AgTech Week celebrated in Champaign-Urbana
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The fifth annual Champaign-Urbana AgTech Week is here, and local leaders are celebrating the agricultural technology industry and recent local achievements in the field.
The week celebrates the many components of the industry in the county, including University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Parkland College, corporate innovation partners, startups and local ag companies.
“Although AgTech innovation knows no season here in Champaign-Urbana, we are thrilled to present our version of March Madness,” Director of External Engagement at the University of Illinois Research Park Laura Bleill said. “Our goal is to make AgTech more accessible, as we see more growth and traction in this sector across campus and community year after year.”
Participating organizations in AgTech Week festivities include Champaign County Economic Development Corporation, University of Illinois Research Park, GDM Seeds, Parkland College, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s College of ACES, Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory (IBRL), and Center for Digital Agriculture.
UI researchers use AI to find ideal carbon capture material
Some achievements local leaders are celebrating include being iFAB recognized by the federal government, UIUC’s agricultural and biological engineering graduate program being ranked number 4 in the nation, and Parkland College breaking ground on their new AGCO building.
“It’s been another incredible year of accomplishments and growth, and we’re excited to celebrate those milestones this week,” Carly McCrory-McKay, the Executive Director at Champaign County Economic Development Corporation, said. “From the iFAB Tech Hub designation to the groundbreaking of new facilities, we’re excited to showcase why our community is the “epicenter” of AgTech.”
Some scheduled events for the week include CU AgTech Week Happy Hour, tours of University of Illinois Research Park Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory tours and the AgTech Summit & Showcase. The full schedule can be found on Champaign County Economic Development Corporation’s website.
Registration is required at some events, but all are free.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
