The Reservoir, in partnership with Tanimura & Antle, has secured a long-term lease for 40 acres of farmland in Salinas, California, to establish Reservoir Farms, a nonprofit on-farm startup incubator. This initiative is set to become a world-class hub for scalable, farmer-driven technology solutions, located at the historical corner of Highway 68 and Hitchcock Road in Salinas. The site, known for its cultivation of specialty crops such as strawberries, leafy greens, and vegetables, is ideally suited for innovation at the intersection of agriculture and technology.
This collaboration aims to create a living laboratory for the development, testing, and demonstration of next-generation agtech solutions. Reservoir Farms will leverage the site to incubate startups, pilot robotics and automation technologies, and foster sustainable agricultural practices. The initiative is designed to close the gap between promising prototypes and real-world deployment, accelerating solutions to generational challenges in agriculture while supporting inclusive rural economic development.
Developed in partnership with Western Growers, Reservoir Farms will initially allocate 10 acres for dedicated test plots, offering startups the opportunity to innovate in crop cultivation. The initiative is committed to empowering local farmers with access to the latest AgTech innovations, strengthening the AgTech industry by supporting over 50 new companies within five years, boosting the local economy by creating over 500 new jobs, and promoting sustainability through advancements in water efficiency, soil health, and environmental stewardship.
Brian Antle, Executive Vice President of Sales at Tanimura & Antle, highlighted the partnership's role in bridging the gap between technologists and growers to accelerate advancements that drive productivity, profitability, and long-term sustainability for California farms and beyond. The groundbreaking of Reservoir Farms in Salinas is planned for late summer 2025, marking a significant step forward in agricultural innovation and sustainability.
