Future Farmer May/June 2024

This Company is the Future of Crop Insurance

Reporting

pg.48

Interviews with ag experts from around the country!

Innovative Grower Advice

pg.58

Why Choose Stine Seed?

PARTNER

PARTNER

Future Farmer

Sam

Al Anderson Al@SpotlightMediaFargo.com

Tori Helland Tori@SpotlightMediaFargo.com

Dave McSparron Dave@SpotlightMediaFargo.com

Austin Cuka

AustinCuka@SpotlightMediaFargo.com

ClientRelations@SpotlightMediaFargo.com Jenny Johnson

Knudson

Stuber

TakingtheFutureof FarmingtoNewHeights

TenacityAgisChangingthe GameWithSprayDrones

ByJosiahKopp

|

ounded in early 2023 by longtime friends Micah Meyer, Devin Nohl, and Colin Domnick, Tenacity Ag brings the future of farming to a whole new level—literally. In the current landscape of agriculture, farmers and growers are continually looking for ways to make their operations more efficient and painless. Coming from farming backgrounds themselves, Meyer and Nohl recognized this need and decided to do something about it.

how to operate spray drones or know the proper application methods. This led Meyer and Nohl to open Tenacity Ag's first dealership in Hancock, MN, in 2023, selling drones and providing education and training to farmers.

"We felt like we were in a good position to start Tenacity Ag because many other people selling drones at that time came from the camera drone world, so they didn't understand agriculture or how farmers work," Nohl said. "[With our background in farming], we saw the opportunity to bring a better product and experience to farmers."

Didyouknow?

Spray drones are typically refilled in 45 to 60 seconds

WhyDronesarea CriticalPieceofthe FutureofFarming

Currently, on most farms, the ground sprayer is the most used piece of equipment, covering acres multiple times a year. Tenacity Ag mentioned one major reason people don't use aerial application as often is the cost of hiring a service. "The barrier to entry for an airplane is very expensive, and not many people want to fly them because it's dangerous," the Tenacity Ag team said.

Drones, however, provide an affordable way to do aerial application on your own farm. "That's why we feel like drones are experiencing such rapid adoption," the team said. "They give you options for both ground and air spraying."

Drones are becoming a standard piece of agricultural equipment, similar to the ground sprayer. As an ag dealership, farmers can work with Tenacity Ag for questions, parts, and sales, just as they would with their current equipment.

Efficiencyby theNumbers

With one spray drone, farmers can cover 50 acres per hour at a twogallon per acre rate.

CommonQuestions WeGetAsked

"Is a crop drone legal?" Yes, it is— Tenacity Ag helps walk you through the required testing and licensing to legally operate a drone. The total process usually takes 30-60 days.

AsUser-Friendly AsItGets

Tenacity Ag recognizes the anxiety farmers may have about the concept of flying a drone. That's why they offer what they believe is some of the best training in the industry, educating farmers on everything they need to know to make their drones a painless addition to their farming operation. One common misconception about flying a drone is that the pilot needs to manually control the aircraft. However, spray drones are extremely autonomous and can be controlled by a couple of

buttons on a screen, which leads to greater precision and time saved.

As certified drone pilots, Tenacity Ag can also provide free demos on customers' own farms, seeing the spray drones work in real-time and allowing for any questions to be answered.

Entering the world of spray drones also means needing an expert to guide you through which product is right for your size operation. As drone experts, Tenacity Ag is there to walk you through product options and help you decide on the best solution for your farming needs.

Community Involvement

In addition to being a successful new ag dealership, Tenacity Ag is a partner of Grand Farm and is committed to serving and educating the next generation of farmers through events like Grand Farm's field days.

WhatistheRoadrunnerTenderSystem?

The Roadrunner is a fast and easy-to-use tendering system designed for drone operators. The Roadrunner easily slides into the box of any full-sized pickup and carries everything needed to spray for the day. With very little setup/tear-down time and a mobile workstation for shorter ferrying, the Roadrunner will help you increase the efficiency and profitability of your drone and will also help you enjoy your time spraying.

The Roadrunner also comes equipped with a 4’x4’ elevated line of sight platform for the operator and a workstation for your ground crew, making the Roadrunner a perfect tendering solution for both large and small operations.

That's why Tenacity Ag offers a complete turnkey experience, taking customers from zero to a fully running spray drone operation. The products they offer include DJI and XAG drone models, TRIPLTEK control tablets, the Roadrunner Tender System, and parts to support your system. Additionally, they offer full drone service and repair, assist you with licensing, and more. Customers can be up and flying for under $40,000. In addition to selling drones, Tenacity Ag provides real-time, detailed aerial mapping of farmers' fields. Using a smaller camera drone, images are collected

from above the field and imported into software that stitches them into an orthomosaic map.

This map, created from the drone's images, allows farmers to examine their fields and identify any issues with their crop health. Once the field is digitized, prescriptions can be created and sent to other equipment, such as a spray drone, ground sprayer, or other tools, to manage different areas of the field.

Wefirmlybelieve thereisaplaceon eachoperationfora drone—notonlynow butinthefuture."

- Tenacity

Ag

TheNext Generationof AerialApplicationn

As smart farming continues to take leaps in the ag world, two key topics are becoming an area of focus for farmers: safety and precision. The aerial application industry is seeing more opportunities for drones, which offer a cost-efficient, safer, and precise method, helping farmers get more out of their crops and helping with their ROI.

"There's more demand for aerial application than ever before because a lot of these new crop protection products that we have on the market—mainly fungicides and Foliar Nutrition products—they all need to be applied late in the season when your crop is tall," the Tenacity team said. "Aerial application can be the only option to do it and will provide the best return for the farmer."

Tenacity Ag currently has two dealership locations in Morris, MN, and Rock Rapids, IA. Tenacity Ag is planning to add more locations in the near

Death and taxes: Nothing in the world is more certain, as the saying goes. We can’t cheat death. But we can be better prepared for it.

For farm families, life insurance is like planting seeds of financial protection now and in the future. The primary reason for purchasing life insurance is the need to protect those you love financially in the event of your death.

The proceeds from a life insurance policy can be used to help pay for a number of financial needs, such as making mortgage payments, paying down debt to be put toward college expenses, or helping to fill other financial gaps. Whole Life, a type of permanent insurance can also be used to help supplement retirement.

So how much life insurance do you need? There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, so you’ll want to take into account considerations specific to farmers and other agricultural businesses. Your policy should be carefully tailored based on a combination of important financial and lifestyle factors, including:

• Amount of debt owed

• Size of your family

• Annual income and income replacement needs

What Type of Life Insurance May Be Right for You?

• Standard of living

• Education expenses

• Legacy planning

There are two main categories of life insurance—Term and Permanent:

Provides coverage for a fixed period of time—often 10, 20, or 30 years. If you die while covered by the policy, the death benefit is paid to your beneficiaries.

A type of permanent life insurance that covers you for your entire life. As long as you make your required premium payments, a death benefit is guaranteed to your beneficiaries whenever you die.

There is no cash value accrual, which can generally make these policies far less expensive than permanent policies.

It has the potential to build cash value that can be accessed during the policyowner’s lifetime.

