EMILI explores how AI-powered agtech increases sustainability, efficiency

AI is a powerful, multi-purpose technology that has the potential to hyperoptimize on-farm activities to a more precise level than ever to help farmers reduce costs, manage data, and increase productivity. Of the 30+ equipment and technologies being demonstrated and tested on EMILI’s Innovation Farms powered by AgExpert in 2026, a third involve AI.  By deploying technology in a fully-operational Manitoba farm setting, EMILI is able to validate what works and provide innovators with feedback on areas of improvement.  “Ground truthing the technology is critically important to ensure it is solving a problem for farmers and providing accurate data insights,” said Koroscil. “AI models don’t always get it right. Our team spends hours in the field counting weed populations, checking soil moisture levels, evaluating environmental conditions, and collecting agronomic measurements to provide boots-on-the-ground validation of what works and what doesn’t.” Evaluating AI-powered technology in p
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Ep. 71 Eggplants and The Virtue of Patience: Chris Sanford, Yonder Hill Farm

Chris Sanford runs Yonder Hill Farm with Garrett Lauten on the South Shore of Nova Scotia. Her seed journey is deeply anchored in a commitment to regional resilience from working to preserve the local Tancook Island Cabbage to breeding and establishing hardy hazelnut, chestnut, and walnut orchards.

In this episode, Chris shares the logistics of running a small-scale seed farm. We talk about how having backburner crops lets you adapt to the natural rhythms of the farm.Chris reflects on the power of community seed partnerships, highlighting how seed producers can work directly with market gardeners to stabilize and select regional strains.

In the deep dive, Chris and I get into growing eggplant seed. We break down how to plan your fruit harvest and seed extraction to get great germination. And we talk about why patience is a virtue for eggplants.

Enjoy the conversation!

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Episode links

Yonder Hill Farm website https://yonderhillfarm.ca/

Yonder Hill Farm on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/yonderhillfarm

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Tell me what crops you think I should cover in my summer Seed Farmer school. Fill out this form to let me know: https://forms.gle/sZES93eNahtXi44y7

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Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram https://www.instagram.com/danbrisebois.farm/

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❤️ Thanks for listening!

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