As British Columbia moves through the opportunities and challenges of the fourth agricultural revolution, new technologies are reshaping the way food is produced. Vertical and cellular agriculture are at the forefront of this shift, promising to transform sustainability and resilience across food systems. By reducing resource use and shortening supply chains, these innovations have the potential to redefine agricultural efficiency. However, their true impact will depend on how effectively they are integrated into broader planning and policy frameworks.
The session "Reimagining Agricultural Futures: Technology, Planning, and the Hidden Dimensions of Sustainability" will address these issues directly. Hosted by the BC Agricultural Climate Action Research Network (ACARN), the panel will bring together leaders in agricultural innovation, sustainability, and policy to examine the path forward for British Columbia's agri-food systems.
Moderated by Alex Glaros of Royal Roads University, the discussion will feature Robert Newell, Canada Research Chair in Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainability at Royal Roads University; Lenore Newman, Director of the Food and Agriculture Institute at the University of the Fraser Valley; and Bahram Rashti, CEO of UP Vertical Farms. Together, they will explore how integrated, systems-based approaches can support a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable agricultural future for the province.
This session is part of Cultivating Resilience: Advancing Climate-Smart Agri-Food, taking place October 27–28, 2025, in Vancouver, British Columbia.