AgTech NEXT 2021 Kicks Off With CEO Panel September 1

CLIMATE CHANGE: Seeing Things Differently

St. Louis, MO (August 25, 2021) - Climate changes are occurring in every region of the world according to the recent UN report. Limiting the negative impact of climate change requires bold and creative action. Curated around the theme of CLIMATE CHANGE: Seeing Things Differently, AgTech NEXT 2021, will kick off on September 1, at 1PM CST with a discussion of carbon and environmental markets, featuring the acting Under Secretary of USDA and CEOs from Bunge and The Nature Conservancy. Two follow-on sessions will dig into the perspective of farmers, startups and investors.

AgTech NEXT is hosted by the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center and is complimentary to attend. The September session will be held virtually. To register, please visit agtechnext.org/register

AGENDA (All sessions will be held in CST)

SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 VIRTUAL

1:00-2:00 PM THE BEGINNING OF THE END GAME FOR CARBON AND ENVIRONMENTAL MARKETS

Chavonda Jacobs-Young, PhD, Administrator of the USDA Agricultural Research Service Greg Heckman, CEO, Bunge Jennifer Morris, CEO, The Nature Conservancy MODERATOR: Natalie DiNicola, PhD, Chief of Staff, Benson Hill

Sponsored by Valent Biosciences and Bank of America

2:10-2:55 PM PUTTING IT IN PERSPECTIVE: ARE FARMERS BUYING IN?

Philip J. (P.J.) Haynie, III, Owner Haynie Farms, LLC, President National Black Growers Council Erin Fitzgerald, CEO, USFRA Michael DeCamp, CEO, CoverCress MODERATOR: Sara Wyant, President, AgriPulse

3:00-3:45 PM PUTTING IT IN PERSPECTIVE: IS CLIMATE INVESTING HERE TO STAY?

Ingrid Fung, Investment Director (Principal), Finistere Ventures Brett Morris, Managing Director, Cavallo Ventures Suhas Narayanaswami, Vice President, Lewis & Clark Agrifood MODERATOR: Louisa Burwood-Taylor, Head of Media & Research, AgFunder

“We are honored to host such an impressive lineup of leaders from the agriculture, food and investment sectors,” said Stephanie Regagnon, executive director, Innovation Partnerships at the Danforth Center. Most importantly we look forward to thought-provoking discussions that leave our audience inspired to identify opportunities for cross-sector collaboration that leads to action.”

AgTech NEXT will continue with two hybrid virtual/in-person events in October and November.

OCTOBER 6, 2021 Hybrid - St. Louis, MO

1:00-2:00 PM THE GAME CHANGING CONFLUENCE OF AGTECH AND GEOSPATIAL

KEYNOTE: Robert Cardillo, President, The Cardillo Group & Chairperson of the Board, US Geospatial Intelligence Foundation

PANEL SESSION

Robert Cardillo, President, The Cardillo Group & Chairperson of the Board, US Geospatial Intelligence Foundation Jeremy Williams, PhD, CEO, Climate Corp Orlando Saez, CEO, Aker Megan Nunes, Founder and CEO, Bountiful MODERATOR: Andy Dearing, Geospatial Entrepreneur & President, Spatial STL Advisors

Sponsored by St. Louis economic development partnership/39 North and greater St. Louis inc.

NOVEMBER 18, 2021 Hybrid – St. Louis

1:00-2:00 PM THE CONSEQUENCES OF COMING UP SHORT ON CLIMATE

We have a globally recognized food security expert confirmed and will reveal details of this session in the near future— you won’t want to miss it!

Sponsored by KWS

2:30-3:30 PM PUTTING IT IN PERSPECTIVE

4:00-5:00 PM PUTTING IT IN PERSPECTIVE

5:00-6:30 PM NETWORKING RECEPTION

Sponsored by Aon, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner

Hosted by the Danforth Center, AgTech NEXT 2021 is presented by Aon, Bayer, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, and Thompson Coburn LLP.

Sponsorship packages are available. Please contact Tam McGuire at tmcguire@danforthcenter.org.


Founded in 1998, the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is a not-for-profit research institute with a mission to improve the human condition through plant science. Research, education and outreach aim to have impact at the nexus of food security and the environment, and position the St. Louis region as a world center for plant science. The Center’s work is funded through competitive grants from many sources, including the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Follow us on Twitter at @DanforthCenter.