Labor-saving tech to be on display at inaugural event

Labor-saving agriculture technologies to aid specialty crop growers will be on display at the inaugural Great Lakes Tek Flex. 

The event, set for Sept. 10-11 at the Michigan State University Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center in Benton Harbor, Michigan, will feature solutions for vegetable, vineyard, nursery and orchard operations. Demonstrations and discussions will center on robotics and drones as well crop management and harvesting technologies.

Attendees can see demonstrations of autonomous vehicles, spray systems, AI perception tools, orchard management equipment and planting systems, among other tech. There will also be discussions centered on technology adoption, including conversations with government agencies and industry groups about challenges and resources related to implementing new technology on farms.

“This event is the first of its kind in North America, right here in the Great Lakes region,” said Mike Reinke, MSU viticulture extension specialist and Great Lakes Tek Flex board member. “Growers and agronomists are going to find ag-tech manufacturers demonstrating their technology and connecting with potential end users.”

Demonstrator and sponsor registration is open through Aug. 1. Public registration is expected to open in early June.

More information is available online at www.gltekflex.org.