Making Ag Tech Accessible for All Growers
September 11, 2025 The promise of agricultural technology is enormous. From advanced climate control systems to AI-driven crop monitoring and predictive analytics, ag tech offers tools that can boost productivity, reduce waste, and support long-term sustainability in greenhouse operations. Yet for many small and mid-sized growers, this potential feels just out of reach. Barriers such as high costs, steep learning curves, and uncertainty about ROI often slow or stop adoption altogether.
At Harrisburg University (HU) — where I teach topics like agile project management, lean thinking, innovation, and entrepreneurship — I encourage students to embrace the mindset of “just get started.” This means testing ideas quickly, learning from real-world feedback, and adapting in ways that keep momentum going. These principles, drawn from the lean startup philosophy popularized by Eric Ries (as outlined in The Lean Startup), are just as relevant to agriculture as they are to technology.
(Left to right) Dr. Rachel Fogle, Dr. Jen Mowery, HU students, and Professor Matthew Rissler at the Health Equity Summit. | Dr. Jen Mowery, Harrisburg University
Last year, I co-led a session at the HU Health Equity Summit with Dr. Rachel Fogle that demonstrated what is possible when collaboration and experimentation drive problem-solving. Our team of graduate and undergraduate students came together to address urban food insecurity for mothers and infants. Over four one-week sprints, they rapidly prototyped an immersive virtual reality education tool to reimagine community access to healthy food. The result was not a fully polished product but a working proof of concept ready for testing and refinement.
That project underscored an important truth: You do not need perfect conditions, unlimited funding, or advanced infrastructure to start implementing innovative solutions. You need a clear goal, a willingness to experiment, and a process that allows you to learn as you go.
An aquaponics project demonstration at the Future Cities competition. | Dr. Jen Mowery, Harrisburg University
That same energy was on full display again earlier this year at the Future Cities competition at Steelton-Highspire High School in Pennsylvania, a national, project-based learning experience where middle school students imagine, design, and build cities of the future. HU has been a longtime sponsor of this event because it mirrors one of our goals, empowering the next generation through early exposure to advanced technology and scholarship opportunities.
At this year’s competition, I joined Professor Matthew Rissler and a team of Harrisburg University undergraduate students to lead demonstrations on virtual windmills, turbines, and green energy solutions. At the same event, the HU Aquaponics team, led by Fogle, showcased innovative agricultural practices and sustainable urban planning as ways to address food deserts. These experiences connected young students to real-world applications of renewable energy and ag tech, sparking curiosity and giving them a taste of how STEM skills can solve global challenges.
The principles that make these educational events successful can also help bridge the ag tech gap for growers.
Start Small and Create Early Wins
For growers, adopting new technology can feel overwhelming when viewed as a complete overhaul. A more manageable approach is to start with a single, targeted improvement — an environmental sensor in one zone of the greenhouse or an automated irrigation line in a test section. In lean thinking, this is your minimum viable product. It delivers immediate feedback on value and functionality while keeping financial and operational risk low.
Build Cross-Functional Partnerships
Dr. Jen Mowery (second from left) and Professor Matthew Rissler (first from right) with students at the Future Cities competition. | Dr. Jen Mowery, Harrisburg University
Innovation thrives when different disciplines work together toward a shared goal. The Health Equity Summit and the Future Cities competition succeeded because they blended expertise in agriculture, sustainability, manufacturing, and digital technology. For growers, partnerships with universities, local sustainability experts, and technology vendors ensure that solutions are both practical and forward-looking.
Focus on Ease of Use
Even the most sophisticated tool will fail if it requires constant troubleshooting or extensive training. Accessible ag tech should prioritize intuitive design, mobile compatibility, and clear, actionable insights. The best solutions work for the grower rather than demanding the grower work for the solution.
Explore Creative Financial Models
Cost remains one of the largest hurdles, but it is not insurmountable. Cooperative purchasing agreements, subscription-based services, and targeted grant funding can make adoption possible for smaller operations. Aligning investments with the highest-value outcomes ensures that every dollar spent moves the operation closer to its goals.
Leverage Service-Based Learning
Partnerships that bring students into the field are a powerful way to close the knowledge gap in ag tech. At Harrisburg University, students in the Environmental Science and Sustainability program engage in mapping, sampling, logging, and analysis for real greenhouse operations. These collaborations give growers valuable support while preparing a future workforce skilled in sustainable, technology-driven agriculture.
“When we bring students directly into greenhouse operations, we are not just giving them a project — we are giving them the chance to solve real problems with real stakes,” says Fogle. “That experience builds confidence, creativity, and a deep understanding of how technology can drive sustainable agriculture. At the same time, growers benefit from fresh perspectives, data-driven insights, and a future workforce ready to hit the ground running.”
Bridging the digital divide in agriculture is not about waiting for the perfect time or tool. It is about creating a pathway that makes innovation accessible, practical, and scalable for all growers. By starting small, fostering partnerships, designing for usability, finding creative financing, and integrating learning into real-world projects, we can make digital transformation achievable across greenhouses of every size.
In the classroom, in community projects, and in competitions like Future Cities, I see the same lesson play out repeatedly — progress comes from action. Whether you are a grower exploring your first sensor or a student designing the city of the future, the principle is the same. Begin with what you have, test your ideas, gather feedback, and improve with each cycle. The future of agriculture will be shaped by those willing to take the first step and keep moving forward.
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