A team from EMILI took part in a panel discussion at Manitoba Ag Days 2025, sharing their experience increasing agriculture data literacy and testing agtech on EMILI’s Innovation Farms powered by AgExpert.
EMILI Board Member and MLT Aikins Partner Danielle Graff facilitated a dynamic panel discussion with EMILI Managing Director Jacqueline Keena, EMILI Director of Agri-Food Data Dan Lussier, EMILI Innovation Farms Manager Leanne Koroscil, and Rutherford Farms President Rick Rutherford.
EMILI’s Innovation Farms is located on Rutherford Farms, a 5,500+ acre seed farm 20 minutes north of Winnipeg. This location allows EMILI to evaluate the return on investment (ROI) of agriculture technology. By testing and validating new technologies in a real-world commercial farm setting, EMILI is gaining insight into what solutions work in a Manitoba climate and context.
The team had a great time sharing stories and answering questions about how EMILI engages with and gets solid information into the hands of growers including Rick Rutherford who took part in the panel to share his experience working with EMILI to accelerate digital agriculture innovation.

Danielle Graff, Dan Lussier, Jacqueline Keena, Rick Rutherford and Leanne Koroscil at Manitoba Ag Days 2025.
The Manitoba Ag Days show is an exposition of agricultural production expertise, technology, and equipment that attracts exhibitors and visitors from across Canada and the United States of America.
Despite a blast of Prairie winter weather, there was lots of energy on the floor and opportunities to tour a wide range of technology, machinery and service providers while connecting with EMILI partners and friends from across the ecosystem.

EMILI connected with project partners and friends from across the agriculture sector including Farm Credit Canada, Alterra Innovations, Ag in the Classroom and Terra Wave while attending Manitoba Ag Days 2025.
EMILI is an industry-led non-profit established to accelerate the growth of the agri-food industry by promoting digital agriculture and technologies. Sharing insights and stories about work taking place to advance digital agriculture is central to EMILI’s work. Watch for more panel discussions, Innovation Farms events, and data literacy workshops in 2025. Bookmark our events calendar and subscribe to our monthly newsletter to stay informed.