Agriculture technology: Opportunities and challenges for new farmers

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Event description

On this episode of the weekly GeoTech Hour, experts in agriculture and technology policy gather to discuss one of the most pressing issues in agriculture in North America today: the average age of farmers is steadily increasing (up to 57.5 years old in 2017) while the barriers to entry for young farmers continue to grow, from increased burden of student loans, to enormous upfront expenses of land, labor, and equipment. New farms tend to be smaller and less productive, which is precisely why agriculture technology, such precision ag on the field to phone apps to connect to consumers, could benefit new farms attempting to break into this difficult business. However, the growing “Agriculture 4.0” movement comes with challenges and disparities of their own.

The leaders featured on the panel will discuss their work in researching and implementing tech-focused solutions that lower barriers to entry for farmers, with a focus on economic benefits. Join us on Wednesday, April 14 at 12:00 p.m. ET, as we continue to explore the intriguing intersection of technology, policy, and the global food system.