Full-Time
Commercial Agronomist
Coastal Region
Posted on 10/31/2025
Pivot Bio
201-500 employees
Delivers microbial nitrogen fixation for crops
Compensation Overview
$88.5k - $110.5k/yr
Louisiana, USA
In Person
 Biology & Biotech (2) |
|---|
| , |
- Bachelor's degree in Agronomy, Crop Science, or related field required
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in agronomy or crop consulting
- Valid driver's license and willingness to travel up to 80% of the time to client locations
- Authorized to work in the United States
- Expertise in crop fertility, agronomy, crop physiology, and soil science
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain professional relationships
- Ability to work independently and build an efficient weekly schedule
- Understanding of the relationship between on-farm fertility practices and soil biology
- Fluent in understanding and ability to educate on nitrogen and nitrogen management
- Experience with crop modeling, precision agriculture, and data analysis tools
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Adapt and maintain agility in a rapidly changing environment
- Home office based from within the assigned territory
- Travel required - Valid driver's license and willingness to travel up to 80% of the time to client locations
- Build relationships and provide technical service to Pivot Bio distribution partners and growers within assigned territory to help ensure their success while utilizing our products
- Lead training events and deliver world-class fertility insights, with a focus on nitrogen management, to customers and the sales team
- Execute and manage on-farm product demo protocols to showcase product performance and support future product development
- Provide technical product knowledge, stewardship, best practices recommendations, and product performance results throughout the commercial organization
- Help create and communicate nitrogen education initiatives to industry partners, growers, and consumers
- Develop and deliver innovative nitrogen management plans to enhance agricultural efficiency
- Support sales efforts by promoting Pivot Bio products at farm calls, trade shows, and field tours
- Collaborate with Product Development Agronomists to transfer knowledge of new products and technologies to sales organization and customers and assist with their research with Universities and other partnerships
- Promote sustainability program through grower education on program details, implementation, and data requirements
What Pivot Bio does: It provides a nitrogen-fixing microbial solution for crops, offering an alternative to synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. How it works: The product is applied in the field (in-furrow or seed treatments) so friendly microbes colonize crop roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen into plant-usable forms, supplying nitrogen through the growing season. The company uses machine learning and computational modeling to optimize the microbes’ performance and nitrogen delivery. How Pivot Bio is different: Instead of relying on synthetic fertilizer, it delivers living microbes tuned to crops and field conditions, marketed directly to farmers across much of the United States, and backed by data-driven optimization to improve efficiency. What the goal is: To help farmers achieve higher yields while cutting fertilizer use and reducing environmental problems like runoff and emissions by replacing or reducing synthetic nitrogen inputs with biological nitrogen fixation.
Company Size
201-500
Company Stage
Series D
Total Funding
$616.9M
Headquarters
Minnetonka, Minnesota
Founded
2011
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- $7M St. Louis expansion scales manufacturing for 24-hour US farmer delivery by April 2026.
- Red Reef partnership deploys microbes on North American farmland starting 2026 season.
- Multiyear program locks nitrogen prices 50% below synthetics through 2028.
What critics are saying
- Synthetic fertilizer prices drop below $0.40/lb within 6-18 months, erasing cost edge.
- Brazil MAPA rejects gene-edited microbes by 2027, ceding market to Syngenta.
- St. Louis fermentation fails during 2026 planting, delaying shipments to 5M acres.
What makes Pivot Bio unique
- PROVEN 40 gene-edited microbes fix 35-40 lbs nitrogen per acre during corn vegetative growth.
- On-seed application safely delivers nitrogen-fixing Kosakonia sacchari directly to seeds.
- 60 patents protect proprietary microbiome engineering for superior crop nutrition.
Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?
Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan
401(k) Company Match
Commuter Benefits
Annual Training & Development support
Unlimited Paid Time Off
Stock Options
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 0%1 year growth
↑ 0%2 year growth
↑ 1%Pivot Bio CEO makes case for biological nitrogen amid fertilizer volatility. The company which develops microbial nitrogen products relocated its headquarters from california to Minnesota to position itself closer to Midwest farmers. | Published on: Apr 21, 2026 MINNEAPOLIS - Pivot Bio's chief executive officer is making a direct pitch to Midwest farmers, arguing the company's microbial nitrogen products can lower fertilizer costs while improving performance in a volatile input market. Pivot Bio CEO Chris Abbott said in an interview with Agweek that the company's technology - which uses gene-edited microbes to deliver nitrogen at the root - offers a more efficient and stable alternative to synthetic fertilizer. For Pivot Bio, which recently relocated its headquarters to Minneapolis, Abbott said the approach is to deliver products to a market defined by cost pressure and environmental scrutiny. "Everything that we do starts with nitrogen," Abbott said. "The foundational technology are gene-edited microbes converting atmospheric nitrogen to essentially nitrogen fertilizer right on the root system." Nitrogen remains one of the most critical and volatile inputs in agriculture, accounting for roughly one-third to nearly half of operating costs for crops like corn and wheat, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service. Synthetic fertilizer has driven yield gains but is also tied to price swings, supply chain disruptions and environmental concerns, according to the company. Pivot Bio's model does not eliminate synthetic fertilizer, Abbott said, but is designed to replace a portion of it with a more targeted source. "For a long time, we're going to be working in the system along them," he said of synthetic fertilizer companies. "Fertilizer plays a very key role. We're just a better option. We are better and cheaper." The company's products are currently used on millions of acres across North America and support crops including corn, wheat and cotton, according to the company. At the field level, Abbott described the value proposition in economic terms familiar to growers, which is cost per acre and return on investment. "Our product today is about 60% cheaper than synthetic nitrogen," he said. "Growers are saving $20 instantly and in most cases see a yield increase as well." That positioning - both cost reduction and performance - is central in a commodity-driven fertilizer market, Abbott said, where adoption depends on measurable outcomes. "If you aren't better and aren't cheaper, it's pretty hard to have a sustainable impact at scale," he said. The company's technology relies on microbes that live on plant roots and continuously produce nitrogen, reducing losses associated with leaching and volatilization, according to Abbott's description of the system. "When it's essentially glued to the root system, it doesn't go anywhere," he said. That characteristic has implications beyond cost, particularly in regions where nutrient runoff and water quality are ongoing concerns. At the same time, Abbott acknowledged adoption challenges, particularly among farmers cautious about new products in a crowded agtech marketplace. "There's plenty of people that don't like change," he said. "We had to learn product placement matters." Early performance data reflected that learning curve, he said, with outcomes improving as the company refined how its products are applied. "It went from about a 56% win rate to 93% because we placed it the right way," Abbott said. The company's geographic footprint mirrors major crop production regions, with significant adoption across the Midwest, including hundreds of thousands of acres in Minnesota, Abbott said. The relocation of its headquarters to Minnesota reflects that concentration, as well as proximity to both customers and industry infrastructure. "We are 30 minutes from our closest customer," Abbott said. "This is where the talent is, it's where our customers are, it's where our partners are." The company emphasizes domestic production and distribution. Its microbial products are manufactured through fermentation and shipped from St. Louis, Missouri, allowing delivery across the U.S. within a matter of days, according to Abbott. For farmers, Abbott said, the pitch remains straightforward: Reduce risk tied to weather and input costs while maintaining or improving yields. "If you want to improve your performance of nitrogen or reduce your cost, this is the single biggest way to do it," he said. But Abbott said success will depend less on narrative and more on performance in the field. "You either got to be better or cheaper or both," he said. "And we believe we are."
Pivot Bio introduces nitrogen price and supply assurance programme. Against the backdrop of volatility in the global fertilizer market, Pivot Bio has announced a new multiyear nitrogen price and supply assurance programme designed to lock in nitrogen costs and secure supply for the 2026 planting season and beyond. The introduction comes as many US growers are beginning their planting, following the company's recent move to increase US production and lower the prices of its leading nitrogen products, now less than half the cost of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. The new agreement allows growers and retailers to lock in a consistent price for Pivot Bio nitrogen solutions for the 2026, 2027 and 2028 growing seasons, providing greater certainty at a time when the price of conventional fertilizer prices is fluctuating and supply is uncertain. Pivot Bio's microbial nitrogen is currently priced approximately 50% lower than synthetic fertilizer, with US-based production providing a readily available, cost-effective, and more predictable option. "We've spent time with growers in recent weeks, and one theme has come through clearly - the need for more certainty," said Chris Abbott, chief executive officer at Pivot Bio. "This programme is designed to give farmers another way to plan ahead, manage risk, and bring more performance and profit consistency into their operations." In addition to locking in price and delivery, the programme gives growers flexibility in how they structure their payments. It also gives them peace of mind that an essential input will be there when they need it. "Fertilizer markets have always been cyclical, but the level of volatility we are seeing today is being driven by a more complex mix of global supply, energy dynamics and geopolitical pressures," commented Melih Keyman, CEO of KEYTRADE and a member of the Pivot Bio Board of Directors. "Programmes that provide greater price visibility and supply reliability over multiple seasons can play an important role in helping growers and the broader industry better manage that uncertainty." Pivot Bio's approach is built on best management practices, which were developed alongside growers and validated across multiple seasons and 15 million acres, helping ensure consistent performance across a wide range of field conditions. Tuesday 31 March 2026 09:00 Topsoe has partnered with Hynfra P.S.A. to advance green ammonia production in Jordan. Embed article link: (copy the HTML code below):
