New partnership supports faster development of AI solutions for farms
John Deere has announced a major partnership with Reservoir to support the development of rugged artificial intelligence (AI) technologies for agriculture. The three-year collaboration includes a $10 million investment aimed at accelerating innovation and bringing new solutions to farmers more quickly.
The partnership focuses on creating technologies that can perform effectively in real farming conditions. By combining technical expertise with on-farm testing, the initiative will help ensure that new tools meet the needs of growers and agricultural businesses.
"John Deere is committed to helping high-value crop growers do more with less, and that requires strong innovation built in the field, not just in the lab," said Jason Brantley, vice president of production systems, small ag & turf at John Deere.
He added, "Real-world validation is a key part of Deere's mission and helps ensure new solutions are addressing real challenges farmers are facing. Automation on the farm is addressing the immediate labor and efficiency needs of the industry, and Reservoir is also helping explore what innovations come next across data, connectivity and other emerging agtech solutions."
According to John Deere, innovation must be tested in the field to deliver practical benefits. The company believes automation and advanced technologies can help farmers address challenges such as labor shortages, efficiency improvements, and better farm management.
The investment will also help Reservoir expand its network of farmers, industry partners, and technology developers. Startup companies working on agricultural innovations will gain improved access to farming environments where they can test and validate their products under real-world conditions.
Reservoir plans to use the partnership to reduce barriers for new startups entering the agricultural technology sector. By connecting entrepreneurs with growers and farm operations, the organization hopes to encourage the development of useful and practical solutions for the agricultural industry.
Since opening facilities in California earlier in 2026, Reservoir has already attracted more than 20 startups. This early interest highlights the growing demand for advanced technologies that can improve farm productivity and sustainability.
"We've been able to manifest our vision for Reservoir thanks in no small part to the generous partnership of John Deere," said Danny Bernstein, CEO of Reservoir. "This multi-year commitment gives startups greater access to the infrastructure, field conditions and strategic relationships they need to prove the value of rugged AI for commercial agriculture faster."
The John Deere commitment follows another multi-year investment from Western Growers, providing additional support for Reservoir's field-based innovation model. Together, these partnerships strengthen the organization's ability to help transform promising ideas into commercial agricultural solutions.
The partnership was officially announced during Reservoir's first Ruggedize conference. The event brought together leaders from agriculture, technology, and government organizations to discuss the future of rugged AI and its applications in farming and other industries.
Photo Credit: reservoir