Transforming the Food System: The practicalities of regenerative agriculture

SAI Platform is excited to launch registration for its 2023 Annual Event, taking place between 27th and 29th June in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. Bringing together organisations from across the global food and drink industry value chain, this exclusive member only event promises a deep dive into the practicalities, risks and opportunities associated with moving supply chains towards regenerative agriculture.

#SAIPlatform2023 offers a wide-ranging programme, kicking off on day one with field visits to the Winfield United Innovation Center, a Winfield United Answer Plot and a choice of two progressive regenerative farms in the Minnesota region. Day two continues with an insightful full-day conference, followed by the SAI Platform General Assembly and community meetings on day three.

The theme of this year’s event is Transforming the Food System: A Deep Dive into the Practicalities of Regenerative Agriculture. Following on from last year’s event in Cambridge which focused on the research and science behind regenerating our soils, this year’s event will focus on how to build productive, profitable and resilient farms and the importance of fostering long-term collaborative partnerships.

The conference programme offers an exciting mix of keynote speeches, panel discussions and interactive breakout sessions to address, energise and inspire the audience. Peter Byck, Professor of Practice in the School of Sustainability at Arizona State University and Documentary Producer and Director will kickstart the conference with an exclusive presentation of the scientific results following a 10-year comparison of the impact of regenerative and conventional practices on soil, water and biodiversity. As a premiere for SAI Platform, we will be screening the opening episode of his eagerly awaited four-part documentary series, Roots so Deep prior to the event. For a taste of what’s to come, you can view the trailer here.

Speakers will include Leif Fixen from The Nature Conservancy, Dr Abbey Wick, Soil Scientist and Associate Professor at North Dakota State University and Lauren Brey from Farmers for Sustainable Food, followed by a panel discussion between Dr Nicholas Jordan, Professor at the University of Minnesota, Christopher Abbott, Founder of Perennial Pantry Anne Schwagerl , VP of the Minnesota Farmers Union discussing the Forever Green Initiative.

To provide the farmer’s perspective on the economic risks and opportunities associated with the transition to more regenerative practices, the audience will have ample opportunity to engage with a panel of early adopter growers from across the Minnesota region.

Following the positive feedback from last year’s event, we will also see a return to the debating chamber as SAI Platform members battle it out in a no holds barred debate for and against the motion: Regenerative Agriculture will increase food poverty globally.

The SAI Platform Annual Event is a global event and networking opportunity that engages stakeholders from across the agri-food sector. It provides an unrivalled opportunity for new and established members to come together to openly discuss shared challenges, form new collaborative partnerships and get out into the field and engage with the farmers and technical advisors driving practical impact on the ground.

A special thanks to this year’s sponsors, Nestlé, PepsiCo, Dairy Farmers of America, Land O Lakes and Cargill for their support and contribution to the organisation of the conference and in-field elements of the event.

For full details on the agenda and speakers and to REGISTER NOW, please visit our dedciated event website.