Reservoir today announced Reservoir Farms – Washington, a new on-farm technical community for rugged physical AI, expected to open in spring 2027 in Washington’s Yakima Valley, home to over $3B in high-value crop agriculture. The expansion brings Reservoir’s model of embedding startups on working farms alongside researchers and growers to the heart of the nation’s tree fruit and blueberry production.
Washington is the nation’s leading producer of apples, pears, sweet cherries, and blueberries—all labor-intensive harvests that are hard to mechanize without damaging fruit, and which face constant disease and pest pressure. These crops represent a significant economic engine for the region, but growers increasingly struggle with labor availability and rising costs. Reservoir Farms – Washington aims to accelerate the development of rugged physical AI technologies that can operate reliably in the field and help secure the future of these critical industries.
Initial work at Reservoir Farms – Washington will focus on tree fruit and blueberries, with additional testing in wine grapes and hops, and plans to extend into row crop systems over time. The location follows the same partnership model as Reservoir’s other sites, placing startups on working farms to build, test, and refine technology under commercial conditions. This hands-on approach allows innovators to gain real-world feedback from growers and agronomists, ensuring that solutions are practical, durable, and tailored to the unique demands of specialty crops.
Reservoir is a new rural institution that combines an agricultural innovation platform with a venture capital fund to advance the impact of rugged physical AI in critical industries. Reservoir Farms are the world’s first on-farm technical communities, starting in the Salinas Valley and expanding across California, Arizona, and Washington. Reservoir VC backs startups solving real problems in agriculture that compound to other outdoor industries and across the rugged physical AI stack. By combining R&D space, hands-on grower input, and early-stage capital, Reservoir helps turn promising ideas into tools for the growers who feed the world.
The Washington expansion underscores the growing recognition that automation is essential for the long-term viability of labor-intensive agriculture. With over $3 billion in high-value crops at stake in the Yakima Valley alone, the success of physical AI in these environments could have far-reaching implications for food security, farm profitability, and rural economies. The full announcement, including downloadable images and bios, is available via click here.
As Reservoir continues to expand its network of on-farm technical communities, the Washington site is poised to become a hub for innovation in tree fruit and blueberry automation. Startups selected to participate will benefit from access to working farms, expert grower input, and the backing of Reservoir’s venture fund, positioning them to scale solutions that address some of agriculture’s most pressing challenges. Learn more at https://reservoir.co.
