Editor’s note: Agtech Seedlings is a weekly roundup of the latest in agriculture technology news, digging into venture funding, product announcements and other innovation milestones. Have news to share? Email us here.
Agtonomy snags nearly $33M from investors to grow specialty crop automation
California-based farm startup Agtonomy announced $32.8 million in fundraising from investors as it looks to bring its autonomous software to new markets.
The new funding will allow Agtonomy to expand its 2025 paid pilot program for vineyards and other permanent crop producers by 500%. The startup in February expanded the program, which pays wineries and other producers to test Agtonomy's software products as the company perfects development.
Agtonomy will also use the latest round of seed funding to develop technology solutions for other industrial markets. The company plans to scale its West Coast technical team into new markets, according to a release.
As the startup broadens its horizons beyond agriculture, it also announced that Sterling Anderson, who led the team behind the original Tesla Autopilot, will join the board of directors.
"By bringing together some of the most impactful technology leaders, our Board is enabling additional firepower in corporate strategy and governance to bring Agtonomy to its full potential," Valerie Syme, co-founder and COO of Agtonomy, said in a statement.
Agtonomy's latest fundraising round was led by Autotech Ventures and included participation from Rethink Food and existing investor Toyota Ventures.
USDA updates acreage reports for indoor farmers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has overhauled its acreage reporting system to allow vertical farms easier access to USDA program benefits.
The Farm Service Agency will now allow producers to report acreage-based crops at a minimum size of .000001 acre, approximately a 2.5-inch by 2.5-inch area, according to a release. Previously, reporting software only allowed acreage to be reported down to .0001 acres, or a four-square foot area.
Additionally, vertical farmers will be able to distinguish alternative growing methods, including when crops are produced using a multi-level growing system or within multiple levels of a building.
The FSA uses crop acreage reports to determine payment eligibility for various programs including the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs. The reports are also used to calculate losses for various disaster programs.
“Filing an acreage report is an important requirement to receive many USDA program benefits, and our small-scale agricultural producers, including urban and innovative producers, will notice a simpler acreage reporting process that better reflects the scope of their unique operations," FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux said in a statement.
Verdant Robotics unveils weeding robot that 'aims before it shoots'
Startup Verdant Robotics announced the commercial launch of the Sharpshooter, a precision weeding system that "aims before it shoots" and allows farmers to manage their crops with millimeter accuracy.
The Sharpshooter claims to lower chemical inputs by over 96% while reducing hand-weeding costs by an average of 65%. The device, which attaches to the backs of trailers, can cover up to 5 acres per hour and promises farmers a return on investment within one to two years, according to a release.
Beyond autonomous weeding, the Sharpshooter also uses machine learning to provide plant-level data for farmers to make better decisions around cost control and climate action.
“The Sharpshooter is the culmination of years of research, field testing, and invaluable grower feedback," Gabe Sibley, CEO of Verdant, said in a statement. "It delivers unmatched speed, efficiency, and versatility, giving growers the savings, precision, and control they need.”
