agInnovation South and ASRED Spring Meeting
agInnovation South and ASRED Joint Spring Meeting
Puerto Rico
March 23-26, 2026
Speakers and Agenda
We plan for a dynamic group of local and invited speakers.
Registration
Registration deadline is March 9, 2026.
You may register with or without the tour and there is a guest option for the tour.
Hotel Information
Hyatt Place San Juan
We have a very limited room block- please reserve your rooms by February 27, 2026.
Room rates are $234 per night (plus fees and taxes, totaling $304.11). Complimentary breakfast buffet for all registered guests in the room.
Field Day Tour
Join us for a unique agroecological journey through four of Puerto Rico’s most remarkable agricultural sites. Explore the diversity of the island’s land, from coffee and rum to sustainable farming and scientific research.
Joint agInnovation South & ASRED Meeting Agenda
Hyatt Place
San Juan, Puerto Rico
March 23 – 26, 2026
Tentative Agenda:
| Monday, March 23 | |
| 12:00 – 6:00 pm | Registration |
| XX – XX pm | MRC Meeting – MRC members only |
| 6:00 – 8:00 pm | Welcome Reception – |
| Tuesday, March 24 | |
| 6:30 – 8:30 am | Breakfast – |
| 8:30 – 5:00 | Joint Session |
| 8:30 – 8:45 am |
Welcome and Introductions
|
| 8:45 – 9:00 am |
Host Welcome University of Puerto Rico College of Agricultural Sciences
|
| 9:00 – 10:00am | NIFA Update APLU FANR Update |
| 10:00 – 10:30 am | Refreshment and Idea Exchange Break |
| 10:30 – 12:00 am | Joint Program –Agriculture in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean- Programs and Priorities |
| Noon – 1:30 pm | Joint Lunch |
| 1:30 – 3:00 pm | Joint Program – Small Farms and Controlled Environment Agriculture |
| 3:00 – 3:30 pm | Refreshment and Idea Exchange Break |
| 3:30 – 5:00 pm | Joint Program – Food as Medicine- The Next Frontier |
| 5:00 pm | Dinner on your own |
| Wednesday, March 25 | |
| 6:30 – 8:30 am | Breakfast – |
| 8:30 – 9:30 am | Joint session – Advocacy for State Funding: Strategy, Structure and Application |
| 9:30 – 10:00 am | Joint session – Explaining the Land-grant System |
| 10:00-10:30 am | Refreshment and Idea Exchange Break |
| 10:30-12:00 pm | Joint Program – National Advocacy Strategies for America’s Food, Nutrition and Ag Systems |
| 12:00 – 1:00 pm | Joint Lunch |
| 1:00 – 5:00 pm |
agInnovation South Business Meeting – ASRED Business Meeting – |
| Thursday, March 26 | |
| 6:30 – 8:00 am | Breakfast – |
| 8:30am – 5:00pm | Optional Tour |
Note: the time in San Juan is the same as Eastern time on that date
Field Day Tour
Agroecological Experience
Join us for a unique agroecological journey through four of Puerto Rico’s most remarkable agricultural sites. Explore the diversity of our island’s land, from coffee and rum to sustainable farming and scientific research.
Hacienda Encanto Natural – San Lorenzo
A specialty coffee farm located in Barrio Espino, San Lorenzo. Founded by Frankie González in 2014, the hacienda cultivates high-quality Arabica varieties, including the historic “Excelsa.” Visitors can tour the coffee fields, learn the processing stages, and enjoy tastings of award-winning Puerto Rican coffee.
Finca La Zafra – Gurabo
A family-run agroecological farm and restaurant in the mountains of Gurabo. Guests experience hands-on harvesting, farm tours, and farm-to-table meals made with fresh ingredients grown on-site. The finca promotes sustainability and education from seed to plate.
Agricultural Experimental Station – Gurabo
Part of the University of Puerto Rico–Mayagüez Campus, this research station focuses on improving forage, cattle nutrition, organic agriculture, and apiculture. Founded on land once used by the U.S. military, it now serves as an “Agricultural Reserve” dedicated to advancing scientific agriculture on the island.
Hacienda Santa Ana – Bayamón
Established in the late 18th century, this historic hacienda became the birthplace of the legendary Ron del Barrilito rum in 1880. Visitors can explore the grounds, learn about sugarcane and rum-making heritage, and taste Puerto Rico’s iconic artisanal rum.
For questions about the spring meeting, please email Cindy Morley at cmorley@uark.edu.
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