I grew up on a multi-generational family farm in Utah, and that experience shaped a deep respect for the people who feed our country. I’ve seen firsthand the grit, resourcefulness, and faith it takes to be a farmer—and how often they face challenges beyond their control. That background is what inspired me to co-found Halio, a company focused on developing biological tools that make crops more resilient to stress, especially in salty or depleted soils. Our goal is to give farmers better, biology-driven solutions that improve their soil over time and make their lives a little bit easier.

When I applied to the American Farm Bureau's Ag Innovation Challenge, I expected a chance to present our idea. What I didn’t expect was how energizing it would be to connect—not just with like-minded entrepreneurs—but with farmers, ranchers, and ag innovators who are seriously thinking about the future. These weren’t people stuck in tradition. They were people rooted in it — yet willing to explore bold ideas that might help them farm smarter, conserve resources, or adapt to tough growing conditions.

The Challenge gave us valuable exposure and honest feedback, but more than that, it gave us access to the exact people we’re trying to serve. Conversations with forward-thinking farmers helped us refine how we talk about Halio and better understand how our technology could fit into their operations. It was the kind of clarity that only comes from getting close to the customer.

If you’re working on something new in agriculture—or even just curious about where things are headed—I’d strongly encourage you to get involved. Whether you're building a product, thinking about starting something, or you're a farmer who's always testing out new ideas, the Ag Innovation Challenge is a space where technology and tradition meet. You’ll leave better than you came


Enter the 2026 Ag Innovation Challenge

If learning about the Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge strikes a chord with you, why not enter the 2026 competition?

Farm Bureau will award $145,000 in startup funds to four businesses, culminating at a live pitch competition and networking event at the American Farm Bureau Convention in January 2026 in Anaheim, California. The winner will be awarded $100,000 in startup funds, the runner-up will receive $25,000 and two additional business owners who advance to the final round will each go home with $10,000. The program is sponsored by Farm Credit, Bayer Crop Science, John Deere, Farm Bureau Bank, Farm Bureau Financial Services and T-Mobile. Learn more and apply here.