Farmers Business Network

Launched in 2014, FBN is among the most popular farmer networks and e-commerce platforms in the US, affording farmers a range of services such as purchasing inputs, seed selection, contract and bid management, field monitoring, record-keeping of on-farm activities, and farmer-to-farmer communication. Farmers pay FBN between USD 500 and USD 700 annually to use its services. As of December 2020, the company had 20,000 global members on its platform. North America has been a key region for FBN, although the company is also expanding its business to countries with significant opportunities such as Australia. 

In 2016, FBN launched an online input-buying platform called FBN Direct, which collects data on seed prices and performances, assisting farmers in seed and crop management. In 2018, via its farmer-to-farmer genetics network, the startup introduced its first non-GMO corn and soybean seed offerings. Toward the end of 2018, FBN also announced a partnership with Amazon, allowing FBN members registering as Amazon Business customers to access discounts offered alongside an expanded product portfolio. Products such as outdoor power tools, oils and fluids, and outdoor apparel were included. 

As of December 2020, based on 20,000 members paying an annual average fee of USD 600, FBN is poised to generate around USD 12 million in revenue. We note that although FBN started off as a platform to simply connect farmers, in the process of doing so, the company has been able to accumulate a great deal of data. This has allowed it to go beyond merely being a connection platform to introducing its own products and services. 

In April 2023, FBN has launched an AI-powered agronomic advisor, “Norm,” to provide farmers with a wide range of agronomic intelligence. The company has also launched AcreVisionSM, a streamlined solution designed to help farmers make informed land acquisition decisions by leveraging public datasets in proprietary analytical models in July 2023. 

In October 2023, The company has  launched its Profectus™ Feeds, a new approach to beef cattle feeding that could increase profitability and sustainability of beef production. In January 2024, The company has also announced the addition of 10 innovative Crop Protection products under the FBN Brand’s portfolio for Canada. The products include, FBN Fluroxypyr 180 EC, FBN 2,4-D Ester 700 EC, FBN MCPA Ester 600 EC, FBN ProTEB 250 EC, FBN Prothio 480 SC, FBN Azoxy 250 SC, FBN CapTTain CoPak, FBN Sterling, FBN BlackTail and Maxunitech Sulfentrazone.

In February 2024, FBN has appointed Diego Casanello as CEO, effective March 1, 2024, succeeding interim CEO Devin Lammers, who has held the position since November 2023.

Key customers and partnerships

In January 2023, The company has partnered with Greeneye Technology, a provider of precision spraying solutions employing AI and deep learning, into a  long-term strategic partnership to combine Greeneye's retrofit precision spraying systems with FBN's Precision Spraying Packs, customized crop protection, and nutrition plans that FBN is developing with the Greeneye technology, slated to launch in the US in 2024.