Jesus Vasquez Joins PlantTape as Western USA Regional Sales Manager

Jesus Vasquez Joins PlantTape as Western USA Regional Sales Manager

by | Nov 5, 2024 | Agtech, PlantTape news

PlantTape, a leading pioneer in automated transplanting solutions, is proud to announce the appointment of Jesus Vasquez as the new Western USA Regional Sales Manager. With nearly three decades of extensive experience in the agriculture industry, Jesus brings a profound understanding of sustainable farming practices, operational efficiency, and leadership to his new role.  This addition to the team will further enhance PlantTape’s commitment to continual innovation, customer service and continued growth across key agricultural regions.

As Western USA Regional Sales Manager, Vazquez will lead the Western Sales team, focusing on optimizing farm operations through innovative practices, precision farming techniques, and data-driven decision-making. His primary responsibilities will include enhancing customer engagement, expanding market presence, and driving PlantTape’s mission to deliver sustainable, scalable solutions that meet the evolving needs of growers.

Throughout his career, Vasquez has been a driving force in enhancing productivity and maximizing efficiency, and cultivating strong relationships within his teams and the wider agricultural community.  His vision aligns seamlessly with PlantTape’s core values, making him an ideal fit for this new role. 

“I am thrilled to be joining PlantTape, a company that has not only revolutionized transplanting technology, but also demonstrates an unwavering commitment to sustainability, innovation and fostering a positive work culture. I look forward to contributing to the continued growth of the company and collaborating with the talented team dedicated to making a lasting impact on the agriculture industry,” said Vasquez.

Jesus’s leadership and vision will be instrumental in expanding PlantTape’s footprint across the Western region, reinforcing the company’s mission to deliver cutting-edge agricultural solutions that help growers increase productivity, reduce labor costs, and promote sustainable farming practices.

PlantTape’s automated transplanting system has gained widespread recognition for its ability to revolutionize the way crops are planted while drastically decreasing a reliance on labor, offering an efficient and sustainable alternative to traditional methods. PlantTape continues to set new benchmarks in the industry, providing farmers with the tools they need to meet the challenges of modern agriculture.

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PlantTape Transplants using Stokes Seeds for a lettuce variety
PlantTape and Plantel Announce Grand Opening of New Sowing Line Facility in Santa Maria

PlantTape and Plantel Announce Grand Opening of New Sowing Line Facility in Santa Maria

by | Nov 5, 2024 | Media, PlantTape news

PlantTape, an industry leader in automated transplanting technology, and Plantel, a prominent agricultural nursery, are excited to announce the grand opening of a new sowing line facility in Santa Maria, California. The event will take place on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at 939 West Boone St., Santa Maria, CA.

The grand opening will feature an official tour of the new sowing facility, showcasing the cutting-edge technology driving the future of sustainable agriculture. Attendees will also have the opportunity to view PlantTape’s revolutionary automated transplanters, which will be on display throughout the event. Lunch will be provided at 12:00 PM, offering guests a chance to engage with industry leaders and learn more about how this new facility will impact the region’s agricultural landscape.

“The launch of this new sowing line facility represents a significant step forward in streamlining the process of sowing and transplanting. This innovation will not only boost efficiency but also drive sustainability by reducing labor inputs and improving the overall resource management,” said Stephen Waldron, Director of Innovation at Plantel. “We’re excited to see how this new facility will continue to support the growers and agricultural operations in the region.”

Danielle Michaels, Director of Sales at PlantTape, added, “Our collaboration with Plantel and this facility expansion will greatly enhance our ability to meet the growing demands of our customers. By increasing our sowing capabilities, we’re positioned to provide even better service, helping farmers optimize their planting process and improve overall yields.”

With this new facility, PlantTape and Plantel continue to demonstrate their commitment to providing the agricultural industry with innovative solutions that improve productivity while reducing the environmental footprint.

