From Silicon Valley to the Field: A Practical Approach to Ag Tech
Transitioning from Consumer Tech to Ag Tech: My Journey to Stout
My path into Ag Tech wasn’t a straight line. I studied computer science at UCLA, where I focused on robotics and cloud computing. After working across various enterprise software teams, from interactive retail at Sonos to early consumer tech projects in the iPod era, I found myself craving a challenge with real-world impact.
In late 2023, Steven Snyder reached out to me. We’d shared an advisor at UCLA, and when he invited me to visit Stout, the energy and potential were what sold me on joining the team. I joined Stout in early 2024 as Director of Software, ready to scale the company’s cloud and edge software infrastructure. From day one, I’ve been focused on helping growers access data they can actually use to drive ROI.
Data That Drives Action: Turning Information into Insights
Transforming Field Data into Actionable Insights for Growers
At Stout, my priority is turning data into insights that growers can actually use. That means building systems that are intuitive, reliable, and aligned with field realities. My team and I work closely with early adopters like Tanimura & Antle to ensure that our tools are practical and impactful.
One of the biggest challenges is managing the sheer volume of data generated by the Smart Cultivator. We’re developing solutions that not only capture and process this data effectively but also present it in ways that are easy for growers to visualize and act upon. We’re not just looking at what happened yesterday — we’re focused on identifying trends and projecting what’s coming next.
Proven Solutions Built By Growers, for Growers
Building Trustworthy, Reliable Ag Tech Solutions
For me and the Stout software team, building systems that growers can trust is essential. That means more than just coding; it’s being in the field, understanding what growers need, and creating solutions that work seamlessly under real world farming conditions.
Right now, we’re finalizing a web app that provides field-level data on plant size, spacing, and growth patterns. The goal is to give growers the data they need to make smarter decisions, optimize operations, and reduce costs—without adding unnecessary complexity.
The Future of Ag Tech: Empowering Growers, Not Replacing Them
How AI and Edge Computing Enhance Precision Agriculture
For me, AI isn’t about replacing growers, it’s about making them even more effective. The next wave of AI and edge computing at Stout will focus on delivering actionable, predictive insights that help growers anticipate and address challenges before they arise.
Generative AI and large language models are incredibly powerful, but they’re only as valuable as the insights they deliver. At Stout, our mission is to leverage these technologies to give growers more control, more predictability, and more confidence in their operations.
Advice for Engineers and Ag Leaders
How Ag Tech Engineers Can Make a Real-World Impact
For engineers considering Ag Tech, my advice is simple: Get to know the field. For engineers entering Ag Tech, it’s more than just writing code, it’s about creating practical solutions that address the daily challenges growers face.
My proudest achievement at Stout so far? Moving our data platform from a patchwork of tools to a cohesive, scalable system that empowers growers with faster updates, more reliable insights, and stronger decision-making capabilities. It’s a foundation we’re going to keep building on, one release at a time.
About Kirk Bulis
Kirk Bulis is the Director of Software at Stout Industrial Technology, where he leads the development of scalable cloud and edge platforms for smart agricultural machinery. With over two decades of experience in software architecture and full-stack development, Kirk has worked across industries, from interactive retail experiences at Sonos to data-driven healthcare systems. He holds a master’s in Computer Science from UCLA and brings a practical, systems-focused mindset to advancing precision agriculture through innovative software solutions.