Farmers First is a 90-minute reverse pitch session at Area X.O.

Producers will share real, specific challenges from their farms, whether related to labour, pests, soil, equipment, data, or other operational realities. Innovators are there to deepen their understanding of on-farm challenges, not to promote products or solutions.

There will be an opportunity for thoughtful questions and shared reflections, with time to stay and connect afterward.

Why it matters

Too often, agricultural technology is developed without enough direct input from the farmers who use it. This session shifts that dynamic.

If you’re a farmer, this is an opportunity to be heard by people actively working on solutions, and to help shape what gets built next.

If you’re an innovator, researcher, or AgTech company, this is an opportunity to hear directly from producers about what is not working in the field, before investing further time and resources into development.

Who should attend?

Farmers: Producers interested in participating in a farmer-led conversation about real on-farm challenges. A limited number of farmers will share specific challenges during the session. If you are interested in presenting, please indicate this when registering.

Innovators: AgTech startups, scaleups, applied researchers, and others actively developing solutions for Canadian agriculture.

Where

Area X.O 1740 Woodroffe Ave, Building 400, Nepean, ON K2G 3M5

Parking is available on site.

Hosted by

Ottawa Innovation Farm at Area X.O, Invest Ottawa.

Light refreshments will be served.

Questions? Contact Wentsi Yeung at [email protected]