May appeal to those who are looking for affordable coverage for a specific time, such as the length of your mortgage or for the years you’re raising a family—so that if you were no longer in the picture, that coverage would be there when your family may need it the most.

May appeal to policy owners who need the protection of the death benefit, but would also like the ability to access the cash value during their lifetime, to supplement retirement income, help pay for college tuition, or any other reason.

But keep in mind that tapping into the cash value reduces the future death benefit and increases the chance the policy could lapse, triggering a taxable event.

It’s important to remember, regardless of which type of life insurance you choose, premium payments are generally not tax deductible.

Life insurance proceeds typically are not taxable, however the interest accrued on the proceeds from the date of the insured’s death may be taxable.

If you have specific questions, you should consult with a tax advisor or legal consultant.

Now that your crops are in the ground, it might be a good time to take a few minutes to meet with a licensed life insurance professional, who has the specialized skills to write a customized agricultural-focused life insurance solution that fits you, your family, and your legacy.

Things to Know

By Grant Ayers

Get To Know The Speakers!

Ballatori, Founder & CEO of Agency 29 | Courtesy of

MAUREEN BALLATORI AGENCY 29

Maureen

Maureen Ballatori

Challenges and Solutions

| What specific challenges in agriculture does Agency 29 aim to address, and how do you approach these challenges?

Agnecy 29 is focused on growth. We always aim to make a positive impact on a client's top-line revenue and overall business efficiency as it relates to marketing and strategy. One client is a five-generation family business that just had their largest quarter ever and said, "We attribute that growth to our work with Agency 29."

| What are five "highs," or successes that you've seen in the last year?

Winning Entrepreneur of the Year by Enterprising Women Magazine. Being named one of the fastest-growing MWBE-owned businesses in Rochester, NY.

Winning a National AgriMarketing Award at the national level from the National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA).

Growing my team to eight people. Rebranding the agency.

| What are three "lows," or challenges faced during Agency 29's opening/ expansion phase?

COVID-19, of course, was a huge hit. We were hyper-focused on scaling and had to hunker down instead. But we persevered and made it through together as a team one day at a time.

Growth. I started the agency as a freelancing side venture nearly 18 years ago and when I took the agency full-time eight years ago, it was challenging to know what steps should come next. I hired consultants to advise me and that's how we made it through.

Niching down was a high and a low. It was a very difficult decision and we worried that we'd alienate our non-industry clients but they stuck with us.

Community Engagement

| In what ways does Agency 29 engage with your local community? Are there local organizations or events you partner with or participate in?

We partner with a local collaborative kitchen to support early-stage entrepreneurs to scale their businesses. We have an education series we do with them and we also mentor individual entrepreneurs.

| As a participant in the Cultivate Conference, what unique perspectives or solutions does Agency 29 bring to the table?

There aren't many agencies that focus on working exclusively with food, beverage, and agriculture brands, so we look forward to bringing that niche expertise to the conference and sharing some perspectives on storytelling to connect with consumers. I frequently speak around the US on branding, marketing, and strategy and look forward to sharing some insights on those topics as they relate to ag-tech.

| In what ways does Agency 29 foster collaboration between technology developers and growers? Can you describe a collaborative project that had a notable impact?

We support emerging and scaling agtech startups to help them find their target customers. We also work with state agriculture associations to help them connect with their producers and embrace new technology.

| Looking at the future of agriculture technology, what emerging trends or innovations do you think will significantly impact the agtech industry over the next five years?

AI will have a significant impact on the industry over the next five years but I don't think it will be in the way some people expect. Some people are expecting to buy and implement a dedicated AI software, but that's not how it will happen. AI will continue to permeate organizations in small ways that continue to have bigger impacts over time.

Today it's predictive language suggestions in emails and tomorrow it will be more significant. Smart companies will look for ways to start exposing their operation to AI early on so they can benefit from the improvements as it continues to grow.

Agency 29

agency29.com

maureen@agency29.com (315) 332-1717

127 Railroad St Ste 220, Rochester, NY 14609

Agustín Büchert, Chief Science Officer and Co-founder of ClearLeaf | Courtesy of Agustín Büchert, ClearLeaf

AGUSTÍN BÜCHERT CLEARLEAF

Challenges and Solutions

| What challenges in agriculture does ClearLeaf aim to address, and how do you approach these challenges?

The need for farmers to use highly toxic agrochemicals to maintain crop yield and income, despite grave concerns about their harm to health and the environment. Current non-toxic alternatives like biologicals leave huge gaps in efficacy, adaptability, and coverage that will take decades to fill.

ClearLeaf's product GotaBlanca provides a powerful, sustainable, safe, and effective solution to control fungal and bacterial pests without the negative impacts of toxic pesticides. It aims to transform crop protection.

| What are five "highs," or successes that you've seen in the last year?

Secured new market registrations for GotaBlanca in Nicaragua, Honduras, and Panama in addition to initial registration in Costa Rica. Received purchase orders from all these countries.

Demonstrated GotaBlanca's effectiveness for postharvest applications, with strong market demand, particularly for fresh produce exports.

In discussions with a large pineapple exporter.

A successful trial with Walmart in Costa Rica showing GotaBlanca increased onion yield by 6-8% and quality by 17% compared to current pesticides. Walmart officially recommended GotaBlanca

to onion and tomato suppliers.

Entered discussions with potential partners in numerous international markets—most notably Australia, Japan, South Africa, and Colombia. Finalizing licensing deals for Japan and South Korea.

Advanced IP protection, with patents granted or allowed in over 30 countries worldwide.

| What are five "lows," or challenges faced during ClearLeaf's opening/ expansion phase?

Slow adoption of new technologies by risk-averse farmers. Overcame by ensuring GotaBlanca is easy to use with existing equipment and methods.

Higher prices compared to cheap generic pesticides. Overcame by emphasizing GotaBlanca's premium effectiveness, safety, and benefits.

Intense competition from entrenched agrochemical giants. Overcame by forming partnerships with innovative distributors looking for better solutions.

Securing early adopters and distribution partners. Overcame by conducting trials with major growers and exporters to drive market demand.

Time and cost of new market registrations. Overcame by partnering with distributors to share registration costs. We also pursued regulatory paths allowing faster approvals.

Community Engagement

| In what ways does ClearLeaf engage with the local community? Are there local organizations or events you partner with or participate in?

We often participate in events with farmers including informative and educational sessions with farmers. We have partnered with local startup accelerators to share our experience as a startup and our journey. We have a team of seasoned salespeople who walk the farms with our clients to better understand their needs and provide support.

| As a participant in the Cultivate Conference, what unique perspectives or solutions does ClearLeaf bring to the table?

Experience developing and commercializing a novel, highly effective yet safe crop protection product.

Expertise in navigating regulatory hurdles across multiple countries to bring innovative ag-tech to market.

Insights on fostering the adoption

of new sustainable technologies by risk-averse growers. Strategies for competing against entrenched giants and transforming entrenched practices in crop protection.

| Does ClearLeaf utilize technologies like AI, ML, or robotics?

Our core technology is an innovative crop protection chemistry. While we don't apply directly concepts of AI, ML, or robotics, we ensure our product is compatible with such technologies. For example, we have clients using automated drones to spray our product on crops.

| In what ways does ClearLeaf foster collaboration between technology developers and growers? Can you describe a project that had a notable impact?

