Jacobs Del Cabo Boosts Labor Efficiency and Cuts Operational Costs

January 1, 2025

Client Snapshot

Jacobs Del Cabo grows tomatoes, herbs, and other vegetables using organic and sustainable practices. With decades of experience, they operate a mix of greenhouses and open-field production supported by a fleet of trucks, tractors, and utility vehicles.

The challenge

The solution

Farm-ng introduced the Amiga, an all-electric, modular robot designed to support a range of agricultural tasks. Jacobs Del Cabo incorporated the Amiga into daily operations using attachments like the compost spreader, seeder and tine weeder as well as customized solutions like a flamer weeder and bug vacuum. With “follow me” control and adjustable speed, Amiga allowed field workers to focus on productive tasks while minimizing physical strain and maximizing efficiency. Thanks to the mobile base’s versatility – including adjustable track widths ranging from 40 to 80 inches, customizable height clearances, and modifiable wheelbases – the Amiga can navigate tight spaces in greenhouses and handle varied terrains in open fields.

The results

Reduced labor for mulching from 4–5 people to one, enabling full-bed compost application on every bed, every block planted.
Saved significant time in weeding operations by reducing crew size and increasing daily coverage.
Decreased seeding labor with one operator replacing three.
Improved harvest aid task efficiency by 40% using the Amiga’s hauling capabilities.
Completed a full day of composting (20 beds, 150 ft each) on a single battery charge.

“

From a farmers perspective, the Amiga helps us maintain operations in a way that is economically viable. This is the future. It lets farmworkers earn a living without breaking their backs in the process.” 

● Larry Jacobs, Co-Founder

“

This makes our employees happier. It’s not just about productivity — it’s about the quality of their experience on the farm.

● Sandy Belin, Operations Manager

How they did it

Farm-ng’s story is rooted in collaboration with the farming community. The Amiga platform was born from one such partnership — a close working relationship with Larry Jacobs. What began as a conversation evolved into hands-on feedback and field testing that shaped the earliest prototypes of the Amiga.

Larry’s team played a key role in refining the design, especially around compost spreading — highlighting real-world challenges like loading times and material consistency. With each iteration, Farm-ng listened, adapted, and improved. Today, the Amiga compost spreader delivers consistent output at an average speed of 0.44 m/s (0.98 mph), with a load capacity approaching 750 lbs and enough battery to cover a full day’s work on a single charge.

Since then, Jacobs Del Cabo has expanded their use of the Amiga platform to include seeding, weeding, harvest, hauling, and bug vacuuming to replace labor-intensive tasks. The modular attachments, including tine weeders, flame weeders, and harvest tables, provide the flexibility needed to adapt to different tasks without compromising performance. This partnership reflects Farm-ng’s ongoing commitment to farmer-led innovation. Beyond productivity gains, Jacobs Del Cabo values the Amiga’s worker-centered design. Features like “follow me” mode and cruise control reduce physical strain and support intuitive operation, uplifting both daily workflow and team morale.