ASABE representatives will join growers, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, and technology leaders September 10–11 in Benton Harbor, Michigan, to explore the technologies shaping the future of agriculture.
ST. JOSEPH, Mich. — September 8, 2026 — The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) is proud to serve as a Gold Sponsor of the inaugural Great Lakes Tek Flex, taking place September 10–11, 2026, at Michigan State University’s Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center in Benton Harbor, Michigan.
Bringing together agricultural producers, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, technology developers, and other industry leaders, Great Lakes Tek Flex will provide a hands-on look at emerging agricultural technologies while creating opportunities for meaningful discussion around technology adoption, profitability, sustainability, and the future of agriculture.
ASABE staff will be onsite throughout the event, connecting with attendees and supporting conversations around the engineering and technology innovations transforming agricultural, food, and biological systems.
“Great Lakes Tek Flex represents the type of collaboration that is essential to moving agricultural innovation forward,” said Mark Ledebuhr “Bringing growers, engineers, researchers, technology developers, and industry partners together creates an opportunity not only to see what new technologies can do, but also to address the real-world challenges involved in putting those technologies to work.”
From Innovation to Real-World Application
The two-day event will showcase technologies designed to address some of agriculture’s most pressing challenges.
Day one will provide an “in-the-dirt” experience featuring hands-on demonstrations of labor-saving agricultural technologies for the specialty crop industry. Attendees will have the opportunity to see emerging solutions in areas such as automation, robotics, artificial intelligence, precision agriculture, smart machinery, and other advanced agricultural technologies operating in a real-world environment.
Day two will shift the conversation toward implementation, bringing together decision-makers, manufacturers, producers, researchers, and industry partners to discuss the opportunities and barriers involved in bringing agricultural technology to farms throughout the Great Lakes region.
For ASABE, those conversations closely align with the Society’s work to advance engineering and technology across food, water, energy, fiber, and the environment.
Agricultural and biological engineers play a critical role in developing practical solutions for agricultural production, machinery and automation, natural resource management, food systems, sustainability, and emerging technologies. Through technical standards, research, publications, professional development, industry collaboration, and global initiatives, ASABE works to connect the people and knowledge needed to move those solutions forward.
Connecting Agricultural Innovation With Knowledge
ASABE representatives attending Great Lakes Tek Flex will also share information about the Society’s growing resources and initiatives, including Ask ABE, ASABE’s AI-powered agricultural and biological engineering knowledge resource.
Ask ABE was developed to make trusted agricultural and biological engineering knowledge easier to explore and access, providing another way for professionals, researchers, students, producers, and industry stakeholders to engage with information across the profession.
As technologies including artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, robotics, sensors, and precision agriculture continue to advance, access to reliable technical knowledge and collaboration between disciplines will become increasingly important.
“Technology alone does not transform an industry,” said Scott Cedarquist. “Progress happens when we connect technology with engineering expertise, practical application, trusted information, and the people who ultimately need to use it. That is where organizations like ASABE can play an important role.”
Meet ASABE at Great Lakes Tek Flex
ASABE encourages Great Lakes Tek Flex attendees to connect with Society representatives during the event to learn more about ASABE membership, technical resources, standards, publications, professional development opportunities, industry initiatives, and Ask ABE.
Great Lakes Tek Flex will take place:
September 10–11, 2026
Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center
1791 Hillandale Road
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
For information about Great Lakes Tek Flex, visit www.gltekflex.com.
To learn more about ASABE, visit www.asabe.org.
To explore Ask ABE, visit www.AccessAskABE.org.
About ASABE
The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) is a member-driven, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing engineering and technology for agricultural, food, and biological systems. Founded in 1907 and headquartered in St. Joseph, Michigan, ASABE comprises members in more than 100 countries.
Through technical standards, publications, professional development, education, research, industry collaboration, and global initiatives, ASABE supports innovative, sustainable, and efficient systems that help address critical challenges in food, water, energy, fiber, and the environment.
ASABE’s vision is a world where all have the food, water, energy, fiber, and safe environment needed to thrive.