We collaborated with both Walmart and major growers on field trials of GotaBlanca in key crops like onions and tomatoes. These trials demonstrated the product's benefits and led Walmart to recommend it to its suppliers. We also partner with major produce exporters and multinationals to conduct trials and get their feedback to optimize the product for their needs. We work closely with distributors

who have relationships with growers to drive awareness, education, and adoption of GotaBlanca worldwide.

| Looking at the future of agriculture technology, what emerging trends or innovations do you think will have the most significant impact on the industry over the next five years?

There is a growing emphasis on sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices that prioritize soil health, biodiversity, and water conservation. Technologies such as automated irrigation systems, biofertilizers, and crop rotation are being used to promote eco-friendly farming. Regenerative agriculture aims to restore soil health and sequester carbon, contributing to climate change mitigation. GotaBlanca's soil-friendly profile aligns with regenerative agriculture practices, so we are very happy to be part of this muchneeded change.

@ClearAgro

@ClearAgro

AGRICULTURE

EDDY MEJIA EARNEST

Eddy Mejia, CEO of Earnest Agriculture | Courtesy of Eddy Mejia

Challenges and Solutions

| What specific challenges in agriculture does Earnest Agriculture aim to address, and how do you approach these challenges?

Our company aims to address several challenges in agriculture, primarily focusing on enhancing crop productivity, reducing chemical dependency, and promoting soil health. We approach these challenges by developing innovative biological solutions that leverage natural microbial communities to improve nutrient uptake, crop resilience, disease resistance, and overall plant health. Through rigorous testing and collaboration with farmers, seed developers, and distributors, we ensure that our products meet the specific needs of agriculture while minimizing environmental impact and fostering sustainability in crop production.

| What are five "highs," or successes that you've seen in the last year?

Acceptance into the top global accelerator program SOSV IndieBioNY program, which provided us with invaluable support and resources to accelerate our growth and innovation.

Participation in the AgLaunch365 Program, which offers us unique opportunities to collaborate with industry experts and further develop our agricultural solutions. Out of 60 startups who applied, 10 were voted on by farmers; Earnest was 1 of the 10.

Successful execution of our 2024 Summer Field Trials across various locations in the United States (Iowa, Tennessee, North Dakota, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois) and Canada, allowing us to gather crucial data and insights to refine our products and practices. We are very excited about our acceptance and trial at Grand Farm.

Welcoming two new high-caliber full-time employees to our team, enhancing our research capabilities, and ensuring consistency in our operations.

Demonstrating tangible results from our 2023 field trials, with a significant 7% increase in corn yield and a 6% increase in soybean yield attributed to the use of Earnest's products. These findings validate the efficacy and impact of our solutions in improving crop performance and farmer outcomes.

| What are five "lows," or challenges faced during Earnest Agriculture's opening/ expansion phase?

Limited company runway by the end of 2023. We secured acceptance into the IndieBio program, which provided us with additional resources and support to extend our runway. This was followed by participation in the AgLaunch program, further bolstering our financial stability and growth prospects.

DNA-related issues with Bacteria A-Team. Our initial bacterial strain encountered hurdles with EPA regulations due to disease-related concerns. To overcome this, we redesigned our algorithm and introduced a new version utilizing the B-Team strain, ensuring compliance and

efficacy in our products.

Inexperience in running field trials During our initial attempts at field trials, we encountered several challenges. However, with the guidance and support of the AgLaunch team, we were able to navigate these hurdles more smoothly in subsequent trials, learning valuable lessons and refining our processes along the way.

Unsuccessful grant applications from USDA and NSF Despite not being awarded grants in previous attempts, we have continuously improved our applications, resulting in higher scores each year. We remain optimistic about our chances in the upcoming 2024 grant cycles and are committed to further refining our proposals to increase our chances of success.

Challenges with second-hand equipment Acquiring secondhand equipment posed both benefits and drawbacks, as some items worked seamlessly while others required additional attention and maintenance. To mitigate these challenges, we implemented thorough inspection processes and invested in proactive maintenance measures, ensuring that our equipment remains reliable and operational when needed.

Community Engagement

| In what ways does Earnest Agriculture engage with the local community? Are there local organizations or events you partner with or participate in?

Our business deeply engages with the local community through impactful initiatives. Since 2018, we have proudly hosted an internship program in collaboration with the University of Illinois. This program, tailored for marketing interns, has provided more than 30 students from diverse backgrounds with hands-on experience and exposure to cutting-edge tools in our industry. Additionally, we've been running a lab internship since 2022, offering invaluable opportunities for aspiring professionals to gain practical skills and knowledge. These initiatives not only benefit the students but also contribute to the development of our

local talent pool and community. We actively participate in and support a range of local organizations and events, fostering meaningful connections within our community. Our partnerships extend to various University of Illinois (UIUC) programs and events, including the iVenture Accelerator—a student startup accelerator—and the UIUC iEngage program. We also engage with the UIUC agtech ecosystem and research park, contributing to the advancement of agricultural innovation and education. Beyond UIUC, we support events and programs in Chicago (World Business Chicago) and New York (LifeSci NYC), as well as at St. Ambrose University. These collaborations underscore our commitment to driving positive change and nurturing a vibrant local ecosystem.

| As a participant in the Cultivate Conference, what unique perspectives or solutions does Earnest Agriculture bring to the table?

As a participant in the Cultivate

Conference, our company brings a unique perspective to the table with our innovative approach to biologicals. While traditional methods rely on single-strain biological inputs, Earnest Agriculture employs a multi-strain approach. We take inspiration from the "Moneyball" philosophy, strategically matching strains together to maximize efficacy and yield. This approach offers growers a more precise and effective solution for their needs and represents a significant shift in the way biological inputs are utilized in agriculture.

| How does Earnest Agriculture utilize technologies like AI, ML, or robotics to enhance agricultural practices? Could you provide an example of a project or initiative?

At Earnest Agriculture, we utilize AI, ML, and robotics in our research facility to streamline operations and speed product development. We've developed a system using robotics and ML to analyze the performance

of our microbial combinations in the greenhouse, collaborating with University of Illinois students to improve data gathering. Additionally, AI helps us streamline product creation using our extensive microbial database, continuously improving as we collect additional data.

| In what ways does Earnest Agriculture foster collaboration between technology developers and growers? Can you describe a collaborative project that had a notable impact?

At Earnest, we believe in the power of partnerships between technology developers and growers to drive innovation and impact.

Our current priority project is testing our products, Prairie Power and Prairie Power Plus in collaboration with the University of Illinois at Urbana/ Champaign, the University of Guelph, and Contract Research Organizations across the US. This project is about ensuring that every step we take is rooted in real-world insights and feedback from leading experts, and growers.

We're also proud to be part of a project alongside stakeholders from Iowa, Illinois, St. Ambrose University, and the USDA, focused on accelerating prairie land restoration. It's a testament

to what's possible when we come together with a shared purpose: to steward our land responsibly and sustainably for future generations.

