Grain Weevil Corp. wins Ag Innovation Challenge

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Now in its eighth year, the Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge offers opportunities for Farm Bureau members to showcase business innovations developed for agriculture. This year, Grain Weevil Corp. was announced as the winner of the contest.

The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, has announced the winner of the 2022 American Farm Bureau Convention.

The Grain Bin Robot has been announced as the winner

The Grain Weevil is a grain bin handling robot that improves quality and eliminates the need for farmers to enter grain bins. Grain Weevil Corporation received a total of $ 50,000 in cash prizes to help grow the business. Ben Johnson, a member of the Nebraska Farm Bureau, is the head of the company’s team.

More winners announced

Birds Eye Robotics was named runner-up in the competition and received a total of $ 20,000. Scott Niewohner, a member of the Nebraska Farm Bureau, is the company’s team leader. Birds Eye is an autonomous robot that helps maintain chicken coops and improves animal welfare by encouraging bird activity.

Caravan Tech LLC, one of the top 10 semifinalists, won the People’s Choice Award, which is decided by public vote, and received $ 5,000 in additional cash prize. Richy Naisbett, a member of the Alabama Farmers Federation, is the company’s team leader, providing real-time remote management solutions for ranchers and cattle ranchers.

Two other finalist teams also competed in the final four rounds of the competition: Marble Technologies and StemPunk.

The final four teams were selected on Friday from 10 semifinalist entrepreneurs who presented themselves to a panel of four industry judges: Will Hileman, president and CEO, Farm Bureau Bank; Gary Matteson, Vice President, Initiation Programs and Awareness for Farmers, Farm Credit Council; Ben Fogle, partner, Midwest Growth Partners; and Taya Spelhaug, manager of TechSpark, Microsoft.

Each of the 10 semi-final teams received $ 10,000; the last four teams received a total of $ 15,000 each.

“Start-ups like the ones we honor today are helping to shape the future of agriculture,” said Zippy Duvall, president of the AFBF. “It is a pleasure to recognize these entrepreneurs for the innovative solutions they have developed that will help farmers, ranchers and rural communities thrive.”

The winner of the Ag Innovation Challenge was selected by a three-person jury: Gregg Warren, CEO, Corporate Banking Group, American AgCredit; Jenn Smith, program director, Grow-NY, Cornell University; and Lydia Turkié, director, Creative Destruction Lab, Georgia Tech.

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