Event Details:

  • Date: Wednesday, October 23, 2024
  • Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  • Lunch: 12:00 PM
  • Location: 939 West Boone St., Santa Maria, CA

 

For more information about the event or to RSVP, please contact Mike McLane at mikemclane@planttape.com

PlantTape Transplants using Stokes Seeds for a lettuce variety
PlantTape and Stokes Seeds Forge Strategic Partnership to Elevate Grower Experience and Efficiency

PlantTape and Stokes Seeds Forge Strategic Partnership to Elevate Grower Experience and Efficiency

by | Aug 16, 2023 | PlantTape news

PlantTape, the leading provider of an automated transplanting system and Stokes Seed, a renowned seed company, are excited to announce a dynamic new partnership aimed at delivering exceptional service to their grower customers. In an effort to provide growers with the best possible resources, PlantTape has decided to collaborate with Stokes Seeds, making them the recommended seed supplier for PlantTape customers across the eastern regions of the United States and Canada.

“Cultivating this partnership with Stokes Seeds marks a pivotal moment for PlantTape and underscores our commitment to supporting our East Coast customers at the highest level,” said Dominick Levari, East Coast Sales Manager at PlantTape. “By synergizing our cutting-edge transplanting technology with Stokes Seeds’ exceptional seed offerings, we’re poised to elevate growers’ capabilities and outcomes. This collaboration is a testament to our shared vision of driving innovation and excellence within the industry.”

Under this new partnership, Stokes Seeds and PlantTape will work together to supply growers who utilize PlantTape technology with the highest quality seeds available, ensuring that the advantages of the automated transplanting system are fully leveraged. By strategically warehousing seed at PlantTape’s Livingston, Tennessee operation, customer orders will be processed more efficiently, and seeded tape will be swiftly transported to greenhouses.

To further enhance the customer experience, Stokes Seeds sales representatives will provide growers with PlantTape specifications and available options for PlantTape-certified greenhouses. They will also offer expert recommendations on seed selections that are best suited for sowing using the PlantTape technology.

PlantTape, headquartered in Salinas, California, stands at the forefront of automated transplanting systems, revolutionizing commercial vegetable transplant production through precision agriculture. Their cutting-edge technology is particularly beneficial for grower operations with crops such as tomatoes, hemp, and other row vegetables.

Stokes Seeds, with a rich history dating back to 1881, is a trusted distributor of commercial vegetable seeds. With operations in multiple locations including Holland, Michigan, Buffalo, New York, Vineland, New Jersey, Moultrie, Georgia, LaBelle, Florida, and Thorold, Ontario, Stokes Seeds is well-positioned to serve its customers effectively. Their team of 25 territory managers is dedicated to providing growers with access to the latest seed varieties.

This partnership between PlantTape and Stokes Seed represents a significant step forward in supporting growers and their agricultural endeavors. By combining the expertise of two industry leaders, customers can expect enhanced product offerings, streamlined processes, and outstanding service.

PlantTape Transplants using Stokes Seeds for a lettuce variety
Transplanting multiple commodities: a demo of the versatile PlantTape system

Transplanting multiple commodities: a demo of the versatile PlantTape system

by | Aug 26, 2021 | Agtech, Automated Transplanting, PlantTape news

One of the many benefits of the PlantTape automated transplanting system is its versatility in handling a variety of commodity types. For growers that grow multiple commodities, this versatility proves invaluable. PlantTape gives growers the ability to have a single transplanter that can plant almost every commodity in their farming program

The PlantTape multi-crop field demonstration

PlantTape recently did a field demo to showcase the versatile nature of our system. We loaded six different commodities into our transplanter and planted them all simultaneously.

The commodities we chose for the demonstration were: romaine lettuce, tomatoes, bell peppers, leeks, broccoli, and cilantro.  Prior to planting, each crop was sown at one of the sowing lines in Hollister, California

After 30-45 days in the greenhouse, the seedlings of each of the six commodities were brought to the PlantTape demonstration field near our Salinas, CA headquarters. A PlantTape 3-point transplanter was loaded up with all six commodities, with a line of each commodity corresponding to a planting module for a six-line bed configuration.

