Earnest Agriculture
Beyond Sustainable Company
We are working on changing the world through sustainability initiatives, research, and development
Our Story
Inspiration
We saw opportunities for improvement in agricultural waste management and gardening practices affecting our climate.
In 2017, we planted the vision of making the world a cleaner and greener place. With the help of friends, family, and our community, we have been able to help farms, promote sustainability, and mitigate climate change.
It is the hard work and perseverance of our team that has made many difficult problems, not so hard anymore. There is still a lot to accomplish To create break through technology that will bring a lot of benefits for our world and people.
We Believe in a cleaner and greener world.
We Exist to make a positive change in the way we live.
The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings.
— Masanobu Fukuoka
Our Vision
Purpose and Direction
To cultivate a sustainable world through regenerative agriculture - beyond sustainable
Agriculture is the most healthful, most useful and most noble employment of man.
— George Washington
Our Mission
Approach
To create opportunity, growth, and impact in every community through innovative, renewable, and authentic practices, processes, and technology.
The farmer is the only man in our economy who buys everything at retail, sells everything at wholesale, and pays the freight both ways.
— John F. Kennedy
Our Values
Collective Beliefs
GRIIT
Passion and perseverance to achieve our vision, letting no obstacle stop us from continuing our mission.
Growth
Improving ourselves to allow us to help others.
Resilience
Never letting adversity change our direction.
Innovation
Pushing the normals to prove better methods.
Impact
Influence change that has a positive far reaching impact.
Transparency
Honesty with people, our processes, and products.
No race can prosper until it learns there is as much dignity in tilling a field as in writing a poem.
— Booker T. Washington
Our Team
Diverse, Educated, Experienced
Eddy Mejia
Chief Growth Officer
Eddy served 6 years in the military with tours to Afghanistan and Iraq. Has worked for 5 fortune 500 companies, and holds a BS in Computer Engineering, and a MBA. During his free time he loves to play with his dog Oso, work out, and learn.
LinkedIn >
Gabe Price
Chief Science Officer
Gabe is a PhD candidate at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign studying Microbial Ecology (aka the soil dr). He grew up in rural Illinois, south of the Quad Cities. When he is not working on Earnest Earth or in the lab, he loves hanging out with his wife, Suzanne.
LinkedIn >
Mack Hernandez
Chief Manufacturing Officer
Mack has been in the welding industry for the past 15 years. He is an artist and a master turning steel into machines that will change the world. Mack loves to hang out with his 2 children, especially when he gets to take them to the park.
LinkedIn >
Chief Mechanical Officer
looks at mechanical problems through a different lense. A creative MS in Mechanical Engineering, is working on automating and scaling our processes. loves to...
Agriculture is our wisest pursuit, because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals & happiness.
— Thomas Jefferson
Advisor Team
Mentoring Us Forward
Manu Edakara
Forbes 30 under 30, Educator, and Mentor. Helping Earnest from ideation to implementation.
Eduardo Mejia
Serial entrepreneur and operations guru, Eduardo has had various successful exits.
Alonso Mejia
12 Year Chase Executive, experience in helping open various Chase locations, managing and leading people.
Daniel Gambrell
As a Venture Capital Senior Associate Daniel has vast experience in helping Startups Grow.
Partners
Supporting Us Ahead
Distributor
Pilot - PoC
Investment
Strategic
Hall of Earnest
Community members with a positive impact
Rachelle Martinez
Marketing + Product Development
Rachelle grew up in Chicago, studied environmental policy and enjoys exploring, volunteering and watching documentaries.
James
Tran
UI/UX Designer
James feel in love with how things looked. Studied Graphic Design at the University of Illinois and has created Earnest’s look
Roberto Machado
Machine Learning Advisor
Roberto is a post PhD researcher studying machine learning and holds a Doctorate in Mathematics. Roberto is an avid biker, loves to cook (for his wife Juliana), and plays rock music on his guitar.
Carlos Caicedo
Electrical Advisor
Carlos is a Doctor in Electrical Engineering with a special focus in motors. He is an inventor and tinkerer and loves to go magnet fishing, hang out with his girlfriend Ivonna and play with his dog Ivon.
Mack Hernandez
Master Welder
Mack’s has 15+ years of welding experience. He is an artist and a master turning steel into machines that will change the world. Mack loves to hang out with his 2 children, especially when he gets to take them to the park.
Candice
Xie
Marketing Intern
Candice studied Statistics and Actuarial Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She grew up in Nanjing, China. She enjoys watching Game of Thrones during her free time.
Jenny
Lee
Marketing Intern
Jenny studied Advertising and Economics with a minor in business at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is from the northwest suburb of Chicago and bilingual in English and Korean. She loves making and drinking coffee.
Rosa
Lin
Marketing Intern
Rosa studied Statistics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She grew up in Taiwan. During her free time, she enjoys watching the NBA and taking care of her succulents.
Frehan Mehta
Marketing Intern
Frehan studies Economics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is from Mumbai, India. His passions include TV shows, martial arts, Formula one and soccer.
Jacob
Milo
Marketing Intern
Jacob studied Chemical Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is from the southwest suburbs of Chicago. He enjoys watching movies and Illini basketball with his friends.
Animal Team
In-Tune with Nature
Oso
Chief Animal Intermediary Officer
Oso has a masters in bones and playing fetch. He loves to go on long walks and chase all the squirrels. There is no field big enough to tame his energy. Bear is fluent in cattle, goat, horse, and pig.
Grace
Chief Cattle Officer
Grace has been in charge of her herd since turning 18. She always eats last and makes sure everyone is always taken care of. She has jokes but most days they are spotty. Grace loves to eat grass, jump around, and moo.
Farming looks mighty easy when your plow is a pencil, and you’re a thousand miles from the corn field.
