Meeting Notes - Geoff Farintosh, University of Guelph - January 31st, 2025
New Members:
Rachel Kehoe - NOFIA
New members, please be prepared to briefly introduce yourselves and touch on why you joined the group.
Presentations:
Speaker: Geoff Farintosh
Company: University of Guelph
Presentation: An Update on the Orio, FarmDroid and Picketa Trials in the Holland Marsh
Conferences/Meetings/Field Tours/Demonstrations
· Ecorobotix Information Day – Holland Marsh Wineries – February 13th, 2025. https://lepointdevente.com/billets/go7250213001
· Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention – Niagara Falls, ON - February 19-20, 2025. https://www.ofvc.ca/
· London Farm Show – London, ON – March 5-7, 2025. https://www.londonfarmshow.com/
· Ottawa Valley Farm Show – Ottawa, ON – March 11-13, 2025. https://ottawafarmshow.com/
· Grand River Agricultural Society Spark V4 Symposium – April 15, 2025. https://gras.blitzen.com/form/SPARK-V4?_kx=gv4KhsjF7Taf829EsAP_FBSQc6SwAbP_wM0LpF8ox-PLjhd-etCIX4l20HUQLINo.UUrNv6
· AgRobotics Working Group Demo Day – Bradford Research Station – July 8, 2025. Registration details to come
· AgRobotics Working Group Demo Day – Simcoe Research Station – July 22, 2025. Registration details to come
Attendees at recent conferences, please be prepared to provide a brief update to the group.
Project Updates
· Call for speakers/presentations – If you are interested in giving a presentation or have a recommendation of someone who you think would be a valuable speaker, please email Dan or Bridget.
Action Items From Previous Meeting(s)
· Please check your email for our survey regarding consent to share contact information
Job Board
If you know of any job opportunities, please send the information to us so that we can add them on our website at the below link.
https://www.agroboticswg.com/job-board
Funding Announcements/Opportunities –
Canada Business App https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/ised/en/canada-business-app
Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/programs/canadian-agricultural-strategic-priorities - Open until March 2029
COLLABORATE 2 COMMERCIALIZE https://www.oc-innovation.ca/programs/collaborate-2-commercialize/ - Ongoing
Emergent Horticulture Opportunities Fund – https://www.vinelandresearch.com/work-with-us/emergent-horticulture-opportunities-fund/ - Open until February 2025
Agri-Innovate - AgriInnovate Program: Step 1. What this program offers - agriculture.canada.ca - Open until March 2028
OMAFRA/SCAP Funding Announcement and Program Details Link - Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership | ontario.ca - Open until March 2028
The Grow Ontario Accelerator Hub : Bioenterprise - Round 2 Intake opening Spring 2025
OCI Critical Industrial Technologies Initiative - https://www.oc-innovation.ca/programs/cit/ - Ongoing
CAAIN Open Competition - https://caain.ca/funding-calls/2024-open-competition/ - Open Intake
OCI Sector Adoption Challenge Statement – https://www.oc-innovation.ca/programs/cit/ – Deadline February 14, 2025
Polaris Pitch Competition and Showcase - https://www.techalliance.ca/the-alliance-series/polaris-pitch-competition-showcase/ - Deadline January 31, 2025
TCS Team Canada Trade Mission to Cambodia & Thailand - https://www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca/campaign-campagne/tctm-thailand-cambodia_mcec-thailande-cambodge.aspx?lang=eng – Deadline February 14, 2025
TCS Canadian Technology Accelerator delegation to BEYOND2025 in Macau - https://www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca/cta-atc/macao-entertainment-technology_technologies-divertissement-macao.aspx?lang=eng - Deadline March 31, 2025
Round Table
Other Items/Articles
Robot Bees? Check Out This New Pollination Innovation
AIFARMS researchers showcase groundbreaking AgTech and AI innovations
SIU Engineering Students Create Robot for Crop Inspection
Investment in agtech startups plummeted in 2024
Brauer cuts weeds with drones at Greenfield Robotics near Cheney
What Upgrade Makes This High Tech Orchard Sprayer Even Smarter
The Role of Autonomous Tractors in Modern Farming
Meeting recordings will be posted to our website approximately 4 weeks later. https://www.agroboticswg.com/meetings