Land O’Lakes brings The Copernicus Project to SXSW

Leaders from across industries will gather to address the issues affecting the future of our food system.

Land O’Lakes, Inc. this week will host The Copernicus Project — an immersive, interactive experience at South by Southwest (SXSW) named in honor of Nicolaus Copernicus, who cracked the foundations of contemporary science with a helio-centric model of the solar system.

 

 

With three days of conversations and sessions with participants who bring diverse viewpoints – technology gurus, scientists, climate experts, entrepreneurs and nonprofit stakeholders – Land O’Lakes seeks to spark an open and honest conversation about the startling truths of our food production system. A special media-only preview is scheduled for Friday, March 8 and all events throughout the weekend are open to members of the media.

WHAT: The Copernicus Project, a 6,000-square foot SXSW experience outlining the intersection of food, health and technology. See how Land O’Lakes is seeking to spark an open, honest conversation about the startling truths of our food production system, and challenging long-held beliefs about the way things are supposed to be. Visit www.thecopernicusproject.com to learn more.

WHEN: Open Daily March 8-10: March 8, 12-8 p.m. | March 9, 12-7 p.m. | March 10, 12-5:30 p.m.
Media-only preview on March 8, 10-noon.

WHERE: Trinity Hall, 311 East 5^th St. (500 feet from the Austin Convention Center)

WHO: Land O’Lakes with content and speakers from Whole Foods, The George Washington University, Nokia/Verizon, The Climate Corporation, Mayo Clinic, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and others. More than 20 speakers will lead conversations, including:

• Padma Lakshmi, executive producer and host of Bravo’s Top Chef, who will join The Washington Post Live’s editorial program
• Annie Granatstein, head of WP Brand Studio, The Washington Post
• Nona Evans, president and executive director, Whole Kids Foundation & Whole Cities Foundation
• Alexis Glick, founder, GENYOUth
• Danielle Nierenberg, co-founder, Food Tank
• Mark Young, CTO, The Climate Corporation
• John Hartnett, CEO, THRIVE AgTech
• Frank Sesno, correspondent, anchor and Washington Bureau Chief, CNN (1984-2001; 2005-2009) and director, The George Washington University’s School of Media & Public Affairs
• Dr. Marina Walther-Antonio, Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic
• Stewart Collis, senior program officer, Digital Agriculture Solutions, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
• Bob Reiter, head of R&D, Bayer Crop Science

VISUALS: Informative and interactive exhibits will include:

• An interactive art installation that lets guests provide their opinion on different agriculture and food issues.
• An immersive infographic experience that reveals shocking and empowering facts about biodiversity, agriculture, scarcity and our diets.
• A sculpture illustrating the interconnectedness of our food system and its effect on human health.
• Guests take on the role of a nanobot to explore larger-than-life food items and understand how technology is improving their everyday viability.