AGENDA
In 2026, The VISION Conference ushers in a new era of innovation in agribusiness. With rapid advances in AI, automation, data analytics, and interoperability, the agtech landscape is evolving faster than ever—and VISION brings together the executives and strategists who are shaping what comes next.
Schedule at a Glance
January 12 | Check-In and Women in Ag Tech 1:00 PM – 5:30 PM, Ag Tech Alchemy Meetup 5:45 PM
January 13 | 7:30 am – 7:00 pm
January 14 | 7:30 am – 1:30 pm
Schedule is subject to change. Check this page for the most up-to-date schedule.
1:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Women in Ag Tech (WiAT) Event (Add-On)
Be part of this powerful, one-day event where leaders, innovators, and emerging voices come together to elevate women’s impact in agtech. The Women in Ag Tech (WiAT) program at The VISION Conference is designed to foster high-value connections, share actionable insights, and open doors to new opportunities in the fast-evolving agricultural technology sector.
Whether you’re a seasoned executive, founder, or future leader, this is your space to engage, be inspired, and help shape the future of ag tech.
2:15 PM – 5:00 PM
Attendee Lounge
A Smart Start to Your VISION Experience
Arrive, unwind, and connect. The Attendee Lounge offers a comfortable space for leaders and strategic partners to gather informally before the conference begins. Use this time to grab a coffee, take a meeting, catch up on work, or ease into meaningful conversations in a relaxed, professional setting. Whether you’re preparing for the sessions ahead or looking to make early connections, this is the ideal place to start your VISION experience.
5:45 PM – 7:45 PM
Networking Event
Meaningful Connections in a Relaxed Setting
Join fellow executives, speakers, and industry leaders for an evening of connection and conversation. Set against a casual, comfortable backdrop, the Welcome Reception offers the perfect opportunity to expand your network, engage with peers, and ease into the conference.
7:30 AM – 8:30 AM
Networking Breakfast
Start the Day with Strategic Connections. Begin your morning with a relaxed networking breakfast designed for meaningful conversation before the day’s sessions begin. Connect with peers, exchange insights, and ease into the VISION experience over fresh coffee and a delicious breakfast spread.
8:30 AM – 8:45 AM
Welcome and Icebreaker
Tanner Winterhof kicks off The VISION Conference with his signature energy and a quick icebreaker to get the room connected. Whether it’s a challenge at your table or volunteers on stage, expect a few laughs and a reminder that the best conference conversations start when you actually know the people around you.
8:45 AM – 9:45 AM
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
Agriculture and Technological Innovation at an Inflection Point: Strategic Imperatives for the Next 3-5 Years
The intersection of agriculture and technology is redefining global food production. At the same time, the U.S. agricultural economy is navigating through one of the most dynamic periods in recent history, and industry leaders face both unprecedented challenges and extraordinary opportunities. In this forward-looking keynote, Kenneth Scott Zuckerberg, Director of Research for CHS Market Advisors, will discuss the macro forces reshaping agriculture—from inflation, trade, and climate pressures to ongoing labor constraints.
The session will examine how ag retail transformation—driven by consolidation, digitization, and evolving customer expectations—is redefining business models across the value chain. Zuckerberg will highlight the powerful role of technology as a strategic lever, including advances in AI, predictive analytics, and autonomous systems that are accelerating efficiency and insight.
Against the backdrop of intensifying global competition—particularly from Brazil and China—Zuckerberg will outline how the U.S. can strengthen its position in global markets. He will conclude with a call to action focused on leadership, collaboration, and investment, offering clear takeaways for organizations seeking to thrive through 2030 and beyond.
9:45 AM – 10:45 AM
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
Beyond Yield: The New Rules of Ag Tech, Trust, and Transformation
Join Karen Hildebrand, Global Agriculture Lead at Amazon Web Services and an active producer, for a keynote that redefines what’s possible in modern agriculture. Drawing on global insights, hands-on farming experience, and AWS innovation, Karen will share practical strategies and bold ideas for building resilient, future-ready ag businesses.
