5 Simple Lessons Your AgTech Startup Can Learn From Rural Farmers

When AgTech startups read this, some might instinctively defend their tech-first approach. 

Others might get curious about what rural farmers do differently. 

Both reactions are valid — but curiosity opens the door to learning.

They start thinking about all their fancy gadgets. They want to tell you about their 12 sensors, their computer programs, and their special certificates. They think new tech is always better than “old school”.

They talk about their indoor farms that grow food 365 days/year. They tell you about their water-saving systems and their special lights. They say their methods are helping save the planet. 

But their bank accounts tell a different story. 

They can’t see that 47 pieces of equipment making $100 each is just an easy way to lose money.

Then there's the second type of person.

When you tell them "your Agtech startup could benefit from the experience of rural farmers," you don't get mad. You get curious. 

Because you know there’s a difference between being innovative and being profitable.

I much prefer interacting with the second type. 

They look at what really works, not just what looks good on social media.

Here's the truth: you don't need 47 different ways to run a successful operation.

In fact, I’d argue you just need one – solve one problem, with one solution, and be the best at it. 

You don't need to be everywhere, using every new method, chasing every CNBC trend, or what Agtech influencers are calling the "next big thing."

From my personal experience, and that of hundreds of other rural farmers I’ve worked alongside and talked to over the years, that’s a surefire way to run something into the ground. 

You can have more success by keeping it simple.

Now, I can't give you a step-by-step plan that works for everyone – farming doesn’t work like that. 

But I can share the biggest principle I’ve learned on our 4th generation family farm:

Fundamentals create wealth, not features.

Today I want to share with you five lessons from our farm that will help your Agtech and/or urban farm be more profitable and sustainable.

Let's dive in!

Lesson #1: Money coming in beats perfect every time. 

Here's the assumption most CEA farmers make: outdoor farming is “broken”. 

❌Weather is unpredictable
❌Pests destroy crops
❌Soil gets depleted
❌Seasons limit what you can grow
❌Traditional methods are wasteful and unreliable

So they build controlled environments to "fix" these problems.

✅Perfect climate control
✅No pests
✅Exact nutrients
✅Year-round growing
✅Maximum efficiency

But here's what they miss: 

Conventional farmers already solved the cash flow problem that kills most CEA operations.

Rural farmers understand something most tech farmers don't: 

You can't perfect your way to making money if you're not bringing in cash from day one.