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Listen & Watch On
About This Episode
Jake and Sabreana sit down with Dr. John Gates, a self-described "soil nerd" whose journey from math to ag technology has taken him from innovative ideas to real-world solutions in the field. Hear how his unconventional career—and passion for solving problems—has helped shape the future of farming.
Topics Covered
soil sensors, water management, ag innovation
Key Takeaways
John Gates shares his background growing up in a rural Arkansas community, transitioning from a math-focused education to becoming a professor of soils and water at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Soil sensor technology uses data such as soil maps, topography and satellite imagery to help farmers manage soil moisture more effectively.
John emphasizes that technology must maintain "true north" by focusing on providing direct on-farm value and decision support for growers.
About the Guest
Dr. John Gates is an agricultural technology veteran advising companies on how to turn innovative ideas into practical solutions. With more than 20 years of experience, Gates has helped growers around the world make better decisions and manage resources more efficiently. He's served in leadership and research roles at CropX Technologies, CropMetrics, The Climate Corporation and as a professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
About the Hosts
Agriculture has been part of Jake’s life from the beginning. Growing up on a Midwest farm, he never realized those early experiences were preparing him for a career in the industry. With more than 20 years of experience in irrigation technology, Jake has worked his way from robotic programming to his current role as technical sales manager, helping growers around the world optimize their irrigation systems. A self-described lifelong learner, Jake is always curious about how things work and what’s possible. Away from work, he enjoys hunting, fishing and spending time with his family.
Sabreana didn’t grow up in agriculture, but that’s where she went after earning her manufacturing engineering degree. For the past 26 years, she’s had the opportunity to hold different positions within Reinke, now serving as a sales and marketing support specialist. Having developed a deep respect for the ag industry, Sabreana now has the opportunity to expand on that by tapping into people’s stories and challenges through the podcast.
