Our Meet the Team series profiles the individuals who make up the UK Agri-Tech Centre, offering a glimpse into their stories and ambition for the sector. Next up is Claire Hodge, Head of Agri-Systems.
For Claire Hodge, the future of agri-tech lies in a holistic approach, moving beyond transactional activities to consider the entire agricultural system.
Tell us about your background. How did you come to work in this sector?
I grew up on a dairy farm in the Scottish Borders and later studied Agriculture at Newcastle University. My journey began at Greenvale, a potato company, where I immersed myself in the potato sector, collaborating with supermarkets and farmers, and learning the intricacies of potato production.
Following that, I worked for the Potato Council and then AHDB, connecting science with farming through field trials and practical applications. I truly enjoyed working with farmers, understanding their businesses, and integrating technology on farms. My subsequent Nuffield Scholarship allowed me to explore the global potato sector, highlighting the significant impact of our work in the UK.
Later, I joined Agri-EPI, focusing on the future of farming systems and technology integration across the crop sector, which led to my current position at UK Agri-Tech Centre, leading our Agri-Systems team.
What does being Head of Agri-Systems involve?
As the Head of Agri-Systems, I lead a team of sector specialists who identify industry requirements, challenges, and collaboration opportunities. What sets our team apart is our holistic approach; we’re moving beyond transactional activities to consider the entire agricultural system.
By stacking technologies and examining their collective impact, we address issues across the sector. Our team of nine specialists covers a diverse range of activities, ensuring we stay at the forefront of innovation.
Can you talk about one exciting initiative you are working on at the moment?
One exciting project I’m involved with is the VISTA project, which focuses on developing shared digital mapping systems and building open-source platforms. The project aims to create an open standard for digital maps of commercial vineyards in the UK and around the world, supporting the drive to deploy more automation and precision systems onto farms.
Although we’re currently focused on vineyards and in viticulture, our aim is for the entire agricultural sector to benefit from these advancements. It’s all about laying a solid digital foundation for the industry’s future.
What inspires you in this line of work?
I am really driven by being able to make a tangible difference. Tackling grand challenges and putting people at the centre of our solutions is crucial. Farmers are already doing an incredible job, utilising precision technology in their daily operations.
My goal is to ensure these technologies seamlessly integrate into their routines and address long-term challenges, but also crucially, that they address day-to-day and immediate challenges on farm. Farming is often a generational business, and it’s essential to support both farmers’ current needs and future aspirations.
What excites you about working at the UK Agri-Tech Centre?
The UK Agri-Tech Centre is uniquely positioned and able to offer a truly comprehensive approach to agricultural solutions. The collaboration here is unparalleled, and really allows us to address high-level challenges and maintain a vision for the future.
Our team can provide the tools necessary to drive meaningful change and bring together all the right people to make informed decisions. It’s a significant challenge, but we’re well-equipped to tackle it effectively, making this a very exciting place to work.