Agenda - 2024 SIL Research Retreat & Board Meeting by soybeaninnovationlab

WELCOME

The Soybean Innovation Lab holds its annual Research Retreat and Board Meeting every December. The event brings together SIL researchers, staff, partners, stakeholders, and clients to share progress on SIL technologies and its unique research-for-development model. The Retreat and Board Meeting blends a variety of modalities, presenters, and panelists to promote a rich discussion, deep idea exchange, and lasting collaboration.

This year, we’re excited to focus on “The Private Sector in Action” as our theme. Attendees will learn novel ways SIL achieves impact at scale through market-led growth, as well as the unique research challenges that remain. Join us as we bring exciting and dynamic market actors and their stories to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus.

Let’s make the most of this time together as we celebrate our achievements and look ahead to new opportunities.

A Sucess Story

Soybean Value Chain Research

2013 - 2018 SIL 1.0

COMPETITIVE AWARD

Research for Development: Developing the foundation for soybean success in Africa

RENEWAL

2018-2022 SIL 2.0

Research at scale: Building complete technology solutions to support adoption

2022-2027

2024

SIL 3.0

COMPETITIVE AWARD

Sustained Impact: Solving the last mile that localizes sustained technology adoption

Message from SIL

Dear All,

ad you can join the SIL family for our Annual d Board Meeting of directors meeting 3-6 at the University of Illinois. In SIL’s 11 ave witnessed our journey along the soybean cycle as we have developed, refined, and technologies to scale This year’s theme will vate Sector in Action.”

scaling lens to this year’s meetings to learn search team, along with their partners and g to life the successes and challenges of zational diffusion. It is one thing to test and echnology. It is another to transform an to thrive with a novel high yield bundle; h a pipeline of new varieties; embrace capital for an advanced processing line; engage a t preparedness program for rust; proliferate ata collection for successful seed production; nagement to prioritize seed quality; or roll out cultural mechanization line. See how the SIL ners, and clients wrestle with the inherent uncertainties associated with generating OIs in the future while transitioning an to a new technology in the present

have a special addition this year on morning, December 4. SIL will convene a twohop where a group of experienced managers hree gnarly problems facing Africa’s soybean ry We will definitely learn a lot

See you soon.

Dr Peter Goldsmith

Soybean Innovation Lab Director

Dr Michelle Da Fonseca Santos Soybean Innovation Lab Assistant Director

Nestled in Central Illinois, the Champaign-Urbana metropolitan area is hometotheprestigiousUniversityofIllinoisUrbana-Champaign,oneofthe leadingpublicresearchuniversitiesintheworld

Urbana was founded in 1833 and has since grown into a hub of innovation and academic excellence. Champaign was founded in 1855, when the Illinois Central Railroad placed its tracks two miles west of downtown Urbana Originally called West Urbana, the city was renamed Champaign whenitacquiredacitycharterin1860 By1911,bothcitieshadexpandedto touchoneanother,withtheuniversityatthecenter

i n o i s

Historically, both cities played an important role in the region’s agricultural and industrial development. The cities are rich in heritage, with a blend of 19th-century architecture and modern facilities, offering visitors a unique contrast of the old and new Attractions like the Krannert Art Museum, Spurlock Museum, and the Urbana Free Library, one of Illinois’ oldest public libraries, make it a cultural hotspot Multiple music, arts, and other cultural festivalsdrawattendeesfromaroundthecountryeachyear

Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy Meadowbrook Park, Crystal Lake Park, and WestSidePark,knownfortheirwalkingtrails,gardens,andpublicsculptures, as well as the Urbana Market at the Square, one of the largest farmers' marketsinthestate

Curiously,theareaislinkedtothefamousfictionalcomputerHAL9000from "2001: A Space Odyssey," as the author, Arthur C. Clarke, drew inspiration from the cutting-edge computer research being conducted at the U. of I. Urbana is also the residence of many famous citizens, like Hunter Doherty Adams, known as Patch Adams, whose life became a movie played by Robin Williams (Patch Adams – 1998) The area has also been home to a large share of Nobel Prize winners, artists, writers, and politicians, including currentVicePresidentKamalaHarris,wholivedherebrieflyasachild.

