Meeting Notes - Spica Sysytems, Sai Sitharaman - April 25, 2025
New Members:
Jasmin Hofer – Energrow
Alyssa Kuron – University of Waterloo
Keith Ellis – Vertical Data
James Bergstra
Ian Butcher – Fanshawe College
Rita Sterne – Niagara College
Cesar Cappa – OMAFA
Kelly Ziegler – University of Guelph
Ramzi Asfour – Queen’s University
New members, please be prepared to briefly introduce yourselves and touch on why you joined the group.
Presentations:
Presenter: Sai Sitharaman
Organization: Spica Systems
Presentation: Securing Precision Agricultural Infrastructure from Cyber Threats
Conferences/Meetings/Field Tours/Demonstrations
· Earlton Farm Show – Earlton, ON – April 11-12, 2025. https://ofa.on.ca/event/earlton-farm-show-2025/
· Grand River Agricultural Society Spark V4 Symposium – April 15, 2025. https://gras.blitzen.com/form/SPARK-V4?_kx=gv4KhsjF7Taf829EsAP_FBSQc6SwAbP_wM0LpF8ox-PLjhd-etCIX4l20HUQLINo.UUrNv6
· Discovery X – Toronto, ON – April 16-17, 2025. https://www.discoveryxconference.ca/home
· TCS Webinar on AgTech Opportunities in Netherlands – April 29, 2025 - Registration
· TCS Webinar on AgTech Opportunities in Australia – June 23, 2025 - Registration
· AgRobotics Working Group Demo Day – Bradford Research Station – July 8, 2025. Registration
· ASABE Annual International Meeting – Toronto, ON – July 13-16, 2025. https://www.asabemeetings.org/#two
· AgRobotics Working Group Demo Day – Simcoe Research Station – July 22, 2025. Registration
Attendees at recent conferences, please be prepared to provide a brief update to the group.
Project Updates
Action Items From Previous Meeting(s)
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
· 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
· 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
· FoodTech Next Program – Program Guide – Intake opens February 24, Deadline May 26, 2025
· THRIVE Global Impact Challenge - https://thriveagrifood.com/thrive-global-impact-challenge-2025/ - Deadline May 25, 2025
Round Table
University of Guelph - Help shape the future of communication in Ontario agriculture. If you work in the agricultural sector, we want to hear from you! The University of Guelph is studying how the agricultural sector uses social media to connect, share information, and deal with misinformation.
The survey takes approximate 20 minutes and the first 40 participants will receive a $25 gift card as a thank you.
Your experience matters – add your voice to this important conversation.
Link: https://uoguelph.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bEGJXO1LkuanLp4
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Rory Ring from the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce, Chair of the Canadian Chamber Executives of Ontario, and Director with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce is looking for any contacts or leads that could assist OCC with investigating the use of Artificial Intelligence in the greenhouse industry, cash crop, ag sector in general, or even a developer of technology for the AG sector.
He can be reached at rory@chatham-kentchamber.ca or by phone at 519 352 7540 ext 2213
Other Items/Articles
Robot-harvesting tomatoes: Big step toward autonomous agriculture
Taylor Farms buys FarmWise to keep ag robotics alive
AI drives agriculture toward high-quality development
Fresh talent and skills key to sustainable future for farming
Meet the tractor that works 24/7 — no driver needed
Australia: Ecorobotix and RDO to Introduce AI Sprayer Technology in Australia
Meeting recordings will be posted to our website approximately 4 weeks later. https://www.agroboticswg.com/meetings
*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.