AI Applications and Risks for Co-ops

Artificial intelligence (AI) is creating a buzz across sectors. Generative AI tools have the potential to enhance personal productivity, create new operational efficiencies, and more. However, the space can be complex and intimidating for non-experts.

On May 29, 2024, the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) Center for Cooperatives and Mid America Cooperative Council hosted special guest experts for an online roundtable about artificial intelligence for the cooperative community. Guests shared practical ways their businesses are implementing AI, how cooperatives can develop their capacity to engage with AI tools, and strategies to manage risks associated with AI adoption.

Watch the Recording and Access Experts’ Slides

"AI Applications and Risks for Co-ops featuring experts from Nationwide and GROWMARK" in white text on a blue background with a man and woman in business attire.

A recording of the program along with audio transcript are available via Zoom! Users will be asked to register to view the recording to help us track the reach and impact of the session. Feel free to share the recording link with your colleagues!

An image of a farmer standing next to a combine head with the GROWMARK and FS logos and white text "AI Applications and Risks for Co-ops, Leland Roling"

Slides from Leland Roling, Director, Information Systems Development with GROWMARK Inc.

Meet the Guest Experts

Leland Roling is Director, Information Systems Development with GROWMARK, Inc. Over the past 15 years, Leland has been instrumental in the development, implementation, and maintenance of numerous business-critical digital solutions at GROWMARK. Whether assuming the role as a developer, technical lead, product owner, or overseeing all of the above, he has consistently driven initiatives serving internal operations, wholesale product divisions, and member companies within the cooperative.

In his role as the Director of GROWMARK’s information systems development teams, Leland steers the strategic direction and vision of their development and data platforms. He ensures the delivery of state-of-the-art digital solutions and pioneering technologies, such as generative AI and machine learning, within the ever-changing agricultural landscape.

GROWMARK is an agricultural cooperative serving cooperatives, retailers, businesses, and customers in the U.S. and Canada.

Radha Narla is AVP & Chief Architect, Strategy, Data and Innovation with Nationwide. Radha Narla is currently the Chief Architect for Strategy, Data, and Innovation organization at Nationwide in Columbus, Ohio. She leads the architecture function supporting Technology Strategy, Customer Data, Enterprise Analytics, Enterprise Strategic Partnerships, Enterprise Innovation, and Emerging Technology R&D. Radha has been at the forefront of Generative AI enablement in Nationwide, establishing foundational architecture for this cutting-edge technology.

Radha holds a Masters degree in Computer Science from Franklin University, and Bachelors Degree in Electronics Engineering from India. She lives in New Albany, Ohio with her husband. She enjoys being outdoors, hiking, biking, and camping with family and friends.

Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the United States. Nationwide is rated A+ by both A.M. Best and Standard & Poor’s. An industry leader in driving customer-focused innovation, Nationwide provides a full range of insurance and financial services products, including auto, business, homeowners, farm and life insurance; public and private sector retirement plans, annuities and mutual funds; excess & surplus, specialty and surety; pet, motorcycle and boat insurance. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com. Follow Nationwide on Facebook and Twitter.

Contribute to Food Hub Knowledge, Participate in 2018 Food Hub Benchmarking Study

Did you know that the average gross revenue of a food hub in 2017 was $2.4 million? Or that the most common types of customers for food hubs are restaurants and direct consumers? Or that the average number of vendor selling to a food hub was 55 in 2013?

 

“Findings of the 2017 National Food Hub Survey,” published in March 2018, details these and many more findings from a comprehensive review of the maturing food hub sector in the United States. The report reviews many aspects of a food hub business from finances to food safety, giving food hub stakeholders access to information that can help inform their decisions, based on a national survey of existing food hubs. You can learn more about the study’s results in a webinar hosted by the National Good Food Network at 3:30pm EST on Thursday, April 19, 2018.

“Counting Values: Food Hub Financial Benchmarking Study,” released in 2014 by the Wallace Center at Winrock International, Farm Credit East, and other partners, details financial and operational characteristics for food hubs in a way that can serve as performance indicators for other businesses in the sector.

Food hub stakeholders have an opportunity now to contribute to an update of research like this through the 2018 Food Hub Benchmarking Study. The study, according to the Wallace Center at Winrock International will collect financial and operational data from food hub businesses, standardizing and aggregating the data to develop sector insights and performance indicators. Hubs that participate in the study will receive and individualized benchmark report and technical assistance on using the report as a business tool. Learn more about how to participate in the study here.

According to the “Findings of the 2017 National Food Hub Survey,” fresh produce and herbs are the most common products sold by food hubs in the U.S.

 

March 1 Seminar – Agricultural Data Coalition: Putting Farmers in the Driver’s Seat

CFAES Center for Cooperatives Seminar Series Agricultural Data Coalition: Putting Farmers in the Driver’s Seat

The CFAES Center for Cooperatives will host a lecture at 3 p.m. on Thursday, March 1 presented by Scott A. Shearer, PhD, Professor and Chair, Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, The Ohio State University.

Dr. Scott A. Shearer will present a lecture on using precision agriculture data, issues of ownership and control, and the potential applications of using this data to help decrease agriculture’s environmental impact.

Dr. Shearer received formal training in agricultural engineering from The Ohio State University.  During his nearly 30-year career in academia, his research efforts have focused on controls and methodologies for metering and spatial distribution of inputs (seed, fertilizer, and chemicals) for precision cropping systems. His current research activities include: modeling of current and future field machinery systems; autonomous, multi-vehicle field production systems; UAS for remote sensing; yield monitoring strategies; precision seeding technologies and management of production agriculture data.

THURSDAY

MARCH 1, 2018

3 P.M.

The Ohio State University

Kottman Hall, Room 102

2021 Coffey Road ٠ Columbus, OH 43210

FREE!

To view seminar online: go.osu.edu/AgDataSem

For more information, contact:

Joy Bauman, Program Coordinator

CFAES Center for Cooperatives

740-289-2071 ext. 111

bauman.67@osu.edu

cooperatives.cfaes.ohio-state.edu