The Reservoir Launches First On-Farm AgTech Innovation Hub for Specialty Crops

The Reservoir’s key partners from John Deere, Driscoll’s, Netafim, Nutrien, Taylor Farms, Tanimura & Antle, Hartnell College, Naturipe Berry Growers, Western Growers and the City of Salinas join founder and CEO Danny Bernstein to celebrate the groundbreaking of its first agtech innovation hub in Salinas, California, marking a major milestone in collaborative agricultural technology advancement.

As a historic milestone for specialty crop production and agricultural technology, the Reservoir today broke ground on its inaugural on-farm innovation hub in Salinas, California. The ribbon-cutting celebration at the new Salinas site—on land leased from Tanimura & Antle—was attended by more than 200 industry leaders, growers, elected officials, community partners, and investors. The launch marks the first step in a global vision: creating an ‘Olympic Village of AgTech’ where world-class technology leaders, growers, and entrepreneurs collaborate to solve urgent challenges facing global agriculture.

Today, Driscoll’s, Netafim, Nutrien, and Taylor Farms join as the newest key partners, reinforcing the commitment to transform agtech adoption across multiple U.S. regions and directly embed innovation within commercial farming environments. These on-the-ground collaborations ensure startups have direct access to grower feedback and commercial realities, accelerating real-world impact and addressing the gap, as only 30% of U.S. farms currently utilize precision agriculture solutions despite billions in recent investment.

“From the beginning, our vision has been far more than technology—it’s about partnerships,” said Danny Bernstein, CEO of the Reservoir. “Success is grounded in becoming an authentic part of each farming community, connecting entrepreneurs, growers and next-generation talent to reimagine the sustainability of U.S. farming. Creating this ‘Olympic Village of Agtech’ is only possible with trusted relationships on the ground and a shared vision for what’s possible.”

Last week, the Reservoir announced its strategic partnership with John Deere, a leader in agricultural technology and equipment. For Reservoir residents, the partnership creates a unique environment where innovation meets real-world application. Residents gain access to Deere’s technology (including APIs), expertise, and equipment, alongside dedicated testing acres, structured pilot opportunities, and curated field days. This collaboration provides startups with a clearer path to validate solutions in high-value crops, engage directly with growers, and explore potential integrations with Deere’s global platform — strengthening the bridge between early-stage ideas and scalable agricultural impact.

Reservoir Farms-Salinas: The Inaugural Home for Next-Generation Farming

As the ‘Salad Bowl of the World’ and the epicenter of nearly $5 billion in annual crop value, Salinas produces more than 70% of the nation’s lettuce plus significant shares of strawberries, broccoli, and vegetables, making it a testbed for high-value, specialty crops that shape U.S. produce markets.

Initial residents at Reservoir Farms, including Beagle Technology, BHF Robotics, Cropmind, FarmBlox, High Degree Machinery, and GeoVisual Analytics, chose Reservoir Farms to connect directly with growers and access test facilities, enabling product development with immediate customer feedback. These early-stage companies bought into the vision of connecting leading roboticists, engineers, and agricultural producers to accelerate technology from concept to commercialization.

Salinas Mayor and Executive Director of the Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology, Dennis Donohue, said: “Salinas has always been at the forefront of feeding the country, so it’s only natural we host the first Reservoir Farms. This hub empowers our growers, attracts top talent, and helps secure our leadership in agriculture for generations to come.”

Scaling Innovation: From California to Arizona and Beyond

Looking ahead, the Reservoir announced plans to expand its model to additional sites across California, Arizona, and other major growing regions, with each hub anchored by leading academic and R&D institutions. This winter, the Reservoir will run a pilot at the University of Arizona Experiment Station (the Yuma Agricultural Center) in Yuma. This multi-regional approach derisks and accelerates technology development, enabling on-farm testing in commercial operations and across some of the country’s most important permanent, bedded, and high-value crops—from fresh vegetables on the Central Coast to leafy greens in Arizona and tree nuts in California’s Central Valley.

“By aligning innovation with real-world conditions, advanced technology and a clear path to scale, the Reservoir and its partners help ensure new solutions are built to deliver meaningful impact for growers,” said Jason Brantley, vice president of production systems, small ag & turf at John Deere. “Together, we’re strengthening the resilience, efficiency, and sustainability of high-value crops—with potential to benefit food systems worldwide.”

Driven by its deep local roots and a powerful network of national leaders, the Reservoir is unlocking a new era of productivity, sustainability, and market opportunity for American agriculture, and ensuring that innovation with the greatest potential impact reaches the fields and communities where it is needed today.