Agri-Food Innovation Summit
When
Where
Don Tyson Center for Agricultural Sciences
1371 W. Altheimer Drive
Fayetteville, AR 72704
Registration
Registration for both days of the event is required. No cost to attend.
The Arkansas Agri-Food Innovation Summit is a first-of-its-kind event highlighting federal funding opportunities that can transform the agri-food industry. Agri-food innovators, entrepreneurs, and enthusiasts are invited to join national and state agriculture and food leaders to learn about funding opportunities and gain insights on the future of the industry.
The Agri-Food Innovation Summit is divided into two tracks: the commercialization track on Nov. 2 and the research track on Nov. 3. Participants are invited to register for one or both tracks. The event is free of charge and is open to food and agriculture professionals and students. It will be held at the Don Tyson Center for Agricultural Sciences, 1371 W. Altheimer Dr. in Fayetteville.
Agenda
Day 1 – Commercialization Track
November 2, 2023
Student Research Poster Competition runs all day in the Don Tyson Center.
9:30 a.m.
Welcome and Overview of Event
Parker C. Cole, Ph.D., Associate Director of Technology Commercialization, UADA
Luna Acosta, Director, Catalyst Innovation Center, ASU
Karen Bergh, Innovation Specialist, ASBTDC
USDA Federal Funding Opportunities: SBIR/STTR Overview
Melinda Coffman, Program Coordinator, SBIR/STTR
Nurun Nahar, Ph.D., SBIR/STTR Program Specialist
USDA Agricultural Research Service CRADA Overview
Dennis P. Goodes, Ph.D., Deputy Assistant Administrator, Agricultural Research Service
11:30 a.m.
USDA SBIR Awardee Panel
Katie Thompson, Executive Director, Science Venture Studio
Danielle Dozier, CEO, GSS Group
Joseph Batta-Mpouma, CEO & Co-founder, CelluDot
12:00 p.m.
Lunch
12:30 p.m.
Panel: Investing in Ag/Food Research Innovation & Commercialization
Jean-Francois Meullenet, Ph.D., Director of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, UADA
Mickey LaTour, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Agriculture, ASU
Ranu Jung, Ph.D., Founding Executive Director, Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research, UofA
Moderated by Trey Malone, Ph.D., Agri-Food Economist, UADA
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
One-on-One Meetings with USDA Program Officers
Participants will be required to sign up in advance.
1:00 p.m.
Pre- and Post-Award Support
Luna Acosta, Director, Catalyst Innovation Center, ASU
Josh Boice, Grants Officer, UADA
Ashley Pinkard, Executive Director of Research, ASU
Morgan Speer, Director of Proposal Development, ASU
2:30 p.m.
Panel: Agricultural Innovation for the 22nd Century
Brandon McFadden, Ph.D., Professor and Tyson Endowed Chair in Food Policy Economics, UADA
Khoa Luu, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Computer Science & Computer Engineering, UofA
Marty Matlock, Ph.D., Professor, Biological and Agricultural Engineering, UofA
Sylvia A. Wulf, CEO and Board Chair, Aquabounty Technologies, Inc.
Walter Burgess, Co-CEO, Power Technology, Inc.
Moderated by Parker C. Cole, Ph.D., Associate Director of Technology Commercialization, UADA
4:00 p.m.
Panel: Unique Funding Mechanisms for Agricultural Innovation
Bill Arnold, Venture Discovery Director, Big Idea Ventures GFRF Fund
Bob Kucheravy, Director, Science and Technology, Arkansas Economic Development Commission
Brandon Day, COO, The Yield Lab Institute
Jeff Amerine, PMP, Co-Founder & General Partner, Cadron Capital Partners
Kim Davis, Senior Advisor, Home Region Program, Walton Family Foundation
Pete Nelson, President, AgLaunch
Moderated by Mike Malone, Vice-Chancellor for Economic Development, UofA
5:00 p.m.
Dionne Toombs, Ph.D., Associate Director for Programs, USDA-NIFA
5:15 p.m.
Closing Comments, Announcement of Student Poster Competition Winner, Introduction of Evening Event
Trey Malone, Ph.D., Agri-Food Economist, UADA
Catherine Corley, Business and Innovation Consultant, ASBTDC
Darryl Holliday, Ph.D., CRC, Executive Director of the Arkansas Food Innovation Center at Market Center of the Ozarks
Kim Bryden, CEO, Cureate
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Cocktails, Bites, and Tours
Featured Food and Beverage Entrepreneurs:
Bartleby’s
Delta Dirt Distillery
Dogwood Hills
Firelight Farm
Margaret Ruths
Shuttles available for tours of the Arkansas Food Innovation Center and the Center for Arkansas Farms and Food across the street.
Day 2 – Research Track
November 3, 2023
8:00 a.m.
Welcome and Introductions
Deacue Fields, Vice President for Agriculture, UADA
Innovation in Arkansas
Margaret McCabe, Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, UofA
8:15 a.m.
Overview of USDA Office of the Chief Scientist
Deirdra Chester, Ph.D., Director, Office of Chief Scientist, REE
8:45 a.m.
Breakout Sessions
Food Safety
Jodi Williams, Ph.D., National Program Leader, USDA-NIFA
Animal Health Programs
Robert Godfrey, Division Director – Animal Systems, USDA-NIFA
Education Programs
Michelle Santos Schelske, Ph.D., National Program Leader, USDA-NIFA
10:15 a.m.
Research and Innovation Tour
Nathan McKinney, Assistant Director of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, UADA
Stops
Food Safety Laboratory, Kristen Gibson, Ph.D., Professor and Director of Center for Food Safety
Smart Poultry House, David Caldwell, Ph.D., Director of the Center of Excellence for Poultry Science
Arkansas Clean Plant Center, Ioannis Tzanetakis, Ph.D., Professor and Director of the Arkansas Clean Plant Center
3-D Food Printing Lab, Ali Ubeyitogullari, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Food Science
Flavor Chemistry and Brewing, Scott Lafontaine, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Food Science
12:00 p.m.
Adjourn
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact speed@uark.edu as soon as possible.