In every partnership and project, we're driven by a personal conviction to make a difference in the lives of growers and the health of our planet. Because when we collaborate, we don't just innovate—we cultivate a brighter future for agriculture, one relationship at a time.

| Looking at the future of agriculture technology, what emerging trends or innovations do you think will have the most significant impact on the industry over the next five years?

As we look ahead to the future of agriculture, I can't help but feel an undeniable sense of excitement. It's a future where data isn't just important—it's king. At Earnest, we are passionate about harnessing the power of data to drive meaningful change in our industry.

We're already witnessing the transformative impact of precision agriculture, fueled by innovations such as drones, sensors, and IoT devices. These technologies empower farmers with real-time insights and datadriven decision-making capabilities that were once unimaginable. It's

a game-changer, allowing us to fine-tune our operations, minimize waste, and maximize yields—all while treading more lightly on the land.

But what truly gets my heart racing is the untapped potential of biological research. Did you know that despite our advancements, we've only scratched the surface of the microbial world? 99.99% of microbes are still to be discovered. It's staggering to think about the wealth of biological resources waiting to be discovered and leveraged in agriculture.

Over the next five years, I see us embarking on a journey toward embracing these biological inputs on a massive scale. And when you pair them with the latest in precision agriculture tech and artificial intelligence, the possibilities are limitless. Together, we'll not only optimize resource management and enhance sustainability but also pave the way for a more resilient agricultural future.

Because with data as our compass, technology as our guide, and biology as our ally, we're not just shaping the future of farming—we're cultivating a legacy of innovation and sustainability that will endure for generations to come.

Earnest Agriculture growearnest.com

847-483-4487

/GrowEarnest

/company/growearnest

@GrowEarnest

505 E Condit Dr, Rantoul, IL 61866

SHAYE KOESTERWANNER

Shaye Koester-Wanner, Owner & Founder of Casual Cattle Conversations LLC | Courtesy of Shaye Koester-Wanner

Challenges and Solutions

| What challenges in agriculture does Casual Cattle Conversations LLC aim to address, and how do you approach these challenges?

We empower ranchers to build more profitable operations by filtering through the noise and bringing them the ideas, stories, and research that are most relevant to them.

| What are five "highs," or successes that you've seen in the last year?

Increased RancherMind membership.

A podcast episode that reached almost 1,000 views within the first week.

Increased podcast ad sales.

Interviewing several dream guests.

Hiring an additional assistant.

| What are five "lows," or challenges faced during Casual Cattle Conversations LLC's opening/ expansion phase?

Showing ranchers how to listen to podcasts. I overcame this by posting how-to videos and starting my newsletter.

Doing it all before I was able to hire someone else. I focused on the most important actions.

Podcast Growth I interviewed top-notch guests to build interest.

Podcast Tech. I self-taught myself everything about podcasting other than a few editing techniques; YouTube helped me a lot.

Consistency. I started creating workflows to make my weeks more organized.

Community Engagement

| Does Casual Cattle Conversations LLC engage with the local community? Are there local organizations or events you partner with or participate in?

I engage in the community as an individual, but I'd like to get into hosting events or MC'ing for other organization meetings.

| As a participant in the Cultivate Conference, what unique perspectives or solutions does Casual Cattle Conversations LLC bring to the table?

I am a young farmer/rancher. I come to conferences with an open mind but lots of ideas and stories that I've heard over five years of podcasting.

| How does Casual Cattle Conversations LLC utilize technologies like AI or ML?

I utilize AI to draft my podcast descriptions and a few social media posts.

| In what ways does Casual Cattle Conversations LLC foster collaboration between technology developers and growers?

I connect my listeners to new technology and explain how it can be applied to their operations with an emphasis on ROI.

| Looking at the future of agriculture technology, what emerging trends or innovations do you think will have the most significant impact on the industry over the next five years?

Ease of data collection in the cow-calf industry.

Casual Cattle Conversations LLC

casualcattleconversations.com

casualcattleconversations@gmail.com

/CattleConvos

@CattleConvos

@CattleConvos

@CattleConvos

Harvesting Data, Growing Solutions Grower Pain Point

Innovative Startups Arm Farmers with Tech Tools for Smarter, Sustainable Yields

By Geneva Nodland

echnology and the data that it provides for your farming operation is great. However, as instruments continue improving, utilizing them all can become difficult. If one chooses, one can access data from soil sensors, weather stations, satellite imagery, and IoT-enabled farm equipment. This abundance of data can make it difficult to distill actionable insights.

The following startups are working to eliminate that problem by making data more actionable.

Growers are the end users of technology. Their voices and their feedback need to be heard to ensure that we're solving their challenges. That's why in this recurring feature, we'll review challenges that growers face every day on their farms, examine the pain points, and look at possible solutions.

To learn more about the grower pain points, you can review Grand Farm's Grower Pain Point Report at grandfarm.com/growers

farmAIr

farmAIr, an innovative AgriTech startup, is revolutionizing crop protection through its early and accurate detection of both biotic (like pests) and abiotic (like drought) plant stresses. farmAIr is deeply committed to sustainable agriculture, aiming to balance the growing global demand for food with environmental conservation and social equality as part of its mission to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

At the core of farmAIr's technology is a patented system that combines thermal and RGB (visual) imaging with cuttingedge computer vision and artificial intelligence. This system functions like an MRI for plants, detecting subtle signs of stress in crops long before they become visible to the human eye. For instance, it can spot the early stages of diseases

in vineyard trunks years before they show any symptoms, giving farmers a significant edge in managing their crop health.

Farmers Benefits:

Early Detection:

farmAIr’s technology identifies the initial signs of stress such as minor temperature changes or slight alterations in color and texture, which are undetectable by conventional methods. This allows farmers to address issues like infections or water stress at the very onset, preventing them from escalating and affecting crop yields.

The Agronomists' MRI

farmAIr is often referred to as the "MRI for Agronomists" due to its advanced ability to detect plant stress at a microscopic level—much like how an MRI scans for human body issues that are not visible to the naked eye.

Precise Interventions

submitted by farmAir

With accurate, early detection, farmers can apply targeted interventions—whether it's watering, adjusting nutrients, or applying pesticides—only where needed. This saves resources and minimizes the environmental impact of farming.

Improved Crop Health and Yield

By catching and addressing problems early, farmAIr helps farmers maintain healthier crops, which leads to better yields and higher-quality produce. This is crucial for maximizing profitability and sustainability in farming operations.

Data-Driven Decisions

farmAIr provides farmers with actionable data gathered from their fields. This data-driven approach helps to make informed decisions, optimize farm operations, and improve overall productivity—we're talking win-win-win!

With farmAIr’s cutting-edge tech, farmers can pinpoint issues with surgical precision, but this tech goes beyond boosting daily farm ops; it’s a major player in the push for a greener, more sustainable agricultural future. So, for farmers who dream of supercharging their yields while caring for the earth, farmAIr might be your next big thing. If you're interested in learning more, check out their website!

submitted by Spornado

Spornado

Spornado is revolutionizing how farmers detect and manage crop diseases, offering a unique early alert system that captures air samples to conduct DNA analysis, pinpointing potential crop diseases quickly and accurately. This innovative approach enables farmers to apply treatments only when necessary, reducing guesswork and enhancing sustainability.

