialty and controlled environment ag (CEA) crops
12:30 pm Lunch & Networking Break
COMMERCIALIZATION: PAVING YOUR WAY TO MARKET
1:30 pm Highlighting the Commercial Relevance of Biologicals: Why Now?
Synopsis
• Emphasizing the need for sustainable alternatives to meet growing consumer demands
• Discussing recent legislative advancements that create subsequent gaps in the market for biologicals
• Unlocking opportunities in the market for biostimulants to shine
2:00 pm Leveraging the Commercial Landscape of the Agricultural Industry
Synopsis
• Evaluating how commercial considerations direct research and product development
• Establishing product differentiation and IP
• Presenting functional and accurate claims to the market
2:30 pm Panel Discussion: Gaining Market Access and Reaching the Consumer
Synopsis
Retail distributers, cooperative networks and independent consultants discuss:
• How they differentially advise growers on what to buy
• Different approaches to access the market and reach growers
• The need for deeper collaboration between producers, distribution channels and growers
3:00 pm Afternoon Break & Networking Coffee
IMPLICATIONS FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF AGBIOLOGICAL PRODUCTS
3:30 pm Converting the Diversity of Environmental Microbes into Novel AgTech Products
Synopsis
• Understanding how exceedingly diverse the microbial world is
• Exploring the boundless possibilities of microbial functionality – if you can imagine it, a microbe already does it
• By understanding grower and societal problems we can address new product space
4:00 pm Case Study: Appropriate Trial Design for Successfully Translating into the Field
Synopsis
• Understanding MOA to develop and standardize protocols across environments and crops to set your field trials up for success
• Evaluate and measure the appropriate parameters across crops and soils
• How to learn and adapt from previous years data