Specialty crop growers, researchers and ag tech leaders will gather in Tifton, Georgia, on May 5-6 for the Southeastern Specialty Crop Technology Conference and Show.

Hosted by the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, the inaugural event aims to accelerate the adoption of emerging technologies in specialty crop production across the Southeastern U.S. Registration is now open.

“We’ve developed this event to foster collaboration and knowledge transfer to address key specialty crop production challenges through machinery, robotics, AI and digital agriculture,” said Luan Oliveira,  precision agriculture specialist for University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. “We’re thrilled to invite growers, farm managers and county Extension agents; they are the stakeholders across the state.”

An Idea Exchange on Southeast Soil

The first conference day will include a university research-focused agenda, featuring sessions with researchers from UGA, Cornell University, University of California and Western Growers Association, and a keynote from Steven Thomson, national program leader for the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. A panel discussion will include growers, commodity commission representatives and research presenters. Day one will conclude with a poster and networking reception.

Day two will pivot to an industry focus, with a keynote from Jason P. H. Brantley, vice president of John Deere, followed by industry presentations and a panel discussion. Growers also can participate in a question-and-answer session with ag tech companies in attendance.

Live demonstrations will be held in the afternoon on both conference days. Technology on display will include AI-driven sprayers and weeders, harvesting aid robotics, drones for weed detection and wildlife mitigation, and more.

“We cannot wait to bring companies from across the globe and put them on Georgia soil to show their products working live,” Oliveira said.

Supporting Specialty Crop Growers

Event sponsors include the UGA Institute for Integrative Precision Agriculture, Solinftec, John Deere, AgriPass, Burro, Carbon Robotics, Ecorobotix, Niqo Robotics, Skysense, Verdant Robotics, Metos, Goanna Ag and Hiphen.

“This is something brand new in the Southeast; it excites me to have the opportunity to bring something like this here and to know so many are eager to attend,” Oliveira said. “We’re looking forward to an idea exchange to better manage crops, save labor and create a sustainable ecosystem, not only environmentally but also socially and economically.”