"The reason we're doing this is that up until now, there's been a lot of guesswork involved," Spornado CEO and cofounder Kristine White said. "Farmers spray their fungicides based on what the label says... and they do it whether or not

they know if the disease is present. What we're trying to do is give them more information, so they can pick the time to spray; so maybe in the future, we can even help them decide what to spray."

The concept for Spornado emerged when a friend contacted White in search of an outdoor air sampler for agricultural use. White, who had been working in the air sampling realm indoors, looked for an outdoor sampler tech—but all she found was large tech used by research groups, and these weren't practical for growers. This gap in the market spurred her to develop an affordable and effective solution.

- Kristine White Spornado CEO and Co-founder

submitted by Spornado

Spornado's tool allows farmers to collect air samples from their fields, with results from the lab returned within 24 hours. This rapid turnaround is crucial for timely and effective disease management.

Spornado quickly gained traction after its launch, particularly in potato fields. The company's growth accelerated after joining an accelerator program in California, which connected Spornado with key individuals and expanded its network.

As Spornado continues to grow, White is focused on developing strategic partnerships with retailers, crop protection companies, and tech providers rather than relying solely on direct farm sales.

Spornado's tool offers a transformative approach to precision agriculture, ensuring farmers can protect their crops more effectively and sustainably.

submitted by Scoutlabs

SCOUTLabs (previously SMAPP LAB)

Step into the future of agriculture with Scoutlabs (previously known as SMAPP LAB), the pioneers behind the world’s first affordable and scalable insect monitoring service. This innovation is transforming pest management with new, practical, and easy-to-use pheromone traps with IoTenabled functions.

Scoutlabs' approach upgrades traditional traps into smart traps outfitted with mini IoT devices. These devices physically catch the insects for analysis and deliver centralized, real-time decision-making data that is sent to the Scoutlabs' team, analyzed, and reported back to the farmer.

Scoutlabs stands out, as their focus is not only on the tech but rather about making that tech accessible. The Mini IoT device has a one-time cost of $55, with a yearly software subscription of $33 per device. The devices are sent directly to the growers and can be put together in minutes, guided by a video tutorial. They are then distributed across the acreage, and can immediately begin their data collection. This pricing and setup is a game changer compared to the traditional pest analysis tech out there—one that is normally seen at high costs and time-eating, manual labor.

Inside the Tech

This tiny device has a big impact for farmers. Depending on the crop—like high-value or broad-value crops (or commodity crops)—there are different recommendations for the device-toacreage ratio.

High-Value: about 1 device per 10 acres

Broad-Value: about 1 device per 60 acres

submitted by Scoutlabs

Why Choose scoutlabs?

Labor Reduction

Automating the monitoring process leads to an 80% reduction in labor costs associated with insect tracking.

Real-Time Insights

The centralized system provides real-time updates and high-quality data daily, allowing for timely and informed decision-making.

Affordability

With low initial and ongoing costs, this solution is both budget-friendly and effective at scale.

With Scoutlabs' tech, farmers can monitor their crops to help make yield-changing decisions. This tool also collects data that helps growers, as well as the Scoutlabs teams in better understanding and even predicting the migration of pests and insects.

scoutlabs.ag /company/scoutlabs/

Ukko Agro

Ukko Agro is at the forefront of agricultural technology, dedicated to enhancing the precision and profitability of farming in North America through its cutting-edge digital platform. With its proprietary Field Adaptive and Integrated Modelling (F.A.I.M) platform—ForeSite™—

Ukko Agro provides ag retailers and their grower customers with advanced, field-specific staging information and predictive analytics for crop disease and growth stages up to 14 days in advance.

Their vision is to transform the agri-tech space by integrating sophisticated digital data gathering with their algorithms to offer actionable insights that improve both input management and crop yield. ForeSite™ leverages localized weather forecasting and crop data to offer precise recommendations for when and where to apply high-value insecticides and fungicides.

ForeSite™ is designed to be simple, reliable, and economical. It reduces the guesswork in crop management by providing hyperlocalized, research-based predictions that guide farmers on everything from disease prevention to crop growth based on a variety of factors including weather, seed variety, and planting date. Ukko Agro encourages potential users to take ForeSite™ for a test drive to see firsthand how their predictive analytics could benefit specific farming operations.

submitted by Ukko Agro

It's just the beginning

Current Capabilities

Disease models predict the risk of disease and optimal fungicide application up to a week in advance. Crop growth models forecast how crops will develop over the next two weeks.

Future Developments

Improved soil management tools will advise on nitrogen application to optimize yield and minimize environmental impact. Insect models will provide timely alerts for scouting, saving time and resources.

Founded by experts passionate about sustainable and profitable farming, Ukko Agro operates at the intersection of plant science and data science. The company's dedicated team is supported by advisors from top universities and industry veterans.

Ukko Agro's commitment to data-driven farming solutions is reshaping how ag-input retailers and farmers approach crop management, making the process more informed, efficient, and productive. With ongoing expansions in its capabilities and insights, Ukko Agro is set to continue leading the charge in the digital agriculture revolution!

MYAGDATA IS DIGITIZING AG

By Geneva Nodland

or decades every year, farmers across the country grab their paper maps and colored pens to prepare their crop insurance reports for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). But, for the first time ever, growers have the opportunity to prepare their reports in mere hours, utilizing software that replaces that paper and pen for a certified digital method—all through MyAgData.

Recently joining the North Dakota ag tech ecosystem, the pioneering company MyAgData, is setting new standards for crop insurance and USDA reporting. Co-founded by Chief Strategy Officer Don Bierman, MyAgData will launch its first full year of digitized crop insurance reporting this year; but this software has been in the works for almost 12 years, all to prep for this moment.

Growing up on a tiny dairy farm in Illinois, Don's father found himself in many agricultural roles throughout his life, and Don followed in his footsteps. His deep

roots in ag extended into a career in cooperative systems, where he helped start a technology company called Crop IMS, which tested innovations for cooperative members. Between this experience and Don and his father's work on their own farm, Don became passionate about creating a solution for a common issue among U.S. farmers—complicated USDA reporting processes.

In 2011, he started addressing this with a technology solution developed from grassroots efforts among farmers, which is now called MyAgData.

"My board, those farmers, were really keen on helping to foster whatever can be done to fix that problem, so that's how my idea became a thing," Don said. "We got hooked up with some other technology folks who understood how to make it work. And, you know, it only took 12 years, and here we are. Now we're ready for this to happen with the USDA."

SO, WHAT DOES MYAGDATA DO?

The transformation that MyAgData brings to the agricultural sector is hard to compare to anything else—its universality is a key component.

"There are very few things that impact virtually every grower across the United States, one of them is regulatory reporting," MyAgData CEO Michelle Tressel said. "So,

for any grower across the United States that wants to participate in either federal farm program, be it disaster recovery or crop insurance, they're required to file two reports, one into the into the Farm Service Agency (FSA), the other into the Risk Management Agency (RMA) around crop insurance."

The Reporting Process

Crop Insurance Reporting for the FUTURE

98% of acres across the US participate in a federal farm program. Currently, there are 2.5 million reports filed annually, and it's done in that manual fashion—paper maps. That's how every grower across the United States has to file their acreage report for their FSA office!

