Profile of the Month: Tristan Brancaz, Project Manager at Farm’InnLab

When I first arrived at the Grignon Farm site in 2020, I was an associate experimental researcher completing an apprenticeship program at ISARA Lyon. I was working on large-crop trials at the time (for example, I did a lot of work for the Trajectoire agricultural platform*), and my number one driver was my desire for innovation. This applied, in particular, to the innovations we were testing in the field, like new detectors and novel agricultural inputs.
My curiosity for all things innovation naturally led me to take an interest in the work being done at Farm’InnLab—a collaborative space created a few years ago by AgroParisTech that provides support for developers of innovative agricultural projects. The upshot is that on September 1 of this year, I signed on to work as a project manager at Farm’InnLab—a new adventure that I have no doubt will be exciting!

My core role in this new position will be to cultivate and give concrete form to the solutions that we are able to offer companies and project developers. The goal for 2024 is to open a real-world facility to enable entrepreneurs to come to the site to gain access to the most scientifically and technically comprehensive assistance possible. How would I best describe my role here? I like to think of myself as a sort of orchestra conductor!

I work on several fronts.  Right now, I am overseeing efforts to get the new facility up and running. Once it is open, we will need to generate publicity and get the word out so potential users are aware of our offering. At the same time, I will be responsible for welcoming new arrivals to the site (for the time being, our work primarily consists of helping companies work through specific technical issues). Most importantly, I will guide them towards the right people!

Lastly, I will remain in my role as project manager for the annual Grignon Farm Farming Innovation Day (JINNOV), in addition to my work as project manager for large-crop research.

Suffice it to say, being bored is the least of my concerns, and that isn’t likely to change! What excites me and keeps me motivated is working with other people, feeling like I’m doing something worthwhile, and working in an environment where I get to learn new things every day—because every challenge is different from the last. What could be more rewarding than helping people turn the project of a lifetime into a reality?

As soon as I get the opportunity, I go back to my home region of Savoie. I can’t imagine life without the mountains! I’m a huge trekking enthusiast. I like to go out into the wilderness and get away from it all for days on end (even if I still always end up meeting other people along the way!). Generally speaking, I just like to break away from my day-to-day routine and set out with my friends on hikes in Savoie or elsewhere in France!

As soon as I get the opportunity, I go There’s a song that inspires me a lot that I find to be a good fit for the way I approach my work: “I’m So Excited” by Sound of Legend. I think I must listen to it just about every day!