Monday, October 12 · 5:30–7:30 p.m. Pacific
Social dinner
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar · 2762 Augustine Drive, Suite 110, Santa Clara
An informal opportunity to connect with fellow attendees the evening before the convening.
2026 California AgTech Alliance Annual Convening
Join Alliance members and partners for a day of farmer perspectives, project showcases, and working conversations about the future of agricultural technology in California.
- Date
- Tuesday, October 13, 2026
- Time
- 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Pacific
- Location
- UCSC Silicon Valley Campus, Room 2103175 Bowers Ave., Santa Clara, CA 95054
About
California’s AgTech ecosystem, in one room
The Alliance unites hundreds of innovators, and thousands of workers across the state behind one goal: making California the most inclusive and climate-smart agricultural innovation ecosystem in the world.
The annual convening brings members, regional leaders, innovators, and partners together for a single day to compare what they’re learning, build relationships, and help set the direction for the Alliance’s next phase.
01
Understand what adoption requires.
Hear farmer and industry perspectives on the state of California agtech and the practical needs shaping technology adoption.
02
See what the Alliance is building.
Explore partner projects and innovations in practice, and discover how the work connects across California.
03
Shape the roadmap.
Contribute to facilitated working groups on the research and innovation priorities that will guide the Alliance’s work.
04
Explore investment and market access.
Hear perspectives on regional investment, routes to market, and opportunities for collaboration and growth.
Speakers and facilitators
Who you’ll hear from.
Sarah Masterson
Director
California AgTech Alliance
Hannah Johnson
Industry Lead
UC ANR Innovate
Sal Parra
Director of Farming Operations
Bowles Farming Company
Kevin Boyle
Director of Organizational & Workforce Development
Equitable Food Initiative (EFI)
Eric Hadden
Executive Director
Water, Energy and Technology (WET) Center, Fresno State
Becca Fenwick, Ph.D.
Director
Drones Uplifting California Communities (DUCC), UC Santa Cruz
Michael Hang
Education Coordinator
CITRIS Initiative for Drone Education and Research (CIDER), UC Santa Cruz
Erin Hestir
Director
CITRIS and the Banatao Institute at UC Merced
Kelly Scott
Director
Farm Robotics Challenge
Tricia Utterback
International Trade and Investment Representative
GO-Biz
Jennifer K. Sedell, Ph.D.
Program Policy Analyst
UC Agriculture and Natural Resources
Jean-Christophe Ruel
Founder and CEO
Innoptech
Martha Montoya
Founder and CEO
Agtools
Gabriel Youtsey
Chief Innovation Officer
UC Agriculture and Natural Resources
Priscilla Koepke
CEO
F3 Innovate
Javier Guerrero
CEO
Escondido AgX Regional Innovation Hub
Elizabeth Vaughan
Small Farm Tech Hub Senior Manager
Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF)
Manpreet Singh
Technology and Innovation for Small Farms Advisor
UC Cooperative Extension
Alex Kopelyan
Partner and Senior Director
SOSV SF
Bian Li
Director of Strategic Partnerships
Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR)
Brian Coleman
Project Financing Manager
GO-Biz
Additional participants will be announced as they are confirmed. Sessions and speaker assignments are subject to change.
Agenda
The day, start to finish.
All times are Pacific. Sessions and speakers are subject to change.
- 8:30–9:00 a.m.
Registration
- 9:00–9:15 a.m.
Welcome
- 9:15–10:00 a.m.
Industry Advisory Board fireside chat
The state of California AgTech and what adoption requires
- 10:00–11:00 a.m.
Alliance Project Showcase
- 11:00–11:15 a.m.
Break
- 11:15–11:55 a.m.
Designing the Future
LEGO impact-design session
- 11:55 a.m.–12:55 p.m.
Catered lunch
- 12:55–1:35 p.m.
Showcase: Innovation in Practice
- 1:35–2:20 p.m.
Regional Investment Landscape
What it takes and what is happening
- 2:20–2:50 p.m.
Small Farms Insights
Practical technology, what farmers need, and what developers should know
- 2:50–3:00 p.m.
Break
- 3:00–4:00 p.m.
Research and Innovation Roadmap
- 4:00–4:50 p.m.
From Field Trial to Global Market
Financing the Next Wave of California AgTech
- 4:50–5:00 p.m.
Closing and raffle
The convening concludes at 5:00 p.m.
Optional activities
Before and after the convening.
Tentative
Wednesday, October 14 · Morning
Morning tour
An optional morning tour in the Santa Clara area remains tentative. Final confirmation, timing, location, and participation arrangements will be shared separately.
Also happening: THRIVE Global Impact Summit
The THRIVE Global Impact Summit takes place October 14–15 in Santa Clara. Convening attendees receive 25% off summit registration with code CATA. THRIVE requires separate registration.
Contact us
Questions before the convening?
The convening is free to attend. For questions about registration, attendance, parking, dietary needs, or accessibility, contact Maya Maniar at mkmaniar@ucanr.edu.