Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences is set to host the “Technologies for Agriculture and Living Systems Symposium” on June 12-13 at the University Park campus. The event aims to bring together leaders from academia, industry, government, and stakeholder networks to accelerate agricultural innovation through cross-sector collaboration.
Event Focus
The symposium, themed “Closing the Innovation Gaps Between Discovery and Delivery,” will feature expert speakers and panelists from across the innovation pipeline. It will focus on identifying barriers to technology development and uncovering opportunities for collaboration to accelerate the development and adoption of new technologies in Pennsylvania and the region.
TALiS Initiative
The event will spotlight the Technologies for Agriculture and Living Systems Initiative (TALiS), which provides a framework for advancing innovations that enhance food productivity while conserving ecosystems. TALiS supports the full pipeline from research to real-world application, delivering scalable solutions that strengthen food systems, natural resources, and community resilience.
Symposium Structure
The first day will focus on broad, cross-sector perspectives, including sessions on technology adoption culture and human-technology interactions. Afternoon panels will explore Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s economic development pillars — robotics, manufacturing, energy, and life sciences — and their intersections with agriculture. The second day will examine the innovation pipeline in detail, featuring sessions on early-stage research, research translation, and scaling, followed by breakout discussions on key technology areas.
Key Insights
“At Penn State, we’re skilled at researching early-stage technology discoveries and sharing our results,” said Paul Heinemann, TALiS director and professor of agricultural and biological engineering. “However, engaging with partners to bring these discoveries to commercialization is crucial.”
Registration Details
Attendance is free, but registration is required by May 31. The symposium agenda is available on the TALiS website.
By bridging the gap between discovery and application, the symposium aims to strengthen the agricultural innovation pipeline and position Pennsylvania as a leader in agricultural technology.
