What’s Next After Our First Pilot Series Deployment

The power of Monarch is now in farmers’ hands. On Earth Day, April 22, the team at Monarch announced the deployment of our first fleet of pilot-series tractors, with the first tractor being delivered to our friends at Wente Vineyards.

“We’ve been out here for two seasons. I remember the day we set up camp—we literally pitched a tent and started testing our tractor,” said co-founder Praveen Penmetsa. “thanks to Wente’s support, we have made a lot of progress and today is the culmination of that progress with us handing over the tractor that Wente vineyards is going to use over the coming years... “

Wente Vineyards is the longest family-run winery in the nation with five generations of knowledge. The fifth generation of the Wente Family has continued the family’s sustainability efforts to be better stewards of the land for generations to come. The Monarch Tractor will help them continue these efforts.

The 15 pilot-series tractors being deployed are a stepping stone in Monarch’s goal of beginning full production at the end of the year. The power is now in the hands of the consumer, and Monarch Tractor will be used just like any other tractor on the field. In the coming months, we will take all of the feedback we receive and implement changes in the software and hardware that will help ensure our tractors are ready for any challenge.

We’re honored to receive an outpouring of support from many different groups across the tech and innovation, farming, and governing communities. Members of these groups include iGATE Innovation Hub, the Innovation TriValley Leadership Group and the local tech and innovation community as well as Bush Hog and countless farmers in the region. A special thanks to the City of Livermore and the Livermore Chamber of Commerce for embracing Monarch as we further establish our roots in the ideal agtech location where the tech and talent pool of Silicon Valley, agriculture of the Central and Napa Valleys, and R&D in the TriValley area all intersect.

“This deployment is just the beginning of what is possible in terms of a sustainable technology that is going to have an impact on farm economics,” said Penmetsa. “...Our mission has always been to create a sustainable food ecosystem for the world over.”