We are a group of farmers and engineers applying technology to our farms to improve our food and the earth.
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Minimizing Food Loss
Farm-level food loss, when food either isn't harvested or goes bad before the time of sale, is an under-served layer of our food chain, and improvement here could massively benefit farmers. Farmers may intentionally leave produce behind if it doesn't meet market standards, but ultimately farmers need more information about their fields and when produce is ready to be harvested. Using cameras and sensors, we can provide analytics that help farmers decide how to allocate their labor and harvest crops on time.
One study found that one third of edible produce is lost on the farm, and we develop technology to help farmers get that back (Baker, 2016).
High Tunnel Growing
High tunnels are awesome - they protect plants from severe weather, extend plants' growing season, and give farmers more control over their crops. But temperatures in high tunnels are higher than temperatures outside, and if it gets too hot, yield and plant health is affected. Growers can open and close the tunnel sidewalls to permit more airflow and reduce temperatures, but this can be a chore. More sensors and technology could help growers keep tabs on their high tunnels and use them to provide the stable environment that plants prefer.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), a branch of the US Department of Agriculture, is currently providing grants to make it easier for growers to purchase high tunnels.
Improving Water Security
Across California and Portland, droughts and onerous regulations interrupt water supply, and meanwhile higher temperatures increase farmer's water demand. Drip irrigation is a widespread technique to efficiently allocate water to crops, but not all farms use sensors and automation to keep their plants watered. By combining weather data, soil moisture sensors, and real-time irrigation control, we can significantly reduce water use and irrigation costs to farmers.
Climate change is changing rainfall patterns and melting glaciers, and it will continue to threaten water security for farmers.
Improving Water Security
Across California and Portland, droughts and onerous regulations interrupt water supply, and meanwhile higher temperatures increase farmer's water demand. Drip irrigation is a widespread technique to efficiently allocate water to crops, but not all farms use sensors and automation to keep their plants watered. By combining weather data, soil moisture sensors, and real-time irrigation control, we can significantly reduce water use and irrigation costs to farmers.
Climate change is changing rainfall patterns and melting glaciers, and it will continue to threaten water security for farmers.
Read Our Substack->