The Growers Experience

This dynamic and interactive panel will bring together key voices from across the agricultural ecosystem to explore the realities and future of AgTech adoption. The discussion will begin by highlighting the most pressing challenges facing major agricultural commodities today, from labor shortages and input costs to climate variability and sustainability pressures. Building on this foundation, panelists will share candid insights into recent AgTech innovations—examining both successes and failures—to uncover what truly drives impact in the field. Finally, the conversation will look ahead, identifying the critical tools, technologies, processes, and collaborations needed to accelerate innovation and enable scalable adoption. By connecting perspectives from growers, technology providers, and industry stakeholders, this session aims to spark practical ideas and foster meaningful dialogue on the path forward for agriculture.

Get a fast-paced overview of the robots shaping agriculture today. In this dynamic session, each machine takes the stage for a short live presentation. From autonomous platforms to precision tools, discover a wide range of AgTech innovations in one place. Designed to give you the big picture of the robots featured throughout the event, this parade helps you quickly understand who’s doing what and spot the solutions most relevant to your operations.

ON REGISTRATION – Growers only – lunch provided This Barcamp session is dedicated exclusively to growers, providing a unique opportunity to meet and connect with fellow growers who are users of agricultural technologies. Participants will be grouped by crop type, with each table focusing on a specific crop to facilitate in-depth, peer-to-peer discussions. The format encourages open sharing of real-world experiences, challenges, and solutions, allowing growers to exchange practical insights and best practices directly with one another. This collaborative environment is designed to foster meaningful connections and actionable takeaways tailored to each crop’s unique needs.

Wrap up Day 1 with Agtonomy! Join us for drinks, networking, and an expert-guided demo of factory-fit automation in action. Meet the team behind the tech, see what’s possible, and get your questions answered. Sponsotred by Agtonomy.

Session open for free for farmworkers. Register here: https://app.imagina.com/fira-usa-2026/491128 Este evento global en español explora cómo los trabajadores agrícolas, productores y profesionales del sector se están adaptando a la transición hacia granjas cada vez más automatizadas. A través de encuestas interactivas, presentaciones de expertos y debates abiertos, los participantes analizarán los desafíos económicos y regulatorios que impulsan la adopción tecnológica, así como las innovaciones en agricultura inteligente, riego, resiliencia climática e inteligencia artificial. El evento dará la palabra a los trabajadores agrícolas, quienes trabajan directamente junto a los robots en el campo. La automatización puede generar inquietudes relacionadas con la seguridad laboral, la fiabilidad y las nuevas competencias requeridas. Por ello, los testimonios directos mostrarán cómo los trabajadores se están adaptando, cómo la experiencia práctica transforma su percepción, cómo los robots se integran en las operaciones diarias y cómo las nuevas tecnologías pueden transformar los roles, las competencias y la colaboración en las explotaciones agrícolas. El evento concluirá con un panel de debate en el que participarán trabajadores agrícolas y empleadores para analizar vías prácticas hacia una fuerza laboral agrícola más colaborativa y apoyada por la tecnología. Agenda detallada 9:00–9:05 — Palabras de bienvenida e introducción 9:05 — Encuesta interactiva 9:20 — Desafíos económicos y regulatorios: factores que impulsan la adopción tecnológica 9:40 — Granjas inteligentes: tecnologías de riego y soluciones para mitigar los efectos del calor y el frío 10:00 — Panel sobre riego 10:30 — Presentación: inteligencia artificial en la agricultura 11:00 — Panel de debate con trabajadores agrícolas y un empleador — Ignacio 12:00 — Encuesta de cierre English version " From Fields to Tech: How Farmworkers Transition to the Automated Farms" This global Spanish-language event explores how farmworkers, growers, and agricultural professionals are adapting to the transition toward increasingly automated farms. Through interactive surveys, expert presentations, and open discussions, participants will examine the economic and regulatory challenges driving technology adoption, as well as innovations in smart farming, irrigation, climate resilience, and artificial intelligence. The event gives the floor to farmworkers—the people working directly alongside agricultural robots in the field. Automation raises concerns about job security, reliability, and skill requirement; thus firsthand testimonies will reveal how farmworkers are adapting and through real-world experience, how robots integrate into daily operations, and how new technologies can transform roles, skills, and collaboration on the farm. The event will conclude with a panel discussion bringing together farmworkers and employers to discuss practical pathways toward a collaborative, and technology-enabled agricultural workforce. Detailled agenda: 9:00 to 9:05 Welcome introduction 9:05 Interactive Survey 9:20 Economic and Regulation Challenges - Driver for Tech Adoption 9:40 Smart Farms Irrigation Technology, Heat -Cold Mitigating Tech 10:00 Irrigation panel 10:30 AI in Agriculture Presentation 11:00 Panel discussion with farm workers and an employer - Ignacio 12:00 Closing survey

Putting AI to work on your farm during the season starts with a clear, long-term strategy. This panel explores how farmers and agribusiness leaders can move beyond experimentation to build an AI approach that delivers real value in day-to-day operations. From understanding ROI, managing risks, and staying competitive, to deciding whether to build, buy, or partner, experts will share practical frameworks for decision-making. The discussion will also address the foundations of a successful AI journey: data ownership and interoperability, infrastructure choices, and the human side of transformation—skills, teams, and adoption. Finally, panelists will outline how to prioritize investments over a 3–5 year horizon to turn AI into a scalable, operational tool throughout the growing season.

A robot is not a one-time purchase, it’s a system that needs to be maintained, updated, and supported over time. This workshop explores what happens after deployment: maintenance routines, software updates, breakdowns, spare parts, and the level of support you can realistically expect. Who do you call when something goes wrong? How fast can issues be resolved? And what skills do you need in-house? A practical look at the full lifecycle of a farm robot to help you avoid costly surprises.