PROBLEM
Harvesting Under Pressure
Farmers often agree to deliver a set quantity of produce long before harvest. But weather, pests, and changing crop conditions make the final yield difficult to predict.
Once they commit, that estimate becomes an obligation. They face pressure to meet a number they could only guess at — or risk falling short of the agreement.
" don't know exactly how much I’ll harvest, but I still have to commit to a number, it's always a gamble."
UNDERSTAND THE USERS
We interviewed small and mid-sized farmers to understand what happens after they commit to a harvest quantity.
Mapping their pain points revealed two main concerns: financial pressure when yields fall short and pressure to protect the promised yield.
HOW MIGHT WE?
These pain points appeared different; they traced back to the same root cause: farmers committed to an estimated quantity before knowing their actual yield.
Farmers commits a quantity
Before the harvest is known
Actual yield changes
Due to unpredictable growing conditions
The farmer carries the risk
When the harvest falls short
We realized the problem was not inaccurate data entry. It was treating an uncertain forecast as confirmed inventory.
How might we help farmers reach buyers before harvest without forcing them to guarantee an uncertain yield?
DESIGN DECISION #1
Listing with Confirmed Stock
Farmers entered the quantity they had already harvested, orders were based on product that physically exist, farmers don't have to predict their harvest anymore.
Limitation
Farmers could not list until after harvest. If demand was slow, fresh produce could spoil before finding buyers.
DESIGN DECISION #2
Listing That Grows with the Crop
Farmers can list produce before harvest using an estimated quantity, which identified as a forecast rather than confirmed stock. As growing conditions change, they can update their estimate. After harvest, they record the actual quantity available.
Why it works?
Farmers can reach buyers before harvest without presenting estimates as confirmed inventory.
Buyers can distinguish upcoming produce from stock available now.
Forecasts remain flexible as growing conditions change.
FarmLink preserves both estimated and actual yields, helping farmers compare forecasts with results and plan future harvests.
Planting & Harvest Dates
For crops that are still growing, farmers can add planting and estimated harvest dates. Buyers can see when the produce may become available, while FarmLink can track its progress
Expected Quantity
Before harvest, farmers can enter an optional expected quantity and revise it as growing conditions change. After harvest, they record the actual stock available — turning the forecast into confirmed inventory
More of FarmLink
A glimpse of the wider FarmLink experience.
Farmers review incoming orders and track their progress
Farmers manage their listings and monitor stock availability
HOW I USED AI
Code with AI
Figma MCP Server and VSCode Co-pilot significantly improved our workflow, accelerating MVP development while maintaining strong design quality and user experience.
Average hours to code 1 screen's UI
Programs & partnetships
Startup Programs
FarmLink received $2,000 in Google Cloud credits through the Google for Startups Cloud Program
FarmLink was accepted into the NVIDIA Inception program
strategic Partnership
ADC Vietnam, a VNR500 company, is FarmLink’s strategic partner and investor, supporting our pilot program.
WHAT I LEARNED
Wearing multiple hats
Being the founder meant stepping into every role. Beyond shaping the visions. I worked with others to make decisions on product priorities, and iterated quickly based on real feedback from farmers and ADC partners.
I also managed the technical foundation, from Figma design systems to React Native development. Outside engineering, I handled business strategy, budgeting, partnerships, and market positioning, learning to balance speed with sustainability.
This experience taught me how to think end-to-end, from vision and UX to engineering, operations, and growth strategy.
Let's
design
build
create
together
© 2026 Hayley Nguyen