Ag101 - An Introduction to the Industry
Ag101 is a unique, one-day event designed for professionals who are eager to explore the agricultural industry.
Whether you're considering expanding your business into this sector or simply want to understand the landscape better, Ag101 offers a clear, practical introduction.
It's also your chance to hear about the latest thinking and funding opportunities from Defra and Innovate UK regarding agri-tech adoption and innovation in the UK.
Why Attend?
This event provides a fantastic opportunity to:
- Unpack policy and regulations: Come away with a clearer picture of how these drivers shape the direction of agriculture and agri-tech adoption.
- Learn from farmers: Gain firsthand insights from farmers who will share their experiences, challenges, and the innovative solutions they use on their farms.
- Understand the supply chain: Get an overview of the entire agricultural supply chain, from farm to market, and learn how your innovations can fit in.
- Connect with key players: Boost your support system in the industry by joining us to meet the helpful and knowledgeable experts from our agri-tech community!
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Join us for an enriching event to learn, connect and collaborate.
Cost
Event price for non-members is £110 (ex VAT). Member discount applies (depending on tier). Members need to login or register for an account to access the member discount .
Learn more about the benefits of Agri-TechE membership.
Agenda
In this session you'll become familiar with how policies shape the sector and provide a clear understanding of the landscape in which Defra operates. You will also hear about Defra's role in driving enabling policies for agri-tech adoption.
- "Agricultural policies and enabling the sector to thrive" - Russell Batten
Russell Batten is Head of Domestic and International Agri-Tech Sector Policy at Defra. His role is focused on driving the development and growth of agri-innovation and how this can be adopted by farmers and growers. He is passionate about farming and agri-tech and lives in rural Wiltshire.
Chris joined Innovate UK Agrifood Team in 2015 leading on the Agri-Tech Investment Showcase. In 2020 joined the Transforming Food Production Challenge team as lead on the Series A Investor Partnership. Most recently supporting delivery of the Defra Farming Innovation Programme. He is currently Interim Head of Agri-Food.
In this session farmer Kathryn shares what farming looks like for her business, how she approach decision-making, challenges faced from day-to-day to year-on-year, and the business is adapting through change and innovation.
About Kathryn
With a background as a rural practice Chartered surveyor and land agent, Kathryn joined the family’s commercial horticulture business in 2008 as a partner. Wright Farm Produce based in Tarleton, near Preston in Lancashire produces a range of salad crops for the major retailers, processors and market customers. Farming on a range of differing soil types a large proportion of the land farmed is lowland peat which is gaining a considerable amount of environmental interest. Over the last few years Kathryn has become involved in a large number of lowland peat projects with various partners to share experience and gain knowledge that can be used in the future.
A network of trusted advisers and practitioners exists around farmers. They too, have a place when it comes to implementing change in a farming business. How they collaborate and work together is crucial to better understand how innovations make it into the hands of end-users.
- The diverse and evolving role of the agri-business consultant - Tim Isaac
About Tim
Tim is an agricultural business expert with extensive experience in farm consultancy and land management. He has held key roles at the CLA and AHDB, pioneering the Monitor Farm programme and leading national knowledge exchange initiatives. A Fellow of both the Institute of Agricultural Management and the Association of Agricultural Valuers, he specializes in strategic business consultancy and sustainability. Tim is currently a Partner at farm consultancy firm, Ceres Rural, with responsibility for project management and the CEO of Ceres Research, a new business providing data driven solutions for the agri-food industry.
About Miles
Miles is part of the Anglia team, working locally across Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire. He is BASIS and FACTS qualified, with additional training in Soil & Water, Sustainable Land Management, and Advanced Potatoes. He supports growers with agronomic advice across a diverse range of crops - primarily cereals, pulses, sugar beet, potatoes and oilseed rape - with additional experience in onions and root crops such as carrots and parsnips. Miles enjoys working outdoors and loves that every day, season, farm, and farmer is so unique.
Agriculture is a highly-regulated sector, going through significant policy changes. Our speakers will help you unpack the political and regulatory world in which agri-tech innovations operate, empowering you with knowledge and tips on how you can get your voice heard.
About Milena:
Milena serves as the Group Leader of the Biocontrol team at knoell and is an expert in regulatory affairs. With over a decade of experience as a regulatory affairs consultant, she has successfully assisted clients in navigating the complexities of bringing their products to market in their desired regions. Her expertise lies in developing strategic approaches for the registration of biocontrol products. Knoell is a privately held consultancy company with a global presence, operating offices in Europe, Asia, and North America.
About Lizzie:
Lizzie is an expert in policy and political risk advisory. With over 15 years’ experience, Lizzie leads GK’s political and regulatory due diligence services, providing senior counsel to investors and management teams on the impact of political change on investment decisions. Lizzie advises clients on policy risk, pre- and post-transaction strategy and corporate messaging, and has advised some of the world’s largest investors.
Farmers produce commodities that feed into a complex network of local and global supply chains. In this session, we explore how these networks in more detail and consider how innovation is helping to create more resilient and sustainable supply chains.
About Veryan:
With three decades of experience in global fresh produce supply, growing, packing, innovation, and governance into the UK retail sector, Veryan is deeply committed to food, farming, and product authenticity. In November 2022, Veryan launched Food Intelligence Limited, continuing her legacy of excellence in the fresh produce sector.
About Kristian:
I have been working with AF and our Members for much of my career, initially through an approved supplier before joining the General Supplies team within AF. Over the last four years I have moved on to become Head of Livestock Inputs & General, one of the most diverse areas within AF and one that crosses over with many other departments. This position is key in that it gives me a unique insight into how the needs of our Members and the departments they use are intertwined, with many natural cross overs that, once identified, can add value for Members and maximise returns from every interaction.
