In May 2026, EMILI announced the Agriculture, Innovation, Validation, and Adoption (AIVA) Network, alongside Farm Credit Canada and Wabash Heartland Innovation Network. Over the past six months, the AIVA Network has connected farmers, innovators, and validation hubs to bring proven agtech solutions to market and derisk technology adoption. On November 5 at Agriculture Enlightened, Canada’s Agtech Conference, the AIVA Network will showcase the successes and learnings of its first season in three distinct sessions.
Proof in the Field: Scaling Agtech Through Farm Trials
Trialling new technologies is an essential part of scaling an agtech business. This work being done at EMILI’s Innovation Farms and the AIVA Network’s Validation Hubs helps innovators validate their products, and increases the adoption of their solutions.
During this AIVA Network session at Agriculture Enlightened, Canada’s Agtech Conference, hear from Marcel Kringe, founder and CEO of BranValt, Katie Friesen, founder and CEO of FarmerTitan, Peter Frey, COO of Spade Technologies, and Darren Anderson, CEO of Vive Crop Protection about what they have learned through the validation process in this panel moderated by Chelsea Platzke, board chair of BioTalent.
Field-Tested: Real World Farmers Testing Real World Solutions
Farmers know farming best which is why the AIVA Network works with Canadian farmers to test and validate agtech and bring proven solutions to market. From validation hubs that operate on fully commercial farms, to Farmer Alliance Members who provide structured feedback on market-ready technologies, this AIVA Network panel will share perspectives on how testing and validating technology in real world conditions has real world impact. Hear from Carl Havixbeck, farmer network success manager with AIVA Network, along with Rick Rutherford, president of Rutherford Farms, and Holly Johnson, technical sales agronomist with Pitura Seeds, in this panel moderated by Alicia Demanuele, senior project associate with AIVA Network.
Capital That Cultivates: Growing Agtech Companies in Manitoba and Beyond
Venture capital is essential for scaling agtech innovation from early-stage to market-ready products. This AIVA Network session at Agriculture Enlightened, featuring investors that are part of the AIVA Network Coalition and moderated by EMILI Board Chair Ray Bouchard, will explore successful strategies to advance agtech investment in Manitoba and beyond. The conversation will touch on agtech investment opportunities, learnings and success stories from Manitoba, and types of initiatives that are attractive to investors.
Since 2020, Agriculture Enlightened has brought together a diverse audience including more than 1,450 producers, agri-food and technology experts, industry leaders, decision-makers, researchers, and students from across North America and the globe. Our audience has consistently praised the depth of expertise our speakers bring to the conference, the variety of subject matter, and the many opportunities throughout the day to network. In 2026, we look forward to building on the success of our past events. Purchase your tickets today.