Key Takeaways
- the Reservoir, a California-based agtech incubator, announced a strategic partnership with John Deere.
- The collaboration will focus on accelerating innovation in high-value crops (HVCs).
- John Deere becomes the Reservoir’s exclusive OEM partner, with branding and field-testing opportunities.
- the Reservoir’s grower network will combine with Deere’s automation and precision ag expertise.
- The initiative is part of broader investments in U.S. agricultural technology and sustainability.
the Reservoir Announces Strategic Collaboration with John Deere
the Reservoir, founded in 2024 as an on-farm incubator platform for high-value crops, has launched a strategic collaboration with John Deere (NYSE: DE). The partnership aims to accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies that address critical challenges in labor, efficiency, and sustainability within specialty crop production.
“This partnership gives us a front-row seat to the next generation of agricultural technology,” said Sean Sundberg, business integration manager at John Deere. “It’s an opportunity to work alongside growers and entrepreneurs to ensure future solutions are practical, scalable, and built to last.”
the Reservoir as a Hub for Growers and Startups
Through the agreement, John Deere becomes the exclusive original equipment manufacturer for the Reservoir. This includes branding opportunities at the Salinas facility, early access to startups, joint R&D programs, and curated field demonstrations.
Walt Duflock, senior vice president of innovation at Western Growers, highlighted the significance: “The California agricultural technology landscape will thrive thanks to this kind of collaborative effort. The Reservoir is providing the platform for growers and innovators to come together, and John Deere’s involvement strengthens that foundation.”
the Reservoir Strengthens California Agriculture Ecosystem
By connecting growers, technologists, and startups in real-world production environments, the Reservoir is positioning itself as a central hub for advancing high-value crop innovation.
Danny Bernstein, CEO of the Reservoir, underscored the mission: “At the Reservoir, we’re focused on accelerating innovation for HVCs and the long-term sustainability of California agriculture. John Deere brings trusted technology, technical expertise and a real commitment to grower support.”
Building for the Future
The collaboration between John Deere and the Reservoir also ties into Deere’s broader U.S. investment strategy, which includes more than $20 billion in domestic manufacturing commitments over the next decade. Together, the partners aim to scale solutions that enhance efficiency, strengthen labor resilience, and improve long-term sustainability in agriculture.
