Reservoir today announced its pilot expansion into Arizona with a new location live and operational on October 1, 2026, in time for the fall and winter growing season. Developed in collaboration with the University of Arizona’s Yuma Center for Excellence in Desert Agriculture (YCEDA) and the Yuma Agricultural Center (YAC), Reservoir will extend the company’s on-farm innovation model into one of the nation’s most important specialty crop regions, according to a press release.
By placing the Yuma Agricultural Center at the center of the Arizona effort, Reservoir is strengthening the connection between field research, commercial production and startup development. This expansion builds on a longstanding relationship between the agricultural industries of Salinas and Yuma. Often called Salinas's "sister city," Yuma grows an estimated 90% of the nation's leafy greens during the winter season, from November through March, making it a critical region for specialty crop production.
The pilot represents a significant step in Reservoir's mission to combine agricultural innovation with venture capital. Reservoir Farms are described as the world’s first on-farm robotics innovation centers, starting in the Salinas Valley and now expanding to other key regions across California and the American West. The company’s venture capital arm, Reservoir VC, backs startups solving real problems in specialty crops 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 growers. The Arizona pilot is expected to accelerate the development of physical AI technologies tailored to the unique challenges of desert agriculture, such as water efficiency and heat tolerance. The collaboration with YCEDA and YAC provides access to cutting-edge research and field trials, enabling startups to test innovations in real-world conditions.
For more information about Reservoir and its initiatives, visit reservoir.co.
