Automation Cluster Event
February 21, 2023 | 8:30am – 4pm
Location
Vineland Research and Innovation Centre
Rittenhouse Hall
4890 Victoria Avenue North
Vineland Station, ON
To celebrate the wrapping up of five years of applied research focused on Canada’s Automation Cluster, Vineland hosted a one-day event showcasing research and facilitating discussions on the future of automation in Canadian horticulture.
Canadian scientists, engineers, companies and end-users were able to:
Communicate results of cluster projects to the agriculture sector and demonstrate technology prototypes
Hear from leading international experts on the latest developments in the science of automation
Create connections and opportunities for research collaboration
Create connections with companies who can take prototype technologies to the next stage of commercial development
Create international awareness and promote Canadian automation innovation
Agenda
Introduction & Keynote
| 8:30 am | Coffee & Networking |
| 9:00 am | Vineland Welcome & Introductions Dr. Darby McGrath, Vice-President, Research & Development Vineland Research and Innovation Centre |
| 9:10 am | Vineland Automation Cluster Presentation Dr. Ian Potter, President & CEO Vineland Research and Innovation Centre |
| 9:30 am | Keynote Address Brett Maxwell, Director, Innovation and Growth Policy Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada |
| 10:30 am | Break |
Panel Discussion
| 10:45 am | Panel Discussion “The Future of Automation in Horticulture” Moderated by Dr. McGrath Hussam Haroun, Director, Automation, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre Colinda de Beer, Senior Business Developer Horticulture, InnovationQuarter Ron Saris, Innovation Manager, LetsGrow.com Greg Devries, President & CEO, Truly Green Farms, Cedarline Greenhouses, Cedarline Farms |
| 12:00 pm | Lunch |
Technology Showcase
| 1:00 pm | Technology Showcase Smart Irrigation (Ron Saris, LetsGrow.com) Automated Harvesting (Hussam Haroun, Vineland) Mushroom Harvesting (Michael Curry, Mycionics) |
| 2:15 pm | Break |
Roundtable Discussion
| 2:30 pm | Roundtable Discussion with Event Participants (In-Person Only) Hosted by Dr. Amy Bowen, Director, Consumer, Sensory & Market Insights Vineland Research and Innovation Centre |
| 3:45 pm | Closing remarks |
Speakers and Panelists
Dr. Darby McGrath
Vice-President, Research & Development
Vineland
Dr. Ian Potter
President & CEO
Vineland
Brett Maxwell
Director, Innovation and Growth Policy
Agriculture and Agri-food Canada
Colinda de Beer
Senior Business Developer Horticulture
InnovationQuarter
Greg Devries
President & CEO
Truly Green Farms, Cedarline Greenhouses, Cedarline Farms
Hussam Haroun
Director, Automation
Vineland
Ron Saris
Innovation Manager
LetsGrow.com
Michael Curry
Chief Executive Officer
Mycionics Inc.
Dr. Amy Bowen
Director, Consumer, Sensory & Market Insights
Vineland
