UF/IFAS FSI

Future of Food Forum

Transforming Food Systems with Artificial Intelligence


March 20, 2023
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Introduction


Future of Food Forum

Overview

The Future of Food Forum promises to be an exciting one-day gathering, on March 20, 2023, presented by the Global Food Systems Institute at the University of Florida. This Forum will bring together great thinkers—academics, students, business leaders, farmers, growers, and policymakers—researching and implementing innovative ways to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) to transform food systems.

Join us as we explore the power of AI to transform the agricultural and food industries locally to globally. You will gain current ideas and perspectives from some of today’s thought leaders on how AI can be implemented into improving food systems.

The Program

Our speakers and panelists will discuss how alternative intelligence can be applied to agriculture to solve some of the most pressing issues of our time, with panels answering questions such as:

  • How can AI assist us in creating crisis-proof food systems?
  • How can AI assist us in creating climate-friendly food systems?
  • How can AI assist us in preserving biological diversity?
  • How can AI assist us to improve collaboration for sustainable global food systems?
 
Time March 20, 2023
8:30am-9:00am
REGISTRATION AND MINGLING

Enjoy coffee or tea, mingle with other participants or explore student posters.

 
MORNING SESSION FACILITATOR
  • Dr. Rafael Muñoz-Carpena, Professor, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Florida
9:00am-9:20am
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Speakers:
  • Dr. Gbola Adesogan, Associate VP and Director, Global Food Systems Institute, UF/IFAS
  • Dr. Scott AngleSenior Vice President, University of Florida (UF)/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS)
9:20am-9:30am
AI Overview
Speaker:
  • Dr. Charlie Li, Professor, Agricultural AI and Automation, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Florida
9:30am-10:15pm
Keynote Presentation
Moderator:
  • Matthew Johnston, Global Head of Vegetables, Syngenta
Keynote Speaker:
  • Stewart Collis, Senior Program Leader, Digital Solutions, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
10:15am-10:30am
Break

Coffee, tea and light refreshments, including vegetarian and vegan options, will be provided.

10:30pm-11:30pm
HOW CAN AI ASSIST US IN CREATING CRISIS-PROOF, CLIMATE-FRIENDLY FOOD SYSTEMS?
Moderator: 
  • Dr. Kati Migliaccio, Chair and Professor, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Florida
Panelists:
  • Dr. Michael Selvaraj, Crop Physiologist and Leader of Phenomics Platform, International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)
  • Dr. Charlie Messina, Professor, Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida
  • Dr. Karen Garrett, Professor, Plant Pathology Department, University of Florida
11:30pm-12:30pm
FROM “CLOUD” TO EARTH: HOW AI WILL REVOLUTIONIZE THE FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE
Moderator: 
  • Dr. Damian Adams, Associate Dean for Research, UF/IFAS
Panelists:
  • Dr. Kommy Weldemariam, Distinguished Engineer and Chief Architect, Discovery Science & Applications, IBM Research
  • Dr. Jawoo Koo, Senior Research Fellow, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)
  • Dr. Raquel Dias, Assistant Professor, Microbiology & Cell Science Department, University of Florida
12:30pm-1:30pm
Lunch

Boxed lunches, including vegetarian and vegan options, will be provided

 
AFTERNOON SESSION FACILITATOR
  • Dr. Dina Liebowitz, Program Director, Plant Science, University of Florida
1:30pm-2:30pm
HOW CAN AI ASSIST WITH ENHANCING PRODUCTIVITY AND SUSTAINABILITY OF FOOD SYSTEMS
Moderator:
  • Dr. Felicia Wu, John A. Hannah Distinguished Professor, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition and the Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics, Michigan State University
Panelists:
  • Van Whitehurst, Whitehurst, Cattle Company
  • Dr. Michael Ferrari, Chief Scientific & Commercial Officer, Climate Alpha
  • Dr. Rob Guralnick, Curator of Biodiversity Informatics, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida
2:30pm-3:30pm
HOW CAN AI IMPROVE COLLABORATION FOR GLOBAL FOOD SYSTEMS?
Moderator:
  • Dr. Norma Samuel, Associate District Extension Director, Central District, UF/IFAS Extension
Panelists:
  • Dr. Max Teplitski, Chief Science Officer, International Fresh Produce Association
  • Dr. Ziwen Yu, Assistant Professor, Big Data Analytics, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Florida
  • Winnie Onyango and Edward Amoah, PlantVillage
3:30pm-4:00pm
NETWORKING/AFTERNOON BREAK: POSTER SESSION AND LIGHTNING ROUND
Moderator:
  • Dr. Kay Kelsey, Director of Academic Programs, Global Food Systems Institute
4:00pm-4:15pm
“SILICON VALLEY OF AGRICULTURE” (APPLIED AI CENTER)
Moderator:
  • Dr. Andy Ogram, Associate Director, Global Food Systems Institute
Presenter:
  • Dr. Jack Rechcigl, Center Director and Professor of Soil and Water Science, UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Balm and Plant City, Center Director for UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center
4:15pm-4:45pm
CLOSING: IFAS INTERNATIONAL AWARDS CEREMONY
Master of Ceremonies:
  • Dr. Greg MacDonald, Professor and Undergraduate Coordinator, Weed Science and International Agronomy, University of Florida
Awards Presenters:
  • Dr. Robert Gilbert, UF/IFAS Dean for Research and Director, Florida Agricultural Experiment Station
  • Dr. Norma Samuel, Associate District Extension Director, Central District, UF-IFAS Extension
  • Dr. Elaine Turner, Dean, UF/IFAS College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
Closing Remarks:
  • Dr. Gbola Adesogan, Associate Vice President and Director, Global Food Systems Institute, UF/IFAS
4:45pm-5:30pm
NETWORKING DESSERT RECEPTION

Certified Sustainable Event

We are proud to share that the forum has received the Green-Level Certification: the highest level of effort taken toward sustainability granted by the UF Office of Sustainablity.

