FIRA USA to take place in Sacramento on 22-24 October

A meanwhile proven recipe for the third edition of FIRA USA from 22 to 24 October this year at the Yolo County Fair in Woodland, near Sacramento (California). After an inaugural edition in Fresno in 2022 and a second edition in Salinas last year with 2,000 attendees, FIRA USA 2024 is bound to take place at the Yolo County Fairgrounds. The organisation is sticking to last year’s event format where the conference/content part, the exhibit area and the field demos all take place at the same location for three days in a row.

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Free admission for growers

While a lot of the event and programme builds on the successes of the previous editions, there will be one major difference this year. For the first time, farmers/growers have free admission to the entire event. A decision that will be warmly welcomed by exhibitors. Not only because the majority of autonomous solutions and field and harvest robots are dedicated to helping growers produce their crops more efficiently and more profitable. Also because FIRA USA is taking place in a region where a lot of different crops are grown. “FIRA USA is a travelling event throughout California, to get closer farmers and their needs for automation”, so the organisers.

Focussed on end users, FIRA USA 2024 offers a new perspective for grower participants this year. The program will feature themed roundtables, led by commodity boards with presentations on current issues, testimonials, and use cases from producers, and proposed robotic solutions. For each sector:

• Vegetables: fresh vegetables, leafy greens, lettuce, tomatoes
• Berries: strawberries
• Vineyards
• Orchards: fruit trees and nut trees

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80+ exhibitors, 35+ robotic solutions

The organisation consisting of GOFAR, the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR), The VINE and Western Growers Association, aims to welcome over 80 exhibitors, over 35 robotic solutions and over 2,500 visitors from across the world. Previous editions have proven that both exhibitors and visitors are a mix of interested companies, people and experts from each and every continent.

Industry experts can indulge themselves into the industry experience starting with the tech & education day on 22 October with a program showcasing the latest advancements in technologies, regulations and safety. 23 and 24 October will provide participants with insights into the levers enabling the widespread deployment of robots in the fields. The role of OEMs, distributors and dealers, and manufacturers, automation from production to marketing, as well as pitches and networking opportunities.

For the first time, participants also get the chance to join a 5-day ‘ag market tour’ prior to the event to experience a customized journey and delve into the nuances of automation in specialty crops across California and North America. This allows participants to deepen their market understanding, connect with key industry figures and create new alliances.