As can be seen in our demonstration video, the transplanter planted all six commodities at the same time without a hitch.

Although this is unconventional, the commodities grew well together for 8 weeks until the bed became overcrowded with the different crop types.

Switching between crops with PlantTape

PlantTape’s simultaneous planting of six different commodities was purely a showcase of how crop-agnostic our system is. While a grower will almost certainly not need to plant diverse crops simultaneously, many growers will need to plant different crops consecutively. PlantTape allows them to do so with unprecedented ease.

Changing plant-to-plant (or in-row) spacing.

PlantTape offers growers a way to change the pant to plant spacing with ease via a simple touch screen computer located on the side of the planter. Spacing can even be changed while the planter is running if the operator chooses.

 

Planting Six Different Crops Simultaneously - PlantTape Automated Transplanting System

Planting Six Different Crops Simultaneously – PlantTape Automated Transplanting System

Planting consecutive commodities with different bed configurations

If two commodities have different bed configurations—for example, onions and broccoli—then a grower will need to make simple some mechanical adjustments to our automated transplanter.

Line-to-line spacing can be altered in the field with standard hand tools in a matter of minutes. Planting lines can be added or removed by raising or lowering planting modules via a valve on the planting module cylinder.

If a crew is planting 6 lines of onions on a 72” bed and needs to switch to 2 lines of broccoli on a 36” bed, they would load the broccoli seedlings into the transplanter, raise up the two middle planting modules to take them out of action, and make any desired line-to-line adjustments. After a short time, they’re back in business, planting two 36” rows of broccoli at a 72” wheelbase.

Unprecedented transplanting flexibility

Compared to other transplanters, which are often manufactured with fixed bed configurations and designed for a specific commodity, the PlantTape automated transplanting system brings unprecedented versatility to growers of vegetables, tomatoes, and hemp.

Commodity-to-commodity versatility is only one of the many ways PlantTape empowers growers. As we showcased last month, the PlantTape system also offers flexibility in when to plant seedlings.

The world’s fastest transplanter

Not only is the PlantTape transplanter versatile, it’s also blazing fast. Recently, we decided to see how fast. We took it to 20mph and it still planted flawlessly. Read about the demo and why we feel confident in our claim of having the world’s fastest transplanter.

About PlantTape

The PlantTape seedling planter is the fastest, most adaptable, and most user-friendly transplanter on the market. It’s only one component of the PlantTape automated transplanting system, which covers sowing, nursery operations, and transplanting. 

To learn more about PlantTape, or to request a field demo, contact sales@planttape.com or call +1 (888) 272-6828

About PlantTape

About PlantTape

by | Aug 4, 2021 | Agtech, Automated Transplanting, PlantTape news

From the beginning, PlantTape has prioritized customer service. When our growers face challenges, we make it a priority to help them.

Adjusting the PlantTape automated transplanter

“I’ve been impressed with knowledge brought to the table by the PlantTape team, they always know what to do over the phone. Really appreciate the customer support. Anytime we have a question there is always an immediate response.” Bryan Knepper, operations manager, Rothert Farms, Okeechobee, Florida

When growers contact us for support, their issue typically falls into one of two categories: agronomy-related, or equipment-related.

Agronomic customer support

The PlantTape system is designed to integrate into existing growing operations with a minimum of disruption. PlantTape does, however, introduce specific tolerances, and growers sometimes have questions.

For example, an onion grower might wonder about the timing of mowing onions with the PlantTape system, or a greenhouse operator might have a question about recommended railing systems. Growers might want to ask about recommended fertilizer programs, or any number of other agricultural queries.

PlantTape’s agronomy team is available to respond to all agronomy-related questions, and to help growers thrive with the PlantTape system. In addition to helping customers navigate specific challenges, we also offer advice, tips, and tricks for maximizing agricultural output with the system.

