A new agricultural technology company, TerraForce, has launched at The Pantheon in Vincennes. TerraForce is introducing AI and robotics to automate farm labor.
The company was founded by CEO Michial J. Jacob and has created machines learning and robotic automation that is aimed at changing how fruits and vegetables are harvested.
Jacob addressed a good crowd at the Pantheon at a news conference saying he moved to Vincennes a decade ago. He credited the community’s support for his success thus far.
“The change that’s happened in the past decade has been great, but what does the next decade look like? That’s up to us,” he said. “My hope is that TerraForce embodies some of that progress and lights the path forward.”
TerraForce’s AI-driven harvester identifies and processes large fruits like watermelons, pumpkins, and cantaloupe. The machine detects, grades, and robotically harvests produce. Jacob says it will reduce labor costs by nearly $700 per acre. He says the innovation is needed as American farmers struggle to compete with lower-cost labor abroad.
“If we don’t address labor costs, our growers won’t be competitive,” Jacob stated. He pointed out that the average farmworker in Mexico earns around $3,500 annually, while U.S. growers pay workers nearly $20 per hour.
Jacob also highlighted the role of The Pantheon’s Ag Tech Initiative in fostering agricultural innovation. He praised local investors, revealing that over 90% of TerraForce’s funding came from Knox County. “This will pay dividends for all of us,” he said. “Every dime we’ve raised has been from Indiana, proving that local investment can drive high-growth startups.”
Despite some technical challenges, Jacob remains optimistic about the company’s progress. “To the best of my knowledge, this is the first AI-driven watermelon harvester in the world,” he said. “The Chinese are working on this, but as far as I can tell, we’re winning the race—right here in Vincennes, Indiana.”
Looking ahead, Jacob urged continued support for entrepreneurship. “Support local startups. Engage with entrepreneurs. The more shots we take on goal, the more we’ll score. We are a community of doers, and that’s what will drive progress.”