University of Georgia

A website from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

Southeastern Specialty Crop Technology Conference

Agenda

May 5, 2026:
University Research-Focused and Industry Demonstrations Day

This day will spotlight cutting-edge university research in robotics and AI for specialty crops, providing a platform for professionals and academics to share their work.

7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. On-site Registration

8:00 a.m. Opening Remarks: Dr. Luan Oliveira, Assistant Professor and Precision Ag Extension Specialist, University of Georgia (and Guests)

8:15 a.m. Opening Keynote: Dr. Steven Mirsky, Director of Digital Agriculture, US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) –“USDA Digital Agricultural Systems Hub (DASH) and National Proving Grounds (NPG)”

9:00 a.m. Sessions: The latest research studies in precision and digital agriculture, AI applications, and robotics for specialty crops

  • 9:00 a.m. Dr. Stanley Culpepper, Professor, University of Georgia – “Integrated Sustainable Weed Management Programs: Challenges and Prospects”
  • 9:40 a.m. Dr. Lynn Sosnoskie, Assistant Professor, Cornell University – “Smart Sprayers, Lasers and AI: The New Weed Toolbox”
  • 10:20 a.m. Networking Break and Vendor Interaction
  • 10:50 a.m. Dr. Stavros Vougioukas, Professor, University of California – “Addressing Key Limitations in Fruit-Harvesting Robotics”
  • 11:30 a.m. Walt Duflock, Western Growers Association – “The AgTech Value for Specialty Crop Production”

12:10 p.m. Panel Discussion – Turning University Research into On-farm Impact
Panel Lead: Dr. Luan Oliveira, Assistant Professor, University of Georgia

  • Chris Butts, Executive Vice President, Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association
  • Austin Hamilton, Director of Ag, Southern Valley
  • Dr. Lynn Sosnoskie, Assistant Professor, Cornell University
  • Dr. Stavros Vougioukas, Professor, University of California

12:30 p.m. Networking Lunch

1:15 p.m. Live Field Technology Demonstrations – Transit to Demonstration Zones

Group A

Vegetable Demo Zone:

  • 1:30 p.m. – Solinftec: Solar-Powered Spot Sprayer
  • 1:50 p.m. – Ecorobotix: Ultra-High Precision Sprayer
  • 2:05 p.m. – Niqo Robotics: RoboWeeder
  • 2:20 p.m. – Agripass: AI-Driven Mechanical Weeder
  • 2:35 p.m. – Verdant Robotics: AI-driven Aim-and-spray
  • 2:50 p.m. – Elite Ag: AI-Driven Mechanical Weeder
  • 3:05 p.m. – Ohio Valley Imports: Mechanical Weeder
  • 3:20 p.m. – Bestway Ag: Spray Drone
  • 3:35 p.m. – Transit to Orchard Demo Zone
  • 3:50 p.m. – Burro: Autonomous Multipurpose Robot
  • 4:05 p.m. – Skysense: Automated Bird Mitigation System
  • 4:20 p.m. – John Deere: Autonomous Robotic Air-assisted Sprayer

Group B

Orchard Demo Zone:

  • 1:30 p.m. – Burro: Autonomous Multipurpose Robot
  • 1:45 p.m. – Skysense: Automated Bird Mitigation System
  • 2:00 p.m. – John Deere: Autonomous Robotic Air-assisted Sprayer
  • 2:15 p.m. – Transit to Vegetable Demo Zone
  • 2:30 p.m. – Solinftec: Solar-Powered Spot Sprayer
  • 2:50 p.m. – Ecorobotix: Ultra-High Precision Sprayer
  • 3:05 p.m. –Niqo Robotics: RoboWeeder
  • 3:20 p.m. – Agripass: AI-Driven Mechanical Weeder
  • 3:35 p.m. – Verdant Robotics: AI-driven Aim-and-spray
  • 3:50 p.m. – Elite Ag: AI-Driven Mechanical Weeder
  • 4:05 p.m. – Ohio Valley Imports: Mechanical Weeder
  • 4:20 p.m. – Bestway Ag: Spray Drone

4:35 p.m. – Transit to Conference Center

4:50 p.m. Robotics and AI in Specialty Crops Poster Session and Networking: Graduate students will present their research on specialty crops and technologies. A networking session will happen at the same time.

6:30 p.m. Day 1 Adjourn

May 6, 2026:
Industry-Focused and Demonstrations Day

This day will shift towards practical industry solutions, with live demonstrations and industry-led discussions.

