Small Farm Innovation Challenge

Farmers need right-sized technology. Calling all entrepreneurs, students, hackers and any ingenious, farm-loving thinkers to propose tech-based innovations that will help small scale agriculture compete, survive and thrive.

Whether you’re an engineer or just a crafty farmer, a startup or a team of grad students, we’re challenging you to share or develop a new innovation that can help smaller-scale farms compete, survive and thrive. From hardware to software, mechanical harvesters to marketing apps, we’re seeking proposals for technologies that will help level the playing field, strengthen local food systems and promote on-farm sustainability. As part of the 2022 Small Farms Conference, submissions will be evaluated by a panel of judges representing farmers, entrepreneurs and the tech industry. Winners will be showcased at the conference as well as at several other agricultural conferences, in video and online with the aim of helping shine a light on your innovation and you make your bright idea a reality.

This Challenge is open to global submissions and can include individuals, teams, students and start-up businesses. Please note that the bulk of promotion and recognition will take place in California, which is the nation’s largest agricultural state producing over 400 commodities at nearly $50 billion.

Three winners will be announced in January. A formal award ceremony will take place at the 2022 Small Farms Conference, Feb. 27 – March 3rd 2022.