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 collaboratively, and build on the trust that already exists between growers and industry partners.

That’s why partnerships with people like Jason Mellow and the team at Axis Ag have been so impactful. In AgTech, speed matters, but only when it’s paired with credibility and a deep understanding of grower realities. Axis Ag embodies that balance. They have established trust with growers by listening first, showing up consistently, and following through. When they introduce something new, growers pay attention, because it comes from a place of partnership rather than salesmanship.

A recent experience around Diamondback moth management really brought this home for me. As many California brassica growers are already struggling with Diamondback moth pressure, growers are looking for better tools, better coverage, and smarter ways to use registered chemistries, especially when resistance and application efficiency are top-of-mind concerns.

I picked up the phone and called Jason to brainstorm. There was no long proposal process or extended back-and-forth. Instead, we had a straightforward conversation focused on one question: How can we practically help growers evaluate a potential solution in real field conditions, as fast as possible?

Within five days—five—Jason and Axis Ag had an “On Target” electrostatic spraying system mounted on a tractor and headed to a grower’s field. Not a demo plot tucked away somewhere, but a real commercial field, working alongside a grower who wanted to see for himself whether this technology could fit into his operation.

The initial trial was done with water, intentionally. The goal wasn’t to make claims or push products; it was to understand coverage, drift potential, and overall performance under that grower’s specific conditions. Standing there in the field, watching the system operate, having open dialogue with the grower about what he was seeing and what questions he still had—that’s what meaningful evaluation looks like.

Because of that rapid, low-risk trial, the grower could confidently decide whether he wanted to move forward and try the On Target system with registered pesticides in his own brassica fields. No pressure. Just data, observation, and trust. That kind of approach empowers growers, rather than overwhelming them.

To me, this is what effective commercialization should look like. It’s not about pushing technology, it’s about pulling innovation into the field, guided by real needs and real timelines. Partners like Jason and Axis Ag understand that growers don’t have the luxury of waiting multiple seasons to see if something might work. When a pest like Diamondback moth shows up, solutions need to move just as fast.

This experience reinforced why I value commercialization partners who are agile, respected, and deeply connected to the growers they serve. The ability to mobilize quickly, get equipment in the field, and generate firsthand experience is invaluable. It shortens the gap between innovation and impact—and ultimately helps growers make informed decisions that protect their crops and their bottom line.

In AgTech, trust opens the door, speed gets you through it, and collaboration keeps you moving forward. When all three come together, real progress happens.