8:00 a.m. Opening Remarks: Dr. Luan Oliveira, Assistant Professor and Precision Ag Extension Specialist, University of Georgia (and Guests)

8:10 a.m. Industry Keynote: Jason P. H. Brantley, Vice President of Production Systems (Small Ag and Turf), John Deere – “Unlocking Value for Customers in High Value Crop Production Systems”

9:00 a.m. Industry Presentations: Industry-focused presentations highlighting market-ready technologies and results for specialty crops

  • 9:00 a.m. – Institute for Integrative Precision Agriculture
  • 9:10 a.m. – Grand Farm
  • 9:20 a.m. – Solinftec
  • 9:40 a.m. – John Deere/GUSS
  • 10:00 a.m. – Agripass
  • 10:10 a.m. – Niqo Robotics
  • 10:20 a.m. – Networking Break and Vendor Interaction
  • 10:50 a.m. – Burro
  • 11:00 a.m. – Ecorobotix
  • 11:10 a.m. – Verdant Robotics
  • 11:20 a.m. – Carbon Robotics
  • 11:30 a.m. – Skysense
  • 11:40 a.m. – Metos USA
  • 11:45 a.m. – Hiphen
  • 11:50 a.m. – Goanna Ag
  • 11:55 a.m. – Tidewater Equipment
  • 12:00 p.m. – EliteAg
  • 12:05 p.m. – Ohio Valley Imports
  • 12:10 p.m. – Bestway Ag
  • 12:15 p.m. – NextGA

12:20 p.m. Panel Discussion – From Innovation to Implementation
Panel Lead: Tony Llano, Director of Industry Partnerships, University of Georgia

  • Walt Duflock, Vice-president of Innovation, Western Growers Association
  • Aries Haygood, Owner, A&M Farms
  • Guilherme Guine, COO, Solinftec
  • Sean Sundberg, Business Integration Manager, John Deere

12:35 p.m. Networking Lunch

1:30 p.m. Live Field Technology Demonstrations – Transit to Demonstration Zones

Group A

Orchard Demo Zone:

  • 1:45 p.m. – Burro: Autonomous Multipurpose Robot
  • 2:00 p.m. – Skysense: Automated Bird Mitigation System
  • 2:15 p.m. – John Deere: Autonomous Robotic Air-assisted Sprayer
  • 2:30 p.m. – Transit to Vegetable Demo Zone
  • 2:45 p.m. – Solinftec: Solar-Powered Spot Sprayer
  • 3:05 p.m. – Ecorobotix: Ultra-High Precision Sprayer
  • 3:20 p.m. – Niqo Robotics: RoboWeeder
  • 3:35 p.m. – Agripass: AI-Driven Mechanical Weeder
  • 3:45 p.m. – Verdant Robotics: AI-driven Aim-and-spray
  • 4:00 p.m. – Elite Ag: AI-Driven Mechanical Weeder
  • 4:20 p.m. – Ohio Valley Imports: Mechanical Weeder
  • 4:35 p.m. – Bestway Ag: Spray Drone

Group B

Vegetable Demo Zone:

  • 1:45 p.m. – Solinftec: Solar-Powered Spot Sprayer
  • 2:05 p.m. – Ecorobotix: Ultra-High Precision Sprayer
  • 2:20 p.m. – Niqo Robotics: RoboWeeder
  • 2:35 p.m. – Agripass: AI-Driven Mechanical Weeder
  • 2:50 p.m. – Verdant Robotics: AI-driven Aim-and-spray
  • 3:05 p.m. – Elite Ag: AI-Driven Mechanical Weeder
  • 3:20 p.m. – Ohio Valley Imports: Mechanical Weeder
  • 3:35 p.m. – Bestway Ag: Spray Drone
  • 3:50 p.m. – Transit to Orchard Demo Zone
  • 4:05 p.m. – Burro: Autonomous Multipurpose Robot
  • 4:20 p.m. – Skysense: Automated Bird Mitigation System
  • 4:35 p.m. – John Deere: Autonomous Robotic Air-assisted Sprayer

4:50 p.m. – Transit to Conference Center

5:00 p.m. Closing Remarks: Dr. Luan Oliveira, Assistant Professor and Precision Ag Extension Specialist, University of Georgia – “Industry, Growers, and Academia Collaborations: Benefits for Society”

5:10 p.m. Adjourn