Industry professionals, engineers, and innovators interested in agricultural automation will appreciate this candid episode with Nikki Gonzales and Katie Bradford. The conversation highlights the challenges and opportunities in agtech, the design of accessible robotic platforms for small farms, and why an open-source, repairable approach matters for sustainable farming. These themes matter to automation professionals and farmers looking for scalable, real-world solutions.
Building Practical Automation for Small Farms
Katie Bradford explains that Rotate8 was designed with the realities of small farming in mind. Unlike the “one-tool-fits-all” mindset often seen in large-scale automation, Rotate8’s platform is intentionally modular and repairable. Bradford points out that many small farms grow diverse crops, making specialized and expensive automation impractical: “Something like 80% of farms are small polyculture farms which are growing a number of crops... they don't have a budget for just their apples to be picked by a robot and use this, you know, AI vision system.” Instead, the company focuses on general-purpose robots and IoT devices that provide automation for tasks like soil prep, irrigation, and more. This flexible approach helps address immediate labor and efficiency challenges while remaining accessible for a wide variety of farms.
The Benefit of Open-Source and Right to Repair
Bradford firmly supports making key elements of Rotate8’s system open-source—a rare move in automation hardware. This philosophy directly addresses a pain point for farmers: the need for control, repairability, and local customization of equipment. Bradford notes, “By making it open source, it actually makes it more appealing to a lot of customers because they're able to fix it themselves, modify it themselves.” The barriers farmers face with proprietary systems and limited repair rights have led to frustration and unsustainable long-term costs. By sharing mechanical designs and supporting a “hackable,” low-cost platform, Rotate8 empowers users to keep systems running, adapt to their own needs, and reduce downtime—growing trust within the farming community.
Balancing Startup Reality with Well-being and Sustainability
The episode does not shy away from recognizing the personal cost and responsibility that comes with founding a company. Bradford reflects on the lessons learned from previous aggressive work cultures and marks a different, more balanced leadership style. She shares, “I want this to be a company that we can sustain. I want to grow this company slowly and sustainably, just like I feel about food.” Prioritizing the well-being of her team, Bradford fosters a healthy company culture by encouraging reasonable hours and respecting personal commitments. This approach reflects broader industry conversations about the need for sustainable growth—both in business and in agricultural technology.
Key Quote From The Episode
“Farmers are some of the original engineers... you know, we want them to make it work for them to, for their systems, because every solution is so different.” – Katie Bradford
Key Takeaways
[00:03:10] Rotate8’s modular, general-purpose robotic platform is built for small, diverse farms, not just large monocultures. [00:21:36] Making mechanical designs open-source allows farmers to repair and customize equipment, addressing major frustrations around proprietary “black box” systems. [00:32:58] Fostering a company culture that values employee well-being ensures long-term company health and sustainable innovation.
Wrap Up
This episode offers practical guidance for both automation professionals and farmers: focus on flexible, field-tested solutions; value openness and the farmer’s right to repair; and remember that company culture can be as important as technical progress. Readers are encouraged to consider open-source automation projects, seek out repair-friendly equipment, and advocate for healthy work practices whether building teams or supporting clients.
About the Guest
Katie Bradford is the founder and CEO of Rotate8, a startup delivering general-purpose robotic platforms and automation tools for small and mid-sized farms. With a background in electrical engineering, robotics, and real-world farm experience, Bradford brings a unique perspective to bridging automation and sustainable agriculture.
