Fargo, ND – Hundreds of entrepreneurs, innovators, and technologists from around the country came together in Fargo, North Dakota, this week for Grand Farm’s Cultivate Conference.
Several Grand Farm events were held over the week including Wednesday’s Cybersecurity in Food and Agriculture Supply Chain Workshop kicked off by Gov. Doug Burgum with speakers including Andrew Rose, the FBI, North Dakota CIO Shawn Riley, North Dakota CISO Michael Gregg, and featured a student cybersecurity showcase. Grand Farm and Bushell also co-hosted a Shindig Wednesday evening in Broadway Square, sponsored by Google, bringing together attendees of the Cultivate Conference and Bushel’s Customer Conference.
Thursday’s Cultivate Conference featured panel discussions on some of the leading topics of discussion in agriculture including AgTech Investment, Demystifying Ag Financing, and How North Dakota Can Be A Leader in Ag and Energy. Updates from Google, KWS, Intelligent Ag, Chonex, North Dakota State University, and Stoneridge Software provided the most recent developments in AgTech.
To amplify and energize entrepreneurs in the ecosystem, pitches were delivered from startup companies Combyne, Eden Grow Systems, Smart Agri Labs, and VeriGrain.
Grand Farm announced the purchase of a parcel of land near Casselton, North Dakota, intended as the future site of its Innovation Facility. In May, Grand Farm revealed it had selected the Casselton community as the home of its Innovation Facility along with the intention to purchase the land. The property is located on the southwest corner of exit 328 off I-94, about two miles west of Casselton.
Grand Farm also unveiled its new Grower Advisory Board, a group of ten innovative growers from across the region who will provide advice, critical feedback, and recommendations to Grand Farm on a range of agricultural technologies and practices.
The morning portion of the Cultivate Conference ended with several area farmers providing the Farmers Final Say. This panel of growers provides honest and frank feedback on the technologies and innovations available on farms today and innovations discussed at the conference.
The day’s discussions wrapped up with several workshops around downtown Fargo focusing on traceability, carbon credits, and a dialogue with local growers.
