Key Takeaways:
- Focus on broader agri-food innovation: While the summit discussed controlled environment agriculture (CEA), it offered a wider perspective on the agri-food industry, showcasing innovation across the entire food chain.
- Bridging the gap between technology and real-world impact: The summit highlighted the need to translate cutting-edge technology into solutions that address real-world challenges in sustainable food production.
- Collaboration for a more inclusive future: The Women’s Breakfast emphasized the importance of fostering collaboration to tackle the gender gap in agritech leadership and ensure a more diverse and inclusive industry.
Fresh off the buzz of the Indoor AG-CON in Las Vegas, I landed in San Francisco for the World Agri-Tech Summit. While controlled environment agriculture (CEA) was a headliner in Vegas, it felt underrepresented here. But that, as it turned out, was a silver lining.
This summit wasn’t just about the latest in vertical farms (which we all know have been struggling recently). It was a sprawling ecosystem of innovators across the entire agri-food spectrum. From March 19th to 20th, a truly global food chain delegation of 2,400 high-level people representing 58 countries converged to discuss the future of sustainable agriculture.
For someone in the indoor farming sector, this presented a unique opportunity. While the CEA crowd in Vegas was primarily industry folks, San Francisco offered a direct line to potential investors and retailers. It was like having a front-row seat to the future of food production, where cutting-edge technology meets real-world demand.
Women’s Breakfast – a forum to share and empower
The summit wasn’t all high-powered panels, though. The second day’s Women’s Breakfast, sponsored by S2G Ventures and moderated by Tracy Podell of evolution, struck a particularly heartwarming note. It created a safe space for women in agritech to connect, share challenges, and build a support network. Witnessing this focus on inclusivity was a powerful reminder of the collaborative spirit vital for our industry’s success.
Inspirational guest speakers, such as Connie Bowen, Founding GP at Farmhand Ventures, Vonnie Estes, Vice President of Innovation at the International Fresh Produce Association, and Karen Ross, Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, tackled critical issues facing women in agritech.
Tracy Podell’s discussion, which focused on the persistent gender gap, was particularly insightful. She highlighted the misconception of progress: “We think we’re doing better than we are,” she pointed out, citing data that less than 45% of surveyed companies prioritize advancing women into leadership roles. Podell further emphasized the concept of the “broken rung,” not the glass ceiling, as the biggest barrier. “We have a pipeline problem,” she stated, underscoring the need for more women entering and remaining in leadership positions within agritech.
But the Women’s Breakfast wasn’t just about talks. It also served as an interactive networking session, buzzing with shared stories and lively discussions. Participants explored concrete ways to bring more diversity into boardrooms and teams across the AgTech industry. This focus on actionable solutions left a lasting impression, highlighting the power of collaboration in tackling the gender gap.
Takeaways
Leaving San Francisco, I carried a renewed sense of purpose. The World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit wasn’t just about the latest gadgets or investment deals. It was a powerful illustration of a global movement towards a more sustainable and resilient food system. And for those of us working at the forefront of innovation, it was a call to action – to bridge the gap between technology and real-world impact and to ensure everyone has a seat at the table as we build a better food future.
Next up for me is Greentech, where I will be speaking at the panel on Gender Equality; learn more here.
Lead picture: Left to right: Kendra Armstrong (Crop Convergence), Vonnie Estes (International Fresh Produce Association), Danielle Rose (Ceragen)
