Cultivate Conference brings together a diverse community of experts, thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and growers to share their knowledge and experiences, and explore the exciting possibilities of technology in agriculture.

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about cutting-edge solutions to real-world problems, connect with others in AgTech, and discover new opportunities to grow their businesses and drive innovation in this dynamic field. The Cultivate Conference is the must-attend event for anyone interested in the future of agriculture technology. Take a look at photos from last year's Cultivate Conference!


Goals of the Conference:

  • Highlight work being done in agriculture technology
  • Provide a space for growers to give AgTech feedback
  • Create connections between startups, growers, corporations, technologists, investors, and universities
  • Spotlight public-private partnership opportunities


What to Expect:

  • Networking Opportunities
    The conference will be peppered with plenty of networking opportunities and we will create space for attendees to connect.
  • Relevant Content
    Conference content will be woven in a narrative format to keep everyone engaged.
  • Hybrid
    This event will be hybrid so participants can attend in-person or virtually.
  • Workshops
    There will be workshops and meetings as part of Cultivate.


Topics:

  • Sustainability
  • AgTech Startups
  • Better Business Practices (Grower Profitability)
  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Application in Agriculture


Audience:
Those involved in or interested in the agriculture technology industry, including growers, startups, corporations, ecosystem builders, government entities, research institutions, and investors.


Questions?

  • If you are interested in getting involved, email or call Andrew Jason (andrewj@grandfarm.com | 218-556-2922)
  • Media inquiries can be directed to Matt Wendel (mattw@grandfarm.com | 701-840-8769)

 

Promotional Materials
Our Cultivate Conference promo kit includes event graphics, information, and sample copy for social media. Download the promo kit here.


2023 SCHEDULE

TUESDAY, JUNE 6

Midwest Agriculture Summit
Hosted by FMWF Chamber

  • Located at the Red River Valley Fairgrounds
  • Separate Registration Required - REGISTER HERE

 

Cybersecurity in Food & Ag Supply Chain Symposium
Hosted by Grand Farm

  • Located at the Prairie Den
  • Separate Registration Required - REGISTER HERE

 

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7

StartupBREW Cultivate Takeover

  • Located at Brewhalla

 

Bushel Buddy Seat Conference
Hosted by Bushel

  • Located at the Fargo Theatre
  • Separate Registration Required - REGISTER HERE

 

Bushel + Grand Farm/Cultivate Shindig

  • Located in Roberts Alley in Downtown Fargo
  • Open to Attendees of Grand Farm's Cultivate Conference + Bushel's Buddy Seat Conference
  • Join us for an evening of connections, music, and fun!

 

THURSDAY, JUNE 8

Cultivate Conference

Coffee + Registration


 

Welcome


  • Andrew Jason - Grand Farm
  • Reed Sinner - Central Cass FFA

Grand Farm Grower Pain Point Report Launch


  • Dr. Ruchi Joshi Bhardwaj - Grand Farm

Economic Health of Agriculture Panel


  • Moderator: Vanessa Kummer - Grower
  • Jim O'Brien - Agrograph 
  • Ken Zuckerberg - CoBank 
  • Matt Erickson - FCS of America 
  • Mark Vetter - AgCountry 

Cultivate Speaker Series


  • Dr. Karl Wyant - Nutrien
  • Michael Place - Chapul Farms
  • Derrik Ellingson - Ellingson 

Break


 

Startup Pitch Sessions


  • Christina Connelly - Consulate General of Canada
  • AGVisorPro - Patrick Walther
  • Psigryph - Sean Thompson
  • Verigrain - Ken Jackson

Cultivate Speaker Series


  • Meredith Mendola & Melvin Huber - KWS 
  • Michael Cully - Susterre

Break


 

Artist


  • NDSU Western Swing Dance Club
    • Jess Huser - Incoming President
    • Emily Zurn - Secretary
    • Chris Becker - Incoming Social Director

Venture Capital Panel


  • Moderator: Leah Thiele - Compeer
  • Larry Page - Lewis and Clark
  • Dean Didato - Innova
  • Louis Brown - Carrot Ventures

Cultivate Speaker Series


  • Startup Connections USA
  • Nick Reinke - Habitere
  • Johnny Park - WHIN & Brian Carroll - Grand Farm

Lunch


 

Cultivate Workshops - Session 1

  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Applications in Agriculture - Located at NDSU Barry Hall - Louise S. Barry Auditorium 2nd Floor

    At this workshop, Grand Farm will be exploring artificial intelligence and machine learning applications in agriculture. By bringing together industry experts and thought leaders, Grand Farm hopes to advance the conversation of the role artificial intelligence will play in collecting, analyzing, and operationalizing the massive amounts of data in agriculture, as well as accelerating new technologies in agriculture.

    • Moderator: William Aderholdt - Grand Farm 
    • Riyaz Pishori - Microsoft
    • Alina Piddubna - Intellias 
    • Lisa Esberger - Verdethos 
    • Seth Arndorfer - DCN 
  • Growing North: How Partnering with Canada Builds Cross-Border Successes - Located at the Fargo Theatre
    The Consulate General of Canada in Minneapolis and the North Dakota Trade Office will explore how AgTech companies and partners can enable business opportunities by unlocking new markets. This workshop - designed for growers, AgTech start-ups, and large manufacturers - will discuss the value of cross-border partnering, challenges with international trade, and talk about other important considerations as you expand internationally.
  • Grower Workshop - Direct Dialogue with Growers - Located at the Plains Art Museum
    Growers are often the end users of technology in agriculture but if you ask most growers, they will tell you that they feel like they are not being listened to. Creating feedback loops between growers and technologists is crucially important. That’s why at this workshop, we invite you to connect and communicate directly with growers. We hope to bridge the gap between agriculture and technology by having conversations that are straightforward and meaningful.