Three key takeaways:
- The “Belt and Suspenders” Approach: Learn why adopting multiple technologies is the new standard for de-risking operations and ensuring generational success.
- Trust Redefined: Discover how AI agents are becoming trusted partners on the farm, transforming decision-making and risk-sharing models.
- Global Early Warning, Local Impact: See how cutting-edge systems—like real-time pest tracking in Africa—are being adapted to protect yields and improve ROI in the U.S.
Attendees will leave with actionable insights on interoperability, workforce transformation, and the evolving landscape of ag tech adoption. Karen’s session offers a unique perspective that will resonate with leaders shaping the future of agriculture.
10:45 AM – 11:30 AM
Networking Break
Coffee, snacks, and conversations. Catch up with colleagues, make a new connection, or handle that email that can’t wait. Your call.
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
FIRESIDE CHAT
Visionaries in Action: How Agtonomy and Kubota Are Shaping the Future of Autonomous Farming
Autonomous farming is entering a new phase defined by scale, strategy and real-world impact. Agtonomy CEO Tim Bucher and Kubota CTO Brett McMickell will share how their partnership is advancing on-farm automation by combining innovation and expertise. Together, they are accelerating the transition from prototypes to scalable autonomous solutions in both specialty and row crops.
They’ll discuss:
- What makes OEM and platform startup collaborations succeed
- Lessons from real-world deployments
- A strategic outlook for leaders ready to drive the next wave of automation
This session is designed for ag tech executives, growers and innovators ready to lead the transformation of agriculture through autonomous solutions.
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
Networking Lunch
Good food, better conversations. Network with peers, continue the morning’s strategic discussions, swap stories, or take a genuine break. The conference pauses, but the connections keep building.
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
ACTION LABS
Building the Future Workforce in Ag Tech
The agricultural workforce is undergoing a profound transformation driven by automation, robotics, and AI-enabled technologies. This interactive Action Lab invites participants to explore what the future workforce looks like in an era of ag tech innovation. Through collaborative breakout discussions, we’ll examine the challenges and opportunities of workforce evolution—from job displacement and upskilling to organizational buy-in and implementation strategies.
Topics:
- AI & Automation: Job Displacement vs. Job Creation
- Organizational Buy-In & Change Management
- Upskilling & Training for the Future
- Implementation & Service Models
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Networking Break
Refuel and reconnect.
Perfect timing for those “can we grab five minutes?” conversations or simply stretching your legs before diving back in.
3:30 PM – 4:00 PM
ACTION LAB REPORT OUT
From the Action Labs: Future Workforce Insights & Next Steps
Join us as we bring together the ideas and solutions generated during our Action Labs on the future workforce in ag tech. Each group will share their key findings on topics such as AI-driven job shifts, organizational buy-in, upskilling strategies, and implementation challenges. A live graphic artist will visually capture these insights, creating a powerful snapshot of our collective vision. This report-out session is designed to connect the dots, spark collaboration, and identify actionable steps to prepare for the workforce of tomorrow.
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
FIRESIDE CHAT
The Growth Imperative: How Leaders Are Using AI to Drive Margin and Momentum
AI isn’t just transforming ag today — it’s redefining how the entire value chain will compete and grow. In this session, explore how connected data and practical AI are unlocking margins, accelerating decisions, and strengthening relationships across retail, input, and equipment channels.
Hear real-world examples of how leaders are moving beyond incremental efficiency to create scalable, collaborative models that drive growth. This is a conversation for anyone shaping ag’s future: retailers, OEMs, input providers, tech innovators, and advisors.
Most importantly, you’ll walk away with a clear understanding of how senior leaders can champion a growth-forward, AI-enabled culture that moves faster than the disruption ahead.
5:00 PM – 5:30 PM
CLOSING SESSION
Farmer Perspective & Reflections
We’re closing with the voices that matter most—the farmers in the room. Tanner will call on farmers to share their unfiltered takes on today’s sessions. What hit home? What missed the mark? What does ag tech still need to figure out? This isn’t a sanitized panel discussion—it’s honest feedback from the people who make the final call on whether innovation actually works in the field. The good, the bad, and everything in between.
