What Agricenter International does

Agricenter International is a Memphis-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating the world's largest urban farm at 1,000 acres, of which 600 acres are dedicated to agricultural research. Founded in 1984, the organization runs an integrated campus combining contract agricultural research, K-12 and workforce education, event venue rentals, and recreational facilities. It serves a heterogeneous customer base including domestic and international agricultural companies (BASF, Helena Agri-Enterprises), government partners (USDA, National Weather Service, Tennessee Department of Agriculture), education institutions (University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Memphis Area Master Gardeners), event organizers, equestrian users, RV travelers, fishing visitors, and students across the Mid-South region.

Core technology is built around agricultural research infrastructure rather than software products. The technology stack includes ARM (Agricultural Research Manager) software for research data analysis, five irrigation systems (three guided with RTK for pinpoint accuracy), in-house FAA Part 107 licensed drone pilots producing RGB and NDVI imagery, soil/tissue/grain laboratory analysis, and an on-site National Weather Service forecast office providing real-time environmental data. Proprietary features are primarily accuracy-and-precision oriented: RTK-guided irrigation, licensed drone operation, and integrated laboratory services. No API, SDK, or software product is offered externally; tech is consumed internally and through research service contracts.

The business model is multi-stream and nonprofit-funded. Research services are sold on a professional-services basis (250+ trials annually for 80+ companies across 13 countries). Venue rentals (ShowPlace Arena, Expo Center, Theater, Red Barn, banquet rooms, outdoor spaces) and recreational facilities (RV Park at $48/day and weekly/monthly tiers, Catch 'Em Lakes at $11 adult admission, equestrian stalls at $30/night) generate transaction-fee revenue. Educational programs (4-H, AgTech, GradTech, Junior Master Gardener Plant Camp at $60, Junior Chef Camp at $110) are priced per participant. Donations, corporate sponsorships (Diamond/Gold/Silver tiers for the Feast on the Farm gala), and grants — including a $24.9M USDA award in October 2024 — fund mission-aligned activity. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, supplemented by direct enterprise sales for research and venue contracts. The organization claims $524 million in annual economic impact on the Mid-South, 1.5 million annual visitors, and 20,000+ students educated annually.

Name

Agricenter International

Legal name

Agricenter International, Inc.

Website

https://agricenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Agricenter International is a Memphis-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating the world's largest urban farm at 1,000 acres, providing agricultural research services for global companies, K-12 STEM education, workforce development programs, and venue rentals across an integrated Mid-South campus.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Research and Education Services

NAICS

Other Crop Farming (1119)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Farm Technology Enablement & Data Integration Advisory (FMIS/ERP, IoT, Decision Support) (AFACAJAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Plant Tissue, Soil & Water Sampling Coordination (Agronomy-Focused) (AFACABAH), Irrigation & Water Use Efficiency Agronomy (AFACABAF), Sustainability & ESG / Carbon & Conservation Program Advisory (AFACAJAF), Agricultural Production & Farm Operations (EDAOAOAA), Sustainable/Regenerative Agriculture & Conservation Practices (EDAOAOAO)

Keywords

• Agricultural research services
• STEM agricultural education
• Event venue rentals
• Field trial services
• Veteran workforce training