View Certificate »

 

Registration Information


Registration for this event is limited with registrations accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Registration payment must be received to secure a space.

What does the fee include?

The registration fee includes access to all program sessions, light morning refreshments, lunch, and the afternoon break.

Regular Registration $60
Student Registration $10

Refund Policy

The registration fee is non-refundable. However, you may make substitutions until March 13, 2023 by contacting Kimberly Brand.

Special Needs

Participants with special needs can be reasonably accommodated by contacting Jennifer Johnson at least 30 days prior to the conference. She can be reached by email at johnsonjennifer1@ufl.edu, by phone at (352) 294-1014 or by calling 711 TTY/TDD.

Register Now »

Registration FAQs


You should receive a receipt or invoice via your email. Upon completing registration online, a copy of the confirmation is automatically emailed to the address listed in your attendee profile. This confirmation serves as your receipt or as an invoice for the balance due. If you have strict spam filters, your confirmation may not have reached you. If you cannot locate your confirmation, please email Kimberly Brand to request a copy.
No, your registration is not marked as complete until your form of payment has been submitted. If sending a check or deferring payment, you are considered registered as long as the “check” or “invoice” option has been selected and submitted. Registration is complete once you arrive at the confirmation screen and receive a copy of the confirmation in your email.
Yes, in order to defer payment, you will need to select the invoice option when prompted for payment. This will allow you to register your attendance while providing the flexibility to pay by check at a later date. You may also contact the registration office at 352.392.5930 with credit or p-card information once travel funds are authorized.
There are no cancellations or refunds, only substitutions. If you are unable to attend, please inform the Forum organizers for planning purposes. Substitutions will only be allowed until March 13, 2023.
You can email Kimberly Brand for assistance.
 

Venue Information


J. Wayne Reitz Union

GRAND BALLROOM, UF REITZ UNION

Parking & Directions

Address: 655 Reitz Union Drive, Gainesville, FL 32603

Note: There is a campus-wide speed limit of 20 miles per hour.

We recommend parking in the UF Welcome Center & Parking Garage located on Museum Road. There is a daily fee of $6.00 to park in this garage. Visitors should park on the lower level of the Reitz Union parking garage and then follow payment instructions posted on signs at each space. These signs direct customers to one of four pay stations where electronic space meters accept payment in bills, coins or Visa and MasterCard. An attendant will be available to answer questions or assist you at the pay stations. If you are staying at the Reitz Union Hotel, you will receive parking privileges in the garage for one vehicle per room.

Operating hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 4:30pm. Short-term and daily fees apply during this time. The garage may be used during non-operating hours for short-term parking, free of charge.

Directions to the UF Welcome Center & Parking Garage

Information about the UF Welcome Center & Parking Garage

Nearby Hotels

There are several hotels and motels in the Gainesville area available to accommodate your lodging needs:

AC Hotel Gainesville Downtown

AC Hotel Gainesville Downtown

151 NW 14th Street
Gainesville, Florida
32603

Visit Website »

Aloft Gainesville University Area

Aloft Gainesville University Area

3743 Hull Road
Gainesville, Florida
32607

Visit Website »

Holiday Inn University Center Gainesville

Holiday Inn University Center

1250 W University Avenue
Gainesville, Florida
32601

Visit Website »

Travel Information


Plan ahead and start now. The U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs website has the information you need. Visitors planning to visit or attend a meeting most likely will apply for the visa category B-1. Check the estimated wait time for a nonimmigrant visa interview appointment at a US Embassy or Consulate. Some visa processes can take anywhere from 4-6 months.

Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV)
30 minutes from UF campus by car.

Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)
1.5 hours from Gainesville by car.

Orlando International Airport (MCO)
2 hours from Gainesville by car. Roads have tolls.

Tampa International Airport (TPA)
2 hours from Gainesville by car.

 

Nearby Attractions


Gainesville, Florida is 'Where Nature and Culture Meet'! If you're looking for things to do and see while you are visiting, they have plenty of information and tips for your adventures! Here are some suggestions:

Florida Museum of Natural History

The Florida Museum of Natural History

The Florida Museum of Natural History inspires people to value the biological richness and cultural heritage of our diverse world and make a positive difference in its future.

Visit Website

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park

Nowhere else in Florida can visitors experience wild-roaming bison and horses. Nearly 300 species of birds also frequent the park along with alligators, deer and many other animals.

Visit Website

Sweetwater Wetlands Park

Sweetwater Wetlands Park

Sweetwater Wetlands Park is a man-made wetland habitat of more than 125 acres, filled with vast numbers of flora and fauna.

Visit Website

Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention

Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention

Modern museum from the inventor of Gatorade featuring interactive science & technology exhibits.

Visit Website

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens (Gainesville, Florida) is a 68 acre facility comprised of 24 major collections visually accessible from a 1 ½ mile paved walkway.

Visit Website

Fresh Hops

Local Breweries

Gainesville has a vibrant craft beer culture with local favorites such as Swamp Head Brewery, First Magnitude Brewing Company, Cypress & Grove Brewing Company, and Blackadder Brewing Company.