Tim Randall

Hello friends, environmentalists, eco-entrepreneurs, organic foodies, makers, and engineers.

Recent advancements in robotics present us with the opportunity to replace many of the harmful chemicals used in agriculture, making organic food more economical and agriculture much better for the environment.

Farmbot is the embodiment of these advancements, and we are offering you the chance to join us in implementing this technology by backing our project and collaborating!

Check out farmbot.io's crowdfunding video.

More information on the machine: https://farmbot-genesis.readme.io/docs/power-farmbot-with-solar

Where this idea came from:

Tim:

I have been thinking about robots caring for plants (mainly imagining mini-robotic men battling with pest insects) since I was a kid in my mums’ organic veggie garden, on my family’s organic rice farm.

Seeing farmbot.io's recent video, it really ignited that dream, seeing how far they have already come! They crowdfunded for the month of July with 25% off. The Farmbot costs approximately $4800 AUD after exchange rates and bank fees. They sold $813,235 of a over 8 times there $100,000 goal!

James:

When I first saw the Farmbot it naturally excited me, as it fulfills part of my vision of food production and environmental management. Being outside and tending to the vegetable garden has long been a hobby, but plants need consistent care and watering - including when I want to go camping for a week and don’t have anyone to tend to them!
Farmbot takes the stress out of gardening by doing the labor for you, and this has massive implications for commercial agriculture. Our desire is to implement this technology to its full potential, from home gardens all the way to full-scale farms, and we need your help:

From a technology perspective, Farmbot makes what at first glance appears complicated approachable to anyone; which is exciting. It is also, however, not free, and this is why we are looking for people to join us by contributing financially. Crowdfunding the Farmbot creates a unique chance for you to benefit, without the high financial barrier to entry of purchasing a Farmbot on your own.

Why this is important:

This robotic solution eliminates the need for harsh herbicides and pesticides, the use of which has dramatically increased over the past 20 years. These have caused a host of environmental problems including reducing soil health, destroying bee populations, and making their way up the food chain to us. Industrial agriculture is destroying the very environment we need to grow food.

In addition, modern agriculture is producing more carbon than it is sequestering: The overall energy capture of farms has declined to zero or negative since the “Green Revolution” in the 70’s. Profit driven farming has lead to cultivated soils losing 30-70% of their organic matter (GRAIN 2013).

Clearly, the industry needs to change, and we believe this is part of the answer.

Recent advances in image recognition, automation, and manufacturing now makes it possible for robots to do the intricate work of food production. Their use could lead to the widespread application of sustainable methods of farming, polycropping, ecological intensification, and even farming of native plants. A robot can weed selectively, leaving native species alone - unlike herbicides, which are applied indiscriminately.

Sustainably produced and fueled robots will have to form the basis of farming in western countries if we are to restore the environment and farm productively in the face of climate change and increased costs.

The plan:

Once we have a Farmbot and form a team of part-time tinkerers interested in sustainable farming, we will choose a location in Wollongong (which has a great climate for year round farming). Next, we start growing a polycrop and work on ideas to improve the machine.

See the creators’ work on: http://wiki.farmbot.org/wiki/Main_Page

Some of the first things we will focus on are ideas that rapidly increase returns with minimal modification, like extending the boom:

Some plans for the Farmbot include:

Ecological:

• Apply polycropping theories to repel pests

• Trial native foods and study their production optimization

• Study planting in the micro-environment created by mature plants

Hardware:

• Develop pest control tools

• Increase the boom width

• Build a Farmbot with recycled and sustainable materials.

This research and development will include monthly meetings for a year, during which the next phases will be devised.

Helping people using robots?

Automated farming and robotic ecological management can unlock the growth of organic farming in Australia, by reducing the challenge and cost of labour. More organic farming means better stewardship of our environment, increased water retention drought resistance, and absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

The benefits are clear and the technology is easily applied. It’s time to use it!

The funds will be used to purchase and set up a full off-grid and smart farmbot, 

which (including the 25% discount) costs $3250 USD.

Set will be completed by people in the collective and share owners. Harvest can be shared and performed by us, and the owners/renters of the land the Farmbot is based on.

1.a Ownership:

How the ownership will be confirmed depends on the campaign outcome. If all rewards are sold we will have $13,925 - enough for 2 machines,  and ~$3000 to invest in modification and development of a pest removing Farmbot extension.

If a Farmbot is donated and we have funds for another, we will potentially have enough produce to start a market stall, the proceeds of which can be used to fund R & D and expansion.

1.b Ownership continued:

We have already bought two $1000 shares with our own money, and may buy more.

Dinner and Produce rewards will come out our share of the produce. Donation, Dinner, and Produce rewards will contribute to our ownership shares, with our maximum share being 68.66% if only one Farmbot is purchased.

1.c Ownership continued:

Joining the Farmbot Wollongong modification, research, and development collective:

You will get full access to our Farmbot (dependent on location), you will get access to a closed Facebook group, be involved in organising monthly meets, quarterly working bees (you get to choose who to invite) and of course organic veggies! If there are no $500 share or $1000 share purchases (other than ours), your minimum share of the Farmbot will be 3.71% depending on how many Collective pledges are purchased.

1.d Ownership continued:

Financial shareholders will essentially be collective members with a larger stake. You may be given the opportunity to house the Farmbot on your property, and it will be easier for you to buy more shares of the Farmbot from other members. We propose an ownership and direction meeting one year after the planting of the first seed, or fulfillment of all the Dinner/Produce pledges (whichever comes sooner).

2. Location: We plan to place the Farmbot on land owned by a large shareholder in Wollongong, and are open to alternative offers.

3. Weather:

In case of extreme weather, we may have to construct a protective cover to put over the raised bed and Farmbot.