Headquarters

HQ city

Memphis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Research Services: Agricultural research trials conducted for domestic and international companies. Services include pesticide evaluation, biostimulants, nutritionals, plant growth regulators, fertility, irrigation, variety testing, soil/tissue/grain analysis, and drone-based imaging. Over 250 research trials conducted annually for 80+ companies from 13 countries.
2. Venue Rentals: Rental revenue from ShowPlace Arena, Expo Center, Red Barn, Theater, Hospitality Room, Outdoor Spaces, and breakout/banquet rooms for events including weddings, trade shows, corporate meetings, equestrian competitions, and festivals.
3. Catch 'Em Lakes Fishing: Admission fees for catfish and game fishing lakes, plus per-pound charges for catfish and cleaning services.
4. RV Park: Full hook-up RV site rentals at daily, weekly, and monthly rates with 30/50 amp electrical connections.
5. Equine Services: Overnight horse boarding/stabling at ShowPlace Arena with stall rentals and shavings sales.
6. Donations and Fundraising: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and corporate sponsorships for signature events including Feast on the Farm gala, Harvest Festival, and Fishing Rodeo. Agricenter is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
7. Utilities Services: Utilities (electricity, water, etc.) sold to event organizers for shows and exhibitions at advance and floor rates.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Agricenter International operates the world's largest urban farm (1,000 acres) in Memphis, TN, providing contracted agricultural research services (pesticide evaluation, variety testing, soil/tissue/grain analysis, drone RGB/NDVI imaging), STEM and youth education programs (4-H, AgTech, GradTech, Junior Master Gardener Camp, Junior Chef Camp, VETSA for veterans), and event venue rentals (ShowPlace Arena, Expo Center, Theater, Red Barn, banquet rooms) plus recreational facilities (Farmers Market, RV Park, Catch 'Em Lakes, stables).

Product overview

Agricenter International is a 1,000-acre not-for-profit urban research farm and agricultural education center in Memphis, Tennessee operating as a single integrated campus offering multiple interconnected services. The core portfolio spans: (1) Research Farm Services including soil/grain analysis, pesticide evaluation, variety testing, and licensed drone imagery services (RGB/NDVI) on 600 irrigated acres; (2) Education Programs including 4-H, AgTech Summer Program, GradTech drone certification, VETSA veterans program, Junior Master Gardener Plant Camp, and Junior Chef Camp reaching 20,000+ students annually; (3) Venue & Recreation including ShowPlace Arena, Expo Center, Theater, Red Barn, Banquet/Seminar Rooms, Outdoor Classroom, RV Park, Farmers Market, Catch 'Em Lakes, Sunflower Trail, and Mid-South Raptor Center; (4) Innovation District offering AgTech research park space with buildings, land leases, and greenhouses. The organization generates $524 million annual economic impact while hosting 1.5 million visitors yearly.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Research Farm Services Comprehensive agricultural research services including soil analysis, grain analysis, tissue testing, pesticide evaluation, variety testing, and irrigation trials conducted on a 1,000-acre research farm with diverse Delta-type soils. Serves domestic and international agricultural companies.
• Drone/Imagery Services Licensed drone pilots providing RGB and NDVI imagery for agricultural research, crop monitoring, and field evaluation using FAA Part 107 certified operators.
• Farmers Market Seasonal market operating Mondays through Saturdays from 8 AM - 5 PM, running May through October, serving as a vital incubator for small business and community access to local produce and farm-raised products since 1986.
• RV Park Full hookup RV park with 30-amp and 50-amp electrical sites, sewer hookups, water facilities, on-site laundry, and restrooms with showers. Daily rates from $48, weekly from $290, monthly from $625.20.
• ShowPlace Arena Equestrian events venue featuring Main Arena (125' x 250'), Multi-Purpose Arena (100' x 200'), Outdoor Arena (150' x 300'), Indoor Warm-Up Arena, 6 barns with 632 stalls, hospitality room, and RV park with 80 sites.
• Catch 'Em Lakes