5:30 PM
NETWORKING RECEPTION
Off the Clock: Cocktails & Connections
The sessions are done, the insights are flowing, and now it’s time to relax. Join us for cocktails, appetizers, and the kind of conversations that happen when the pressure’s off. Whether you’re debriefing the day’s big ideas, making plans for tomorrow, or just enjoying good company after a full agenda, this is your time to connect without the clock. Cheers to a day well spent.
7:30 AM – 8:30 AM
Networking Breakfast
Start your day with a relaxed networking breakfast. Grab a coffee, connect with peers, and set the tone for an inspiring day of innovation and collaboration. It’s the perfect opportunity to meet new faces and continue conversations from Day 1 before diving into today’s sessions.
8:30 AM – 8:45 AM
Welcome Back: Setting the Stage for Day 2
Kick off Day 2 with Tanner as your guide to energize the room and set the tone for another day of bold ideas and collaboration. We’ll recap key insights from Day 1, highlight what’s ahead, and spark engagement with an interactive opener designed to get everyone thinking about the future of Ag Tech.
8:45 AM – 9:45 AM
OPENING PANEL
Resetting the ROI: The Next Generation of Ag Tech Investment
Venture capital fueled the first wave of ag tech innovation—but has it delivered on its promise? As funding tightens and expectations shift, investors, corporates, and entrepreneurs are rethinking what ROI really means in agriculture.
In this dynamic, debate-driven session, leading voices from across the investment spectrum challenge conventional wisdom about how ag innovation is financed, what kinds of capital models actually work for the sector, and how to align long-term agricultural value with short-term financial expectations.
From patient capital to corporate venture, from founder-led models to public-private partnerships, this conversation will explore new pathways to sustainable, scalable ag tech growth. Expect candid perspectives, friction, and fresh ideas for what comes next.
9:45 AM – 10:45 AM
Coming Soon!
10:45 AM – 11:30 AM
Networking Break
Take a moment to recharge, grab a coffee, and connect with peers. Use this time to share reflections from the morning and build relationships that drive innovation forward.
11:15 AM – 12:15PM
FIRESIDE CHAT
Rewiring Ag Investment: The Cooperative VC Model
As agriculture faces unprecedented challenges and opportunities, innovative investment structures are critical to driving growth. Jason Trusley, a key architect behind AgRogue Growth Partners, will share how Land O’Lakes is pioneering a cooperative venture capital model that aligns farmer-owned principles with cutting-edge investment strategies. From conception to launch and future direction, this session will explore how cooperatives can leverage VC frameworks to accelerate innovation, strengthen supply chains, and deliver long-term value for stakeholders.
12:15 PM – 1:30 PM
LUNCH & LEARN
Topic Tables for Deeper Conversations
Enjoy lunch while diving into focused discussions at our Topic Tables. Each table will feature a key theme—such as AI in Ag Tech, sustainability strategies, workforce transformation, and data-driven farming—giving you the chance to network and exchange ideas with others who share your interests. It’s a casual yet impactful way to turn lunch into a learning experience.
1:15 PM – 1:45 PM
GENERAL SESSION
Farmers’ Perspectives: Real Talk on Ag Tech
This isn’t a scripted panel—it’s an honest conversation. Farmers will react to the themes and ideas explored throughout VISION, sharing what resonates, what feels unrealistic, and what they truly need from technology and industry partners. Expect tough questions, candid feedback, and a clear look at the challenges and opportunities ahead. This is your chance to hear the unfiltered voice of the producer and ground innovation in reality.
1:45 PM – 2:30 PM
CLOSING SESSION
Ag’s Inflection Point: What Must Happen Next to Support Farmers and Sustain Innovation
As The VISION Conference draws to a close, this session moves beyond reflection to commitment. Leaders from across ag tech, finance, strategy, and operations will confront hard truths and outline what must happen next to support farmers and sustain innovation. Farmers face unprecedented pressure—from rising costs and labor shortages to climate volatility, consolidation, and regulatory complexity. Together, we’ll identify bold, actionable steps that ensure technology delivers real value where it matters most. Leave inspired, empowered, and ready to act—not just informed.