Pivot Bio announces strategic partnership with Red Reef Partners to accelerate nitrogen optimization on North American farmland. Pivot Bio March 26th, 2026 Minneapolis, MN and Boca Raton, FL, March 26, 2026 - Pivot Bio, one of the world's leading agtech companies delivering patented crop nutrition technologies, today announced a special partnership and strategic alliance with Red Reef Partners, a sustainable farmland investment manager focused on building resilient, environmentally responsible portfolios across North America. The partnership will deploy Pivot Bio's U.S.-made nitrogen solutions across Red Reef's farmland portfolios with the shared goal of substantially reducing synthetic nitrogen fertilizer applications while improving agronomic performance, environmental outcomes, and farm profitability. "Our long-term relationships with advanced growers support environmental stewardship through innovation", said Suzanne Petrela, Red Reef's Managing Partner. "We are excited to join forces with Pivot Bio to actively advance the responsible management of our farms. We believe this partnership will yield valuable data to support broader nitrogen reduction across the $4 trillion U.S. farmland market by demonstrating the natural alignment between positive environmental and financial outcomes in sustainable land management." Transforming Nitrogen Management at Scale Nitrogen fertilizer is one of the largest input costs for row crop farmers and a major contributor to agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and water quality challenges. Through this alliance, Red Reef will integrate Pivot Bio's next-gen nitrogen source on eligible corn acres and expand into additional crops over time. The companies expect phased implementation starting this 2026 growing season, with acreage expansion planned over subsequent years based on performance metrics and farmer adoption. Together, the organizations aim to: * Materially reduce synthetic nitrogen applications on Red Reef's farms. * Lower nitrous oxide emissions and reduce nutrient presence in waterways. * Improve soil health and long-term land productivity. * Enhance operating margins for local farm operators. "Red Reef shares our belief that agricultural productivity and environmental stewardship go hand in hand," said Chris Abbott, CEO of Pivot Bio. "This partnership demonstrates how institutional farmland investors can play a leading role in scaling sustainable crop nutrition solutions while strengthening economic outcomes for growers. We couldn't be more excited about this partnership with one of the industry's best farmland investment managers." Environmental and Impact Objectives Red Reef incorporates nitrogen optimization strategies into its broader environmental, social, and governance (ESG) framework, using data-driven monitoring to evaluate environmental and crop outcomes across its North American farmland holdings. The collaboration with Pivot Bio is designed to advance measurable impact across Red Reef's farms, including: * Greenhouse Gas Reduction: Lower field-level nitrous oxide emissions by reducing dependence on synthetic nitrogen fertilizer. * Water Quality Improvement: Decrease nitrates and nutrients in regional waterways. * Soil Health Enhancement: Support soil microbial diversity, organic matter, and long-term resilience. * Climate Alignment: Contribute to portfolio-level sustainability metrics and impact reporting frameworks. Financial and Operational Benefits for Farmers In addition to environmental gains, the partnership is structured to deliver financial and operational advantages to local farm operators managing Red Reef lands, notably: * Reduced input cost volatility associated with synthetic fertilizer markets. * Improved nitrogen availability throughout the growing season. * Simplified nutrient management programs. * Crop yield stability and farm level financial gains. Scaling Sustainable Agriculture Through Capital + Innovation By aligning incentives among landowners, farmers, and crop nutrition providers, the partnership seeks to create a high-impact, scalable model for nitrogen reduction as part of a broader sustainable management playbook for institutional farmland investors. "This alliance represents the future of sustainable farmland investing," said Scott Henry, Partner at Red Reef. "We believe that reducing synthetic nitrogen applications enhances long term asset quality, delivers environmental benefits, and strengthens financial outcomes for our investors and farm operators." About Red Reef Partners Red Reef Partners is a sustainable North American farmland investment manager. The firm integrates environmental impact goals with disciplined operational and financial management to generate long-term value for investors and farm operators. For more information, visit redreefpartners.com. About Pivot Bio Pivot Bio, one of the world's leading agtech companies, delivers patented crop nutrition technologies that harness the power of nature to help farmers reliably and productively grow the food the world needs in the face of increasing volatility. Currently available in North America and soon in Brazil, the company's products represent a breakthrough innovation and one of the agriculture industry's most promising solutions. Pivot Bio has been recognized three times by TIME magazine on its annual list of Best Inventions, by Fast Company on its World Changing Ideas and World's 50 Most Innovative Companies lists, by CNBC on its Disruptor 50 list, by Fortune on its Impact 20 list, and by MIT Technology Review as one of 15 climate tech companies to watch. For more information, visit PivotBio.com.
