Farmers Business Network

Farmers Business Network (FBN) is a North American agricultural technology and services company that combines a farmer-to-farmer information network with online purchasing, agricultural finance, agronomic tools, and sustainability programs. Founded in 2014 by Charles Baron and Amol Deshpande, the company was created around the idea that farmers could use aggregated operational data to compare seed performance, input pricing, and production practices more effectively. Its business model seeks to give growers greater transparency in markets that have traditionally relied on local dealerships, opaque pricing, and fragmented technical information. FBN's principal commercial operation is FBN Direct, an online marketplace for agricultural inputs and farm supplies. The marketplace includes seed, crop-protection products, fertilizer and crop nutrition, biological products, livestock supplies, animal-health products, feed, fencing, tools, tanks, and other farm and ranch equipment. FBN Direct began in 2016 as an online input-buying service. Its data tools use information about seed prices, genetics, and reported performance to help farmers compare products and make agronomic decisions. FBN also sells its own and affiliated offerings, including products associated with the Farmers First line, while making selected third-party seed brands available in particular markets. FBN Finance is the company's agricultural lending business in the United States and Canada. It provides operating lines of credit for working capital, financing for the purchase of inputs through FBN Direct, and loans connected with farmland acquisition, refinancing, and capital improvements. The company has also experimented with financing structures that connect lending terms to environmental outcomes. Its Regenerative Agriculture Financing land-loan pilot offered interest-rate reductions to participating farmers who followed soil- and water-health practices developed with external sustainability partners. The company's digital services extend beyond commerce and lending. SeedFinder helps growers compare seed products and performance across geographies. AcreVision provides parcel-level estimates of farmland values and comparable sales. FBN also offers crop-marketing intelligence, farmer discussion and collaboration features, and artificial-intelligence tools. In 2023, it introduced Norm, an AI agronomic adviser initially designed to answer questions about crop protection, seed selection, livestock health, and general agronomy. The service later expanded to crop-marketing queries. FBN has also developed supply and data partnerships. In 2018, it introduced non-genetically modified corn and soybean seed offerings through F2F Genetics Network. In 2022, it worked with the Environmental Defense Fund on financial incentives for regenerative farming. In 2024, FBN and Archer Daniels Midland formed Gradable, a 50–50 joint venture focused on sustainability measurement and grain-procurement technology. FBN has expanded its physical fulfillment capacity, including a fulfillment center in Saskatoon, Canada, and has broadened its livestock offerings. The company has attracted venture financing and attention for challenging established agricultural distribution practices. It was also the subject of a Canadian Competition Bureau investigation concerning allegations that major agricultural companies sought to influence manufacturers or wholesalers in ways that could disadvantage FBN; the allegations and investigation concerned market conduct rather than a finding that FBN itself had engaged in wrongdoing. By 2025, FBN stated that its network included more than 117,000 member farms covering approximately 187 million acres, while its finance platform had provided nearly $3 billion in total financing. In July 2025, it announced additional funding to expand its AI platform and opened its marketplace to third-party sellers. Diego Casanello became chief executive officer in 2024.

