Founded on Ag Data's Core Principles
In 2014, American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) observed that many of its farmer-members were concerned about the variety of new ag data products that were arriving on the market. What would happen to ag data once provided to these platforms? Would the tech providers use this data for their own purposes? Could the farmer ever get this data back? Should they trust these providers, which included legacy companies like John Deere that were developing new cloud-based products, as well as new start ups from Silicon Valley and the Midwest?
To address these concerns, AFBF hosted a series of meetings with representatives of other interested farm groups, such as American Soybean Association, National Corn Growers, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Farmers Union, and National Sorghum Producers. These organizations had similar concerns.
Ag tech providers were also invited. Representatives from the big equipment manufacturers were there: Deere, CNH, AGCO, as well as large seed and chemical companies, Dow, DuPont, and Monsanto. Smaller and start-up ag tech companies were there too.
After a series of these meetings, the group drafted the The Privacy and Security Principles for Farm Data, or what today we call ag data's "Core Principles." These Core Principles represented basic guidelines that ag tech providers should be following when collecting, using, storing, and transferring farmers' ag data. After publishing, 37 different companies signed onto the Core Principles, pledging to incorporate them into their contracts with farmers.
Awarding Companies The Ag Data Transparent Seal of Approval
Of course, a pledge to follow non-binding guidelines is good, but incorporating the Core Principles into actual data contracts is much better.
To verify compliance with the Core Principles, AFBF and the other interested organizations and companies formed the Ag Data Transparency Evaluator, Inc., a non-profit organization (ADT) to audit companies' ag data contracts. This organization developed the Ag Data Transparent seal of approval. Much like the Good Housekeeping seal of approval verifies compliance with Good Housekeeping's standards, the Ag Data Transparent seal recognizes compliance with ag data's Core Principles.
The Process to Becoming Ag Data Transparent
Companies that want to be recognized as Ag Data Transparent must submit their contracts with farmers for certification to the ADT. In addition, companies must answer 11 questions about how they collect, store, use, and share farmers' ag data. The contracts and answers to the 11 questions are then reviewed by a third party administrator* for accuracy. If the answers match what the company's contracts say, the Ag Data Transparent seal is awarded. If there is a discrepancy, the company is required to make a change before the seal is awarded.
Each of the 11 questions is based upon one or more of the Core Principles. For example, one principle is portability--farmers should be able to move ag data from one platform and use it in another. Accordingly, question 4 asks: After I upload data to the Ag Tech Provider, will it be possible to retrieve my original complete dataset in an original or equivalent format?
Participating companies must answer yes or no and provide an explanation. The final results are posted only at the Ag Data Transparent website so that farmers, agronomists, and other ag professionals can review. The results also include hyperlinks to the companies' ag data contracts, in case someone wants to more closely examine a particular answer.
When a participating company changes or updates its ag data contracts, the company's answers must be updated as well if they want to continue to use the Ag Data Transparent seal.
If you are interested in obtaining the Ag Data Transparent certification for your company, begin your journey here: Become Transparent
Eligibility
Participants in the ag data transparent certification come from many industry segments, including the seed industry, farm equipment manufactures, ag tech startups, farm cooperatives, agronomic advisors, analytic-focused platforms, and companies that offer Internet of Things devices for agriculture. Our participants also include platforms that collect agronomic, financial, and livestock data.
Companies that handle ag data, but do not collect and store data, are also eligible to apply. To determine if your company is eligible, answer these two questions. If you answer “yes” to both question, your company is a good fit for participation.
Does your company provide good or services for the agriculture industry (grain, livestock, or specialty growers?
Does your company handle, collect, store, or use data from farmer operations?
What else can you do to help?
Many companies that collect ag data have not yet agreed to follow the ag data Core Principles. Participation is step one. Many have signed onto the Core Principles, but not achieved the Ag Data Transparent certification. This should be step two.
Ask your ag tech provider to incorporate the Core Principles into their contracts with farmers. Ask your provider to become Ag Data Transparent. And congratulate those companies that have already taken these steps.
Updated 1/1/2021: The ADT’s 10 question form has been updated with new questions to reflect the evolving nature of ag data platforms and farmers’ concerns. You can find the updated 11 questions here: 11 Questions.
Our Board of Directors
Emily Buckman, American Farm Bureau Federation, ADT President
Carson Fort, American Soybean Association
Jarah Hauger, John Deere
Darcy Herauf, Farm Credit Canada
Dan Lussier, EMILI Canada, ADT Vice President
Dan Mongeau, Indigo Ag
Michael R. Wenkel, National Potato Council
Tom Sell, National Sorghum Producers
Aaron Shier, National Farmers Union
Laura Lee, Combyne
Billy Tiller, GiSC
Jacob Westlin, National Association of Wheat Growers
Matt Ziegler, National Corn Growers Association, ADT Secretary/Treasurer
Deb Atwood, AGree
ADT Administrator: Todd J. Janzen, Janzen Schroeder Ag Law LLC