The main goal of the startup? Easing the burden of regulatory reporting for farmers participating in these federal farm programs. As Don explained, from watching and joining his father on their family farm and in their co-op experience—they just want to solve problems that farmers face.

The manual reporting process method, while traditional, is time-consuming and susceptible to human error, affecting nearly all farm acres that are covered by federal farm programs. To address these challenges, MyAgData has

digitized the entire reporting process. Over the past decade, they've collaborated with the USDA to refine a system where data from farm equipment— like tractors and planters—can be uploaded directly and automatically. MyAgData supports integrations with major agricultural machinery brands such as John Deere, Case IH, Climate FieldView, Topcon, and Ag Leader, allowing farmers to choose (or continue using) their preferred equipment for data collection. This data is then securely transmitted to the relevant agencies, effectively removing the need for manual entry.

People think about

we do like TurboTax," Michelle said.

THERE ARE 3 MAIN BENEFITS TO MYAGDATA'S INTEGRATION.

Time Efficiency

The new system significantly cuts the time spent on reporting. Farmers can complete their necessary documentation in under an hour from the comfort of their own homes, at any time of day. This is a major leap from the old method, which could take much longer and require the physical handling of multiple documents.

Cost Savings

By accurately reporting only the acreage that has been planted (with the data from the machinery doing the planting), farmers can reduce the cost of crop insurance. Traditional methods often led to discrepancies due to over or under-reported land usage, but with precise digital maps and data, farmers are only insuring the land they actually use—which MyAgData has estimated can lead to savings of between 3% to 10% on crop insurance premiums.

For a farmer managing 1,500 acres, just looking at a 3% savings, this could translate to an annual saving of around $3,000!

Increased Accuracy & Reduced Audit Risk

With all data consolidated and submitted through a digital platform directly to a USDA-managed clearing house, the accuracy of reports improves dramatically. This accuracy not only ensures compliance but also significantly decreases the likelihood of audits.

"By submitting their data directly, and it being used both by FSA and RMA, you have much less issue with errors in the data, and therefore you're less likely to have an audit," Michelle said. "And if there's something farmers don't want—it's an audit."

When farmers bring MyAgData into their fields, they're modernizing their farm management, but this isn't just about using new tech. By adding precision and efficiency to the mix, they're prepping for a wallet-friendly season along with a future where managing their acres feels less like guesswork and more like a well-oiled machine.

Meet CEO Michelle Tressler

As CEO of MyAgData, Michelle drives business development and strategic partnerships, leveraging over 20 years of experience in investment management, agriculture, healthcare, and software. Known for her knack for connecting people and ideas, she delivers sophisticated solutions in complex, regulated environments. Before MyAgData, Michelle held leadership roles at Nuveen Investments, Parametric Portfolio Associates, and Morgan Stanley, and taught finance at Stetson University. She began her career at EY and holds a Master’s in Accountancy from the University of Notre Dame and a Bachelor’s in Finance from Stetson University.

/michelle-tressel

Meet CoFounder Don Bierman

Don is deeply rooted in the ag community, having grown up on a small farm in southeastern Illinois. He completed his education at the University of Illinois in 1981. He spent over three decades at Wabash Valley Service Company before taking the helm as CEO of Crop IMS LLC, a company that provides tech solutions to farmers across the Midwest, based in Illinois and Wisconsin. His expertise in ag technology also led him to assist in founding Independent Data Management LLC in 2012, which launched MyAgData!

/don-bierman-a22b2521

WHY IS THIS UNIQUE?

While most growers know, the USDA-managed clearing house is a centralized data repository used by the USDA to collect, manage, and distribute agricultural data, in this case, for programs related to crop insurance and farm subsidies. This system is designed to streamline the process of reporting agricultural data, which is critical for the efficient management of various federal agricultural programs, and MyAgData is the only third party authorized to submit data

This means they have worked not only to improve farmers' experience with reporting, but they have also worked alongside the USDA to comply and configure software that benefits every party.

The USDA can see those benefits as they receive ag data in a standardized electronic format through the MyAgData system. This setup enhances data management efficiency, allowing for quicker integration and information processing—which is essential for program administration. The accuracy provided by electronic submissions helps minimize errors and potential fraud, ensuring that resources are allocated based on reliable data.

Not only the boots on the ground and the loafers in the office are impacted‚ but the middlemen are finding benefits of this too. States gain economically and strategically from MyAgData’s integration with the USDA clearing house. Improved access to federal agricultural programs stabilizes farmer incomes, which are vital to the agricultural sector’s contribution to the state economy. Accurate and timely data allows for better resource allocation and helps state authorities make informed decisions about environmental conservation and agricultural planning. This alignment ensures that agricultural practices contribute positively to both the state's economy and its environmental goals.

MyAgData's role as the sole third-party authorized to interface directly with the USDA-managed clearing house represents a critical step forward in modernizing agricultural data management and making federal agricultural programs more accessible and efficient for all stakeholders involved.

Precision agriculture, or "precision ag" for short, harnesses the power of gadgets—think GPS, drones, and smart sensors—to make farming more efficient and eco-friendly. Using this technology, they can zone in on the specific needs of each plot and product. MyAgData created software to utlize the data from this tech to then feed to the USDA's reporting systems. This kind of farming is not just with a tractor, but with a whole arsenal of tech tools that help grow more sustainably and productively or all.

Here, Quentin is using MyAgData to precision map out dryland and irrigated fields using the reports!

REAL FARMERS, REAL RESULTS

Now, using MyAgData all sounds great in theory, but why would the everyday farmer change their methods? Well, by looking at the impacts from a real out-in-the-field farmer, they might get an idea.

Quentin first crossed paths with MyAgData's technology at the Bushel Buddy Conference in Fargo in 2023, a gathering known and celebrated for connecting agricultural professionals with the latest advancements in ag tech. It was here that he met Michelle and learned about how MyAgData's software could revolutionize his reporting processes. Intrigued by the potential to streamline the cumbersome task of regulatory compliance, Quentin jumped on board to be 1 of 50 who participated in the beta program MyAgData was launching.

Quentin got an early taste of what the software could do and the experience truly transformed his approach to USDA reporting.

Previously, Quentin's entire 160-acre field was classified as irrigated, which meant he was potentially overpaying on insurance since the entire area wasn’t used to its irrigated potential. MyAgData allowed him to "bust out the circles" or accurately define and separate the irrigated parts of his fields from the non-irrigated (dryland) parts. With precise mapping, Quentin was able to better manage the risks associated with droughts. By ensuring only the irrigated areas are counted as such, he maintains better control over water resources and can ensure adequate water supply even during dry spells. This precision in resource management is crucial

Meet

Quentin Connealy

Meet Quentin, or Q, Connealy, a fifth-generation farmer in Tekamah, NE. Quintin's farming operations are heavily focused on both corn and soybean cultivation. Having returned to the farm after studying web design and interactive media in college, he was eager to merge his digital expertise with hands-on agricultural practices. His farm utilizes advanced irrigation systems, which are critical for managing these crops, especially in areas that may experience varying water availability. This approach ensures optimal growth conditions and yield, leveraging modern ag tech to enhance traditional farming practices.

