Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Agtech Innovation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
AgLaunch tells committee farmers can own stakes in ag‑tech startups; offers demonstrations
Summary
AgLaunch founder Pete Nelson described a farmer‑led innovation model in which Tennessee farmers take ownership stakes in ag‑tech companies; he cited 38 partner companies and invited lawmakers to demonstrations in their districts.
Pete Nelson, founder of the nonprofit AgLaunch, told the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee that the organization helps farmers participate in and own part of ag‑tech startups, creating new markets, jobs and farm income.
"My name is Pete Nelson. I'm the founder of AgLaunch," Nelson said, and described a "rural flywheel" in which farmer participation and ownership of companies generates local reinvestment and new opportunities. He cited three case studies — a fungal spore detection company, a grain‑bin leveling robot and a small autonomous tractor — as examples of technologies Tennessee farmers helped develop and now partially own.
Nelson said Tennessee Department of Agriculture cost‑share programs and modest support from economic development partners have helped scale AgLaunch’s work across the state; he invited committee members to visit demonstration sites. Members including Representative Shaw and Representative Fritz praised the work and emphasized the benefits to farm safety and local economic development.
The presentation followed a series of committee bills and concluded with an invitation for legislators to meet local farmers and see pilot projects in their districts.
