Rob Rock Ag Machine and Tool

Rob Rock demonstrating the electric-powered prone workstation

Rob has been designing and building farm equipment for his own farm since 2006, spending his winters away from vegetable production as a metal fabrication professional. Over the years he has done numerous small welding and repair jobs for farmers, but as his design and fabrication skills improved, so did his interest in starting up his own dedicated agricultural machinery product line.

The VFF granted Rob a $10,000 Business Builder Loan this past spring to help jump start his agricultural machinery business. When Rob applied for the loan, he had already built several custom pieces of equipment that were designed and optimized for small farmers. Machines like the electric powered prone workstation (pictured), a high-density seeder, and an ultra-light electric seeding and cultivating tractor promised to make local farmers more efficient and productive.

Leasing workshop space adjacent to the farms at the Intervale in Burlington provides Rob with a convenient space for building his equipment and offering fabrication services to the local farmers. Not only can he easily move his prototypes to his fields for testing, he is getting constant feedback from the other growers who stop by to check things out. When buying directly from a local manufacturer, they will save on delivery costs and the elimination of any middlemen.

The Business Builder Loan has been key in helping my ag machine business move towards product launch, enabling me to invest in R&D, improve my shop equipment and to lease a productive commercial space. –Rob Rock

Rob is confident that his ag machine business will fill a necessary niche for northeast organic vegetable farmers, providing equipment that is optimized for their region, scale and pocketbook.

NOTE: This business is currently operating under the name Upstream Ag.

All images courtesy of Rob Rock Ag Machines.