Q also shares his ag tech journey, everyday farming life, and more on his social account, which is just shy of 100K—check him out on TikTok at @qconnealy or on X at @qconnealy19.

for maintaining crop health and yield. This precision in defining areas ensures that he only pays for the insurance necessary for the specific crop areas, optimizing his Actual Production History (APH) calculations.

Before using MyAgData, the reporting process was manual and based on less accurate Common Land Unit (CLU) maps created for administrative purposes by the FSA. These maps did not always reflect the true state of the land. With MyAgData, Quentin used upto-date digital mapping tools that overlay satellite images (like Google Earth) to draw accurate field boundaries. This helps in submitting more accurate reports to the USDA to ensure compliance.

Quentin's transition to using the software came with a learning curve of course, during which he had to work closely with a representative from MyAgData to figure out the specifics of his farm's layout and crop shares, which vary due to multiple landowners and differing farming practices on his land. But all in all, it saved him hours compared to if he were to

By the Numbers

mark up the traditional map with what he calls his, "colored crayon."

"I've never actually met the man, Brad. But, he walked me through everything, took my data, and drew in the circles because he could see where the circle was from Google Earth or whatever maps we put over the top. It was probably a couple of zooms just to work out the little details... maybe took an hour or two over different zooms, but it was probably one of the more complicated reports, so it really saved me a lot of time..." Quentin said. "There's a lot of details you can miss in handwriting, so this takes one of those errors out of there. So as long as you get the planter set up and mapping right, you're in pretty good shape."

As Quentin continues to reap the benefits of MyAgData's innovative solutions on his farm, the company itself is taking significant steps by relocating its operations to North Dakota with hopes to embed itself in the core of the country's up-and-coming agriculture technology advancements.

The USDA's Farm Service Agency is steering the future of farming into the digital age with its latest crop reporting guidelines for 2024. Under the Acreage Crop Reporting Streamlining Initiative (ACRSI), as of December, farmers now have the green light to use precision agriculture data when submitting their acreage reports. This data, filed through the RMA ACRSI Clearing House as Geospatial Acreage Report Transmission (GART) files, enables a smoother, more accurate tracking of farm, tract, and field details.

To help the farming community and FSA employees get up to speed, the agency has rolled out a suite of handy training materials that you can find here.

A heads-up to local FSA offices: there’s no automatic alert for new GART submissions. Staying ahead means checking in with farmers to confirm their digital reports are in. Mastering the Geospatial Review Application (GRA) is key here— it’s your best tool for ensuring that digital acreage reports are spot-on and seamlessly integrated into the Crop Acreage Reporting System (CARS).

Embracing these new tools not only streamlines the process but also sharpens the accuracy of agricultural reporting—making life a bit easier for everyone!

THE ND PULL

As Michelle frequently traveled between her home in Minnesota and Fargo to visit family, she took notice of different ag tech initiatives going on in the state, and she wanted in. "As I started being introduced in the ecosystem, it became really apparent to me that there is a really tight circle of folks in North Dakota that are really looking to build North Dakota as the ag tech capitol," she said.

With that, Michelle knew the best place for MyAgData to be positioned, was right in the FM area. MyAgData's decision to relocate to North Dakota was driven by a combination of personal and strategic business factors, but it wasn't done solely by the MyAgData team pushing their way in—they were welcomed.

MyAgData had already established strategic partnerships within the state, including with Bushel, a key player in the ag tech scene. Additionally, the company attended the Prairie Capital Summit and participated in various ag tech events, which further solidified their decision.

Several influential local organizations and individuals helped to facilitate MyAgData's integration into the local ecosystem. These connections have provided MyAgData with a strong network and essential local insights, contributing to a smoother transition and integration into the state’s business landscape.

BRIAN OPP

North Dakota Development Fund Interim CEO, North Dakota Department of Commerce

RYAN AASHEIM

Chief Business Development Officer, Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation (GFMEDC)

GRAND FARM

Powered by Emerging Prairie, introduced MyAgData to local contacts and opportunities

MyAgData has now completed its primary sector certification, establishing itself as a primary business in North Dakota. This status, along with their involvement in programs like Operation Intern, are the first steps to joining the budding landscape of ND's ag tech workings.

What we've found is, clearly farming is very important to North Dakota. They've built the right ecosystem through some of the capital incentives for companies to move there and to keep high-paying, quality jobs in North Dakota, and we're excited to be a part of it."

- MyAgData CEO Michelle Tressel

As we know, North Dakota offers a fertile landscape for agribusinesses due to its significant investment in agriculture, which constitutes 25% of the state’s economy. With the potential for cost savings in crop insurance using MyAgData's operation, the team and the state can see the benefit.

With North Dakota farmers spending around $1.5 billion annually on crop insurance ($18 billion is spent nationwide), even a modest percentage in savings from improved efficiencies and technologies like those offered by MyAgData could result in substantial economic benefits—3% totals to $45 million for ND alone!

Through this relocation and integration into North Dakota's ag tech ecosystem, MyAgData is positioning itself at the forefront of agricultural innovation, aiming to drive significant improvements in how farming and agricultural business is conducted in the region.

Operation Intern is a program designed by the North Dakota Department of Commerce to expand the number of internships, work experiences, and apprenticeship positions with the state's employers.

Essentially, it provides funding to help North Dakota businesses create new internship opportunities. This initiative not only helps students gain valuable work experience but also supports local businesses by offsetting some of the costs of developing and maintaining internship programs.

THE FUTURE

MyAgData is aiming for a modest but specific increase in its software usage, targeting just over 0.5% of growers by 2024. But, the team is also looking to broaden its reach and impact by cultivating strategic partnerships with other entities in the agricultural sector, both in the state and beyond. Current partners include DTN (previously known as Telvent DTN, Data Transmission Network and Dataline), Ever.Ag, Helena Agri-Enterprises, Bushel, and Climate FieldView, along with various crop insurance and service providers. These collaborations are intended to extend the benefits of their digital solutions—efficiency and cost savings—to a nationwide network of growers.

As with any data collection software, MyAgData understands and puts emphasis on being transparent with their work, and at the same time—keeping it simple. Because they are the only third party authorized to work with the USDA, they want farmers to know that their

data only goes where it's needed. The company believes that with the right tools and privacy safeguards, farmers can safely and beneficially share their data, potentially changing their role and influence within the broader economy.

Ultimately, MyAgData aspires to be a leader in transforming how agricultural data is managed and used, not just for compliance with regulatory reporting but as a resource that benefits the entire agricultural community.

The MyAgData team understands the challenges faced by USDA staff, noting that while they often receive criticism for slow processes, the USDA's efforts over the past 30 years have been substantial. The USDA has had to overcome significant hurdles to support and provide services for agricultural programs, but this time, they're not in it alone.

MyAgData is on the hunt for a remote intern to join their team as a Customer Support Specialist. This role is geared towards enhancing the user experience for American farmers who utilize their software. If you're a North Dakota college student or know one interested in ag tech, this internship could be a perfect gateway into the industry!

Check out more details and apply here.

Did You Know?

Congress mandated in the 2012 farm bill that farmers should be able to report electronically.

89% of ND is farmland or ranchland!

Common Land Units, or CLUs, are, on average, 5% larger than actual planted acreage.

