WGCIT RESIDENT VERDANT ROBOTICS Revolutionizing Agriculture with Precision Technology By Emily Lyons, Program Manager
Founded in 2018 by Gabe Sibley and Curtis Garner, Verdant Robotics brings together deep expertise in robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and commercial agriculture to address critical challenges in farming, including labor shortages, rising input costs and sustainability. Verdant Robotics’ flagship product, the SharpShooter, is the only precision application system that aims before it applies. Equipped with cameras, AI and ultra-precise robotic nozzles, it identifies targets in real-time— from weeds to thinning zones— and applies micro-liter doses with millimeter-level accuracy. This “see, decide and apply” process happens in milliseconds, enabling a single machine to cover up to five acres per hour with 99.9 percent accuracy. Key features of the SharpShooter include: • Unmatched Accuracy: Over 99 percent of applications land within millimeters of the target—even under crop leaves. • Multi-Functionality: One machine weeds, thins and applies beneficials. • Crop Safety: Proprietary 3-D crop shields and safety buffers protect high-value crops from collateral damage. • Adaptability: Works across crop types, sizes (from dime to dinner plate), and in conventional, organic and no-till systems. Growers should view the SharpShooter as a high-ROI investment. On average, customers report up to 85 percent labor cost savings, 99 percent chemical reduction and return on investment (ROI) in as little as six to eight months, depending on crop use.
Beyond cost savings, the SharpShooter enables growers to: • Extend their operating window with a machine that works day or night, and in breezy or damp conditions. • Meet regulatory and sustainability goals with dramatically lower inputs. • Operate with confidence, thanks to its rugged, field- tested design and white-glove support from the Verdant Robotics team. Built with Growers in Mind “We didn’t build SharpShooter in a vacuum—we built it in the field, alongside growers. They told us what they needed: less labor, less waste and technology that works in real-world conditions. So we listened. Every feature reflects those conversations. We designed a system that gives growers back control—precision that solves real problems and fits seamlessly into their operations,” said Sibley, Co-Founder and CEO. One of Verdant Robotics’ most compelling success stories comes from Topflavor Farms in Salinas, Calif. Led by third-generation grower Daniel Alameda, Topflavor was among the first to adopt the SharpShooter. After seeing transformative results in romaine and broccolini fields, they’ve reordered multiple units to expand their fleet. “What used to take 30 people all day can now be done with one machine and one operator,” Alameda said. His team uses the SharpShooter daily for precision weeding and input application, drastically reducing labor dependence while improving crop quality and yield. By replacing labor-intensive hand crews and cutting chemical use, Alameda’s operation has achieved rapid ROI. Importantly, the technology enhances, rather than disrupts, his team’s workflow. “We didn’t need more data. We needed something that could act on it,” he said. Today, Verdant Robotics is working with many specialty crop growers across the U.S. who have chosen the SharpShooter for its versatility and precision. As they witness firsthand how it transforms their operations, they are ordering additional units.
34 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com September | October 2025
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