Visit farm-ng at booth JK3 at the World Ag Expo 2025!

In this episode of What Color is Your Tractor, host Chrissy Wozniak sits down with Nathan Dorn, Director of Agricultural Business Development at Farm-ng, to explore the future of farm robotics. Based in Watsonville, California, Farm-ng is transforming specialty crop farming with its configurable, general-purpose robotic platform, Amiga. Unlike traditional ag brands, Farm-ng is built for collaboration, enabling other companies, researchers, and farmers to develop innovative solutions for real-world challenges.

Nathan shares his journey from growing up on a Nebraska farm to working in the Navy, food production, and eventually finding his way back to agriculture through technology. He discusses how Farm-ng's founders envisioned a robotics platform that works alongside farmers rather than replacing them, making labor-intensive tasks easier and more efficient.

The conversation delves into the development of the Amiga platform, which can be customized for various tasks such as compost spreading, weeding, and harvesting. Nathan explains how the company collaborates with farmers, research institutions, and even students to drive innovation in ag robotics. He shares inspiring stories of young innovators using Farm-ng’s technology to solve real agricultural problems, from gopher detection to optimizing field operations.

Looking ahead, Nathan discusses the future of farm robotics, including expanded capabilities, increased automation, and the potential for even greater industry collaboration. He emphasizes the importance of creating technology that empowers farmers rather than replacing them, ensuring that both large and small operations can benefit from automation.

Listeners can learn more about Farm-ng and its Amiga platform by visiting Farm-ng.com. Farm-ng will also be attending major agricultural events throughout the year, including the World Ag Expo and regional farm shows.

Subscribe to What Color is Your Tractor on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or iHeartRadio to stay updated on the latest ag innovations. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to share it with your network and help spread the word about the future of farm robotics.

Ready to experience the next generation of precision agriculture? Discover innovative ways to save on labor, cut chemical use, and boost your yields with the Ecorobotix ARA Ultra-High Precision Sprayer! Visit Ecorobotix at the World Ag Expo, February 11th through 13th! Or visit ecorobotix.com/topten to learn more!

North American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.com

Hear more stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.com

Need help with your agriculture based company's marketing strategy? Visit https://www.northamericanag.com/full-service-agri-marketing

Innovation is crucial for overcoming industry challenges in agriculture. Carbon Robotics, led by visionary founder and CEO Paul Mikesell, is transforming crop management with its groundbreaking laser weeding technology.

Paul Mikesell’s journey to founding Carbon Robotics is marked by his deep expertise in tech, with significant roles in companies like Isilon Systems and Uber. Recognizing the potential for Silicon Valley technology in agriculture, Mikesell was inspired by conversations with farmers about their weed control challenges. This led to the establishment of Carbon Robotics in Seattle, Washington, with a mission to address these issues using advanced technology.

At the core of Carbon Robotics' innovation is its laser weeding system, which uses AI and deep learning to distinguish between crops and weeds in real-time. This technology targets and eliminates weeds with precision, sparing the valuable crops. The AI system is continuously trained with numerous images to ensure accurate field decisions, and the machines now support over 120 different crops.

Building reliable field equipment posed challenges, particularly in cooling and adapting to harsh environments. However, innovative solutions, like using repurposed driveway sensors for monitoring, and a dedicated engineering culture that embraced fieldwork, ensured success. Safety measures, especially fire prevention, are critical when operating high-power lasers in the field.

Looking ahead, Carbon Robotics aims to reduce reliance on chemical herbicides, offering a sustainable and efficient alternative for weed control. Continuous advancements in their technology promise significant benefits for the agricultural sector, enhancing productivity and sustainability.

Carbon Robotics exemplifies innovation in agriculture, merging advanced AI with practical solutions to address current challenges and pave the way for a more efficient and sustainable future in farming.

Ready to experience the next generation of precision agriculture? Discover innovative ways to save on labor, cut chemical use, and boost your yields with the Ecorobotix ARA Ultra-High Precision Sprayer! Visit Ecorobotix at the World Ag Expo, February 11th through 13th! Or visit ecorobotix.com/topten to learn more!

North American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.com

Hear more stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.com

Need help with your agriculture based company's marketing strategy? Visit https://www.northamericanag.com/full-service-agri-marketing

*Since recording, Solectrac has been through some ups and downs. Find the latest news HERE and HERE. The company has not responded after several attempts asking for clarification.

Welcome to "What Color is Your Tractor" hosted by Chrissy Wozniak. In this episode, we're delving into the cutting-edge innovations shaping the agricultural industry. While many companies boast centuries-long legacies, today's focus is on the forward-thinking pioneers at Solectrac. With a mission to revolutionize agriculture by growing more food with fewer resources, Solectrac has pioneered the commercialization of electric tractors, marking a significant milestone in the industry's evolution. Joining the podcast from Triun, Georgia, is Glen Ezell, Solectrac's Regional Sales Director for the South and Central US. Get ready for an enlightening conversation on the future of farming technology with Glen.

Solectrac is the first American company to commercialize electric tractors and have direct sales nationally and a growing dealer network. Solectrac’s electric tractors are zero-emission, quiet and powerful and they benefit not only the environment but also the health of the agricultural work force by eliminating exposure to exhaust and reducing noise. With a lower TCO, less maintenance, instant power, and zero diesel, these tractors offer all of the advantages of electric combined with the capabilities of diesel tractors.

Visit Solectrac at - https://solectrac.com

Ready to experience the next generation of precision agriculture? Discover innovative ways to save on labor, cut chemical use, and boost your yields with the Ecorobotix ARA Ultra-High Precision Sprayer! Visit Ecorobotix at the World Ag Expo, February 11th through 13th! Or visit ecorobotix.com/topten to learn more!

North American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.com

Hear more stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.com

Need help with your agriculture based company's marketing strategy? Visit https://www.northamericanag.com/full-service-agri-marketing