ASABE representatives joined 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 16, 2026 — The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) proudly served as a Gold Sponsor of the inaugural Great Lakes Tek Flex, held 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 provided a hands-on look at emerging agricultural technologies while creating opportunities for meaningful discussions around technology adoption, profitability, sustainability, and the future of agriculture.
ASABE staff were 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 demonstrated the value of bringing growers, engineers, researchers, technology developers, and industry leaders together in one place,” said Mark Ledebuhr. “Seeing these technologies in action and hearing directly from those working to implement them reinforced how important collaboration is to advancing practical solutions for agriculture.”
From Innovation to Real-World Application
The two-day event showcased technologies designed to address some of agriculture’s most pressing challenges.
Day one provided an “in-the-dirt” experience featuring hands-on demonstrations of labor-saving agricultural technologies for the specialty crop industry. Attendees had 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 shifted 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 are closely aligned 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 also shared 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.
The conversations at Great Lakes Tek Flex highlighted both the tremendous potential of emerging agricultural technologies and the importance of connecting innovation with real-world application,” said Scott Cedarquist. “ASABE is committed to helping strengthen those connections through engineering expertise, standards, trusted knowledge, and resources that support the future of agriculture.
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.