Agricultural insurance is a very specialized niche within both the insurance and agritech industries. In this EB-2 NIW case, the main challenge was to explain why a project focused on agricultural risk management is important for the United States. Therefore, the petition needed to clearly link his work to national goals such as stronger agricultural productivity, better preparation for climate-related risks, and greater stability in rural communities. 

Another hurdle involved demonstrating how a 24-year career built in Colombia could directly benefit U.S. farmers. The petition needed to show how his experience managing climate-related losses, crop failures, and financial risk abroad translates into practical solutions for producers in the United States who face similar problems. 

 Because his professional background includes significant legal experience, the team needed to ensure the petition emphasized the substance of his agricultural and insurance work rather than his job title. At first glance, this could look like “an EB-2 NIW for a lawyer.” However, as Attorney Sal Picataggio explained, the turning point was shifting the focus to clearly presenting his proposed endeavor as an agricultural initiative centered on farmer protection, crop resilience, and improved risk-mitigation tools for U.S. producers, rather than as a traditional legal practice.

Our team at Colombo & Hurd focused on how to present the client’s work in a way that felt concrete, forward-looking, and clearly rooted in the needs of U.S. agriculture. Rather than centering the petition on his legal career, we organized the narrative around the practical impact of his agricultural risk-management model: farmers gaining access to better tools, better information, and better protection when weather, markets, or disease threaten their harvests. 

Attorney Sal Picataggio emphasizes beginning with who the client helps and what problems they help solve. That perspective guided the structure of this EB-2 NIW petition and clarified how the client’s experience designing agricultural insurance programs, paired with satellite monitoring and other data-driven tools, can support U.S. producers seeking to plan ahead and prevent avoidable losses. 

To provide a solid foundation, the petition included a detailed plan outlining how he intends to adapt his model to different crops, regions, and agricultural stakeholders in the United States. The record also included documentation of his leadership roles over more than two decades, examples of satellite-based tools he helped implement, and statements from professionals in the field who recognize the value of his approach. 

Taken together, these elements showed that his proposed endeavor is not theoretical. It is a practical way to help U.S. farmers manage risk, protect their livelihoods, and support a more stable and resilient agricultural sector, goals that align closely with broader national priorities in food security and sustainable production.

USCIS approved his EB-2 NIW petition without issuing a Request for Evidence. The approval was based on the evidence demonstrating the national importance of integrating technology-supported agricultural tools with tailored insurance solutions for U.S. farmers. The record also showed that his 24 years of experience positioned him to continue advancing this work in a way that aligns with U.S. agricultural needs. 

With this approval, he can continue developing tools and strategies that help farmers plan ahead, protect their crops, and remain resilient when conditions change. He now has the opportunity to support a wider range of agricultural communities across the country, contributing to improved decision-making and long-term operational stability. 

This EB-2 NIW case stood out because the petition clearly connected his work to the priorities of U.S. agriculture. The legal team showed how his approach supports long-term sustainability, smarter use of technology, and better protection against crop risk, all of which are central to current efforts in the sector. 

The record also documented decades of meaningful work in agricultural insurance and technology-driven risk management. His leadership roles, company-building experience, and use of satellite-based tools were supported by strong evidence and third-party recognition. Together, these elements presented an  endeavor that was practical, evidence-supported, and aligned with national agricultural priorities, illustrating why his contribution is both valuable and timely.

With his EB-2 NIW petition approved, he can now build and scale his agricultural risk-management model from within the United States. This includes offering customized insurance solutions, expanding access to satellite-based crop monitoring, and helping farmers use data to make better decisions about resources and production. 

As he puts this plan into action, his work can support environmental sustainability, strengthen the economic stability of agricultural producers, and reduce the impact of market and weather volatility. In doing so, his project aligns with broader efforts to enhance resilience, promote responsible land management, and improve long-term planning across the agricultural sector.