Aligning Forces to Feed America and Beyond.

Forming Future Agro Challenge USA in the midst of crisis.

As the world continues to be enveloped in the COVID-19 crisis we are experiencing the non-medical effects of the virus. Along with the economic downturn as businesses, small and large feel the strain not only of the pandemic, but of the measures set in motion to slow the spread.The food supply chain has been crippled and this issue will likely get worse before it gets better. There are already stories in the press here at home as well as abroad about the challenges of getting food from the producers to the retailers.

Before this colossal event, there were plans for a small regional convening in the works. It was to be held in Peoria, Illinois this week. There was to be a startup competition of agricultural entrepreneurs and innovators. It would have been the inaugural relaunching of the Future Agro Challenge USA; part of a global initiative that started in the aftermath of another crisis. The planning committee, comprised of entrepreneurial ecosystem builders envisioned bringing together advisors, mentors and funders, as well as corporations and policymakers, designed as a snapshot of the agrifood innovation ecosystem from across the US. As noted in the press release:

Future Agro Challenge’s mission is to find real, sustainable solutions to the complex global…