September 16 webinar will examine adoption barriers and the future of agricultural work
September 9, 2026 (Davis, CA) — Media are invited to attend a free, one-hour webinar Sept. 16 introducing the 2026 Crop Robotics Landscape, the latest edition of The Mixing Bowl’s newly researched visual map of companies developing robotic solutions for crop production worldwide. The landscape will be publicly released alongside the webinar.
Agricultural robotics has attracted substantial investment and undergone years of field testing. Moving from functioning prototypes to equipment that growers can purchase, service and rely on remains a central challenge for the sector.
The Mixing Bowl’s Crop Robotics Landscape series has tracked companies and technologies worldwide since 2022, documenting where companies are emerging, which applications are attracting development and where gaps remain. This overview helps growers identify potential solutions and gives investors, researchers and workforce leaders insight into how the market is changing and where further development and support may be needed.
The webinar will also feature a panel discussion on what it takes to move agricultural robotics into commercial use. Leaders representing farming, investment and workforce policy will examine technology validation, barriers to on-farm adoption and the skills and support needed to prepare the agricultural workforce.
WHAT: 2026 Crop Robotics Landscape Webinar
WHO: Hosted by the California AgTech Alliance and The Mixing Bowl. Chris Taylor, partner at The Mixing Bowl, will present the landscape. Panelists include Danny Bernstein, founder and CEO, Reservoir; Ben Palone, senior commercialization director, Western Growers; and Sebastián Sánchez, deputy secretary for immigrant and agriculture workforce, California Labor & Workforce Development Agency. Michael Rose, partner at The Mixing Bowl and Better Food Ventures, will moderate. Sarah Masterson, director of the California AgTech Alliance, will provide the introduction.
WHEN: Wednesday, September 16, 2026, 11 a.m.–noon Pacific.
WHERE: Online via Zoom. Register for the free webinar.
AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS: Interviews with participating speakers and event organizers may be arranged before or after the webinar. Topics include crop-robotics trends, technology validation and commercialization, grower adoption, investment and agricultural workforce preparation. Contact Hanif Houston at hrhouston@ucanr.edu or (510) 684-0322 to coordinate an interview.
VISUAL OPPORTUNITIES: Media may capture screenshots from the webinar and will receive access to speaker headshots. A high-resolution version of the 2026 Crop Robotics Landscape graphic and executive summary will be available at mixingbowlhub.com at the time of the webinar.
About California AgTech Alliance
California AgTech Alliance is a statewide network connecting California’s agricultural regions around shared priorities in innovation, workforce development and entrepreneurship. Anchored by UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Alliance brings together universities, industry partners, workforce organizations, community-based groups, investors and regional leaders to help agricultural technology move from idea to field and from training to career opportunity. Learn more at calagtechalliance.org.
About The Mixing Bowl
Founded in 2013, The Mixing Bowl connects food, agriculture and digital innovators for thought and action leadership. Through industry convenings, thought leadership and advisory services, it brings together established companies, startups, investors and other innovators to advance technology adoption across food and agriculture. Learn more at mixingbowlhub.com.
