Farm Hack

September 7, 2020 1:25 PM

We are a worldwide community of farmers that build and modify our own tools.
posted by aniola (7 comments total)

Oooo, I shared this with a farmer I know. Thank you!
posted by limeonaire at 2:07 PM on September 7, 2020

i went to a bunch of farmhack events around new england in 2012/13 and they were fun. but i have been out of touch lately.
posted by danjo at 2:10 PM on September 7, 2020

Some context

Vendor lock-in, DRM, and crappy EULAs are turning America's independent farmers into tenant farmers

America's Farmers Are Becoming Prisoners to Agriculture's Technological Revolution
posted by lalochezia at 3:03 PM on September 7, 2020 [4 favorites]

Whoa, weird! I independently found this group today... and now it’s here!
posted by functionequalsform at 5:01 PM on September 7, 2020

The most cyberpunk thing I know is American farmers running bootleg Ukranian firmware in their tractors to circumvent the John Deere corporation.
posted by Harald74 at 11:42 PM on September 7, 2020 [8 favorites]

Somewhat appropriate to this thread, here is my best John Deere joke, heard from a retired John Deere salesman:

"John Deere tractors-- You might find a better product, but you will never find a higher price!"
posted by seasparrow at 7:22 AM on September 8, 2020 [3 favorites]

This is quite cool. My cousin used to work for a small company (they employed him through a long part-time degree) which made, as I understood it, alternative computer unit things for tractors so farmers wouldn't be tied to JD or the like.

My understanding of the industry is obviously limited, but I'm a little bit proud of him and this post only reinforces that.
posted by Acid Communist at 11:21 AM on September 8, 2020