roost: the future of farming in hardy county

Farming in Hardy County has always been about hard work, tradition, and family. But now, a new pilot program is giving local farmers the chance to save time, cut costs, and boost productivity without adding risk or out-of-pocket expenses.

It’s called ROOST — Rural Operations Optimization & Systems Trial, and it’s being led right here in Hardy County by Questr Automation LLC.

What is ROOST?
ROOST is a farm automation pilot that brings the latest labor-saving tools to real farms in Hardy County. The idea is simple: test smart equipment in day-to-day operations, measure the benefits, and prove what works. From poultry houses to cattle operations to row crops, the program shows how technology can take repetitive, time-consuming chores off the farmer’s plate while improving results in the field and barn.

What does it do?
Participating farms will receive automation tools tailored to their operation — things like automated egg handlers, spraying and surveillance drones, precision irrigation, smart sensors, and more. These tools are selected based on each farm’s specific needs, not a one-size-fits-all package.

Questr Automation LLC and local partners handle the installation, training, and technical support. Farmers stay in control the whole time: they decide which technologies to try, and they can scale back or adjust if something isn’t a fit. The program also secures grant and cost-share funding so that farmers don’t pay out of pocket.

The benefits are real and measurable:

• 500+ hours of labor saved each year
• Up to 30% reduction in operating costs
• Higher yields and better product quality
• Environmental gains through smarter use of inputs

​Who can participate?
ROOST is open to family farmers in Hardy County who want to explore how automation can make their operation more productive, profitable, and sustainable. The program is farmer-driven, which means your goals and comfort level come first. Whether you run poultry houses, cattle, dairy, crops, or specialty products, there’s an automation toolkit that can fit your needs.

How to apply
If you’re a Hardy County farmer interested in joining the pilot, visit http://questr.us/roost to learn more and apply. Spots are limited, and participation is on a first-come, first-served basis. You can also reach out to Dave Oberting, [email protected], 202.568.0852.