This paper offers insights and lessons learned from the creation and deployment of TANBO's custom Internet of Things (IoT) sensing platforms in Kumamoto (southern Japan). Unlike conventional industrial IoT settings, our narrative centers around two distinct challenges: The unique constraints of an academic environment and the often-overlooked complexities of small-scale farm deployments. While innovation in the domain of agricultural IoT is full of challenges, our account offers a candid examination of both the pitfalls faced and the milestones achieved. Through a comprehensive exploration of our methods, design choices, and deployment strategies, we illuminate the complex realities of bringing an agricultural IoT concept to fruition. Central to our narrative is a commitment to fostering knowledge transfer and iterative growth in the research community. We openly share our mistakes and successes, aspiring that fellow researchers might derive valuable lessons, thereby accelerating the evolution and effectiveness of future endeavors in the expansive field of IoT. © 2023 Owner/Author.