Call it a summit, but Elevate 2025 felt more like proof that, when AgTech meets AI, big things happen; we saw it firsthand. Growers, startups, and thought-leaders packed Grand Farm’s Innovation Campus to explore how AI could reshape the way we grow.
Not only did the conference pull in multitudes of traction with the ag industry in the region, it has been transforming Grand Farm’s efforts to create a more collaborative and safe ecosystem for farmers to engage in new AI practices. Elevate 2025 highlighted that AI isn’t about replacing farmers, it’s about equipping them with tools to make better decisions, save time, and adapt to a changing world. The summit was open for conversations about challenges like data security, and the need for real-world testing.
This spirit of collaboration is central to Grand Farm’s mission. Farmers don’t just need technology, they need confidence that new tools will add value without creating unnecessary risks. Events like Elevate provide that bridge for the people who use it every day. “We’re also educating ourselves by learning about the challenges that each of the companies have and then collaborating to work on standards for the industry.” Jeroen Hoogendoorn, AgCIO (The Flag – AM 1100 and FM 92.3 WZFG)
Energy in the Room
Elevate 2025 was more than a schedule of events, it was a gathering of curious minds. Conversations spilled out of panels and into the Innovation Campus foyer, with people swapping ideas, sharing challenges, and imagining new ways forward for utilizing AI in modern agriculture. “I think AI is a game changer… Five years ago, anyone who was an expert in AI could not have predicted how disruptive it could be, or what an amazing tool it could be.” John Werner, Link Ventures (The Flag – AM 1100 and FM 92.3 WZFG)
Setting the Stage
Elevate, powered by Grand Farm and NSF Engines: FARMS, dove into how artificial intelligence can reshape agriculture, from predictive analytics and automation to strengthening data and security.
The summit centered around four key goals:
- Align AI innovation with real-world grower needs
- Lower barriers to adoption such as cost, connectivity, and ROI
- Enable a secure, interoperable data ecosystem
- Explore the future of AI in agriculture with practical, emerging technologies
From morning keynotes to afternoon lightning rounds, the day covered it all:
- Keynote sessions set the tone, with insights on why AI matters and how it’s disrupting industries faster than anyone predicted.
- Deborah Golden, Chief Innovation Officer, Deloitte USA
- John Werner, Managing Director and Partner, Link Ventures
- Nipun Mehta, Founder, ServiceSpace
- Panel discussions brought together voices from growers to global ag companies, exploring how to make AI practical and valuable on the farm.
- CIO Panel: What Matters to a CIO?
- Aligning AI Innovation with Agricultural Stakeholders
- Farmer-Focused AI – Solving Real Problems on the farm
- Startup pitches spotlighted new ideas tackling everything from precision crop monitoring to supply chain transparency.
- Aishwarya Ramasethu, Prediction Guard
- Scott Meyer, Chipp.AI
- Alex Chequim, DigiFarmz
- Brian Kearney, Farmland Stock Exchange
- Prashant Mishra, Agripilot
- Kris Poulson, FarmQA
- Braydon Love, 701x
- Vikram Adve, CropWizard
- … and more!
- Farmer-focused conversations kept the summit grounded in real-world challenges—and real-world solutions.
