Farming Smarter hosting conference and trade show

By Ry Clarke - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on February 14, 2023.

Herald file photo Attendees take part in last years' Farming Smarter conference and trade show. This year's event runs Wednesday and Thursday at the Sandman Signature Lethbridge Lodge.

Farming Smarter is getting ready for warmer weather to work the field, welcoming Alberta’s agriculture community to its annual conference and trade show Wednesday and Thursday at the Sandman Signature Lethbridge Lodge.

Starting 8 a.m. daily, the event will bring community members together to share knowledge, brainstorm ideas, make connections, and learn about new Farming Smarter research from this year.

“We have an exciting two-days of presenters that are going to cover all kinds of agricultural related topics, agronomy, growing the crop, global marketing, and trade,” said Jamie Puchinger, assistant manager with Farming Smarter.

“Alberta is one of the most productive regions. As far as agriculture goes, we have significant contributions to the GDP in Alberta. . . Agriculture is one of the primary industries for us here.”

Given the importance of the agriculture industry in southern Alberta, the conference will host a collection of innovative thinkers for two days of engaging presentations.

“We start with breakfast each morning, then we will have our keynote presenter start at 9 a.m. and then we will move through presentations during the day,” said Puchinger.

“Blake Vince, chair of Nuffield Canada, will be the keynote presenter on Feb 15, and Katelyn Duban, The Rural Woman Podcast, will speak on Feb 16.

Nathan Neudorf, Deputy Premier and Minister of Infrastructure, will speak Thursday at 11:30 a.m..

The conference will also have a trade show for those looking to check out the goods, with a selection of booths filled with information and innovations for all.

“The trade show booths are around the perimeter of the room, as well as out in the hallway. We have too many to fit in one room,” said Puchinger. “They all vary from all kinds of different buyers, fertility types, banking and business booths, there is a wide variety to see.”

Farming Smarter will bring speakers from across the region with reports on current research topics, and advancements in areas like variable rate irrigation moisture, monitoring, and agronomic practices used around the globe.

For more information check out their websites at farmingsmarter.com/event.

“They can find all the information as far as who is on the agenda, and other information as well as ticket prices and registering,” said Puchinger. “There is a lot of research that goes on, and part of what we want to do is share that, as well as what other researchers are doing.”