Our Story
Harvest began with a simple reality:
Farming is in David Smith’s blood.
A third-generation farmer, David grew up in a family shaped by the land where long days, unpredictable seasons, and hard-earned resilience were part of everyday life. His family’s story, documented in The Spoon River Family, reflects generations who built their lives around agriculture, adapting through wars, economic shifts, and changing landscapes.
Explore the Spoon River Family Legacy
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But farming has changed.
Weather is no longer predictable. Water is no longer guaranteed. Labor is harder to find. The next generation is moving further away from the field.
After years in traditional agriculture and experiencing firsthand the physical demands and increasing uncertainty, David saw a clear problem:
The way we have always farmed will not reliably feed the future.
Harvest was created to solve that problem.
After years in traditional agriculture and experiencing firsthand the physical demands and increasing uncertainty, David saw a clear problem:
The way we have always farmed will not reliably feed the future.
Harvest was created to solve that problem.
Built on generations of farming experience but designed for the future, Harvest replaces uncertainty with control. By combining indoor growing, automation, and standardized systems, it transforms farming into a consistent, scalable production model.
This is not about replacing farmers.
It is about building a new way to grow that is predictable, efficient, and accessible, so the next generation can participate without inheriting the hardships of the past.
Harvest is where tradition meets technology.
And it is how we build a more reliable food system for the future.
This is not about replacing farmers.
It is about building a new way to grow that is predictable, efficient, and accessible, so the next generation can participate without inheriting the hardships of the past.
Harvest is where tradition meets technology.
And it is how we build a more reliable food system for the future.
A Legacy of Resilience
- David SmithFounderDavid Smith is a third-generation farmer and founder of Harvest, bringing generations of agricultural experience into a new era of controlled-environment farming. After witnessing the growing challenges of traditional agriculture firsthand, he created Harvest to build a more reliable, scalable, and sustainable way to grow food by combining farming heritage with modern automation and technology.
- Robert SulatyckyCulinary and Strategic DevelopmentRobert Sulatycky is a Michelin-recognized culinary leader with experience at world-class institutions including Four Seasons and Rosewood properties. A former head coach for Team USA at the Bocuse d’Or, he brings performance discipline and premium quality standards to Harvest. His expertise supports product integrity, consistency, and elevated agricultural execution.
- Leon RodriguezEngineering and AutomationLeon Rodriguez is an Electrical Engineer educated at the University of California San Diego, with specialization in machine learning and control systems. His background includes designing technology architectures and developing computer vision algorithms that support autonomous decision-making systems. At Harvest, Leon applies his expertise in signal processing, data science, and automation to optimize cultivation systems, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen intelligent manufacturing controls within controlled indoor environments.
- Sergio RosasOperations and ResearchSergio Rosas combines multigenerational agricultural experience with a research-driven operational mindset. With hands-on background in large-scale crop production and precision field operations, he supports process validation and system optimization across Harvest’s cultivation platform. His disciplined approach reinforces accuracy, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Andreas RosasOperations and ProductionAndreas Rosas brings experience in culinary operations, agricultural production, and food-focused entrepreneurship. With a background in high-demand restaurant environments and large-scale crop management, he supports production execution and operational efficiency at Harvest. His cross-functional perspective strengthens the connection between cultivation performance and end-product quality.
- Benjamin CoteFounder and Executive LeadershipBenjamin Cote is the founder of Harvest and brings a systems-driven approach to modern agriculture and food production. With a background in food safety, compliance, and operational infrastructure through IQK Kitchen, he focuses on building disciplined, audit-ready cultivation platforms. At Harvest, he integrates biology, engineering, and structured quality systems to deliver extended freshness and scalable performance.
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sales@harvest8.com
sales@harvest8.com
