Meeting Notes - University of Waterloo, Alyssa Kuron & Michele Van Dyke - May 16, 2025
New Members:
David Kwok – YSpace, York University
Mateus Fiorotto – Great Lakes Family Farms
Luana Fiorotto – Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst
Andrew Huddleston – Algonquin College
Frank Nanfara – Studica Limited
Kate Withers – Saiwa Inc
Eric Busch – Channel Systems
Niki Bennett – Sun Parlour Grower Supply
Connor Holmes – University of Toronto
Ken Wall – Sandy Shores Farms
New members, please be prepared to briefly introduce yourselves and touch on why you joined the group.
Presentations:
Presenters: Alyssa Kuron and Michele Van Dyke
Organization: University of Waterloo
Presentation: Connecting you to top talent and research for agriculture and robotics
Conferences/Meetings/Field Tours/Demonstrations
· Vineland Research: Critical Technology Demo Day – Lincoln, ON – June 20, 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
Moving forward, the weekly emails will be coming from arwg@westernfairdistrict.com
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
Other Items/Articles
AutoStore and OnePointOne unveil robotic vertical farm
FIRA USA 2025: Where Growers and Ag Robotics Innovators Take Center Stage
University of Delaware wins impact award at 2025 Farm Robotics Challenge
Pineapple powerhouse: Students’ high-flying farm tech wins international award
Top Teams Compete for $50,000 in Farm Robotics Competition
Harvesting Innovation: The Future of Farming | Keystone Edition Business | Full Episode
Why I Left an Ag Equipment Manufacturer to Launch a Software Company
Eco-friendly aquatic robot is made from fish food
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.