GOAT 2024

GOAT 2024

GOAT is back! Nov. 4th-8th in Paicines, California!

GOAT 2024 will be a 5 day gathering of diverse developers and users of open ag technology. Technology is broadly defined, and includes both traditional hardware and software, but also mechanical tools (tractors, implements, etc.) and any domains relating to the creation of that hardware (intellectual property + open licenses, data management, model development, etc.).

*please note that the general election is happening during the GOAT conference, we encourage everyone to make absentee or early voting plans!

Why?

For the motivations behind GOAT, see the About GOAT page.

This third in-person gathering will reconvene the open ag tech community to meet, learn, share, and formalize our common vision for creating open technologies for our food system.

Much of this gathering will have an unconference format so that the topics discussed are derived directly from the values and needs of the attendees. During the unconference format, members of the ag tech community will “take off their institutional hats” and participate simply as members of the open-ag-tech community. The objectives of structured components of the gathering include completing our community manifesto, introducing the governance structure and begin nominations for the biannual board, creating a curriculum for how to engage in work within the community, and scheduling future hackathons. Finally, we will have a demo session in which attendees “put their institutional hats back on.”

The last two days of the conference are designated for co-working. This time is for attendees to start working on actionable items inspired by the conference or enabled by the conference because we are all co-located!

When?

Application open until August 30th 2024 – Apply Now! Update: We’ll continue accepting applications on a rolling basis until we reach capacity (80 participants max) or until September 12, 2024, which ever comes first.

Acceptance Notices – applicants will be notified by September 13th of their acceptance and will have until September 27th to register for the conference

Full program available – October 1st 2024

Conference Dates – Mon – Friday, November 4th – November 8th, 2024. Registration + Soft Opening + Lodging available starting on Sunday, November 3rd.

Where?

The 2024 conference will be held at the beautiful Paicines Ranch.

Who should apply?

Apply Here! We’re looking for people who are actively engaged in open hardware and software for agriculture as developers, users, inventors, tinkerers and thinkers who can contribute to growing the community and movement. This event is for people working in all different forms of ag tech, from farmers/DIYers to academic research and industrial R&D. Let us know who you are, why you want to attend, and your vision for open ag tech! Forward this application to people you think would be great additions to the GOAT community. We hope to select a combination that will best represent the diversity of projects in the open ag tech movement. Note on GOAT 2024 demographic goals: In the application form we are asking about demographics because we are working to make GOAT 2024 as representative of the movement as possible, democratic and equitable. What do we mean by equitable? Check out this visual reference to equality vs. equity. We encourage people from all locations to apply, but due to funding constraints, we can only provide reduced-cost, no-cost, and travel support for U.S. participants. Historically GOAT conferences have revolved around topics specific to the U.S., but we acknowledge these are global issues and hope to grow to be able to support international participation in future gatherings.

What is the cost?

All options include overnight lodging for Sunday (Nov 3rd) to Thursday night (Nov 7th) and all meals. Lodging ranges from camping, to glamping yurts, to shared rooms, to private rooms. All lodging has shared bathrooms and exact placement will be determined at acceptance.

Registration options are based on the honor system – please be generous but also choose the one appropriate for you. A reminder that due to funding constraints, we can only provide reduced-cost, no-cost, and travel support for U.S. participants. Note that monies are in U.S. Dollars.

  • GOAT herder: $1000.  Provides additional donation to keep GOAT going – thank you!
  • Full cost applicant: $700.  For those with conference funding from industry, government or academia, or individuals who make  > $90,000 per year
  • Reduced cost applicant: $500.  For those who make between $50,000 to $90,000 and don’t have organizational support for your registration.
  • No-cost applicant: $0. For those who make less than $50,000 and don’t have organizational support.
  • No-cost applicant w/ travel support: $0.  For those who make less than $50,000 and don’t have organizational support,  AND cannot  attend without support for travel within North America.

If you or your organization has the means to sponsor a need-based no-cost applicant, please see our sponsorship memo.

Can I get involved or volunteer before the conference?

Yes! We will be posting pre-conference activities and volunteer positions in August 2024. See the forum for details. If you have ideas or suggestions on programming (speakers, activities, nearby locations to visit, etc.) that you think are a great fit, please contact: goatech.org@gmail.com! We are still actively setting the program and activities.

Who is organizing GOAT 2024?

The organizing committee for GOAT 2024 is:

  • Ankita Raturi, Purdue University
  • Anna Lynton, OpenTEAM
  • Greg Austic, OurSci
  • Jamie Gaehring, FarmOS
  • Juliet Norton, Purdue University
  • Laurie Wayne, Open Food Network
  • Paul Weidner, FarmOS
  • Semra Fetahovic, GOAT Community Organizer
  • Vic Spindler-Fox, OpenTEAM

Can I help support or sponsor GOAT 2024?

Yes, as a community-led organization your support keeps us going!  If you are interested in supporting or sponsoring GOAT 2024, please contact: goatech.org@gmail.com and see our sponsorship memo.

Thank you to our GOAT 2024 Sponsors: