Greater Lincolnshire showcases innovation during US Agri‑Food visit

Published: 27th April 2026

Riseholme

The visit brought senior representatives from the US Foreign Agricultural Service to businesses and the University of Lincoln

Greater Lincolnshire showcased its international strength as senior representatives from the US Foreign Agricultural Service visited to see real innovation driving food and farming forward.

The delegation, including Anita Katial, Agricultural Counselor, and Jonathan Little, Agricultural Specialist, was hosted by the Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire Dame Andrea Jenkyns DBE, alongside partners from the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority and local businesses.

The visit included Branston Ltd, where the US delegation saw large-scale food manufacturing and innovation in action, followed by a visit to the University of Lincoln’s Riseholme Campus, showcasing practical uses of AI, robotics, crop forecasting and automation already being deployed on farms. The visit marked the start of closer working with the US Foreign Agricultural Service, creating opportunities to grow collaboration, trade and future investment.

Dame Andrea Jenkyns DBE, Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire, said: “We showed the US delegation what Lincolnshire does best, strong businesses, real innovation and real delivery. From Branston to Riseholme, we demonstrated how technology and AI are growing in practical, real-world ways, helping businesses work faster, cut waste and improve productivity on factory floors and farms alike. This isn’t talk or theory. It’s happening now. Lincolnshire is open for business and ready to lead.”

Discussions are now underway to build on the visit and explore next steps for trade, innovation and investment between the US and Greater Lincolnshire.

Notes to editors

  • The visit formed part of a one-day programme highlighting Greater Lincolnshire’s role in food production, agri-tech and innovation.
  •  Businesses and organisations involved included Branston Ltd, B-Hive Innovations, HarvestEye, Barclays Eagle Lab, FruitCast, Agaricus Robotics, FarmB, SmartFert, JABAS.AI, Ben Burgess, Vanellus Group, Pilgrim’s Europe, and Hilton Foods SeaChill, alongside representatives from the University of Lincoln. 
  • More images are available on request