Champaign-Urbana’s friendly and diverse community, academic energy, and cultural charm make it an attractive destination for visitors looking for relaxation and intellectual engagement Whether exploring historic landmarks or enjoying local events, Champaign-Urbana offers something foreveryone D i s c o v e r U r b a n aC h a m p a i g n,

Partnerships Driving Innovation and Impact

TheUniversityofIllinoisUrbana-Champaign,originally known as "Illinois Industrial University," was one of the 37institutionsestablishedunderthefirstMorrillLandGrant Act, which provided public land to create colleges and universities focused on agriculture and industry From its beginnings as a single building in the fields between the Illinois Central train station in Champaign and the courthouse in Urbana, the universityhasgrownintoagloballeaderineducation andresearch.

Located in the twin cities of Champaign and Urbana, the university is a central hub in east-central Illinois, renowned for its academic excellence A prominent symbol of the campus is the Alma Mater statue, createdbyalumnusLoradoTaftandunveiledin1929 Itstandsasalastingrepresentationoftheuniversity's spiritandtradition.

Ranked among the top 33 public universities in the United States and 69th globally, the University of Illinois is home to 15 colleges, offering world-class education and hosting a distinguished faculty that includes Nobel Prize winners. In research, theuniversityhasachievedgroundbreakingmilestones,suchasthecreationofBlueWaters,oncetheworld’smostpowerful supercomputer,whichsupportedscientificadvancementsfrom2013to2021

SIL also partners with leading institutions, including the University of Missouri, the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture, the University of Florida, Mississippi State University, North Dakota State University, and the University of Minnesota. Together, they develop evidence-based technologies and practices, facilitate widespread adoption, and build the capacity of public-private partners in Feed the Future (FTF) targetcountries

Since2013,theSoybeanInnovationLab(SIL)hasbeenbasedat the university under the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics (ACE). Now in its third phase, SIL leads efforts to develop and scale early-, mid-, and late-stage technologies to advance soybean production in Sub-Saharan Africa. SIL collaborates with a global network of public and private organizations, ensuring impactful results across the soy marketsystems

4 5 6 DEC DEC DEC DEC

DAY 1: TUESDAY

Welcome at Biaggi’s restaurant at 5:00 p.m.

DAY 2: WEDNESDAY

Workshop

Researchers’ presentations Lunch at the IHotel

After 5:30 p.m. - Free night

DAY 3: THURSDAY

Researchers’ presentations

Box lunch at the IHotel Visit to Riggs Brewery

DAY 4: FRIDAY

Board meeting

Farewell at noon

The best is yet to come.

Tuesday, Dec. 3

Peter Goldsmith

SIL Director and Principal Investigator Welcome 5:00 p.m.

Italian Restaurant

2235 S Neil St, Champaign, IL 61820 Dinner at Biaggi’s 5:00 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 4

MORNING

Workshop: Addressing Three Gnarly Seed System Bottlenecks

9:00 a m - 11:30 a m

Peter Goldsmith

SIL 2024 Updates

12:00 p m - 12:20 p m

SIL Director and Principal Investigator 12:20 p m - 12:40 p m

Breakfast 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.

Interval

AFTERNOON

Yield Assurance and the SMART Farm

Erick Sedivy

SIL Manager PAT & SMART Farm Programs

Jonh Sedivy

SIL Trial Coordinator PAT & SMART Farm Programs

2:00 p m - 2:20 p m

2:20 p.m. - 2:40 p.m. Q&A

SMART QC: Managers Managing their Internal Seed Supply Chains

Marli Favoretto SIL Seed Quality Manager 3:00 p m - 3:20 p m Q&A 2:40 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

P2P/Soy 360°: Empowering the Local Industrial Sector

Annette Donelly

SIL Leads Managed Research Area 5, Human Nutrition 3:40 p m - 4:00 p m

Juan Andrade

Brent Germen

AOCS Member and Independent Consultant at Blind Corner Solutions 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

SIL Leads Managed Research Area 5, Human Nutrition 4:00 p m - 4:20 p m Q&A

12:45 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.

