Recognition for the FloraPulse microtensiometer
In 2026 three organizations recognized FloraPulse and the sensor at its heart, which measures water stress inside the tree or vine: a scientific society, an agricultural-technology awards program and the wine industry’s own network. Each award links to the organization’s own announcement.
- ISHS Horticulture Innovation AwardInternational Society for Horticultural Science · 2026
- Smart Meter of the YearAgTech Breakthrough · 2026
- WINnovation AwardWine Industry Network · 2026
ISHS Horticulture Innovation Award
ISHS describes the award as the highest recognition its Council grants to a person or institution for an exceptional contribution to horticulture innovation. FloraPulse is one of five recipients the Society lists since 2014, and received it at the 32nd International Horticultural Congress.
It recognized the FloraPulse microtensiometer, developed at Cornell University from 2007: a tiny sensor embedded in a plant’s stem that measures its water potential continuously and sends the readings to a dashboard, so a grower sees the water stress the plant is actually under.
Smart Meter of the Year
The AgTech Breakthrough Awards recognize agricultural and food technology companies and products worldwide. FloraPulse was named in the Irrigation category of the program’s 7th annual awards.
It recognized the FloraPulse microtensiometer, a sensor installed in the trunk that reads stem water potential every 20 minutes through the growing season.
WINnovation Award
Wine Industry Network named FloraPulse one of five winners of its 14th annual WINnovation Awards, which recognize innovation by suppliers to wineries and vineyards.
It recognized the microtensiometer in the vine trunk and its 2026 advance, stem water potential forecasting: continuous vineyard readings combined with a 10-day weather forecast to predict when vines will reach critical stress thresholds, which is especially valuable for regulated deficit irrigation.
Earlier recognition
- 2022Sacramento Region Innovation Awards, sustainability honoree · Sacramento Business Journal
The sensor embedded in tree trunks that helps growers irrigate more precisely, save water and increase yields. Sacramento Business Journal - 2016I-FAST prize, Innovations in Food and Agricultural Science and Technology · U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture
The founding team at Cornell University was one of four university teams to win the first national I-FAST prize competition, for the MEMS microtensiometer sensor. The prize funded the NSF I-Corps customer interviews that shaped the company. USDA press release
For editors
FloraPulse Co. makes the microtensiometer: a sensor embedded in the trunk of a tree or vine that measures the plant’s water potential continuously and sends the readings to a dashboard, so growers irrigate on what the plant is actually experiencing. The technology was developed at Cornell University from 2007; the company was founded in 2016 and is based in Davis, California.
Logo, product and field photos, and interviews: Jeff Jenkins, Sales Director — jeff@florapulse.com, +1 559-284-7035. The press kit — boilerplate, facts, bios, logo and photos — is at florapulse.com/press; press coverage is on FloraPulse in the News.