Farmers and food producers will soon have access to faster, smarter support thanks to Root — a free generative AI tool built by Farm Credit Canada 

Root is designed to close critical information gaps and give producers fast, reliable support anytime, anywhere, helping them work more productively and make better decisions on the farm.

FCC is expanding the tool’s capabilities through a new partnership with Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR), strengthening its capacity to serve Canada’s ag and food industry.

 “The long-term goal is to give FCC customers and the Canadian ag and food industry personalized insights at their fingertips”

Root fills the growing gap in Canada’s extension services by delivering accessible, expert-backed guidance to producers without requiring complex data inputs. It translates decades of research, field experience and proven practices into practical, timely advice producers can use immediately. By simplifying decision-making and increasing confidence on the farm, Root helps accelerate productivity, reduce trial-and-error and empower Canadian producers to adopt better practices with less risk, right from their phones.

Now, through a new memorandum of understanding, RDAR will work with FCC to strengthen the tool’s capabilities. The partnership will connect Root to relevant data sources and support testing efforts to ensure it continues to meet the evolving needs of Canadian producers.

“Root is more than a technology solution, it’s part of a broader effort to bring back something Canadian agriculture has lost: accessible, trusted and timely insight,” says Justine Hendricks, FCC president and CEO. “With the decline of local advisory networks [extension services], too many farmers and ranchers have had to rely on fragmented information or go at it alone. By partnering with RDAR, we’re helping producers access the kind of expertise that once came from decades of community-based knowledge sharing and we’re doing it in real time, at the pace of modern farming with trusted advisors.”

RDAR invests in results-driven, producer-led research to improve productivity in Canada’s agriculture sector. With over 500 projects in its portfolio, the organization brings deep knowledge of the issues producers face and a shared commitment to innovation.

“We are especially keen on incorporating RDAR materials into Root, FCC’s AI / Large Language Model Pilot and making our materials accessible to producers and ranchers,” said Dr. Mark Redmond, CEO of RDAR. “We are pleased to formalize our partnership with FCC; in the past, we have worked on initiatives concurrently, but now we will collaborate more closely. This alliance aims to foster innovative solutions for the agricultural sector,” he added.

Root is built on a privacy-first principle, ensuring no personal user information is required to use the assistance. This protects producer confidentiality and builds trust as they explore the tool. Since its launch, Root has supported more than 2,900 conversations, with 91% of users reporting helpful results. It has analyzed nearly 400 images submitted by producers, helping identify parts and troubleshoot equipment issues. Producers are already using Root to get real-time support on farm management, all through a simple, mobile-friendly interface.

Launched earlier this year, Root is available in English and French and includes voice-to-text and image recognition, making it easy to use from anywhere, even in the field.

As demand grows for smarter, more accessible ag support tools, future versions of Root could offer additional functions to support producers, as well as agrifood and agribusiness operators, in making decisions about operations. The long-term goal is to give FCC customers and the Canadian ag and food industry personalized insights at their fingertips. There’s no sign-up or registration required. Farmers and producers can start using Root right away. To use the tool, visit: Root, your virtual farm assistant.