Key Takeaways:
- Farmers Business Network (FBN) secures $50 million in funding to enhance AI capabilities and expand product lines.
- Strategic investment will focus on personalized agronomy, digital marketplace growth, and operational efficiency.
- FBN’s network now includes over 117,000 farms across 187 million acres in the U.S. and Canada.
- New offerings include third-party seed sellers, expanded livestock and crop protection portfolios, and Canadian distribution centers.
- Workforce alignment accompanies FBN’s focus on digital transformation and AI integration.
FBN Focuses on Digital Growth and AI Investment
Supporting long-term value for family farms
Farmers Business Network (FBN) announced $50 million in new funding to further develop its artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities and expand its digital marketplace offerings. The investment is supported by prominent backers such as GV (Google Ventures), Temasek, Arteqin, Colle Capital, and T Rowe Price.
CEO Diego Casanello stated the company’s mission remains rooted in serving family farms efficiently. “Our commitment to putting farmers first means a relentless focus on efficiency and convenience,” said Casanello. “Our goal is to reduce a farm’s operating costs 20% or more compared to brick-and-mortar retail.”
Farmers Business Network Expands Digital Platform
New products and partnerships enhance service for growers
FBN is growing its digital offerings with a broadened product lineup and more opportunities for third-party sellers. The organization reported that its e-commerce platform now includes more than 7,200 products, with most orders arriving within 24 to 72 hours.
Recent farmer surveys indicated that FBN was visited by 35% of growers during input purchasing decisions. In 2025, the platform saw record repeat usage as farmers prioritized profitability. To date, the FBN Finance platform has extended nearly $3 billion in loans.
FBN has also made strategic changes to realign its workforce with digital priorities. These efforts aim to ensure that innovation remains central to delivering sustainable value to its members.
AI and Personalized Tools Lead New Offerings
Large Language Model “Norm” expands functionality
FBN is enhancing its investment in AI, including the deployment of its proprietary Large Language Model, “Norm.” Originally launched to assist with agronomy questions, “Norm” now supports crop marketing queries. Future updates are expected to provide personalized insights in agronomy, finance, and risk management.
According to Casanello, AI is helping FBN “provide our farmer members with more personalized and relevant insights,” while also lowering operational costs through automation.
Farmers Business Network Broadens Product Portfolio
New private label and third-party offerings introduced
In 2025, FBN expanded its Willowood USA® and Farmers First® branded product lines and opened the platform to more third-party sellers. Enhancements include:
- Expanded crop protection and nutrition options for crops such as corn, soybeans, and wheat.
- New seed listings from Seitec Genetics®, including options for sorghum and alfalfa.
- An expanded livestock marketplace with new offerings from Ridley®, Sweetlix®, and more.
- Canadian growth with added crop protection, liquid fertilizer options, and two distribution centers opening in 2026.
With these changes, Farmers Business Network continues to focus on strengthening its digital infrastructure and product accessibility for growers across North America.
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