Fast facts:
First-of-its-kind event brings federal, state leaders to Fayetteville
Online registration is available
Panels will explore the future of agri-food innovation
FAYETTEVILLE — National and state leaders in agriculture and food innovation and entrepreneurship will gather Nov. 2-3 for the Arkansas Agri-Food Innovation Summit, a first-of-its-kind event spotlighting the federal funding opportunities that can drive industry transformation.
The event, which is free of charge, is open to food and agriculture professionals and students. It will be held at the Don Tyson Center for Agricultural Sciences, 1371 W. Altheimer Drive in Fayetteville. Participants can register online for the commercialization and research tracks.
The Nov 2-3 Agri-Innovation Summit in Fayetteville, Arkansas, is a first-of-its-kind event that will bring together leaders in industry, government and academia.
The summit is being hosted by four leaders in innovation: the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center, the University of Arkansas Division of Economic Development, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, and Catalyst/Research and Technology Transfer at Arkansas State University.
As home to giants in agriculture and retail, “Arkansas is uniquely positioned at the crossroads of an agri-food supply chain revolution, ready to champion transformative advancements,” said Trey Malone, co-host for the event.
Malone is an agricultural economist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences. He is also a Fellow for the Sustainable Food Systems at the Farm Foundation.
“Collaboration is one of the most powerful drivers in agriculture and food innovation,” said Deacue Fields, vice president-agriculture for the University of Arkansas System. “This event has been built to spark and nurture collaboration across public and private sectors, academia and industry and state and federal entities. We are proud to host what we believe will be the start of many successful partnerships.”
Day 1 — Commercialization Track
The first day’s agenda — which runs from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. — focuses on early-stage seed funding from federal sources. The program will highlight the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s $4 billion Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer program, known as America’s Seed Fund.