UpTerra has appointed Stephen Birch as its new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and has also secured a strategic investment from Big Idea Ventures’ Generation Food Rural Partners (GFRP) Fund. The announcement marks a significant step for the agricultural water-innovation company as it scales its technology across the United States.
Birch, who has been leading UpTerra’s commercial initiatives, has overseen deployments across Texas and multi-state acreage growth exceeding 40,000 acres. In his expanded role as CEO, Birch will accelerate market penetration across core crops and regions, expand regional teams, and strengthen relationships with growers and channel partners.
UpTerra’s technology, which restructures water using advanced physics inside existing irrigation infrastructure, is installed across more than 40,000 acres on 300 farms. The company reports measurable improvements in infiltration, uniformity, nutrient transport, and overall farm performance.
The new investment from GFRP, part of Big Idea Ventures, supports technologies shaping the future of food, agriculture, and materials. The fund—led by Chief Investment Officer Tom Mastrobuoni—partners with organizations such as the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology to commercialize innovations that benefit rural economies.
KEY QUOTES
“Farmers are seeking solutions that deliver real results. Our goal is simple, to apply the UpTerra proven successes to every irrigated farm in the United States. We will do this by providing value field by field, helping farmers deliver higher yields, and making farm agronomics work better.”“With GFRP’s support and our demonstrated momentum this year, we can help more farms turn irrigated water into rain water.”
Stephen Birch, CEO, UpTerra
“Big Idea Ventures, through its Generation Food Rural Partners fund, in partnership with the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology, are proud to join the existing investors in UpTerra.”“This fund invests in breakthrough technologies that drive rural economic development, and UpTerra’s traction with growers shows why we are excited to support the next phase.”
Tom Mastrobuoni, Chief Investment Officer, Big Idea Ventures
