Key Takeaways

• Christine Birdsong, former undersecretary for California’s Department of Food and Agriculture, is now heading external affairs at Reservoir Farms.
• Reservoir Farms, a 40-acre ag-tech innovation hub in the Salinas Valley, aims to transform agricultural practices through technology.
• Birdsong’s experience in policy and agriculture will help Reservoir expand its research partnerships and influence key agricultural policies.

Leadership Change at Reservoir Farms

Former California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Undersecretary Christine Birdsong has joined Reservoir Farms as the head of external affairs. The 40-acre testing hub in the Salinas Valley, launched conceptually in 2024 and officially opened in March, focuses on advancing ag-tech solutions. Birdsong expresses her enthusiasm for the future of agricultural technology, noting that it is essential for the industry’s survival amid various pressures.

Reservoir Farms serves as both a working farm and an ag-tech incubator, providing companies the opportunity to test technologies such as robots, automation, and data tools directly within commercial crops. Danny Bernstein, CEO and founder of Reservoir, emphasized the project’s goal of accelerating innovation in specialty crop agriculture. Birdsong has followed the hub’s development closely, highlighting its role in bridging the gap between technology and practical farming needs.

As the new head of external affairs, Birdsong will oversee relationships with land-grant universities, community colleges, and research institutions, as well as managing the organization’s engagement with federal, state, and local programs. She aims to establish strong ties in communities where Reservoir operates, facilitating the growth of research initiatives and agricultural policies.

Bernstein remarked on Birdsong’s unique capability to engage with various stakeholders, including university leaders and local growers. Birdsong’s knowledge of policy and agriculture positions her well to contribute to the company’s mission, which purports that technology is crucial for resilience in farming.

Birdsong previously left her role at CDFA after working closely with California’s agricultural sector, tackling challenges like sustainable pest management, trade, food safety, and agricultural innovation. Notably, she contributed to California’s Agricultural Research & Innovation Roadmap, aimed at enhancing scientific research and practical farming solutions.

Her experience in agriculture policy is expected to enhance Reservoir’s efforts to tackle pressing issues faced by the industry, such as labor shortages, rising costs, and the need for technological advancement. Birdsong emphasized that her background will help in prioritizing the technologies to trial and identifying crucial conversations around legislative changes needed in the field.

Reservoir Farms is currently seeking to transform pilot programs into widespread technology adoption through research partnerships and favorable policies. Birdsong’s position is strategically important as she will facilitate discussions on legislative adjustments, such as the amendment of an outdated law requiring physical operator presence in moving farm equipment.

Recently, Reservoir announced a significant partnership with John Deere, valued at $10 million over three years, to drive deep-tech innovation for high-value crops. With additional plans to raise a $50 million fund for early-stage agricultural technology investments, Birdsong is optimistic about the future of ag-tech. She asserts that for the agriculture sector to thrive, operations must become more efficient and embrace new tools and skills. As Birdsong steps into her new role, her experience and vision for ag-tech will be vital for Reservoir Farms’ ambitious growth and broader impact in the industry.

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