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Director, AgWeatherNet | Professor, Precision Agriculture
Washington State University
United States
Dr. Lav R. Khot is the Director of AgWeatherNet and a Professor of Precision Agriculture at Washington State University. His research and extension program centers on ag–cyber-physical systems, automation, and data-driven technologies that improve the efficiency and sustainability of irrigated and tree-fruit production. Dr. Khot is playing a key leadership role in advancing AI-enabled technologies to realize smart agriculture across Washington State and beyond. His efforts focus on bridging the gap between applied research and on-farm adoption through close collaboration with growers, commodity commissions, and industry partners. These partnerships have helped establish public-private Smart Farm Testbeds that aid in real-world evaluation and grower education to accelerate the adoption of smart-ag technologies.
As a mentor and educator, Dr. Khot has guided more than 35 graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, Fulbright scholars, and international researchers, along with over 30 undergraduate interns. His program has produced more than 200 peer-reviewed publications and extension articles, garnering over 6,590 citations and an h-index of 38. He serves as an Associate Editor for the Journal of ASABE and is an active contributor to the Precision Agriculture and IEEE MetroAgriFor communities. Dr. Khot’s contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including the WSU Office of Research 2025 Public Impact Award, 2025 ASABE AE50 Outstanding Innovation, Blue Ribbon, and Superior Paper Awards, WSU CAHNRS 2024 Early Career Excellence and Team Interdisciplinary Awards, the 2021 Fruit + Vegetable 40 Under 40 distinction, and the 2018 FFAR New Innovator Award.
Tue 20
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Main Stage 1
The Tech Builder Experience
Speakers
Tim Bucher CEO Agtonomy
Glen Rain University of Georgia, 4D Farms
Matt Darr Iowa State University, BioCentury Research Farm
Charlie Anderson CEO Burro
Troy Peters Director of the Center for Precision and Automated Agricultural Systems Washington State University
Lauren Milligan Content Specialist Women In Ag Tech
Colin Hurd Co-director Ag Startup Engine
Andres Manzanares Investor Stray Dog Capital
Tarquin Stephenson AgTech Investor Cibus Capital
Amber DeWitt Venture Associate Fulcrum Global Capital
Troy Peters Director of the Center for Precision and Automated Agricultural Systems Washington State University
Steve Mantle Founder/CEO Innov8.Ag
Lav Khot Director, AgWeatherNet | Professor, Precision Agriculture Washington State University
Congressman Dan Newhouse Washington State representative United State Congress
Doug Hartfield Agricultural Safety Technical Specialist Division of Occupational Safety and Health Washington State Department of Labor & Industry
Ignacio Marquez Regional Assistant to the Director Washington State Department of Agriculture
Anne Visser Professor University of California, Davis
Lucie Cahierre Program Manager UCANR
Paige Gilligan Secretary California Women for Agriculture
Matthew Whiting Professor, scientist, Extension Specialist Washington State University
Antoon Vanderstraeten Editor Women In Ag Magazine
Aymeric Barthes President GOFAR
Danny Bernstein CEO The Reservoir
Ben Palone Sr. Director of Automation & Commercialization Western Growers
Chrissy Wozniak Vice-President of Communication | Founder American Agri-Women | North American Ag
Alex Russomagno Senior Manager of Strategic Engagement AGCO Ventures
Connie Bowen General Partner Farmhand Ventures
Walt Duflock VP of Innovation Western Growers
Bijoy Shah Director of Growth PF Partners
Maialen Cazenave Co-director GOFAR/FIRA
Ines Hanrahan Executive Director WA Tree Fruit Research Commission (WTFRC)
Tue 20
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM
Main Stage 1
The Tech Builder Experience
Speakers
Charlie Anderson CEO Burro
Troy Peters Director of the Center for Precision and Automated Agricultural Systems Washington State University
Lauren Milligan Content Specialist Women In Ag Tech
Colin Hurd Co-director Ag Startup Engine
Andres Manzanares Investor Stray Dog Capital
Tarquin Stephenson AgTech Investor Cibus Capital
Amber DeWitt Venture Associate Fulcrum Global Capital
Troy Peters Director of the Center for Precision and Automated Agricultural Systems Washington State University
Steve Mantle Founder/CEO Innov8.Ag
Lav Khot Director, AgWeatherNet | Professor, Precision Agriculture Washington State University
Congressman Dan Newhouse Washington State representative United State Congress
Doug Hartfield Agricultural Safety Technical Specialist Division of Occupational Safety and Health Washington State Department of Labor & Industry
Ignacio Marquez Regional Assistant to the Director Washington State Department of Agriculture
Anne Visser Professor University of California, Davis
Lucie Cahierre Program Manager UCANR
Paige Gilligan Secretary California Women for Agriculture
Matthew Whiting Professor, scientist, Extension Specialist Washington State University
Antoon Vanderstraeten Editor Women In Ag Magazine
Aymeric Barthes President GOFAR
Danny Bernstein CEO The Reservoir
Ben Palone Sr. Director of Automation & Commercialization Western Growers
Chrissy Wozniak Vice-President of Communication | Founder American Agri-Women | North American Ag
Alex Russomagno Senior Manager of Strategic Engagement AGCO Ventures
Connie Bowen General Partner Farmhand Ventures
Bijoy Shah Director of Growth PF Partners
Maialen Cazenave Co-director GOFAR/FIRA
Ines Hanrahan Executive Director WA Tree Fruit Research Commission (WTFRC)
Wed 21
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Main Stage 1
Speakers
Sarah Masterson CEO CA Agtech Alliance
Steve Mantle Founder/CEO Innov8.Ag
Lav Khot Director, AgWeatherNet | Professor, Precision Agriculture Washington State University
Anne Visser Professor University of California, Davis
Matthew Whiting Professor, scientist, Extension Specialist Washington State University
Danny Bernstein CEO The Reservoir
Ines Hanrahan Executive Director WA Tree Fruit Research Commission (WTFRC)
Supported by
Thu 22
9:00 AM - 9:55 AM
Stage 2
Smart farms tour
Speakers
Supported by
