Prior to co-founding Monarch Tractor, Zachary Omohundro developed and deployed hundreds of integrated, intelligent, electromechanical systems. One of these includes Monarch’s MK-V predecessor; a small, largely solar-powered machine called HARVEST. Dr. Omohundro and Monarch CEO and co-founder, Praveen Penmetsa, built HARVEST for the Powering Agriculture Grand Challenge, a USAID managed grant to power agriculture in developing nations. Quite literally building on the lessons of the HARVEST project, Dr. Omohundro applied his 20 years of experience and expertise in electro-mechanical design, systems integration, and product development to engineer Monarch’s Alpha, Beta, Pilot, and finally MK-V Founder Series, which is deployed across farms today. Previous projects include energy storage systems, EVs, and mining robots capable of autonomously acquiring maps and models of abandoned mines.
Dr. Omohundro’s full system design perspective and deep knowledge base continues to improve the MK-V’s advanced capabilities and features. Monarch’s farmer-first mission prioritizes working with farmers, listening to their needs, and addressing their challenges. Dr. Omohundro is dedicated to finding solutions that work for farmers, the world’s food ecosystem, and the environment.
Together with his fellow Monarch Tractor co-founders, Carlo Mondavi, Praveen Penmetsa, and Mark Schwager, Dr. Omohundro meets the needs farmers have today while anticipating the future of the ag industry.
