Ag Robotics Working Group

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March 15th 2024 Meeting

AgRobotics Working Group Meeting Agenda, March 15th, 2024.  

  1. New Members:   

    1. Jorand Gallou - Vitirover 

    2. Sebastien Labat - Vitirover 

    3. Allison Findlay – Niagara College 

    4. Emma Smalley – Niagara College 

  2. Presentations: Jorand Gallou - Autonomous Solar mower  

  3. Conferences/Meetings/Field Tours/Demonstrations  

    1. Ottawa Farm Show, March 12-14th, 2024, 4899 Uplands Drive, Ottawa  

    2. World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit, March 19-20, 2024, San Fransico https://worldagritechusa.com/startups/  

    3. New York State Organics Summit, April 3-5, 2024, Syracuse New York NYS Organics Summit (nysar3.org)    

    4. Agri Tech Venture Forum, May 1 & 2, 2024, Toronto Ontario https://agritechventureforum.com/program/keynote-speakers/  

    5. International Symposium on Robotics & Automation - Monday, 22 July 2024 in Manhattan, KS, USA, in conjunction with the 16th International Conference on Precision Agriculture. ispag.org/Events/R_A_Symposium  

    Attendees at recent conferences, please be prepared to provide a brief update to the group.  

  4. Project Updates   

    1. Annual Report   

  5. Funding Announcements/Opportunities –   

    1. Emergent Horticulture Opportunities Fund – https://www.vinelandresearch.com/work-with-us/emergent-horticulture-opportunities-fund/  

    2. THRIVE | ALBERTA INNOVATES - CLIMATE CHALLENGE  

      Climate Challenge Applications Open Until March 29  

      https://thriveagrifood.com/climate-challenge/  

    3. The Greenbelt Foundation is accepting Letters of Intent for the 2024 Spring Grant Round which is open  

      Resilient Greenbelt  Resilient Greenbelt works with nature to create and improve public benefits provided by the natural systems of Ontario's Greenbelt.  

       

      Sustainable Greenbelt  Sustainable Greenbelt sustains the healthy communities and rural vitality provided by the agricultural and rural economic systems of the Greenbelt.  

      Accessible Greenbelt  Accessible Greenbelt sparks and develops awareness, appreciation and engagement of the Greenbelt in residents, visitors and stakeholders.  

      Letter of Intent Due Date: March 22, 2024   

      Grant Guidelines  

    4. Agri-Innovate - AgriInnovate Program: Step 1. What this program offers - agriculture.canada.ca  

    5. OMAFRA/SCAP Funding Announcement and Program Details Link - Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership | ontario.ca  

    6. The Grow Ontario Accelerator Hub : Bioenterprise is OPEN for applications as of January 15, 2024.  

    7. Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program (RALP) The Canadian and Ontario governments are investing up to $20 million to support the adoption of land-based improvements that will: reduce greenhouse gas emissions, store carbon, enhance other ecological good and services. Funding will be provided to eligible farmers to help improve on-farm productivity and increase the resilience of agricultural landscapes in response to a changing climate.  

    8. Agriculture Technology Innovation Initiative Governments Driving Innovation in Food Production | Ontario Newsroom The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $25 million, through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, to expand capacity and realize efficiencies in the agriculture and food sector through the Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative. The Initiative will include a funding opportunity for eligible businesses to increase their efficiency and productivity by investing in new technology, equipment, as well as building or facility modifications. ATII will be administered by the Agriculture Adaptation Council Agricultural Adaptation Council : ATII (adaptcouncil.org) Applications OPEN Closes March 28, 2024 at 11:00 a.m   

  6. Round Table  

  7. Other Items  

    1. Farm Robotics Challenge for university students (hortidaily.com) 

    2. Climate and Tech Expected to Affect Ag Most This Year | The Scoop (thedailyscoop.com) 

    3. Will green-on-green spraying pencil out on your farm? (farmprogress.com) 

    4. Kelowna 'precision farming' project to use robots, drones | CTV News 

    5. SIZA Robotics launches autonomous robot for vegetable and beet crops - Future Farming 

    6. Major role seen for AI in farming | Food Business News 

    7. Solix Sprayer Robot Is Now Commercially Available for Farmers, Retailers - Global Ag Tech Initiative