By Blake Jackson
Penn State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences is set to host a major event focused on agricultural innovation.
The “Technologies for Agriculture and Living Systems Symposium” will take place on June 12-13 at the University Park campus and aims to strengthen connections between research and real-world agricultural practices.
This symposium invites leaders from academia, industry, government, and stakeholder networks to collaborate on closing the innovation gap in agriculture.
The theme, “Closing the Innovation Gaps Between Discovery and Delivery,” reflects the college’s effort to turn early-stage research into practical, scalable technologies.
A major highlight of the event is the spotlight on the Technologies for Agriculture and Living Systems Initiative (TALiS).
This initiative works to promote innovative solutions that improve food production while also protecting natural resources and ecosystems. By positioning Pennsylvania as a real-world testing ground, TALiS supports a full-cycle approach from research to delivery.
The first day of the event will include sessions on how people adopt technology and how they interact with it.
Afternoon panels will focus on how Pennsylvania’s economic development sectors — such as robotics, energy, and life sciences — connect with agriculture.
The second day dives into the innovation pipeline. It will include presentations on early research, how that research is shared and developed, and how it scales to larger audiences. Breakout discussions will explore areas like biotechnology, robotics, and decision-making tools.
Associate Dean Blair Siegfried emphasized the importance of partnerships in this process. He noted that bringing together industry leaders, researchers, and communities is part of the land-grant mission of solving complex challenges collaboratively.
Paul Heinemann, professor of agricultural and biological engineering and director of TALiS, stated, “However, it is crucial to engage with partners who will help bring these discoveries to commercialization, benefiting those who work and live in the agricultural and life sciences sectors.”
Attendance is free, but registration is required by May 31.
To register and see the full agenda, visit the TALiS website.
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Categories: Pennsylvania, Business