2024 is the first year a farmer can file their actual planted acreage electronically!

North Dakota farmers lead the pack in the utilization of precision ag!

"This is just another set of mountains they're having to move, to embrace this new technology, and I'd like to think that we've been there to usher them along the way," Don said. "That's been a key piece of this, because there have been others that have attempted to do what we've done, and they have failed. I'd like to think it's because they didn't take the USDA's interest and have empathy with what they're going through—we did. Not everybody would do that, and I think we can take credit for helping to build bridges here in that respect."

MyAgData is excited to kick off its first official year of online reporting, head to their website to learn more and get started!

By Geneva Nodland | by Hillary Ehlen

Innovative Grower Feature

Chase Nelson

Q: Tell me about yourself and your operation.

A: We farm just 30 minutes northwest of Fargo, we're out by Arthur, ND. It's me and my dad, Greg Nelson, and my brother-in-law, Adam Kapaun. We farm a little over 6,000 acres and primarily grow corn and soybeans, but we also do a couple of specialty crops like Aronia berries. We'll dabble in rye and peas and that kind of thing—we don't do much of it, but we've done a few acres here and there throughout the years. We also have two-quarters of alfalfa. Right now they're alfalfa because we're probably going to transition those two quarters into organic and start doing a little bit of organic farming as well.

Q: What is the reason behind that move?

A: Markets. Obviously, organic food costs more so you can sell organic grain a lot more expensively. We also have a landlord who's interested in us turning those quarters into organic. We certified some of our Aronia berries organic as well; because with Aronia berries, there's not a huge market for them, but there's a little bit more of a market when you go organic.

Q: You already have the Aronia berry certified as organic, is there more in the process of becoming organic?

A: One of the alfalfa fields is organic, and then the other one will be, I think, next year.

Did you Know?

Alfalfa has a superpower—it's a natural soil improver. This plant is a legume, which means it can fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil. This reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers, making it a favorite among farmers who are looking to enrich their soil naturally.

Q: Are the alfalfa fields and Aronia berries all you plan to move to organic right now?

A: Yeah, so the reason it was alfalfa is because it's hard to grow organic because of the transitional period—it takes three years to become certified. So, if you raise in those three years, organic corn and soybeans, you'd have to sell them at a commercial price, a nonorganic price, until they're certified. And organic crops don't yield as high as if you're going to put [something] like regular commercial corn in there.

So, with alfalfa hay, there's not many input cost with it, it's just really the cost of seed, and you can yield pretty well on it in those three years during that transitional period. We've found that there's a pretty good market for organic alfalfa. So, the initial plan was to tear that alfalfa up and then start raising organic wheat, corn, soybeans, and food-grade beans in it; but right now, the alfalfa is working so we haven't done that yet. When we do, it's kind of an experiment to see how organic will go. If it seems like it works out well, we might transition some more fields to organic. I don't think we'll ever be 100% organic, but we'll

probably do both, and then that way they can subsidize each other.

Q: What has what has that transition process been like?

A: Not really much. We used to farm those two fields commercially, and then we just, in the last couple of years, planted them alfalfa, and then we have a guy that we custom hire him to bale the alfalfa. So, it hasn't been a real struggle. And alfalfa, like I said, is worth quite a bit, so it's not like we've had to take a hit in income on it.

Q: Are you guys using any sort of cutting-edge technology?

A: We're using Climate Fieldview to capture all of our data. In the near future, we're probably going to try to use a little bit more of the John Deere Operations Center, and maybe phase out Climate Fieldview just so everything is seamless in one area since we use John Deere auto steer for everything already. For our planter, we switched that over to Precision. I don't know if you're familiar with Precision Planting, but with that, you can control a lot more with your compaction when

Native Superfruit

you're planting. The planter sees every seed that it puts in the field, so you're spacing and everything is dead-on—up to 99-100%. And you can watch that as you're going across the field. Then, if you go to harvest, we put up a new bin site, and in that bin site, we have cables that monitor that inventory and they'll run the fans. There's no guesswork in trying to maintain the grain because the cables that we have in there do it for you.

Q: What has been your most successful piece of technology that you've adopted, and what's been the most helpful?

A: On the farm financing side, we started using Harvest Profit a few years ago, that's a local company, straight out of Fargo. We can figure out our projections, we can punch in all of our inventory that's onsite, and keep track of every load. I mean, down to the pollens, it uses the grain parts scale to tell you what you brought in and then uses scale tickets from the elevator to tell you what you took out. I mean, I think as far as seeing where we're at financially for that year, that software has been the biggest help.

Unlike many superfruits that are sourced from far-off places, Aronia berries are native to North America, particularly the Midwest. This makes them a sustainable option for local farmers looking to diversify their crops.

Why Organic?

Rapid Growth Sector: The organic farming sector is one of the fastest-growing in U.S. agriculture. Consumers are increasingly looking for organic products, leading to higher premiums for organic crops compared to conventional ones.

Climate Resilience: Organic farming practices often enhance soil health and water retention. This can be particularly beneficial in the Midwest, where weather can be unpredictable and soil erosion a concern.

Support and Resources: For Midwestern farmers interested in transitioning to organic, there are numerous resources and support systems available. Programs like the USDA Organic Certification Cost Share Program can help cover certification costs, and local agricultural extensions often provide guidance on organic practices tailored to the region's specific conditions.

Everything that we're using and adding—it just makes the whole farm more successful, but I've really enjoyed using harvest profit.

Q: Are there any practices you've tried in recent years that didn't work for you?

A: Off the top of my head, I can't say that I can think of anything—I mean, everything that you do is new every year. You build off of what you did the year prior. And in farming or, at least rural crop farming, the weather plays a huge role in what you're trying. Whether it be a new fungicide or if you're going to try to use some biologicals or something, they might work well in one year and not the other. So it's hard to say if it didn't work because the next year it might work well.

We do have one no-till field, and that actually has worked really well for us. I'm not sure why we haven't put more fields into no-till

because it does work well on certain ground. We have grown one that is very similar to that one, that I think it would all work well on. Maybe we'll do no-till one year, and then the next year, we'll dig that one up. But there is one field that is strictly no-till, we've never worked it up or anything. Mostly, that's because that field had a lot of rocks in it.

Q: How many years have you been on this farm?

A: I grew up on it, I guess you could say I started full-time when I graduated college in 2015. I came straight to the farm. And then, in 2017, I started taking on some of my own ground. And now, my brother, Adam, who I mentioned earlier, we are 50/50 on our operation, but we work with my dad. So I mean, we all farm 6,000 acres together, but Adam and I are 50/50 on our acres.

Q: Is there anything else you want to say, or you think would be good to know about you or your operation?

A: One other thing that we do with the aronia berries—every year on our farm we do a Harvest Festival in September, and it's all around those aronia berries. Last year, we saw about 4,500 people come through. We have food trucks and last year we had about 50 different vendors, petting zoos, a corn maze, and all that kind of stuff. It's just one little thing that makes our farm a little different from anything our neighbors are doing. We do that to raise awareness of what those berries are and what they're used for. The harvester for those is straight from Poland. So, if you come out to that festival and we do harvest demos, it makes it unique because it's so different from any other harvest you'd see in North Dakota.