Elevate: An AI in Agriculture Summit explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping agriculture—from predictive analytics and automation to building more accessible, secure, and interoperable data systems. Through expert-led keynotes, panel discussions, and meaningful networking, this summit will address key barriers to adoption, ensure alignment with grower and industry needs, and spotlight AI’s potential to solve agriculture’s most urgent challenges.

Attendees will engage with thought leaders from government, academia, and private industry to shape the role of research, policy, and commercialization in the next wave of AgTech innovation.

Summit Goals

1. Align AI Innovation with Agricultural Stakeholders: Ensure that AI development is grounded in the realities of farming, including grower needs and regional variability.
2. Lower Barriers to Adoption: Address issues of cost, connectivity, technical support, and ROI to make AI accessible across farm sizes.
3. Enable a Secure & Interoperable Data Ecosystem: Promote data privacy, transparency, and usability in AI-driven tools.
4. Explore the Future of AI in Ag: Discuss emerging technologies and their role in tackling longstanding and emerging agricultural challenges.

9:00 am | Registration + Coffee

10:00 am | Welcome with Dr. William Aderholdt

10:05 am | Keynote: Why AI Matters

• Deb Golden, Chief Innovation Officer, Deloitte USA

10:20 am | CIO Panel: What Matters to a CIO?

• Moderator: Jeroen Hoogendoorn, CHS

10:50 am | Why Research Matters

• Angie Cooper, Heartland Forward 
• Dave Shideler, Heartland Forward 

11:25 am | Special Announcement: MSUM AI Initiative

• Jason Trainer, Minnesota State University Moorhead

11:30 am | Startup Pitches

• Prashant Mishra, Agripilot
• Dr. Simone Ludwig, NDSU – AI Minor & “AI for All Careers” Certificate
• Shane Emmons, Swept AI
• Sharan Shirodakar, Prediction Guard
• Braydon Love, 701x

12:00 pm | Lunch

1:00 pm | Keynote: Landscape of Venture Funding in AI

• John Werner, Managing Director, Link Ventures

1:20 pm | Panel: Aligning AI Innovation with Agricultural Stakeholders

• Moderator: Jake Joraanstad, CEO of Bushel

2:00 pm | Panel: AI in Motion – Robotics Transforming the Farm
Panelists:

• Santosh Pitla – University of Nebraska–Lincoln
• Rex Sun – North Dakota State University
• Luan Oliveira – University of Georgia
• Ce Yang – University of Minnesota

2:45 pm | Closing Panel: Farmer-Focused AI – Solving Real Problems on the Farm

• Moderator: Dan Chrest, VP of Innovation – AgCountry Farm Credit Services, Farm Credit Services of America, and Frontier Farm Credit

3:35 pm | Closing Keynote: AI for Good

• Nipun Mehta, Founder of ServiceSpace