Connecting industry professionals and students for future careers
The AgCareers Agriculture and Food Roundtable Conference is scheduled for August 4–6 in Champaign, Illinois, will be hosted by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. This three-day event will gather agriculture and food industry professionals, educators, and recruitment experts to connect, collaborate, and explore trends shaping the future workforce.
Illinois is a central hub for agriculture in the Midwest supporting innovation, and food technology, making it an ideal location for the 2026 Agriculture and Food Roundtable Conference. To highlight the state’s leadership in research, commercialization, and workforce development, AgCareers is offering attendees a special, free, optional tour of the University of Illinois’ Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory (IBRL) and Food Science Pilot Plant on August 4.
The IBRL and Food Science Pilot Plant are advanced research and development facilities. They help transform basic research into commercial applications for bioproducts and food science. These facilities provide laboratories and pilot-scale processing environments where new research is developed into market-ready products. They also support bioenergy and bioprocessing projects, offering technical expertise, state-of-the-art equipment, and collaboration opportunities with industry partners.
The facilities also focus on improving technologies for next-generation biofuels and value-added products derived from biomass. They act as resources for companies and researchers working to bring new innovations to the market.
In addition, the IBRL runs the Food and Agricultural Science in Technology Education and Research (FASTER) internship program. This program pairs University of Illinois students with IBRL staff, industry leaders, and top researchers. Students gain hands-on experience solving real-world processing challenges while learning how to scale new products effectively.
Attendees at the conference and tour gain a comprehensive view of how research and innovation in agriculture and food science shape industry trends and prepare students for successful careers. The event combines networking, education, and a unique opportunity to witness cutting-edge facilities firsthand.
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