Farmers Business Network began in 2014 as a farmer-oriented data network founded by Charles Baron and Amol Deshpande. Its initial proposition was that farmers could improve decisions about seed, crop inputs, and production by pooling operational information and comparing results across farms. This approach positioned FBN against a fragmented agricultural supply chain in which product pricing and performance information was often difficult for growers to compare independently. The company moved from information services into commerce in 2016 with the launch of FBN Direct. The online marketplace allowed farmers to purchase agricultural inputs while using FBN's data resources to compare seed prices and reported performance. Over time, FBN Direct expanded from crop inputs into crop-protection products, fertilizer and nutrition, biological products, livestock supplies, animal-health products, feed, fencing, equipment, and general farm and ranch supplies. FBN also developed branded and affiliated product lines while distributing selected products from other companies. Seed became an important part of the company's strategy. In 2018, FBN introduced non-GMO corn and soybean seed offerings through F2F Genetics Network. The company continued to use its network and data tools to support comparisons involving genetics, pricing, and geography. Its SeedFinder service formalized this function by helping growers evaluate seed options and reported performance. The company has also offered third-party seed brands, including Seitec Genetics products in selected U.S. states. FBN's expansion into financial services produced FBN Finance, which provides operating lines of credit, input financing, and farmland loans in the United States and Canada. The lending business became a significant part of the platform's value proposition by connecting financing with the purchase and use of farm inputs. In March 2024, FBN reported that it had passed $1 billion in financing through farm operating lines. By 2025, the company said its finance platform had extended nearly $3 billion in total financing to growers. The company has periodically faced resistance from established agricultural businesses. In 2020, Canadian authorities investigated allegations that Bayer, BASF, and Corteva had communicated with manufacturers or wholesalers with the objective of influencing access for FBN. A Canadian federal court issued subpoenas in connection with the antitrust inquiry. The matter formed part of the broader competitive tension between FBN's online distribution model and incumbent agricultural supply channels; the reported allegations concerned the investigated companies and did not establish wrongdoing by FBN. FBN broadened its digital and sustainability capabilities during the 2020s. It worked with the Environmental Defense Fund on financing incentives for regenerative practices and later developed a regenerative agriculture land-loan pilot. In 2023, it launched AcreVision, a farmland valuation tool, and Norm, an AI agronomic adviser built using OpenAI's ChatGPT technology and informed by public and proprietary agricultural information. Norm was designed to answer questions about agronomy, crop protection, seed, livestock health, and later crop marketing. FBN also expanded its physical and commercial infrastructure. It opened a 198,000-square-foot fulfillment center in Saskatoon in 2023 and broadened its livestock business to include feed, animal-health products, fencing, and equine supplies. In August 2024, FBN and Archer Daniels Midland created Gradable, a 50–50 joint venture focused on sustainability scoring and grain-procurement technology. In 2025, FBN announced a new funding round for AI development and opened its marketplace to third-party sellers. It reported that its network had grown to more than 117,000 member farms covering approximately 187 million acres. Diego Casanello became chief executive officer in 2024.

• 2025

  AI expansion and third-party marketplace announced

  [1]Farmers Business Networken.wikipedia.org

  FBN announced $50 million in new funding for AI, expanded marketplace participation, and reported more than 117,000 member farms.

• 2024

  Gradable joint venture established

  [1]Farmers Business Networken.wikipedia.org

  FBN and ADM formed a 50–50 joint venture for sustainability and grain-procurement technology.

• 2023

  AcreVision and Norm launched

  [1]Farmers Business Networken.wikipedia.org

  FBN expanded its digital portfolio with farmland valuation and AI agronomy tools.

• 2020

  Canadian competition inquiry reported

  [1]Farmers Business Networken.wikipedia.org

  Canadian authorities investigated alleged efforts by major agricultural companies to restrict or influence commercial access for FBN.

• 2018

  Non-GMO seed line introduced

  [1]Farmers Business Networken.wikipedia.org

  FBN and F2F Genetics Network introduced non-GMO corn and soybean seed offerings.

• 2016

  FBN Direct launched

  [1]Farmers Business Networken.wikipedia.org

  FBN introduced its online agricultural-input purchasing marketplace.

• 2014

  Farmers Business Network founded

  [1]Farmers Business Networken.wikipedia.org

  Charles Baron and Amol Deshpande founded FBN as a farmer-focused data and information network.

A farmer-centric, data-driven agricultural platform intended to improve purchasing transparency, agronomic decision-making, access to credit, and sustainability outcomes.

• Agricultural e-commerce marketplace · 2016

  FBN Direct

  FBN Direct is FBN's online marketplace for farm inputs and supplies. Its catalog includes seed, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, adjuvants, fertilizer, biologicals, crop-nutrition products, livestock supplies, animal-health products, feed, fencing, equipment, tools, tanks, and hardware. The service combines ordering with data intended to help farmers compare products and pricing.

• Agricultural finance

  FBN Finance

  FBN Finance provides operating lines of credit for farm working capital, financing for inputs bought through FBN Direct, and farmland loans for purchases, refinancing, and capital improvements in the United States and Canada. It has also supported experimental financing tied to regenerative soil- and water-management practices.

• Artificial-intelligence agronomy adviser · 2023

  Norm

  Norm is an AI-powered adviser introduced to answer farmer questions about crop protection, seed selection, agronomy, livestock health, and related operational topics. It was initially built using OpenAI's ChatGPT model and FBN's public and proprietary agricultural information, and later expanded to address crop-marketing questions.

