Five agtech startups have been selected to participate in the VINE Connect Program, which vets and connects emerging agricultural technology with growers to accelerate the adoption of practical, farm-ready solutions. The program, run by UCANR Innovate, Farmhand Ventures, and UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), will host a public field day on April 10 at the UC Hansen Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Camarillo, where these companies will demonstrate their technologies on farm.
“Our goal with VINE Connect is to ensure farmers have access to technologies that solve their problems,” said Hannah Johnson, industry lead at UCANR Innovate. “These startups are developing solutions that can directly impact labor efficiency, water conservation and a farmer’s bottom line. The VINE Connect Field Day is an opportunity for growers to see these tools in action and provide feedback in real time.”
California farmers face ongoing challenges including labor shortages, water constraints and climate pressures. VINE Connect brings together technology developers with the farming community to help new companies refine their products based on feedback from growers, making them more practical.
The selected startups were chosen for their potential to address key challenges facing California agriculture:
- Ag-Bee – Ag-Bee uses autonomous aerial drones to assist farmers with precision crop monitoring, pollination support and targeted chemical application. Their drone technology helps reduce the need for manual field scouting, saves time and enables more precise input application.
- L5 Automation – L5 Automation specializes in automated systems tailored for unstructured environments, with a primary focus on agriculture. Their flagship service offers automated strawberry harvesting, using advanced robotics to determine optimal picking times based on fruit readiness rather than human schedules.
- Lumo –Lumo is a precision irrigation company that develops smart valves and software that automate water distribution and help growers achieve block-level precision. With built-in flow meters, real-time fault detection and AI-driven insights, farmers are able to reduce water waste, save time, improve sustainability and optimize crop quality and yields.
- Verdi Ag – Verdi provides an affordable, customizable platform that allows growers to automate precision irrigation and other farm management tasks. Designed to be easy for everyday farmworkers to use, their system integrates with popular sensors and provides tools that allow growers to remotely monitor their equipment for leaks and breaks, down to the specific row.
- Verdant Robotics – Verdant Robotics has developed the SharpShooter, a multi-function, precision application system that combines computer vision, artificial intelligence and robotics. The only system of its kind that aims before it shoots, the SharpShooter hits targets that are difficult to reach — from small weeds to large crops — at speed. This advanced platform enables ultra-precise input application, reducing labor costs, minimizing chemical use and improving crop outcomes.
The VINE Connect program supports startups by facilitating direct engagement with farmers, enabling them to refine their technologies based on real-world needs. Participants benefit from networking opportunities and expert guidance to help transition from early-stage development to broader market adoption.
“Startups need direct engagement with growers to make sure their solutions fit the realities of the farm,” said Connie Bowen, founder and managing partner of Farmhand Ventures. “This program is designed to bridge that gap, bringing together technology developers and farmers in a way that encourages collaboration and accelerates adoption.”
“California farmers face enormous challenges, from labor shortages to climate pressures, and technology plays a critical role in keeping farms competitive and sustainable,” added Gabe Youtsey, chief innovation officer at UCANR Innovate. “The VINE Connect Field Day is about making sure the most promising innovations get the real-world exposure they need to be useful and accessible to growers.”
The VINE Connect Field Day event is free to attend, and registration is encouraged. Farmers, industry professionals and journalists can learn more and register at https://thevine.io/event/vine-connect-field-day-ventura.
