AgTech NEXT Summit Goes Virtual

Newswise — ST. LOUIS, MO, July 22, 2020  - The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center today announced that the AgTech NEXT Summit will be held virtually, replacing the event previously scheduled to be held November 10 – 12. Recognizing the robust agenda, and not wanting to create “conference fatigue” with a two-day program, event organizers have shifted the conference to a series of seven - 60 minute live, online sessions. Virtual AgTech NEXT conference sessions will be held from 12 – 1 PM CDT on Tuesdays, beginning September 22 with a keynote by Dr. Pat Brown, founder and CEO of Impossible Foods through November 10, with a break on November 3, election day. 

Conference sessions have been organized around the theme of Risks & Rewards featuring innovators, investors and industry experts. In addition to the content sessions, the unique online event platform will also offer attendees the opportunity to network in 1:1 meetings, share their perspective in interactive TableTalks, and engage with our partners who can assist in growing their business.

“COVID-19 has amplified the importance of innovation and the need for new approaches to delivering healthy food to consumers,” said Stephanie Regagnon, executive director of Innovation Partnerships at the Danforth Center. “Farmers are natural innovators and welcome technology that enables them to be productive, profitable and good stewards of their land. We are pleased to pivot to this new format and offer a robust platform of content, as well as providing opportunities for attendees to network and connect, which has been the hallmark of our events.”

Experience all seven AgTech NEXT virtual conference sessions, EARLY BIRD TICKETS are $300.00 until August 24. Customize your participation with either 4-Sessions for $275.00, or 2 Sessions for $150.00. Click here to register.  

Speakers and Panelists:

Patrick O. Brown, Founder M.D. Ph.D., and CEO Impossible Foods

Jim Carrington, Ph.D., President, Danforth Plant Science Center

Chris Chinn, Director, Missouri Department of Agriculture

Matt Crisp, President and CEO, Benson Hill

Robb Fraley, Ph.D., Former CTO, Monsanto

Scott Bernard Fullen, Owner, Mid-South Family Farms

Ingrid Fung, Investor, Finistere

The Honorable Richard Gephardt, President and CEO, Gephardt Public Affairs

Brendan Johnson, Partner, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner

Jake Joraanstad, Cofounder and CEO,Bushel

Claire Kinlaw, Ph.D., Director of Innovation Commercialization, Danforth Center

Sanjeev Krishnan, Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director, S2G

Mao Li, Ph.D., Senior Research Scientist, Danforth Center

Mick Messman, Chief Commercial Officer, Greenlight

Larry Page, Ph.D., Principal, Lewis and Clark AgriFood

Jobst von Petersdorff, Business Venture, KWS Group

Stephanie Regagnon, Executive Director Innovation Partnerships, Danforth Center

Orlando Saez, Cofounder & CEO, Aker Technologies, Inc.

Mary Shelman, Founder, The Shelman Group

Naveen Sikka, CEO, TerViva

Chris Topp, Ph.D., Associate Member, Danforth Center

Renée Vassilos, Agriculture Innovation Director, The Nature Conservancy

Bala Venkata, Ph.D. Cofounder, RNAissance Ag & Senior Research Scientist, Danforth Center

Tony White, Founder & CEO Tony’s Family Farms

Olga Yermolenko, Partner, OY Group

TableTalks
Participants will be able to enhance their conference experience by joining curated presentations and conversations moderated by an industry expert on a specific theme. TableTalks will take place following each conference session. While complimentary to attend, registration is required.

1:1 Meetings
We know it’s the personal connections that deliver the most value and AgTech NEXT will provide a full 1:1 meeting scheduling system to maximize attendee’s opportunity to connect directly with other conference attendees each Tuesday.

Virtual Exhibit Hall
During AgTech NEXT attendees will also be able to visit with our partners 30-minutes prior to each session, to engage and learn how they can impact their organizations. 

We are grateful to our Partners for their support of the AgTech NEXT including: Bayer Crop Science, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, Thompson Coburn, KWS, Alliance STL, Benson Hill, Aon, Ameren Missouri, Clayco, Lewis & Clark Agrifood, Missouri Technology Corporation, Open Prairie, St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, Posinelli, BioSTL, CoBank, Missouri Department of Agriculture, Wells Fargo and Ventas Wexford Science + Technology.

About the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
Founded in 1998, the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is a not-for-profit research institute with a mission to improve the human condition through plant science. Research, education and outreach aim to have impact at the nexus of food security and the environment, and position the St. Louis region as a world center for plant science. The Center’s work is funded through competitive grants from many sources, including the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Energy, National Science Foundation, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Follow us on Twitter at @DanforthCenter.