• Seed comparison and agronomic software

  SeedFinder

  SeedFinder is a digital comparison tool that helps growers evaluate seed genetics, prices, and reported performance across locations. It reflects FBN's broader strategy of using aggregated farmer and product information to make agricultural purchasing decisions more transparent.

• Farmland analytics · 2023

  AcreVision

  AcreVision provides parcel-level estimated farmland values and comparable-sales information. The tool is intended to support farmers and landowners evaluating agricultural real estate and related financing decisions.

• Sustainability and grain-procurement technology · 2024

  Gradable

  Gradable is a 50–50 FBN and ADM joint venture focused on sustainability measurement, grain-procurement technology, and incentives for agricultural practices. At launch, the platform was described as serving farmer users and scoring crop volumes against sustainability criteria.

• 2020

  Alleged anti-competitive interference in Canada

  Canadian authorities investigated allegations that Bayer, BASF, and Corteva communicated with manufacturers or wholesalers with the aim of influencing FBN's access to agricultural products. A federal court issued subpoenas in connection with the inquiry. The available material describes allegations and an investigation, not a confirmed finding of wrongdoing by FBN.

  Source

Read more

• 2025Regenerative Agriculture Financing land-loan pilot

  United States

  FBN launched a pilot land-loan program supported by the Walton Family Foundation. Participating farmers could receive interest discounts for meeting soil- and water-health requirements developed with the Environmental Defense Fund and Gradable.

  Outcome. The pilot was designed for approximately 20 participating farmers; broader long-term results were not established in the available material.

  Source
• 2022Regenerative agriculture financing collaboration

  United States

  FBN partnered with the Environmental Defense Fund to develop financing incentives for growers implementing regenerative agricultural practices.

  Outcome. The collaboration contributed to later financing programs linking loan economics with soil and water-health practices.

  Source

• 2025

  Expand AI and open the marketplace to third-party sellersStrategy

  Background

  FBN aimed to broaden its platform beyond a directly managed catalog and increase the reach of its digital services.

  Action taken

  The company announced $50 million in new funding for AI development and opened its marketplace to third-party sellers.

  Aftermath

  FBN reported more than 117,000 member farms and positioned Norm as serving both agronomic and crop-marketing use cases.

  New funding announced. $50 million (2025 announcement)

  Source

• 2024

  Create the Gradable joint venture with ADMM&A

  Background

  FBN sought to connect farmer data, sustainability practices, and agricultural procurement.

  Action taken

  FBN and Archer Daniels Midland formed Gradable as an equally owned joint venture.

  Aftermath

  The venture was intended to expand sustainability scoring, grain procurement, and incentive mechanisms for farmers.

  Source

• 2023

  Launch an AI agronomic adviserProduct launch

  Background

  Farmers face complex questions involving crop protection, input selection, livestock health, and farm economics.

  Action taken

  FBN introduced Norm, an AI adviser built on OpenAI's ChatGPT model and agricultural data.

  Aftermath

  The tool was later expanded beyond agronomy to include crop-marketing questions.

  Source

• 2016

  Enter online agricultural-input commerceProduct launch

  Background

  FBN's original data-network model provided information but did not directly control the purchasing experience.

  Action taken

  The company launched FBN Direct as an online marketplace for farm inputs.

  Aftermath

  FBN expanded its scope from data sharing into procurement and later added livestock, equipment, and farm-supply categories.

  Source

• Unconfirmed

  Farmers Business Network opens its online ag chemical store to all farmers[3]Farmers Business Network 向所有农民开放线上农用化学品商店agrinews-pubs.com

  Farmers Business Network is opening its online ag chemical store to all farmers.

• Unconfirmed

  FBN launches Cyber Summer Sale discounts[3]Farmers Business Network 向所有农民开放线上农用化学品商店agrinews-pubs.com

  FBN's Cyber Summer Sale offers 27% discounts on more than half of the ag chemical products available in the FBN Direct store through July 31.

Read more

1. 1Farmers Business Networken.wikipedia.org
2. 2Farmers Business Network official websitefbn.com
3. 3Farmers Business Network 向所有农民开放线上农用化学品商店agrinews-pubs.com