evokeAG. 2020 program out now

Over two days in Melbourne, more than 70 thought-provoking experts in their fields will take to the stage and share their ideas on how we can challenge the conventions of what we grow, how we grow it and what we eat.

 AgriFutures Australia, Managing Director, John Harvey said the evoke^AG. 2020 program builds on the event’s vision of ‘collaborative thinking to change the future’.

“Some of the themes in our program have a sense of urgency. For example, we already know consumers are driving big changes in our industry but how can Australian farmers and retails adapt to this new “normal” and capitalise on the opportunities of our discerning consumer? We want to ignite these ideas and concepts,” said Mr Harvey.

Nick Hazell, CEO and Founder of Australian startup v2food appears on Day 1 of the program and will address how we need to feed 10 billion people with the resources of one earth. Working in close collaboration with CSIRO, Nick is on a mission to create tasty plant-based alternatives to animal meat.

Award-winning filmmaker and actor, Damon Gameau, will keep the momentum of this theme burning. The recent release of his 2040 film imparts practical solutions to our changing climate and a strong call to action for everyone to get involved.

“I’m looking forward to sharing my findings and some of the things everyone can be doing right now to heal our planet. It’s an invitation for everyone to get involved, including our farmers because we can’t do this without them,” said Mr Gameau.

Under the theme of `Food Farm Future’, the newly released program will include panel discussions, breakout sessions, industry speakers and support for start-ups and agrifood tech businesses. Must-see sessions include: ‘Reading the fineprint: Traceability in the supply chain’, ‘Producer led innovation’, ‘Are we treating soil like dirt?’ and ‘Investing in agtech – insider tips’.

Elders has joined evoke^AG. 2020, as the Platinum Partner for the second consecutive year. Elders Managing Director and CEO, Mark Allison, said the partnership is an ideal fit to mature the innovation ecosystem and take the industry to new heights.

“Elders has been fostering agricultural innovation and driving its adoption with farmers for 180 years.

“Businesses like ours have day-to-day, mutually beneficial and trusted relationships with producers – and I believe we are playing an increasingly vital role in connecting them with relevant R&D solutions,” said Mr Allison

Opportunities to network with the boldest and brightest minds across the industry have been strategically weaved throughout the program. Farmers, researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, corporates and emerging rural leaders will come together for the much-anticipated Festival of Food at the end of Day 1. Here delegates will enjoy culinary offerings from a line-up of Melbourne’s most iconic food trucks.

AgriFutures Australia’s John Harvey, said the agrifood tech event coincides with one of the toughest droughts ever faced in Australia, but we need to work together and share the stories of how science and technology could come together to address our climate battles.

“Our farming delegates said the evoke^AG. 2019 event left them feeling motivated and inspired. It’s an opportunity to uncover the technologies which can increase water efficiencies, to uncover emerging drought-resilient industries and to share stories of success and triumph,” said Mr Harvey.

Another dynamic element of the two-day event will be the Startup Program where Australian and international startups will present their technologies and solutions to global problems facing the Australian agricultural sector. It’s a must-see for investors and for farmers to strike up a conversation with our leading entrepreneurs.

 And our Future Young Leaders are geared up and ready to take to the stage and present their ideas on how we need to shape, and shake-up, our industry. The eight young and provocative emerging leaders in our agricultural industry will cover hot topics such as ‘Will social media bridge the gap between the producer and the consumer?’ and ‘What’s the key to encouraging farmers to adopt new technologies?’

Visit https://evokeag.com/program-intro/ to see our full evoke^AG. 2020 program.

evoke^AG. 2020 will take place in Melbourne at the iconic Royal Exhibition Building on 18-19 February 2020. Tickets are available online, with discounted group, student and primary producer delegate passes also available.

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