Equipment-related customer support

PlantTape’s mechanical design makes it one of the most user-friendly automated transplanters on the market. To help our customers minimize disruption and frustration, PlantTape’s customer service representatives and engineers are available 24/7 to respond to any issues that arise.

Whether a grower needs advice on rebuilding their planting modules at the end of the season or is having a bit of trouble changing line-to-line spacing, the PlantTape team is a video call away to keep our customers operational.

 

Setting the standard for agricultural customer service

PlantTape believes that concierge customer service is the only way to do business. When our growers thrive, we thrive. That’s why we are passionate about our growers’ success and immediately respond to any questions or concerns they may have.

To learn more about PlantTape or to request a demo of our automated transplanting system, visit our contact page, or call (888) 272-6828

About PlantTape

 PlantTape is an agtech company based in Salinas, CA with operations around the globe. Whether you’re looking for the most user-friendly vegetable planter, or need a better hemp transplanting solution, the PlantTape automated transplanting system can help you increase crop yield, improve greenhouse throughput, and reduce transplanting labor costs by as much as 80%.

Planting tomatoes in the Ohio heat

Planting tomatoes in the Ohio heat

by | Jul 8, 2021 | Agtech, Automated Transplanting, PlantTape news, Tomato agriculture

PlantTape conducts a successful tomato planting trial in Ohio

On May 20, 2021, PlantTape conducted a tomato transplanting trial in Northwest Ohio. Planting in the heat, and with no irrigation, PlantTape successfully planted 3 acres of tomato seedlings, using sub-surface water injection to the plant roots.

 

Trays of tomato seedlings rady for transplanting

Tomato seedlings just planted, Northwestern Ohio

Quality Tomato Transplants

Jason Kelly of S.A.L.’s Vegetable Transplants was PlantTape’s nursery partner for the trial (S.A.L.’s was also the nursery partner for our lettuce transplanting case study involving Rothert Farm). He grew a uniform, hardened-off tomato plant perfect for Ohio’s hot conditions and also for the PlantTape automated transplanting system, which favors a shorter, stockier tomato seedling.

Planting tomatoes with underground water injection

For the transplanting trial, a hydraulic pump injected water below-ground from two tractor-mounted tanks. A hose attached to a nipple on the hollow planting shoe allowed for water to be delivered directly to each seedling’s roots. Using 400 gallons to the acre, the water was injected directly to each plant’s root zone, creating a good seal and minimizing evaporation. The transplants were able to establish quickly and start growing. In the five days immediately after the planting, temperatures remained high and the plants received no additional water. No wilting was observed, and all plants remained vibrant. On the sixth day, it rained.

S.A.L’s Vegetable Transplants cultivated tomato seedlings ideal for the PlantTape automated transplanting system

The PlantTape system proven for no-irrigation tomato transplanting

Considering that much of the American Midwest does not utilize irrigation in tomato agriculture, PlantTape needed to demonstrate planting viability for no-irrigation tomato growing operations. Our May tomato trial did just that, showing that tomato seedlings remain hardy for several days post-planting due to our delivery of water to the seedling root zone.

Previous PlantTape tomato trials in California had already proven the viability of the PlantTape system for tomato agriculture with irrigation; now, its viability for planting tomatoes in the absence of irrigation has been demonstrated.

Read next: PlantTape follows up with the Ohio tomato trial, measuring crop yield and other key factors.

About PlantTape

PlantTape represents an entire automated transplanting system.

The entire process, from sowing through greenhouse operations through transplanting, is enabled by our trademark plant tape: a tape that holds seeds, and later seedlings, through the entire cycle.

Growers of vegetables, tomatoes, and hemp have revolutionized their operations with PlantTape’s precision agriculture solutions. Our customers have reduced labor costs by as much as 80%, increased crop yield, and introduced other efficiencies to their operations.