Pivot Bio has launched RETAIN Dry, a new planter box application treatment for sorghum growers using nitrogen-fixing microbial technology. The dry formulation allows farmers to apply the product directly to seed at planting, joining existing liquid in-furrow and on-seed application methods. RETAIN Dry includes micronutrients such as zinc, iron, manganese, boron, copper and molybdenum to support microbial nitrogen fixation. Each package can treat up to 500 acres of sorghum and is currently available in 15 US states including Kansas, Nebraska, Texas and Oklahoma. The launch follows recent introductions of Pivot Bio PROVEN G3 for corn and CERT-N Dry for cotton. The company is lowering prices and increasing production of its domestically produced nitrogen solutions amid volatile global fertiliser markets.
Pivot Bio launches RETAIN(TM) Dry, expanding application options for sorghum growers. Pivot Bio March 11th, 2026 MINNEAPOLIS, March 11, 2026 - Pivot Bio, one of the world's leading innovative agtech companies, today announced the launch of RETAIN(TM) Dry, the newest planter box application treatment innovation designed to help sorghum growers more easily incorporate Pivot Bio's industry-leading nitrogen-fixing microbial technology into their crop nutrition programs. RETAIN(TM) Dry introduces a new dry planter box formulation that allows growers to conveniently apply Pivot Bio's nitrogen-fixing technology directly to the seed at planting. With this launch, RETAIN(TM) products are available across three application methods, including liquid in-furrow, on-seed and now dry. This gives farmers more flexibility than ever to integrate Pivot Bio into their operations. "RETAIN Dry expands how growers can access Pivot Bio's nitrogen solutions, which enables microbial nitrogen fixation on the plant's root," said Travis Frey, Ph.D., chief technology officer at Pivot Bio. "By offering a planter box application option for sorghum, we're making it even easier for farmers to apply our technology at planting while improving operational flexibility." RETAIN(TM) Dry integrates seamlessly into existing planting workflows and is applied directly to seed at planting. The formulation includes micronutrients such as zinc, iron, manganese, boron, copper and molybdenum to support microbial nitrogen fixation and plant nitrogen assimilation. Key benefits of RETAIN(TM) Dry include: * Micronutrient delivery that supports microbial nitrogen fixation * Flexible planter box application directly to seed at planting * Improved seed flowability and singulation through premium seed fluency performance * Enhanced early plant growth, including larger root systems and faster canopy closure RETAIN(TM) Dry can be applied using multiple on-farm methods, including calibrated dry additive feeders on seed tenders, layering during seed loading, or double-transfer seed box applications. The new formulation is designed to treat up to 500 acres of sorghum per package and is currently available in Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee and Texas. The launch of RETAIN(TM) Dry follows the company's recent launch of Pivot Bio PROVEN(R) G3 for corn and Pivot Bio CERT-N(TM) Dry for cotton. As global fertilizer markets remain uncertain and volatile, Pivot Bio is lowering prices and increasing its production of its domestically produced nitrogen solutions to help farmers as they're starting their planting season. As with all Pivot Bio products, growers should follow the company's best management practices to ensure optimal product performance. Growers interested in learning more about product performance can view localized trial results at https://www.pivotbio.com/provenit. About Pivot Bio Pivot Bio, one of the world's leading agtech companies, delivers patented crop nutrition technologies that harness the power of nature to help farmers reliably and productively grow the food the world needs in the face of increasing volatility. Currently available in North America and soon in Brazil, the company's products represent a breakthrough innovation and one of the agriculture industry's most promising solutions. Pivot Bio has been recognized three times by TIME magazine on its annual list of best inventions, by Fast Company on its World Changing Ideas and World's 50 Most Innovative Companies lists, by CNBC on its Disruptor 50 list of private companies, by Fortune on its Impact 20 list and by MIT Tech Review as one of 15 climate tech companies to watch. For more information, visit PivotBio.com.