The Next Opportunity for Agriculture May Be Bigger Than the Crop We Grow
Farmward is helping bring together the investment, partnerships and innovation needed to create new markets and revenue opportunities for farmers.
Agriculture has always adapted to what comes next. Today, one of the biggest emerging opportunities may be found beyond traditional grain markets.
Demand for renewable fuels, sustainable aviation fuel, bio-based materials, renewable chemicals and other low-carbon products is creating new possibilities for agricultural production. These markets could open new doors for farmers, but realizing that potential will require more than growing a crop. It will take new technologies, infrastructure, processing capabilities and stronger connections between agriculture and emerging markets.
That's why Farmward is proud to invest in AgRogue Growth Partners and support the Radicle Renewables Challenge by John Deere, Land O'Lakes and AgRogue.
Connecting agricultural innovation to new markets
The Radicle Renewables Challenge is a global search for companies developing technologies and business models that can help agriculture participate in the growing renewables economy.
The challenge will consider innovations across several areas, including:
- Renewable fuels, including sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel.
- Next-generation feedstocks, oilseed crops and biomass.
- Bio-based chemicals, materials and industrial products.
- Production systems and technologies that reduce the carbon intensity of agricultural products.
- Carbon measurement, traceability and verification.
- Processing, storage, logistics and infrastructure.
- Business models that connect farmers to emerging markets and new sources of value.
The challenge plans to invest up to $10 million in selected companies, while connecting innovators with strategic partners, agricultural expertise and commercialization resources.
Why this matters to Farmward farmer-owners
The renewables economy has the potential to create new sources of demand for agricultural products and new opportunities across the value chain.
But those opportunities only matter if they translate into practical value for farmers.
Through AgRogue Growth Partners, Farmward participates alongside Land O'Lakes, Radicle Growth and other agricultural retailers to help identify and accelerate technologies that can move from development into real-world agricultural applications.
Our role is rooted in something important: understanding the needs of farmers and helping connect promising innovations with the people and businesses that can put them to work.
It's another way Farmward is advancing farming for generations and working to create more opportunities for the farmer-owners we serve.
An opportunity for innovators
The Radicle Renewables Challenge is accepting applications from companies at all stages of development that are working to advance renewable fuels, feedstocks, materials, chemicals and related technologies.
Applications close November 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
Companies interested in participating can learn more and apply through the challenge website.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE RADICLE RENEWABLES CHALLENGE
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About Farmward Cooperative
Farmward Cooperative is a farmer-owned cooperative serving southwest Minnesota with agronomy, grain, feed, energy, and retail, along with ag financing and insurance. Headquartered in Morgan, Minnesota, Farmward exists to advance farming for generations by delivering innovative solutions, trusted expertise, and local service to its member-owners and customers.