Meeting Notes - Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, Brian Lynch - May 2, 2025
New Members:
Tung Ki Wong – University of Winnipeg
Michael Beck – University of Winnipeg
Calvin Bewsky – National Research Council Canada
Nathan Battersby – Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst
Christian Muse – Queen’s University
Jay Wang – University of Manitoba
New members, please be prepared to briefly introduce yourselves and touch on why you joined the group.
Presentations:
Presenter: Brian Lynch
Organization: Vineland Research and Innovation Centre
Presentation: Technology Adoption in Horticulture: Challenges and Opportunities
Conferences/Meetings/Field Tours/Demonstrations
· 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
Exploring Artificial Intelligence Applications in Agriculture
3 Surprising Trends That May Change Your View of Autonomous Farming Technology
AI meets agriculture: Samuel Alogo’s robotics tools revolutionize Nigeria’s agro supply chain
Zooming in on precision agriculture
Farming is no longer ‘old-school.’ It’s the ultimate testbed for AI innovation
New Tractor Autonomy Solution from Carbon Robotics Uses Starlink Connectivity
5 Ways Agricultural Robots Are Changing Modern Farming
Farm robot autonomously navigates and harvests among raised beds
Laser-Guided Robot Farmers Offer Hope for Shrinking Labor Force
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.