Driving autonomy in agriculture.

THIS EVENT TOOK PLACE ON
SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2025

2026 EVENT INFORMATION COMING SOON

TICKETS ON SALE

ABOUT OUR 2026 EVENT

Autonomous Nation returns on September 17th for a full day focused on how autonomous systems are reshaping the future of agriculture. If you work in autonomy, robotics, policy, transportation, or modern farm operations, this is the place to see where the industry is headed and who is building it.

Grand Farm’s Autonomous Nation conference brings together policymakers, industry leaders, startup teams, researchers, and innovators who are exploring how autonomy can reduce workforce shortages, eliminate inefficiencies, and close technology gaps across agriculture and related sectors. Conversations will highlight the latest advancements in robotics, sensing, autonomous equipment, and the systems that make automation safer and more reliable.

The morning sessions will dig into policy frameworks, deployment barriers, workforce readiness, and the practical applications that matter most to growers and industry teams. In the afternoon, the event moves outside for live autonomous demonstrations where attendees will see real machines, real systems, and real data at work in field conditions.

Conference Goals

  1. Showcase Latest Technologies: Serve as a platform to feature cutting-edge advancements in autonomous agriculture and related industries.
  2. Bridge Technology Gaps: Facilitate discussion and collaboration among industry leaders to address technological barriers.
  3. Address Workforce Shortages: Explore how autonomy can help mitigate labor challenges in agriculture and beyond.
  4. Real-Time Demonstrations: Highlight autonomous technologies through real-world applications and live demonstrations.
  5. Engage Policymakers: Connect industry leaders with policymakers to discuss regulatory hurdles, policy frameworks, and future opportunities.

Experience Highlights

  • Live Autonomous Demonstrations: See autonomous tractors, drones, and robotics in action during exclusive field demos, with possible on-site access to the teams behind the tech.
  • VIP Networking: Make connections across sectors and roles in an intimate setting.
  • Startup Showcase: Discover emerging companies pitching next-generation autonomous solutions in a fast-paced spotlight session.
  • Expert-Led Content: Hear from top voices throughout the AgTech industry on the future of autonomous systems.
 

2025 SPEAKERS

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Dr. Robert Ambrose

Professor,

Texas A&M University;

Retired NASA Senior Executive Service

Jahmy Hindman

Chief Technology Officer,

John Deere

Praveen Penmetsa

MAINSTAGE SPEAKERS + PANELISTS

Noel Anderson

Technical Advisor,

Grand Farm

Grant Baker

Senior Manager, Government Affairs,

AUVSI

Danny Bernstein

CEO and Managing Partner,

RESERVOIR

Travis Frey

Chief Technology Officer,

Pivot Bio

Ron Holiday

Farmer

 

Joel Honeyman

Vice President of Global Innovation,

Bobcat Company

Colin Hurd

CEO,

Mach

Dr. Georg Kormann

Technical Product Manager,

John Deere

John Mann

Program Manager of Startups,

Grand Farm

Prashant Mishra

Founder,

AgriPilot

Mike Nathe

State Representative,

ND House of Representatives

Andrew Nelson

Farmer and Software Engineer,

Nelson Farms INC. and Silver Creek Farms Inc.

Rhett Schildroth

CTO,

Mach

STARTUP PITCHES

Matias G Nardi

US Country Manager,

DeepAgro

Scott Niewohner
Craig Rupp

Founder, CEO, and Farmer,

Sabanto Inc.

Jana Tian

Cofounder and CEO,

Upside Robotics

2025 AGENDA

8:00 am | Coffee and Registration, sponsored by KWS

9:00 am | Welcome and Opening Remarks

9:05 am | Keynote Speaker – Jahmy Hindman, CTO of John Deere

9:25 am | Representative Mike Nathe

9:35 am | Grand Farm Innovation Campus Phase II Announcement

9:45 am | Panel: Solving the Labor Crisis through Autonomy

10:10 am | Mainstage Speaker: John Olhoft, Lulzbot

10:15 am | Mel Torrie, Autonomous Systems Inc.

10:30 am | Break

10:40 am | Keynote Speaker: Praveen Penmetsa, Cofounder and CEO of Monarch Tractors

11:00 am | Lightning Announcement – Danny Bernstein, RESERVOIR

11:05 am | Panel: The Evolving Regulatory Landscape for Autonomy in Agriculture

11:25 am | Startup Pitches

11:50 am | Panel: How Startups and Corporates Can Build Meaningful Partnerships in Ag Autonomy

12:15 pm | Lunch, sponsored by TÜV Rheinland

1:15 pm | Mainstage Speakers: Andrew Nelson and Prashant Mishra, Agripilot.ai

1:25 pm | Startup Pitches

1:45 pm | Mainstage Speaker: Travis Frey, Pivot Bio

1:50 pm | Panel: The Future of On-the-Go Soil Intelligence

2:15 pm | Keynote Speaker: Robert Ambrose, Texas A&M University and retired NASA executive

2:30 pm | Live Flight with Pyka and Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems

2:45 pm – 4:30 pm | Live Autonomous Demonstrations from Greenline Autonomy, RDO Equipment Co., Frontier Precision, Bobcat Company, Poultry Patrol, Greenfield Robotics, Naïo Technologies, and NDSU 

3:00 pm – 5:00 pm | Happy Hour, sponsored by Anheuser-Busch

ADDITIONAL EVENTS

StartupBREW Fargo: Autonomous Nation Takeover Day

Host: Emerging Prairie

Wednesday, September 10th, 2025

8:00 am – 9:30 am

Broadway Square

Tech Challenges Facing the Ag Industry: Autonomy, AI, Cybersecurity and Functional Safety

Host: TUV Rheinland

Wednesday, September 10th, 2025

10:00 am – 12:30 pm

Grand Farm Innovation Campus

From Idea to Impact: Pitching for Up to $2M in NSF Seed Funding

Host: UND Center for Innovation

Wednesday, September 10th, 2025

3:00 – 5:00 pm

Grand Farm Innovation Campus

2025 Grand Farm Neighborhood Block Party

Host: Grand Farm

Wednesday, September 10th, 2025

5:00 am – 8:00 pm

Grand Farm Innovation Campus

IEEE-USA IWRC AI & Autonomy Conference

Host: IEEE-USA

Wednesday, September 10th, 2025

8:30 am – 4:00 pm

University of North Dakota Memorial Union

Next 5 Years Conference

Host: Steve Olson Consulting

Wednesday, September 10th, 2025

8:30 am – 5:00 pm

Sanctuary Events Center

THANK YOU TO OUR 2026 SPONSORS

HOTEL + TRAVEL

Nearby Airports

Casselton Hotels

Downtown Fargo Hotels

West Fargo Hotels