Sharon Spielman | Sept. 2, 2026
https://www.vision-systems.com/non-factory/environment-agriculture/news/55402435/great-lakes-tek-flex-showcasing-cutting-edge-agtech-for-sustainable-farming
Key Highlights
- Live demonstrations of AI-powered perception systems, autonomous vehicles, and drone-based crop management platforms.
- Focus on reducing labor shortages while enhancing efficiency, precision, and sustainability in farming operations.
- Day one features hands-on field demos; day two emphasizes industry collaboration and strategy discussions.
- Event aims to accelerate adoption of agtech solutions and improve the resilience of Great Lakes specialty crop operations.
- Organized by Great Lakes Tek Flex, the event fosters connections among growers, tech providers, and policymakers to build a smarter, sustainable future for agriculture.
Specialty crop growers will get a firsthand look at robotics, AI, drone, and precision agriculture technologies during the inaugural Great Lakes Tek Flex, scheduled for Sept. 10-11 at Michigan State University’s Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center in Benton Harbor, Mich.
Designed to connect specialty crop growers with commercially available automation solutions, the event will feature live demonstrations of AI-powered perception systems, “see and spray” technologies, autonomous vehicles, drone-based crop management platforms, harvesting systems, and AI decision-support tools. Organizers say these technologies can help growers address labor shortages while improving efficiency, precision, and sustainability.
“We see technology transforming fields—making planting, monitoring, weed management, and harvesting more precise and efficient. With these innovations, growers are building a smarter, more sustainable future for farming,” said Randy Stratton, director of Great Lakes Tek Flex Expo and Field Days.
The first day will focus on hands-on field demonstrations, allowing attendees to see advanced sensing, imaging, and automation technologies operating in real-world agricultural environments. The second day will bring together growers, technology providers, industry groups, and government representatives to discuss strategies for accelerating adoption of agtech solutions and reducing implementation barriers.