HMC Farms® announces autonomous drone harvest pilot program

Platform with two drones in the middle of an orchard full of trees

For immediate release:

HMC Farms® has partnered with Tevel Aerobotics Technologies to pilot their drone harvesting system utilizing Flying Autonomous Robots. Each robot has the ability to fly, locate fruit, harvest and place the fruit all on its own with no human interaction required.

HMC Farms has a reputation for pursuing cutting edge ag technology. Drew Ketelsen, Vice President and Farm Manager, has a background in civil engineering which gives him a unique perspective on farming and technology. He and Jon McClarty, President of HMC Farms and Drew’s brother-in-law, work together to stay updated on the latest developments and test various forms of ag tech in order to determine the best fit for their farms.

Ketelsen attributes HMC’s high density stone fruit planting system with the ability to utilize drone harvesting. He says, “The years of work we’ve put into cultivating high density orchards are paying off as we implement technology like Flying Autonomous Robot harvesting. We have successfully harvested peaches, nectarines and multiple colors of plums using drones this summer. This project is still in an early stage, but the future potential is very exciting.”

When asked about his thoughts on the pilot program and expanding into the U.S. market, Ittai Marom, US General Manager at Tevel Aerobotics Technologies, shared: “Tevel is pushing the limits of the autonomous revolution in agriculture, and this year marks our debut in the US with our first customers, among them HMC Farms. In harvesting HMC’s fruit, we are gaining first-hand field experience by working alongside their team, while HMC is positioning itself at the forefront of robotic harvesting of stone fruit. So far in our California operations, we have successfully harvested peaches, nectarines, and plums. We are grateful for the support we are getting from HMC’s management and team.”

Autonomous harvest options have great potential to fill a crucial need in the agricultural community, which has notoriously dealt with labor shortages over the years. In places like California’s Central Valley, this technology also may help with harvest during periods of extreme heat, as summer temperatures can often reach well above 100 degrees for many days in a row, right at the peak of stone fruit harvest.

 

About HMC Farms

HMC Farms is a family owned and operated farming business that has grown tree fruit and table grapes in California’s Central Valley since 1887. They believe in growing fruit they are proud to put their name on. To learn more about HMC Farms, visit www.hmcfarms.com.

 

About Tevel Aerobotics Technologies

Tevel’s mission is to lead the transformation from manual fruit picking into on-demand Flying Autonomous Robots. To learn more about Tevel, visit www.tevel-tech.com.

 

 

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HMC Farms participa en la cumbre Western Growers AgTechX en el Reedley College

Editorial de Harold McClarty

HMC Farms participó recientemente en una cumbre de tecnología agrícola en el Reedley College para determinar las necesidades futuras de la fuerza de trabajo agrícola en los cultivos especializados durante los próximos diez años. HMC Farms es un líder progresista en mecanización y tecnología. Hace años reconocimos que nuestros productos básicos, sensibles al tiempo y a la mano de obra, no son sostenibles tal y como se producen hoy en día. Nuestro papel, para que la fruta de hueso y la uva de mesa existan y sean viables en el futuro, es combinar un enfoque tecnológico con una mano de obra formada. Este año, hemos tomado decisiones sobre qué bloques recoger, entresacar, etc., en función de la disponibilidad diaria de mano de obra, lo que ha dejado la fruta en el árbol y sin recoger.

Cita sobre fondo rojo: No le quito el trabajo a nadie, sólo hago que los trabajos sean mejores

Vivimos en pequeñas ciudades del Valle Central que dependen de la agricultura, y tenemos una responsabilidad con las comunidades que nos apoyan y en las que crecimos para encontrar soluciones a este entorno cambiante. El propósito de estas conferencias continuas es educar a los colegios comunitarios y exponer nuestra necesidad de una mano de obra que refleje el cambio en la forma en que llevamos nuestro producto a una caja y al mercado. Nuestro objetivo es cambiar los puestos de trabajo básicos, peor pagados y más difíciles por otros mejor pagados, más sofisticados y menos exigentes físicamente. Para que esto tenga éxito, debe haber un esfuerzo de cooperación entre las universidades, nuestra industria y el gobierno para que estos cultivos especializados y las pequeñas ciudades sigan existiendo. Fue alentador ver la celebración del talento y la dedicación que se necesita para que esto tenga éxito. Nuestra forma de vida depende de ello. 

Carro de uva autónomo con cuatro personas detrás en un viñedo
foto por cortesía de Western Growers