Coffee break 3:20 p m - 3:40 p m

Free Night

Lunch buffet at the hotel 5:00 p m

Thursday, Dec. 5

MORNING

Private Sector in Action: Extension Capacity Building

Tyron Bloemink Agribusiness Operations Manager, Universal Global Ventures

Eric Sedivy SIL Manager PAT & SMART Farm Programs

8:30 a.m. - 8:50 a.m.

Breakfast 7:30 a m - 8:30 a m

8:50 a.m. - 9:05 a.m.

Private Sector in Action: Rust Management Implementation

Petronella Miti Foundation Farm Supervisor Good Nature Agro 9:05 a.m. - 9:25 a.m.

Mickey Mwamba On-Farm Trial Technician Good Nature Agro

Harun Murithi SIL Pest and Diseases Program Manager 9:25 a m - 9:40 a m

Private Sector in Action: Enhancing Efficiency 1% at a Time

Amare Abera Ayano CEO, Promasidor/BBZ 9:40 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Juan Andrade SIL Leads Managed Research Area 5, Human Nutrition

Annette Donnelly SIL Leads Managed Research Area 5, Human Nutrition 10:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

Private Sector in Action: Demand-Led Gender Equity

Katharina Weber Senior Project Leader & Member of Gender Practice, Open Capital 10:35 a.m. - 10:50 a.m.

10:15 a m - 10:35 a m

Thursday, Dec. 5

Brian Diers

Breeding for Rust

SIL Principal Investigator, Soybean Breeding Program 10:50 a.m. - 11:10 a.m.

Godfree Chigeza

Soybean Breeder, IITA, Zambia

Harun Murithi

Building Trust After Rust

SIL Pest and Diseases Program Manager 11:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Q&A 11:10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Kerry Clark

Box lunch at the hotel

11:45 a m - 12:50 p m

Mechanization Solutions: SIL's New Pull-Behind Combine

SIL Principal Investigator, Mechanization Program 1:20 p.m. - 1:40 p.m. Q&A 1:00 p.m. - 1:20 p.m.

Solving the Seed Bottleneck: The Case of the Lower Shire Valley (Malawi)

Julia Panagio

SIL Product Manager 1:55 p m - 2:05 p m Q&A 1:40 p m - 1:55 p m

Empowering Practitioners through the Use of Electronic Data Capture

Erica Leles

SIL Data Manager, Pan-African Soybean Variety Trial Program Q&A

2:05 p.m. - 2:20 p.m. 2:20 p m - 2:30 p m

Selecting the Right Variety: Seed Company Use of the PAT Platform

Erick Sedivy

Natal Acir

SIL Data Scientist

2:50 p.m. - 3:05 p.m.

SIL Manager PAT & SMART Farm Programs 3:05 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.

Coffee break 2:30 p m - 2:50 p m

Thursday, Dec. 5

Originators and Seed Companies: Regional Registration and Licensing Systems

Dean Muungani

Soybean Product Manager, IITA, Nigeria

3:15 p m - 3:35 p m

Cibele Zaccaron SIL Commercialization Manager 3:35 p m - 3:55 p m

Protein, Oil, and African Soybean Germplasm

Elizabeth De Meyer PhD Graduate, University of Missouri

Seed Commercialization and the Last Mile: The Case of the PATs and Tela Maize

Mark Edge

4:10 p m - 4:20 p m

Director of Partnerships, Seeds & Traits Business Development, LMICs, Bayer 4:20 p m - 4:30 p m

Riggis Brewery

5:30 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 6 - Board Meeting

Seed Product Manager: Why It Is An Essential Role Within a Modern Seed System

Dean Muungani

Soybean Product Manager, IITA, Nigeria

8:30 a.m. - 8:50 a.m.

8:50 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Q&A

Do's and Don’t's: A Mechanization Strategy for SSA

Kerry Clark

SIL Principal Investigator, Mechanization Program

9:00 a.m. - 9:20 a.m. 9:20 a m - 9:40 a m Q&A

Breakfast 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.

i2i Mentors

The Product Life Cycle and Technology Management: What Are We Learning?

10:00 a m - 10:10 a m Q&A 9:40 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Joseph Huesing Principal, Huesing Agricultural and Educational Consulting

Kara Ross Professor, Kansas State University Tim Johnson Former President, Illinois Foundation Seeds Jean-Francois Forest Principal, Forest-Lavoie Consulting