Please consider attending September 10 & 11, in Benton Harbor, Michigan, USA for the inaugural:
Great LAKES TEK FLEX
Improving Sustainability and Resiliency of Horticultural Crops by Removing Barriers to Technology Adoption
Sept 10 & 11, 2026 at 8:00 AM EDT
Michigan State University Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center in Benton Harbor, Michigan.
The two-day event will focus on labour-saving and precision agriculture technologies for specialty crop growers in the Great Lakes region, including vegetable, vineyard, nursery and orchard operations. Demonstrations and discussions will center on robotics, drones and crop management technologies that are commercially available for grower use.
DAY ONE: will feature field demonstrations of commercially available technologies, allowing growers to see equipment in operation and speak with company representatives. Technologies expected to be demonstrated include autonomous vehicles, “See and Spray” systems, AI perception tools, orchard management equipment, planting systems, vegetation management tools, harvesting technology, drone spraying and AI-based decision support systems.
- 8 a.m. Registration opens
- 9 a.m. Field Demonstrations begin
- 12 p.m. Lunch
- 1 p.m. Field Demonstrations resume
- 4 p.m. Evening Reception/Dinner
DAY TWO: will focus on discussions about technology adoption, including conversations with government agencies, industry groups and supporting industries about challenges and resources related to implementing new technology on farms.
- 8 a.m. Registration opens
- 9 a.m. Introductions and Kickoff
- 9:15 a.m. Session 1: Making AgTech work in the Great Lakes
- 11 a.m. Networking
- 12 p.m. Lunch
- 1:30 p.m. Session 2: Bridging the Gap
- 3:30 p.m. Networking/Social
Admission Rates
Early Bird, By Sept 1:
- One-day admission (either day): $100.
- Both days: $150
After Sept. 1:
- $125 one day
- Both days: $175 both days.
Admission includes all listed meals, receptions, and socials.
The mission of the Great Lakes Tek Flex is to improve the sustainability and resiliency of Great Lakes Specialty Crop Growers (fruit, vegetable and specialty) by removing barriers to technology adoption.