A Critical Time for Innovation
For generations, Washington farmers have been pioneers—national leaders in agricultural productivity and diversity. Our 300+ commodities and $14 billion agricultural economy are built on ingenuity and resilience.
Today’s producers face unprecedented challenges: climate volatility, water scarcity, labor shortages, and economic pressures. Artificial intelligence offers transformative potential to address these challenges. Washington farmers are already using AI to make complex decisions, increase yields, reduce environmental impact, and improve worker safety.
Imagine:
- Farmers receiving precise weather predictions days or weeks in advance
- AI systems optimizing every drop of water and input, maximizing yield while minimizing waste
- Leveling the playing field for small-scale producers with AI decision-support tools
WSAS’S “Growing with ai” initiative
The Washington State Academy of Sciences is convening researchers, farmers, AI developers, policymakers, and innovators to explore how AI can shape agriculture’s future in Washington.
Join our 6-part webinar series exploring AI’s role in farming—from climate resilience to post-harvest optimization. Registration is free and open to the public.
Webinar discussions will serve as a foundation of shared learning for a workshop among speakers and other invitees to further refine Washington’s opportunity space and catalyze new collaborations.
Overviews
Artificial Intelligence: What it can do, where it is going, and key opportunities for agriculture
January 12, 2026, 12-1pm
Learn AI basics, how agriculture drives AI innovation, and how AI is reshaping farming from reactive to proactive operations.
Speakers:
- Oren Etzioni, Technical Director, AI2 Incubator; Professor Emeritus, University of Washington
- Ananth Kalyanaraman, Professor and Director, School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Washington State University; Director, NSF-USDA NIFA AgAID AI Institute
Agriculture in Washington: What are our strengths and what are opportunities for AI-enabled innovation
January 23, 2026, 12-1pm
Explore opportunities and challenges for Washington agriculture and how AI could increase viability and competitiveness.
Speakers:
- Derek Sandison, Director, Washington State Department of Agriculture
- Ines Hanrahan, Executive Director, Washington Tree Fruit Commission
Topical Panels
AI for Climate and Weather Resilience
February 4, 2026, 12-1:30pm
How can AI tools help farmers prepare and adapt to increasing climate variability and extreme weather?
AI for Input Optimization
February 12, 2026, 12-1:30pm
How can AI technologies reduce water, pesticide, and fertilizer use to maximize productivity while minimizing costs and environmental impact?
AI in Storage, Processing, and Distribution
February 19, 2026, 12-1:30pm
How can AI reduce food loss and optimize the post-harvest supply chain?
The Growing with AI Initiative is generously supported by