Quantifiable outcome

• 20,000+ students educated annually through hands-on agricultural STEM programs
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BASFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBASF Research Center located on Agricenter International campus conducting soybean and cotton pathology research. BASF participates in Agricultural Field Day, explaining data collection importance and field research to students. Also provides greenhouse management and maintenance training.
• Helena Agri-EnterprisescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHelena Agri-Enterprises Products Group has North American headquarters on Agricenter campus. Discusses product discovery, registration, and marketing during Agricultural Field Day events. Diamond sponsor for Feast on the Farm.
• Ducks UnlimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorth American headquarters of Ducks Unlimited is located on Agricenter International campus, supporting conservation and wetland research initiatives.
• CNH IndustrialcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCNH Industrial training center located on campus, providing agricultural equipment training and education for industry professionals.
• National Weather Service (NWS) MemphiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNWS forecast office operating on Agricenter campus for over 40 years, serving as the Mid-South's weather center covering 55 counties. Provides real-time weather data for agricultural research decisions and collaborates on climate and sustainable agriculture studies.
• University of Tennessee Institute of AgriculturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUT-TSU Extension Shelby County located on Agricenter campus. Partners on VETSA program, 4-H programs, Junior Chef Camp, and education initiatives. VETSA program sites include UT Martin and Middle Tennessee Research and Education Center.
• Memphis Area Master GardenersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Memphis Area Master Gardeners to host annual Junior Master Gardener Camp for children ages 8-11.
• Walnut Grove Bait & TackleminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTenant operator of Catch 'Em Lakes fishing facility on Agricenter campus, operating catfish and game fishing lakes.
• Mid-South Raptor CenterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner501(c)(3) raptor rehabilitation facility located on Agricenter campus since 2002. Only state-licensed raptor rehabilitation facility in West Tennessee, rescuing over 200 birds annually.
• Farm SafeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricenter supports the Farm Safe initiative providing free safety training and resources to farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers worldwide. Covers topics like heat stress, equipment hazards, and ATV safety.
• Event Rentals by HicksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond sponsor for Feast on the Farm annual gala event.
• Tennessee CornminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond sponsor for Feast on the Farm annual gala event.
• Tennessee Soybean Promotion BoardminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond sponsor for Feast on the Farm annual gala event.
• Truist BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor for Feast on the Farm annual gala event.
• Farm Credit Mid-AmericaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver sponsor for Feast on the Farm annual gala event.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Noble Research Institute: One of the largest independent nonprofit agricultural research organizations in the U.S., operating its own research farms focused on regenerative agriculture and producer education. Highly comparable as a nonprofit ag-research operator running large-scale field trials, applied agronomy, and farmer education programs.
• Rodale Institute: Nonprofit agricultural research organization operating a long-running research farm in Pennsylvania focused on organic and regenerative farming trials and education. Comparable in nonprofit research farm model, trial-based service offering, and producer/educator engagement.
• Soil Health Institute: Nonprofit that convenes and funds soil health research and education across public and private partners. Directly comparable mission alignment with Agricenter's soil/tissue analysis and on-farm research services, and similar donor/foundation funding model.
• Donald Danforth Plant Science Center: Independent nonprofit plant science research institute conducting crop research with industry partners. Comparable as a nonprofit research hub that partners with agricultural companies on variety testing, crop improvement, and translational research.
• Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR): Public-private nonprofit that funds agricultural research and workforce development. Comparable as a nonprofit intermediary that mobilizes government, corporate, and foundation capital toward applied ag research and education.
• National 4-H Council: National youth development organization delivering hands-on agricultural education and STEM programming. Comparable for Agricenter's 4-H programming, Junior Master Gardener and Junior Chef Camps, and other youth agricultural education offerings.

Broad incumbents

• University of Tennessee AgResearch: State agricultural research and extension system with multiple research and education centers across Tennessee, including UT-TSU Extension Shelby County hosted on Agricenter's campus. Comparable as a broader public-sector ag research and extension operator that overlaps with Agricenter's research and education lines.
• Cummings Research Park: One of the largest research parks in the U.S., hosting multiple corporate tenants, universities, and government agencies in a single location. Comparable to Agricenter's Innovation District as a multi-tenant research park strategy within a campus ecosystem.

Regional players

• Shelby Farms Park: Adjacent 4,500-acre public park in Memphis connected to Agricenter via the Sunflower Trail. Comparable as a large-scale recreational and educational greenspace serving the Memphis region with overlapping audiences in outdoor programming and education.
• Memphis Cook Convention Center: Major Mid-South event venue hosting trade shows, conventions, and corporate events in Memphis. Comparable as a regional competitor for large-scale event bookings that Agricenter's ShowPlace Arena and Expo Center compete against in the Memphis market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Agricenter_Intl
• Facebookfacebook.com/AgricenterInternational

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Agricenter International