HOW IS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFORMING AGRIBUSINESS?

The “Greater Vision” series of forums addressing issues facing the agricultural industry continues Nov. 5 at California State University, Monterey Bay. The program is designed for professionals, students and community members who are interested in the future of agriculture.

The broad theme to be examined over the next three years is technology. This year’s topic is Emergent Technologies: How is Technology Transforming Agribusiness? Technology’s impact on energy and water use will be examined in years two and three of the series. The series is intended to build a continuing conversation from the Forbes AgTech Summit held in Salinas last July. That event was part of an effort to merge the technological expertise of Silicon Valley with local agriculture.

Tom Rolander will deliver the keynote address. Rolander, who works for AgSoft Consulting, is a former CIO/software architect for Ecopia Farms, an indoor urban vertical farm in Silicon Valley.

A panel discussion will follow the keynote address. Panelists include Kevin Murphy, chief executive officer of Driscoll’s; Lorri Koster, CEO of Mann Packing; and Dr. Bob Whitaker, chief science and technology officer at the Produce Marketing Association. Dennis Donohue, president of Royal Rose, will serve as facilitator.

The event will be held in the University Center, on Sixth Avenue at B Street, starting at 9 a.m. The forum is free, but visitors will need to purchase a parking permit from a machine on the lot.

New this year is an expo that will showcase ag tech companies. Reserve a space at the expo here.

“A Greater Vision” is sponsored by the Grower-Shipper Association Foundation and CSUMB. The forums are intended to provide information from diverse points of view.

The day’s schedule:

8-9 a.m. – Check-in at the University Center; expo opens

9-9:10 a.m. – Welcome and introductions by CSUMB President Eduardo Ochoa and Dean of the College of Business Shyam Kamath

9:10-9:45 a.m. – Keynote address by Tom Rolander

9:45-11 a.m. – Panel discussion

11-noon – Q-and-A moderated by Dennis Donohue

Noon-2 p.m. – Expo reopens