The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center announced that AgTech NEXT TM is launching a series of free, interactive monthly webinars called AgTech NEXT  Now! that will feature conversations about Risks and Rewards in a Post COVID-19 World and the impact on the ag and food industry.

“When we announced in 2019 that our new AgTech NEXT conference would focus on Risk and Rewards in the ag and food sector, we could not have anticipated the COVID-19 world. Our first three webinars will offer insights into this dynamic situation and what the future may hold for our sector,” said Sam Fiorello, CEO Cortex Innovation Community and chair of the AgTech NEXT External Advisory Board.

AgTech NEXT  Now!

AgTech NEXT Now! webinar series schedule can be found below.

TUESDAY MAY 12 FROM 12:00-12:30CT: “PANDEMIC ECONOMICS”

A discussion with St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank VP David Wheelock about the 1918 Influenza and its modern-day implications: What happened? What did we learn and how did the US economy fare after it ended? Moderated by Sam Fiorello, CEO Cortex Innovation Community and Chair, AgTech NEXT External Advisory Board.

TUESDAY JUNE 9 FROM 12:00-12:30CT: COVID-19 IMPACTS ON THE FOOD SYSTEM

A conversation with AON Managing Director and SVP Chip Lerwick analyzing food supply chain weaknesses and implications for consumers, producers, workers, and livestock. What are the most promising business continuity management strategies? Moderated by Tom Laurita, Director of Entrepreneurship, Danforth Center.

TUESDAY JULY 14 FROM 12-12:30 CDT: AGTECH INNOVATIONS IN THE POST COVID-19 WORLD

Insights from agri-food thought leader and author Mary Shelman about the “new normal”.  How will our collective COVID-19 experience affect and interact with existing disrupters like changing customer values, climate change, new Ag technologies? Moderated by Claire Kinlaw, Director Innovation Commercialization, Danforth Center.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 12:00-12:30 PM CDT: ACCELERATED TRENDS IN FOOD AND AG

A conversation with Michael Swanson, Wells Fargo’s chief agriculture economist about how crises accelerate existing economic and industry trends. Innovations that would have taken 3-5 years for significant customer adoption may take only a year. What was envisioned over a decade appears in a few years. What are the key trends that the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated in the food and ag industry?

The webinar series is free but registration is required. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

We are grateful to our Partners for their support of the AgTech NEXT Now! webinar series, 2020 Partners include Aon, Bayer Crop Science, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, Thompson Coburn, Tech Accel, KWS, Alliance STL, Ameren Missouri, Benson Hill, Clayco, Lewis & Clark AgriFood, Missouri Technology Corporation, Open Prairie, St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, Posinelli, BioSTL, CoBank, Missouri Department of Agriculture, Wells Fargo and Ventas Wexford Science + Technology