About

Problems

Environment

• Global agriculture loses 24 billion tons of topsoil annually
• Over 50% of farmland is moderately or severely degraded
• Up to 60% of fertilizer applied worldwide is lost to leaching, volatilization, or runoff
• US Midwest has lost 30-50% of topsoil depth, and about 50% of organic matter (carbon)

Demographics

• The average age of farmers and landowners is 60 or older.
• Most farmers and landowners are reluctant to talk about succession, like who will be the next farmers and how will they be trained? 
• More land will be changing ownership in the next 20 years than at any time in the previous history of USA
• Fewer youths are entering the agricultural workforce.
• How can we train the next generation and teach them regenerative farming practices?

Solution

What if we combine the following aspects into a game tool?

• Flight Simulator-like education
• Farming Simulator-style video gameplay
• Directionally-correct algorithms from precision ag and cropping models
• Oregon Trail-style of decision-making and consequences
• Google Earth-style maps and aerial imagery

Initial Audience

The initial audience will be focused first in the USA on FFA and 4H students, 14-18 years old.  This audience size is ~1M in FFA and 500K in 4H.

Challenges

Agriculture and video game sectors operate in different universes and have little overlap.   

The agricultural industry is technically oriented and focuses simulation efforts mainly in agronomic and mechanical dimensions. 

The video game industry has a limited understanding of production agriculture challenges or market opportunities.

Current farming simulator video games for entertainment are limited to one major competitor and are focused on equipment operations.

Video games that are focused on training and education are typically structured as non-profits, do not capture the players’ interest and fail to gain meaningful traction.

Storyline

Imagine…

• You just inherited your grandfather’s farm in western Kansas.
• In his closet, you find photos and maps of the farm during the DustBowl.
• During the 1950-1960’s, the farm was a small grains/fallow/pasture/beef farm.
• Starting in the 1970’s, center pivot irrigation systems were put in, wells tapped the Ogallala Aquifer, livestock left the farm and the cropping system moved to a simpler corn/soybean rotation.
• The aquifer level in your community has decreased slightly, but news from neighboring counties indicates there is potential for up to 70% depletion.
• Have a fun and challenging 40-year farming career by maximizing economic and environmental metrics such as soil health, water, and sustainability using directionally-correct algorithms.  
• Battle crop pests, weather, economic cycles, changing environmental and social pressures.
• Grow crops, drive equipment, watch livestock, improve the farmstead, and build your dream farmhouse and farm shop if you have extra funds.  Dashboard gauges will visualize environmental, economics, sustainability and mental health.
• Learn how regenerative practices can make farming more fun and profitable.
• Be a beacon of hope for your community by learning and implementing best practices to improve soil health.
• Leave your farm as a legacy of hope for the next generation.