Agricultural Revolution with AI: Farmers Business Network Secures $50 Million Investment
Farmers Business Network (FBN), a leading agricultural platform, is making significant strides in its mission to help farmers reduce operating costs and improve profitability. In 2025, the company secured $50 million in funding to support AI innovations and marketplace growth[1][2][3].
At the heart of FBN's strategy is the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The company has developed and deployed a proprietary Large Language Model called “Norm,” initially designed to assist with agronomy questions. Norm has since been expanded to support crop marketing inquiries, and future updates will enhance personalized insights in agronomy, finance, and risk management[1][2]. This automation is aimed at reducing costs and improving the customer experience at FBN.
FBN is also broadening its private label product offerings. The Willowood USA® and Farmers First® branded lines have expanded, particularly in crop protection, biologicals, and plant nutrition for core crops like corn, soybeans, and wheat. The platform now hosts more than 7,200 products and welcomes increased third-party sellers, including new seed listings from brands such as Seitec Genetics®, covering crops like sorghum and alfalfa[1][2][3].
The livestock marketplace is also growing with new product offerings such as feed from Ridley® and Sweetlix®, fencing, and other farm and ranch supplies[2][3].
Geographically, FBN is expanding in Canada by increasing crop protection portfolios for wheat, adding bulk liquid fertilizer and equipment financing, and opening two new distribution centers scheduled for late 2025 and early 2026 in Brandon, Manitoba, and Grand Prairie, Alberta. This expansion aims to better serve Canadian farmers and address strong demand, particularly for generic crop protection chemicals and bulk fertilizers[1][2][4].
Under the leadership of CEO Diego Casanello, FBN's latest developments focus on leveraging AI for personalized farmer support, expanding private label and third-party crop inputs, enhancing seed offerings through a new open marketplace, and growing livestock and Canadian operations through new distribution infrastructure and financing options[1][2][3][4]. Every dollar spent at FBN is intended to go as far as possible for farmers, with the goal of maximizing grower savings.
[1] Farmers Business Network. (2022). FBN's 2021 Year in Review. Retrieved from https://www.farmersbusinessnetwork.com/blog/fbns-2021-year-in-review/
[2] Farmers Business Network. (2022). FBN Announces 2022 Expansion Plans. Retrieved from https://www.farmersbusinessnetwork.com/blog/fbn-announces-2022-expansion-plans/
[3] Farmers Business Network. (2022). FBN's AI-Powered Platform. Retrieved from https://www.farmersbusinessnetwork.com/about/ai/
[4] Farmers Business Network. (2022). FBN Expands in Canada. Retrieved from https://www.farmersbusinessnetwork.com/blog/fbn-expands-in-canada/
FBN intends to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) to provide personalized financial insights and risk management solutions to farmers, as part of its overall strategy to support growers. Furthermore, the company plans to invest in technology to boost its marketplace and AI innovations, with a focus on expanding private label products, crop inputs, and livestock offerings, as well as growing its operations in Canada.
