UC Agriculture and Natural Resources' innovation unit, UC ANR Innovate, in collaboration with Farmhand Ventures, has selected six agricultural technology companies for the next round of VINE Connect, a statewide commercialization program aimed at helping ag tech firms test and advance their technologies with California growers.
The companies will participate in a field demonstration day on December 5, 2025, at the UC ANR Lindcove Research and Extension Center in Exeter, Tulare County. Attendees will be able to observe the technologies in operation and speak with company representatives, researchers, and growers. The event is open to the public, with registration required.
This cohort focuses on applications for citrus and tree fruit production. California growers continue to face high input costs, tightening water rules, labor shortages, and ongoing pest and disease risks. The program is intended to support technologies that are ready for field-scale testing under commercial conditions.
Gabe Youtsey, UC ANR's chief innovation officer, said the initiative is designed to provide "solutions that work now, and work under real constraints."
The selected companies are:
Ag-Bee LLC, which provides spray drone application services for specialty crops and offers FAA-certified pesticide applications suited for irregular terrain.
© Ag-Bee
CropX, a farm management platform that uses soil sensors and evapotranspiration monitoring to produce irrigation recommendations.
© Crop-X
Evolve Genomix, which produces rapid molecular diagnostic test kits for plant pathogen detection, offers DNA-based results in under one hour.
© Evolve Genomix
HotSpot AG, a system for irrigation and fertigation automation tailored to permanent crops, with remote monitoring and off-peak energy scheduling.
© Hotspot Ag
Kingman Ag, which retrofits conventional tractors from various manufacturers to operate autonomously.
© Kingman Ag
OnTarget Spray Systems, an electrostatic spraying system designed for agricultural use to improve spray coverage and reduce inputs.
© OnTarget Spray Systems
According to program staff, the VINE Connect model differs from traditional accelerators by focusing on grower engagement, trial design, and collaboration with commodity groups and research institutions. The program is intended to address what UC ANR describes as the "innovation gap," the stage between a working concept and a technology that can perform consistently under field pressure, such as climate variability, water constraints, labor shortages, and compliance requirements.
Farmhand Ventures founder Connie Bowen noted that adoption depends on growers' confidence in a technology's performance, adding that the program is structured to help companies integrate farmer feedback early.
VINE Connect operates alongside VINE Build, an early-stage program that supports prototype development. Participants in VINE Connect gain access to business development sessions, field trials, competitive funding pathways, and opportunities to meet potential buyers and partners.
The December 5 demonstration will coincide with Lindcove REC's annual Fruit Display and Tasting event, held for industry participants on the same day, with a public day scheduled for December 6.
For more information:
Pamela Kan-Rice
University of California
Tel: +1 510 206 3476
Email: [email protected]
www.ucanr.edu
