Branding workshops to help rural entrepreneurs boost their business

Two Iowa companies are among 10 start-ups vying for a top prize of $100,000 in the 2025 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge.

ReEnvision Ag of Nora Springs is a returning contestant after finishing in the top 10 of the 2023 Ag Innovation Challenge. Since then, company founder Jayson Ryner has made significant advancements to his SeedSpike planting system, which widens the planting window, optimizes planting depth and spacing, and minimizes soil contact and compaction.

Poultry Patrol is a robotics company that offers automated solutions to increase bird movement and notify poultry growers of feed spills, water leaks and other issues in their barns. The company's headquarters is in Coralville.

This is the 11th year of the Ag Innovation Challenge, which provides an opportunity for rural entrepreneurs to showcase ideas and business innovations for agriculture- and food-related businesses.

The 10 semifinalist teams will participate in a virtual pitch round with three judges representing various sectors of the agricultural supply chain. The four teams advancing to the final round will be announced Oct. 17 with each receiving $10,000 and the opportunity to compete in a live competition at the 2025 American Farm Bureau Convention in San Antonio in January.

The overall winner of the Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge will receive a total of $100,000. The runner-up receives $25,000.