    • Moderator: Cory Oberlander - Agveris 
    • Sarah Lovas - Grower
    • Daryl Rott - Grower
    • Adam Spelhaug - Grower
  • EduConnect: Feeding the Minds (This workshop will run from 2-4 pm) - Located at the Prairie Den
    Through this workshop, Grand Farm will seek to connect educators with professionals representing different careers in agriculture, science, and technology, and resources available in our region.

    • Co-moderator: Katie Tyler - NDSU 
    • Co-moderator: Dr. Ruchi Joshi Bhardwaj - Grand Farm
    • Zack Bateson - Genotyping Center
    • David Cumbow - Palo Alto Networks
    • Paulo Flores - NDSU
    • Darla Lewandowski - Eden Grow Systems
    • Garrett Maurer  - Bobcat

Cultivate Workshops - Session 2

  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Applications in Agriculture - Located at NDSU Barry Hall - Louise S. Barry Auditorium 2nd Floor
    At this workshop, Grand Farm will be exploring artificial intelligence and machine learning applications in agriculture. By bringing together industry experts and thought leaders, Grand Farm hopes to advance the conversation of the role artificial intelligence will play in collecting, analyzing, and operationalizing the massive amounts of data in agriculture, as well as accelerating new technologies in agriculture.

    • Moderator: William Aderholdt - Grand Farm 
    • Riyaz Pishori - Microsoft
    • Alina Piddubna - Intellias 
    • Lisa Esberger - Verdethos 
    • Seth Arndorfer - DCN 
  • Growing North: How Partnering with Canada Builds Cross-Border Successes - Located at the Fargo Theatre
    The Consulate General of Canada in Minneapolis and the North Dakota Trade Office will explore how AgTech companies and partners can enable business opportunities by unlocking new markets. This workshop - designed for growers, AgTech start-ups, and large manufacturers - will discuss the value of cross-border partnering, challenges with international trade, and talk about other important considerations as you expand internationally.
  • Grower Workshop - Direct Dialogue with Growers - Located at the Plains Art Museum
    Growers are often the end users of technology in agriculture but if you ask most growers, they will tell you that they feel like they are not being listened to. Creating feedback loops between growers and technologists is crucially important. That’s why at this workshop, we invite you to connect and communicate directly with growers. We hope to bridge the gap between agriculture and technology by having conversations that are straightforward and meaningful.

    • Moderator: Cory Oberlander - Agveris 
    • Kyle Courtney - Farmer
    • Kathi Luther - Farmer
    • David Gorder - Farmer

Social Hour + Networking


 

gener8tor North Dakota Showcase
Hosted by gener8tor

  • Located at Sanctuary Events Center
  • Separate Registration Required - REGISTER HERE

2023 SPEAKERS

Dr. William Aderoldt

Director PMO
Grand Farm

Seth Arndorfer

CEO
DCN

Zach Bateson

Research Manager
National Agriculture Genotyping Center

Louis Brown

Associate
Carrot Ventures

Christina Connelly

Trade Commissioner, Agri-Food
Consulate General of Canada

Michael Cully

Founder & CEO
Susterre

Dean Didato

Partner
Innova Memphis

Derrik Ellingson

Vice President - Ag Division
Ellingson

Matt Erickson

Ag Economic & Policy Advisor
Farm Credit Services of America

Lisa Esberger

Founder & Chief Revenue Officer
Verdethos

Paulo Flores

Assistant Professor
North Dakota State University

Vasanth Ganesan

Partner
McKinsey & Company 

Felipe Gonzalez

Co-founder & Head of North America
Startup Connections USA

David Gorder

Grower
Grand Forks County, ND

Ken Jackson

CEO
VeriGrain

Vanessa Kummer

Grower
Richland County, ND

Darla Lewandowski

Operations Coordinator
Eden Grow Systems

Sarah Lovas

Grower
Traill County

Kathi Luther

Grower
Cass County, ND

Garrett Maurer

Global Digital Product Manager
Bobcat

Febina Mathew

Associate Professor
North Dakota State University

Meredith Mendola

Operations Lead, Digital Innovation Accelerator
KWS Group

Ann Nobriga

Program Manager of Field Operations
Grand Farm

Corey Oberlander

CEO
Agveris

Jim O'Brien

Co-founder &CEO
Agrograph

Larry Page

Managing Director
Lewis and Clark AgriFood

Paul Palandjian

CEO
O'Leary Ventures

Johnny Park

CEO
Wabash Heartland Innovation Network (WHIN)

Alina Piddubna, PhD

AgriTech Portfolio & AI/ML Practice Delivery Lead
Intellias

Riyaz Pishori

Principal Research Program Manager
Microsoft

Michael Place

Grower
Chapul Farms

Nick Reinke

CEO
HabiTerre

Daryl Rott

Grower
Fitly Framed Organics

Reed Sinner

FFA Officer
Central Cass

Adam Spelhaug

Grower
Richland County, ND

Dr. Xin (Rex) Sun

Assistant Professor, Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering
North Dakota State University

Leah Thiele

Director of Rural Business Investment
Compeer Financial

Sean Thompson

CEO & Co-founder
Psigryph

Katie Tyler

Extension Specialist & Program Director Rural Leadership North Dakota
North Dakota State University

Sergio Varela Cabello

Vice President, Business & Operations
Intellias

Mark Vetter

Senior Vice President of Producer Markets
AgCountry Farm Credit Services

Patrick Walther

COO & Co-founder
AGvisorPRO

Drew Combs

Executive Director

North Dakota Trade Office

Dr. Karl Wyant

Director of Agronomy
Nutrien

Kenneth Scott Zuckerberg

Lead Industry Analyst | Research Strategist
CoBank