Women in Ag Tech returns to Tech Hub LIVE 2026 in Des Moines

Women in Ag Tech will return July 20 as part of Tech Hub LIVE 2026 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, bringing together ag tech leaders for sessions on leadership, innovation and career growth. The event highlights the growing role of women in shaping agricultural technology and will feature keynote, panel and breakout discussions.

Why it matters: - Women in Ag Tech aims to connect women working across agriculture and technology with peers, mentors and industry leaders. - The event spotlights leadership development, innovation and career advancement in a sector where adoption of AI and interoperability is changing how farmers make decisions. - The program is open to all industry professionals who want to follow emerging trends and help shape the future of women in ag tech.

What happened: - Women in Ag Tech will return as a one-day event during Tech Hub LIVE 2026 on July 20 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. - Tech Hub LIVE 2026 runs July 20-22 in Des Moines. - The event will include keynote presentations, panel discussions and small-group breakout sessions. - Karen Hildebrand, Ph.D., global head of industry and partner solutions at Amazon Web Services, will deliver the keynote, “Cultivating Change: Leading with Authenticity and Innovation in Ag Tech.” - A marketing panel will feature Brooke Brown of Agtonomy, Jennifer Goldston of AgTech PR, Natalie Martinkus of Eco-Analytics and Arha Padman of Niqo Robotics. - Sarah Medrano, vice president of product management at Agri-Access, will moderate a conversation with Tami Craig Schilling, founder of DeepRoot Strategies, LLC. - The afternoon will include Impact Huddles led by Sarah Medrano, Connie Bowen of Farmhand Ventures and Natalie Martinkus, founder of Eco-Analytics.

The details: - Hildebrand will discuss her path from family farm fields to global ag tech leadership. - Hildebrand will also discuss interoperability and AI in agricultural decision-making. - The marketing panel will focus on how strategy connects emerging technology with farmers and growers. - Schilling will discuss managing innovation across organizational levels. - Schilling helped co-lead development of Bayer’s GenAI tool E.L.Y. and will share lessons on advancing AI initiatives, building cross-functional support and translating innovation into business impact. - Impact Huddles will cover vision development, mentorship and investment, and relationship building in ag tech. - Lauren Milligan, content specialist at AgriBusiness Group, Meister Media Worldwide, said the event was created to bring together innovators, leaders and problem-solvers shaping the future of agriculture. - Milligan said the event is designed to create a space where women can connect, share experiences, learn from one another and build relationships. - Registration is available for Tech Hub LIVE and Women in Ag Tech, or for Women in Ag Tech only. - The full WiAT agenda is available here. - Registration for Tech Hub LIVE and Women in Ag Tech is available here. - Registration for Women in Ag Tech only is available here. - Women in Ag Tech is powered by Meister Media. - Meister Media Worldwide is based in Willoughby, Ohio, with locations in Beijing and Mumbai. - Meister Media Worldwide says its brands provide print and digital media, events, data intelligence products and custom business solutions. - Meister Media Worldwide says it has nearly 100 years of expertise in agriculture media and events.

Between the lines: - The agenda pairs technical topics like AI and interoperability with career-focused themes like mentorship and leadership. - The mix of keynote, panel and small-group formats suggests a networking-heavy event built for both learning and relationship building. - The open registration policy broadens the event beyond women in the field, which could help expand visibility and industry buy-in.

What's next: - Tech Hub LIVE and Women in Ag Tech are set for July 20-22 at the Iowa Events Center. - Attendees can review the agenda and register before the event begins. - The event is expected to add another in-person touchpoint for the Women in Ag Tech community through panels, breakout sessions and ongoing engagement.