FarmSmarter.ai Top 4 Finalist in American Farm Bureau's Annual Ag Innovation Challenge

Author: Colin Raby

Published Date: 2025-09-10 20:12:56

Baton Rouge, La., September 10th, 2025 – FarmSmarter.ai, the Louisiana startup turning cutting-edge artificial intelligence into everyday support and easy field management solutions for growers, has been selected as one of four top finalists in the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2026 Ag Innovation Challenge. This means they will will compete at the AFBF Convention on Sunday, Jan. 11, in front of a live audience of Farm Bureau members, investors and industry representatives, competing for top titles and prizes. The national competition, presented with Farm Credit, recognizes high-impact solutions that strengthen U.S. agriculture and rural communities. The official press release from the Farm Bureau about the Finalists may be found here: https://www.fb.org/news-release/ag-innovation-challenge-finalists-compete-for-100k

Colin Raby, CEO of FarmSmarter.ai says:

“It is an honor to be selected as one of the top four in the Farm Bureau's Innovation Challenge. This highlights the work of our great team, who are working to build a future where every producer, large or small, has easy access to instant, unbiased, research-backed guidance. Winning a spot in the Farm Bureau's top four is a milestone for our team, but it also signals to the producers we aim to serve that practical, AI-driven support is now available. We look forward to showcasing how FarmSmarter.ai boosts profitability, sustainability, efficiency, and peace of mind on farms nationwide at the national convention.”

The top four start-up companies offering agricultural innovations have advanced to compete for a top prize of $100,000 in the 2026 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge. AFBF President Zippy Duvall says:

“This competition empowers entrepreneurs to transform bold ideas into real-world solutions that strengthen the work of farmers and ranchers as they provide the food, fuel and fiber we all rely on.”

"This is the 12th year of the Ag Innovation Challenge, which was the first national business competition focused exclusively on rural entrepreneurs launching agriculture- and food-related businesses. Ten semi-finalist teams participated in a virtual pitch round earlier this week with three judges representing various sectors of the agricultural supply chain. The four finalist teams advancing to the final round each received an initial prize of $10,000 and are listed below.

- FarmSmarter.ai, Louisiana

- CryoBio, New York

- KiposTech, Pennsylvania

- Vivid Machines, Washington" [1]

FarmSmarter.ai’s selection follows two years of rapid progress building the platform and achieving multiple first-place finishes in regional pitch competitions. The company's Agricultural Intelligence Platform is currently online and availible for agricultural proffessionals to use. Additionally, the company is currently raising seed capital to expand R&D, reach more growers whocan increase their margins by using the platform, accelerate state-by-state training of its models, and launch its soil assessment and ESA compliance module ahead of the 2026 planting season.

To learn more about the Challenge visit fb.org/challenge.

Contact support@farmsmart.ai for more information or with questions.

[1] https://www.fb.org/news-release/ag-innovation-challenge-finalists-compete-for-100k

Colin Raby

Chief Executive Officer

Colin Raby is the CEO of FarmSmarter. With extensive leadership experience, applied AI research, and a commitment to sustainable and efficient farming, Colin drives the business in developing technologies which empower agricultural professionals to farm smarter.

FarmSmarter.ai Top 4 Finalist in American Farm Bureau's Annual Ag Innovation Challenge

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