Quint Pottinger

Beginning in fall 2025, an autonomous tractor pulling a seed planter traversed Kentucky land which the same family has farmed since 1788. The bolt-on technology was a needed innovation for the small farm to compete with the grain megaliths in the heart of bourbon country.  The retrofitted tractor not only planted the crop in fewer days, but it also returned several hundred thousand dollars to the farm’s bottom line.  Meet the first farmer to plant three consecutive seasons of crops using autonomous technology, learn about the components, and why this approach fits his operation.  This is just the beginning of exploring new technologies that may transform agriculture in Kentucky and across the United States.

Biography:

Quint Pottinger is an eighth-generation Kentucky farmer in New Haven, near Bardstown. He earned a degree in agricultural economics from the University of Kentucky in 2011 and began farming in 2012 with his wife, Leah, and mentorship from his father, Ramey Pottinger.  Starting with 80 acres, a vision, and commitment to his rural community, Quint has combined niche-market development, diversification, and technology adoption to grow their evolving enterprise, Pottinger Creek Estate.  In addition to custom grain production for local distillers and brewers, the Pottingers recently acquired Loretto Butcher Shop, a meat processing facility.  Their goal is a sustainable, closed-loop system.  Learn more about Affinity Farms / Pottinger Creek Estate at https://www.pottingercreek.com/.