“POLICY CHALLENGES FOR VERTICAL FARMING”
 
When: September 21-23, 2017

Where: UNIVERSITY of the DISTRICT of COLUMBIA

Cost: $0-400

1. SEPT 21: UDC Urban Agriculture Summit: Healthy Cities, Healthy People
2. SEPT 22: AVF Summit: The Policies Needed to Mainstream Vertical Farming
3. SEPT 23: AVF Networking Breakast, Policy Meetings, D.C. Urban Farming Tour

 
“The Association of Vertical Farming (AVF) is pleased to  announce the annual AVF Summit event to engage policymakers, industry experts, institutions, entrepreneurs and scientists to offer expert opinions and to provide a dynamic discussion platform. The Vertical Farming sector in agriculture is in a nascent state of development. While in Japan, the division has developed beyond this stage and claims a serious market share today in comparison to the US and the EU.
 
The challenges are new business models, how to penetrate markets and support informed consumers. As with any pioneer period, things are hazy and unclear – food safety, high tech, novel food production, science, innovation,new architecture must all be considered as important components of the global trend. In an industry that has had the track record to be unattractive to young people for many many years, Vertical Farming has the power to to help transform the existing food supply chains by attracting young, informed and  tech savvy future farmers, that disrupt with innovation and bold risk taking.  

These changemakers need supportive policies to pave the way for mainstream adoption and market entrance. The upcoming US Farm Bill provides an opportunity to discuss challenges and solutions in policy such as novel new food production systems in commercial and residential zoning, tax incentives for efficient food production in suburban spaces, adopting the “rural” agricultural development clause into metropolitan spaces – to name a few of the crucial issues before us.”

Attend this event for an opportunity to engage with policymakers, discuss policies that will influence future legislation, and foster innovation in agriculture. 

Speakers list:
 
Keynote: Sonny Ramaswamy NIFA
Bob Van Heuvelen VH STRATEGIES
Wim Grootscholten RIJK ZWAAN
Roberta Andersen GLOBAL GAP
Gertjan Meeuvens HERE THERE AND EVERYWHERE
Travis Williams FLUENCE BIOENGINEERING
Eric Ijtema CERTHON
Charles Wilson WORLD FOOD PRESERVATION CENTER
Natasha Snellens PRIVA
Dr. Bob Whitaker PMA
Stan Vangilder SOUTHERN COMPANY

 
For more information and participation, register here. SPACE IS LIMITED