Posts By: Ben Palone
ROI and AgTech Adoption
Over the last several weeks, I have met with and discussed ROI with multiple growers when it comes to AgTech equipment. These weren’t surface-level conversations. These were detailed, spreadsheet-driven, “show me exactly how this works on my operation” discussions. Here are a few perspectives that stood out and are worth sharing. - If the equipment, technology, or solution does not…
Moving at the Speed of Growers: Why Partnerships Matter in AgTech
One of my favorite parts of my role in AgTech on the WG Innovation Team is seeing what’s possible when the right partners come together with a shared purpose: helping growers succeed. Innovation in agriculture doesn’t happen in isolation, and it certainly doesn’t help anyone if solutions stay stuck on the shelf. What truly makes the difference is the ability to move quickly, act…
Diamondback Moth: An Escalating Threat to Central Coast Farms
The diamondback moth (DBM) has become a growing operational crisis for brassica growers along California’s Central Coast. In recent years, however the escalating DBM pressure has led to significant crop damage, rising rejection rates, and sharply increasing production costs—placing real strain on the economic viability of many farming operations. What was once a localized pest issue has…
Reservoir Farms Opens in Salinas: A New Era for AgTech Commercialization
Last Monday marked a milestone moment for the Western fresh produce ecosystem with the grand opening of Reservoir Farms in Salinas. This new commercial-scale site isn’t just another operation breaking ground; it's an inflection point for the future of agricultural innovation. For years, both innovators and growers have pointed to the gap between early stage development and real‑world…
Automated Harvesting Emerges as a Global Challenge — and a Shared Opportunity
The race to develop reliable, scalable automated harvesting solutions is no longer a regional priority; it has become a global imperative. Around the world, growers are grappling with shrinking labor pools, rising production costs, and mounting pressure to maintain a stable food supply. This week marked an important step toward addressing these challenges collaboratively, as Western Growers…
Showing Up for the Specialty Crop Industry at the 102nd Annual Agricultural Outlook Forum
Last week, I had the privilege of attending the 102nd annual Agricultural Outlook Forum in Washington, D.C., marking not only my first experience at this long-standing national event but also my very first visit to our nation’s capital. The Forum brought together agriculture leaders, policymakers, innovators, and growers from across the country—yet even amid its impressive scale, it offered…
What a Pile of Broken Drones Says About Commercialization in Agtech
Early in my technical career, I learned one lesson faster than almost anything else: agricultural equipment doesn’t get days off. There is no “pause” button in farming. Tools must be fixed, repaired and returned to the field immediately, often within hours, because the entire operational system depends on continuity. Break the chain, and you risk breaking the season. Since the arrival…
Forging New Paths, Part II: How Western Growers Innovation Is Building the Blueprint for Automated Iceberg Lettuce Harvesting
In last week’s article Walt Duflock and I outlined the growing urgency around specialty crop automation and the structural barriers that have slowed progress—from shrinking labor availability to declining venture investment. The takeaway was clear: specialty crop agriculture needs new, grower‑led pathways for innovation. Today, Western Growers Innovation is putting that philosophy into…
Forging New Paths: Why Specialty Crop Harvest Automation Requires Creative, Grower Led Solutions
Harvesting specialty crops has always been an intensely labor‑dependent process, but in today’s environment, the challenges surrounding labor availability, cost and reliability have pushed growers into increasingly uncertain territory. Across much of the specialty crop sector—leafy greens, tree fruit, berries, and vegetables—harvest labor represents nearly two‑thirds of total…
2025: A Strong Year of Steady Innovation Meets Harsh Realities
As we reflect on 2025, the agricultural robotics sector was a mixed bag of fluctuating signals. The year saw rapid advancements in automation, driven by AI, precision tech and strategic mergers. This serves as a stark reminder that compelling ROI and value propositions are primary factors for growers to adopt agtech. Autonomous navigation breakthroughs to non-traditional chemical inputs for pest…