AgTech: Quinn Jones Of Digi International On The New Technologies That Are Revolutionizing Agriculture
An Interview With Martita Mestey
You’re always going to hit roadblocks, no matter what stage of your career you’re in. When that happens, you can’t get discouraged. You have to work even harder to find ways to get past those road blocks.
The agriculture industry is undergoing rapid transformation as innovative technologies are being developed and implemented, from precision agriculture to vertical farming, and beyond. In this series, we are speaking to leaders, innovators, and experts in the AgTech space who are playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of agriculture. We aim to explore the latest developments, discuss the challenges and opportunities that these technologies present, and showcase the impact of AgTech on the industry as a whole. As a part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Quinn Jones, Senior Product Manager at Digi International.
Quinn Jones is a Digi Product Manager who has helped pioneer RF module adoption for IoT since 2011. During his 20+ years at Digi, Quinn has covered a broad portfolio at Digi solutions including the popular Digi XBee Ecosystem, System-on-Modules and cellular modems. His expertise lies in helping customers navigate through different wireless topologies ranging from simple point-to-point networks to complex mesh networks using a variety of technologies including Zigbee, Wi-Fi, 900 MHz, and cellular. Quinn holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Brigham Young University and an MBA from University of Phoenix.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you. Can you tell us a bit about how you grew up?
I grew up in a small farming community, growing crops and raising cattle. It was hard work, and my first introduction to agriculture and the constantly evolving technology integral to the industry. After college, I started getting involved with embedded technology and that led me to Digi where my focus has been wireless communication and Internet of Things (IoT) technology.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
One recent story comes to mind. We had a customer that integrated our product into solar panels used on a large solar field and they wanted some assistance in maximizing the efficiency of the wireless connectivity in their field. So, we went out, did some wireless range tests, and let me tell you, it’s one thing to see a product on paper and talk about it, it’s quite another to be out in the field working with it and trying to maximize performance. Not to mention, on this particular day, we were dealing with extreme heat, probably close to 100 degrees. So, the whole experience of being out there, wearing hard hats and safety goggles, getting the job done, was just so rewarding. And in this case, we discovered our product had more range and capability than we expected. It’s really exciting when you get to be part of something like that.
You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success?
- Use failure as motivation. I’ve always made it a point to learn from my failures and use them as stepping stones to move forward and be more successful.
- Be persistent and work to persevere no matter what. I pride myself on having that passion to work on a problem until I can find a solution. You can’t just give up. You have to find a way, whether that’s seeking help or thinking outside the box. Persistence is key.
- Be flexible. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone into a situation expecting a certain outcome and then things changed. When that happens, you can’t be rigid. You have to pivot, adapt and move forward with a new line of thinking. That’s how you grow, and most importantly, work well with others.
Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How do you think that will help people?
We’re working on new radio technology, a combination of long-range and short-range on a module, that gives customers the flexibility to have long-range communication but a short-range link. This allows them to configure a device through their cell phone using, for example, Bluetooth. It’s a robust solution with functionality that’s new, exciting and innovative. With it, you can troubleshoot or configure a device on your phone. You don’t have to bring a laptop or large equipment into the field. It reduces installation and configuration time for technicians and field managers, and that’s huge.
Ok super. Thank you for all that. Let’s now shift to the main focus of our interview. How did you become involved in AgTech, and why does it matter to you?
It’s all about using technology to minimize the environmental impact of agriculture operations, and ensure natural resources aren’t wasted. That’s what drew me to AgTech. This community is always seeking innovative ways to realize a cleaner, more efficient world, and that’s good for everyone.
What are the most transformative technologies currently in use in AgTech, and how are they revolutionizing the industry?
Wireless is huge because it allows for communication between devices everywhere on a farm, ranch, etc. You can get data now from devices that previously weren’t connected to the internet, and that allows you to make intelligent decisions in real time. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are also big. I think we’ll continue to see more adoption of both AI and ML in farming and agriculture.
How do these technologies contribute to sustainable agriculture practices and the fight against climate change?
They allow for more efficient management of natural resources like water, and that’s a big part of creating a sustainable future. These technologies give us information that’s more accurate than ever before, and we get it in real time.
What are the challenges in integrating these technologies with existing farming practices?
There’s always a curve to technology adoption. There are those who embrace it right away and those who’ve been doing something the same way for years and don’t want to change. But, as we’ve seen throughout history, once those who are reluctant see the efficiency of an emerging technology and its ability to reduce costs, maximize profits or give you more free time, that’s when it starts to get adopted at scale. A perfect example right now in farming is autonomous lawn mowing. It may seem like a novel idea to some, but more and more people are shifting to it and I think it won’t be long before we see mass amounts of farmers embracing this technology.
What emerging technologies do you see as having the potential to disrupt the AgTech industry in the next 5–10 years?
Artificial intelligence and machine learning will, and to some degree, already are disrupting the industry. Instead of receiving data and then making decisions, farmers can use software that integrates AI and machine learning to automate some processes, like irrigation.
What kind of policy changes would be beneficial for the growth of the AgTech industry?
Policies that foster renewable energy options can certainly grow the AgTech industry. For example, we’re seeing huge advancements in solar energy because of policies that support that renewable energy. Finding innovative ways to capitalize on renewable energy is an important path going forward.
What advice would you give to someone looking to start a career in AgTech?
Be curious. Always try to understand why something works the way it does and never except the answer, “Well, that’s just the way it’s been done for years.” When you truly understand something, you can find ways to grow and innovate, and that’s key to advancing a career.
Ok, thank you. Here is the main question of our interview. What are the “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started” and why?
For me, there are really three main things that come to mind:
1. You’re always going to hit roadblocks, no matter what stage of your career you’re in. When that happens, you can’t get discouraged. You have to work even harder to find ways to get past those road blocks.
2. Be prepared for how fast the industry is going to change. I mean, think about wireless. 20 years ago, modules were about the size of a credit card, which was super innovative at the time. Now, modules are about the size of your thumbnail with even more functionality. It’s amazing how fast things change.
3. Make sure you occasionally take time to stop and reflect on what you’ve accomplished. We’re often so focused on the next innovation that we don’t appreciate what we’ve already achieved. Sometimes, to see the bigger picture, you have to think about where you’ve come from.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
Always look for ways to help others. Take time, maybe once a week or month, to go out of your way to do something for someone else. It may sound cliché but if everyone tried to do that, the world would be much improved.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Our website: Digi.com
My LinkedIn: Quinn Jones
This was very inspiring and informative. Thank you so much for the time you spent with this interview!
