Farm Credit’s commitment to supporting rural communities and agriculture means ensuring rural entrepreneurs have the tools they need to overcome barriers and grow their businesses, at home in rural America.
The Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge launched in 2015 as the first national business competition focused exclusively on rural entrepreneurs launching food and agriculture businesses. Today, it continues to focus on strengthening rural America through ag entrepreneurship.
Ten inspiring entrepreneurs will compete in a live pitch-style competition and networking event at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Convention on January 19, 2024, in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Ag Innovation Challenge Winner will receive $50,000 in startup funds provided by sponsors Farm Credit, Bayer, John Deere, Farm Bureau Bank and Farm Bureau Financial Services.
Prizes:
Since the launch of the competition, Farm Bureau has awarded more than $1 million in startup funds to companies working to bring innovations to farms and ranches, through a partnership with Farm Credit and sponsor support. This year, Farm Bureau will award $165,000 to ten businesses:
- $50,000 to the 2023 Ag Innovation Challenge Winner
- $20,000 to the 2023 Ag Innovation Challenge Runner-Up
- $15,000 to the Final Four teams
- $10,000 to the nine semi-finalist teams
- An additional $5,000 to the People’s Choice Team (chosen by public vote; all ten teams are eligible)
Meet this year’s semi-finalists:
anu: Scott Massey, Indiana
Anu empowers people to grow their own fresh, locally-grown produce right at home using a smart garden appliance and seed pod shipments.
Learn more: www.growanu.com/
Appanoose Manufactured Products: Mark Mendick, Iowa
Appanoose Manufactured Products designs and manufactures fire suppression technology to allow more firefighting capabilities in water scarce areas.
Learn more: appanoosemfg.com
Barn Owl Precision Agriculture: Sarah Hinkley, Colorado
Barn Owl Precision Agriculture deploys autonomous nano tractors as a service to create time and budget savings for small and midsize growers.
Learn more: www.barnowlag.com
Idem Irrigation: Phil Holliday, Nebraska
Idem Irrigation aspires to transform traditional center pivots with a range of attachments designed to enhance water delivery efficiency and tackle specific challenges within the irrigation industry.
Learn more: www.idemirrigation.com
ReproHealth Technologies: Jim Donahue, Indiana
ReproHealth Technologies uses Biomedical Engineering and Embryology to create devices to improve Bovine Assisted Reproductive Technology.
Learn more: https://www.reprohealthtech.com/
Secret Garden Bees: James Hartman, North Carolina
Secret Garden Bees is a family operated certified Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business that focuses on providing high quality honey.
Learn more: www.secretgardenbees.com
Share Farm: Vincent Peak, Washington
Share Farm’s mission is to connect small and midsized farmers with corporate buyers, helping to build resilient local food systems and create economic opportunities for farmers.
Learn more: www.sharefarm.com
Smooth Ag: River McTasney, Texas
Smooth Ag is an agricultural technology company specializing in automated pasture management and livestock monitoring solutions.
Learn more: www.smoothag.com
UAV-IQ Precision Agriculture: Andreas Neuman, California
UAV-IQ aims to revolutionize pest management by leveraging drone technology and innovative operational techniques.
Learn more: www.uaviq.com
Udder Ways LLC: Jody Neal, New York
Udder Ways LLC provides a cost-effective solution for dairy farmers to sanitize and stimulate cows in preparation to be milked.
2023 Winner:
NORDEF: William Walls, Kansas
NORDEF has developed a high-impact, issue-oriented technology to produce diesel exhaust fluid at the point of use.
Learn more: www.thenordef.com
2023 Runner Up:
Emgenisys: Cara Wells, Texas
EmGenisys, Inc is an animal health company founded with a common commitment to improve the production economics and sustainability of livestock production.
Learn more: www.emgenisys.co
2023 People’s Choice:
MycoLogic, LLC: Chris Cornelison, Georgia
Mycologic, LLC, empowers farmers to grow mushrooms more profitably at scale using embedded systems and proprietary software.
Learn more: mycologic.solutions
