From financial planning to biotech to education technology, Garyn Angel’s career has always centered on solving complex problems with innovation. Now, as the founder of Farm-Ed, he’s bringing AI-powered agriculture and financial literacy into classrooms through hands-on, project-based learning. Designed especially for Title 1 and underserved schools, Farm-Ed gives students the tools to think like scientists, entrepreneurs, and data analysts, using real-time insights from indoor grow chambers to bridge the gap between textbook learning and real-world application.
In this Q&A, Angel shares how his cross-industry experience shaped the platform, why equity is at its core, and how he plans to scale it nationwide.
What led you from financial planning and biotech into education technology?
I’ve always been drawn to solving complex problems through innovation. In finance, I learned how data and strategy drive results. In biotech, I focused on health and wellness through science. Education technology became the next frontier, a way to apply what I’d learned in those industries to empower students with real-world skills. With Farm-Ed, I saw the opportunity to impact food security, STEM education, and financial literacy all at once.
What problem were you trying to solve with Farm-Ed, and why was project-based learning the answer?
The core problem is the gap between classroom learning and real-life application. Many students, especially in underserved communities, are taught abstract concepts with no clear connection to the world around them. Farm-Ed solves this by using AI-powered indoor farms to bring science, technology, and business into the classroom. Project-based learning turns students into problem solvers. They experiment, analyze, and make decisions like real-world scientists and entrepreneurs.
Farm-Ed combines agriculture, AI, and financial literacy. How did that blend come together, and why does it work?
It came from identifying three major needs: food sustainability, tech fluency, and financial empowerment. Agriculture is essential, yet often missing from classrooms. AI is reshaping every industry. And financial literacy is critical for breaking generational cycles of poverty. By merging these, we created a hands-on, integrated experience that mirrors real life. Students grow crops, analyze AI-generated data, and calculate profits. That’s real-world learning.
You’ve said students challenge the AI in their grow chamber. What does that look like?
The grow chambers collect data and make automated decisions—but students can question them. Maybe a student thinks a different setting will yield better growth. They test their theory, run experiments, and compare results. It becomes an interactive, collaborative learning process. Students learn that AI is a tool, and that their ideas can compete with algorithms.
With 216k data points collected daily, how does Farm-Ed make STEM and machine learning concepts tangible?
Every data point becomes a learning opportunity. Students analyze trends, build hypotheses, and see how decisions impact plant health. They also see how the AI uses that data to make predictions, giving them a foundational understanding of machine learning. It turns abstract STEM concepts into something they can see, touch, and improve. It builds real data literacy and critical thinking skills.
Why was bringing this technology to Title 1 and underserved schools a core priority?
Equity is the foundation of Farm-Ed. Too many students in underserved communities don’t get access to modern tools or engaging STEM programs. We wanted to change that. These students have the most to gain from project-based learning, financial literacy, and exposure to tech-driven agriculture. It’s about leveling the playing field and giving every child the opportunity to build skills that lead to real economic mobility.
How do your university and research partnerships help validate and scale Farm-Ed?
These partnerships help us stay aligned with the latest science, ensure rigorous evaluation, and scale responsibly. Universities help refine our technology and curriculum. They also run studies to measure our impact, which is key for gaining support from school districts and funders. Plus, their networks help us pilot in diverse settings and continually improve based on real classroom feedback.
You have experience in finance, biotech, and now EdTech. How has that shaped how you build startups?
Finance taught me how to model risk, manage capital, and create sustainable systems. Biotech taught me how to innovate in regulated, science-based environments. EdTech brings it all together. I pull insights from each industry to build something that’s technically sound, financially viable, and deeply impactful. That cross-industry perspective helps me think differently, move quickly, and stay grounded in purpose.
What metrics are you using to measure Farm-Ed’s success—both educational and business?
Educationally, we look at student engagement, STEM proficiency, financial literacy, and skill development like collaboration and critical thinking. In Title 1 schools, we track confidence and career interest shifts. On the business side, we monitor adoption rates, revenue growth, and partner expansion. But the ultimate metric is impact—are students walking away with tools to succeed in the real world?
You’ve said you want Farm-Ed in every school. What does that scale look like, and how will you get there?
Scaling means putting AI grow chambers and PBL curriculum into thousands of schools across the country. We’re building a platform that’s affordable, aligned to national standards, and easy for teachers to adopt. We train educators, partner with universities, and work with policymakers to secure funding. We’re starting with regional hubs and expanding through a train-the-trainer model. It’s ambitious, but the mission is simple: give every student the tools to thrive in a changing world.
