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?
 

Speaker Presentations

 View Printable Agenda


Time March 3, 2022
8:30am-9:00am
REGISTRATION AND MINGLING

Enjoy coffee or tea and mingle with other participants or explore the marketplace.

9:00am-9:20am
Welcome / Opening Remarks
Moderator:
Speakers:
9:20am-10:30am
FROM CHALLENGES TO SOLUTIONS
Moderator:
  • Kati Migliaccio, Chair and Professor, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering
Panelists:
10:30am-10:50am Break
10:50am-11:30am
Waste Not
Moderator:
  • Jack Payne, Professor, UF/IFAS Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
Panelists:
  • “Harmonizing Sustainability Approaches in the Food Industry: Processing, Packaging, and Industry 4.0”
    Ziynet Boz, Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (speak on circularity; or greenhouse gas emissions in the packaging industry)
    View Presentation (PDF) »
  • “The Future of the Food Industry is Circular”
    Mike Ferrari, President, Consortium for Waste to Syngas Circularity (In-person)
    View Presentation (PDF) »
11:30am-12:15pm
Keynote Presentation: Shaping the Future of Sustainable Agriculture

(Sponsored by UF/IFAS York Distinguished Lecturer Series)

While global populations continue to increase, food production systems need to produce more, more efficiently, in ways that protect the environment. This is an imperative made possible by sustainable agricultural management practices. Through shared understanding, innovative technologies and creative solutions we can solve the issues that stand in the way of achieving truly sustainable agriculture and food security for all – while ensuring agriculture becomes part of the solution to climate change and continuing to feed humankind with safe and nutritious food for decades to come.

Moderator:
Keynote Speaker:
  • J. Erik Fyrwald, Chief Executive Officer, Syngenta Group, and Chairman of the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture: Shaping the Future of Sustainable Agriculture
12:15pm-1:15pm
Luncheon Speaker 
Moderator: 
  • Felicia Wu, John A. Hannah Distinguished Professor in Food Safety, Toxicology, and Risk Assessment, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University
Speaker:
  • Mario Herrero, Cornell Atkinson Scholar and Professor of sustainable food systems and global change in the Department of Global Development, Cornell University
12:15pm-1:15pm
Luncheon Speaker 
Moderator: 
  • Felicia Wu, John A. Hannah Distinguished Professor in Food Safety, Toxicology, and Risk Assessment, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University
Speaker:
  • “Towards the Sustainable Transformation of the Global Food System”
    Mario Herrero, Cornell Atkinson Scholar and Professor of sustainable food systems and global change in the Department of Global Development, Cornell University
    View Presentation (PDF) »
1:15pm-2:15pm
From Farm to Table
Moderator: 
  • Pedro Sanchez, Research Professor, Department of Soil and Water Sciences
Panelists:
2:15pm-3:00pm
Research Matters
Moderator: 
Presenters:
3:00pm-3:30pm
People and Policy
Moderator: 
  • Andra Johnson, Dean, UF/IFAS Extension and Director of the Florida Cooperative Extension Service
Panelists:
  • Rob Bertram, Chief Scientist, Bureau for Resilience and Food Security, United States Agency for International Development
  • Samuel Thevasagayam, Deputy Director, Livestock Team, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
3:30pm-4:00pm Afternoon Break
4:00pm-4:20pm
WHAT IS MY FUTURE IN FOOD SYSTEMS?
Panelists:
  • Elaine Turner, Dean, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and Professor of Food Science and Human Nutrition
  • Jose Rossignoli, Vice President, Global Sourcing, Robinson Fresh
  • Libby Putnam, CALS Student

What kind of jobs will future food systems offer? What kind of knowledge and skills will be sought after?

4:20pm-4:40pm
WRAP-UP: PERSPECTIVES ON THE DAY
  • Jeanna Mastrodicasa, Associate Vice President for Operations, UF/IFAS
  • Cheryl Palm, Associate Director, Food Systems Institute and Professor, UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering
4:40pm-6:00pm Reception
 

Poster Presentations


Time March 3, 2022
All Day
Poster Session
  • Assessment of Factors Influencing Adoption of SWD Best Management Programs Among Berry and Cherry Growers in the U.S.
    Damilola Ajayi, Kay Kelsey, Ash Sial
    View Poster (PDF) »
  • Breeding Multi-purpose Cowpea for Forage, Ornamental, and Grain
    Rebecca Arias, Y. Lopez, R. Ulbricht Ferreira, M.H.M.L. Andrade, M.H.M.L., and E.F. Rios
    View Poster (PDF) »
  • Short Nutrition Education Intervention for High School Students
    Miranda Badolato, Kristina Cajiao, Sierra Woodruff, Karla Shelnutt, Lisa House, Anne Mathews
    View Poster (PDF) »
  • Development of a Community-based Meal Kit Program for Diverse Communities with Low Income and High Food Insecurity
    Kerri-Ann Chambers, Miranda Badolato, Isabella Ramirez, Lisa A. House, Anne E. Mathews, and Karla P. Shelnutt
    View Poster (PDF) »
  • A Study on Consumers’ Perceptions, Acceptance, and Willingness to Pay for Cell-Based Seafood Products
    Sharon Xin Ying Chuah and Razieh Farzad
    View Poster (PDF) »
  • Using Technology to Strengthen a Family's Food System
    Wendy Lynch and William Lester
    View Poster (PDF) »
  • Dietary Animal Source Food Across the Lifespan in LMIC
    Karah Mechlowitz, Sarah L. McKune, Laurie C. Miller
    View Poster (PDF) »
  • Renewable Resource Market Responses U.S. Fisheries
    Jordan Moor
    View Poster (PDF) »
  • Circular Agronomy in Brazil: Integrated Crop-Livestock Systems is the Key
    Silvino G. Moreira, Gerrit Hoogenboom, Ana Martin-Ryals, Pedro Sanchez
    View Poster (PDF) »
  • Feeding Families: Understanding Challenges and Perceptions of Food Insecure Households during COVID-19
    Meredith Oglesby, Lauri Baker, Catherine Campbell, Angie Lindsey, Ricky Telg, Hikaru Peterson
    View Poster (PDF) »
  • Social Ecological Food Security Model: A Systems Perspective on Improving Access to Healthy Foods
    Alicia Papanek and Catherine G. Campbell
    View Poster (PDF) »
  • Detangling Relationships Between Aflatoxin Formation and Plant Physiological Status in Peanut
    Justin Pitts, Barry Tillman, Zachary Brym, Alina Zare, William Hammond
    View Poster (PDF) »
  • Evaluation of CRISPR/cas9 Disease Resistant Tomatoes for the Prevention of Salmonella Colonization
    Paula Rios Glusberger, Angely Guzman, and Eric W. Triplett
    View Poster (PDF) »
  • Facilitating Smallholder Farmer Engagement with Data-driven Agriculture: A Case Study in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
    Alejandro Sanchez
    View Poster (PDF) »

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.