Explore agriculture technology to inform the future of digital ag

Over 80% of agricultural digital technologies are currently in the research and testing phase, providing a unique opportunity to evaluate and address potential safety concerns to labor and the environment before widespread adoption of these technologies.

November 9 to 10, 2022
Safety For Emerging Robotics and Autonomous aGriculture (SAFER AG) Workshop

This two-day collaborative conference brings together stakeholders in today's agriculture sphere, including farm operators, academic researchers, ag industry professionals, and members of governmental agencies, to discuss current technologies, uncover knowledge gaps, and identify research needs connected to risk, insurability, regulations and policy, workforce and societal implications.

Space is limited, and the registration opportunity ends on Nov. 2.

Growers and Farm Operator Registration:

Growers and farm operators are eligible for a reduced admission fee. 

• Cost: $20 + $2.85 fee (total $22.85)
• Register by: November 2, 2022
• Register: go.illinois.edu/SAFEAG-Reg

General Admission Registration:

• Cost: $75 + $6.20 fee (total $81.20)
• Register by: October 15, 2022
• Register: go.illinois.edu/SAFEAG-Reg

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact Lisa Yanello at yanello@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time for meeting access needs.

This work is supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Conference partners:

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Center for Digital Agriculture | University of Wisconsin-Madison | University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension | University of California, Davis Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety | National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health | Raven Applied Technology | Utah State University | American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers | University of Nebraska Medical Center-Lincoln | University of Florida

Day 1 Schedule: November 9

8:30 to 9:15 AM: Welcome and Overview: Safety & Risk Issues in Automated Agriculture              

9:20 to 10:05 AM: Occupational Safety Research needs in Autonomous Robotics in Agriculture
Presenters: Dawn Castillo and Jennifer Lincoln, NIOSH

10:15 to 11 AM: Autonomous Robotics Risk in Agricultural Settings Panel
Presenters: Mike Keenan, Gallagher; Kelly Sandner, CNH Industries

11:15 to 12 PM: Workforce and Societal Needs for Autonomous Robotics in Agriculture
Presenter: Mark White, University of Missouri

12 to 3:45 PM: I-FARM Demonstration Field Trip + Boxed Lunches 
Presenter: Dennis Bowman, University of Illinois Extension

4 to 4:45 PM: Regulating and Establishing Standards for Highly Automated Agricultural Machines in Agriculture
Presenters: Joe Flaugher, John Deere; Jeff Jurgens, AEM

Day 2 Schedule: November 10

8:30 AM to 4:30 PM: Attendees will be divided into four tracks led by facilitators to discuss the research needs and gaps in four areas:

1. Research Needs (Occupational Safety)
2. Regulations and Standards
3. Risk Management
4. Societal Implications

Participants will receive a list of discussion questions in advance to prepare for the sessions. Notes will be recorded for each track and will be used to generate white papers on agricultural safety and health for digital robotics with companion articles published in the Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health.