Agbioscience

350. Elevate Ventures’ Matt Tyner on the cost of innovation + the role of the investor in this next era of venture capital Mar 03, 2025

Pitchbook reports that of venture capital deals in 2024, roughly 30% of them were down rounds or flat, meaning their valuation of the companies either went backwards or were the same round to round. It’s a trend that will continue, so how can entrepreneurs break the cycle? Matt Tyner, managing partner of America’s most active venture capital firm – Elevate Ventures, joins today to make sense of what’s ahead and how innovators can succeed. He gets into:

The current state of venture capital – and the criticality of taking a step back to understand where things sit today
Investors’ increased focus on profitability and not being able to cut your way to growth
Artificial intelligence as an enabler – not a vertical
Does the future include a shift to debt versus venture
The cost of innovation and the role of an investor in this era of venture capital
What the current conversation with portfolio companies looks like for Elevate Ventures
What Matt sees as emerging trends in agbioscience
The most important jobs to be done in the industry

349. Mitch Frazier recaps February, 2025 trends + investment news from Ingredion, Liberation Labs, Corteva Catalyst and TerraForce Feb 27, 2025

Mitch Frazier and Cayla Chiddister recap February by reviewing his three big trends in agbioscience for 2025, big investment news for Ingredion, Liberation Labs, Corteva Catalyst and TerraForce and look ahead to big events in March - including Quadrant on March 12. Register here: https://agrinovusindiana.com/quadrant/

Learn more about the Indiana Ag Threats and Security Summit: https://agrinovusindiana.com/2025/02/11/indiana-ag-threats-security-summit/

348. Ag Alumni Seed’s Jay Hulbert on biotechnology’s transformation in agbioscience + the industry's most important job to be done Feb 24, 2025

Agbioscience is the only economy that touches every person on the planet. Over the past four decades, we’ve seen massive transformation, innovation and acceleration of output in this economy. Today we are joined by a leader who has had a front row seat to it all. Jay Hulbert, CEO of Ag Alumni Seed, joins us ahead of his retirement to talk:

Seeing the world and the globalization of agriculture in his career
Biotechnology as a step-function change to revolutionizing the row crop world through improved genetics
His perspective on the future of gene editing in agriculture and what’s on the horizon
Jay’s support of entrepreneurs and the importance of their flexibility to make business models work long-term
His extensive background in specialty crop and some of the market intelligence that has paved the way for new products we see in produce today
The job that needs to be done as he sees it – or more like, the resources that likely need to be shifted toward climate resilient crops

347. Farm Credit Mid-America's Natasha Cox on the speed of change + prioritizing smart bets for innovators and farmers alike Feb 17, 2025

New data from USDA shares that net cash farm income decreased roughly 3.5% from 2023 into 2024 and we’re looking at inflation adjusted numbers. But here’s the piece of the silver lining that may be untold: that number – net cash farm income – is still above average when we look at the last 20 years from USDA data. This week, Natasha Cox, Senior Vice President of Farm Credit Mid-America, joins us to help make sense of the numbers, what it means to producers and to the broader agbioscience economy. We get into:

The macro perspective on the health of farm balance sheets across the Midwest
Big trends that she’s looking at from a financial health standpoint of farms and agribusinesses
Consolidation – from both the farmer and innovator perspective – as a factor in the economic system of agriculture in the US
New investments being made on farm or within agribusinesses to better connect to the end market of food is health
Natasha’s perspective as a farmer and how she prioritizes where to place her bets for her operations
The criticality of surrounding yourself with good partners, knowing your options when it comes to strategic planning and investments and asking the right questions for your operations or business
The innovation she’s most excited about in 2025

346. Hoosier Ag Today’s Eric Pfeiffer on market turbulence, trade wars + the need for a Farm Bill to make plans for the future Feb 10, 2025

The year 2025 is poised to be an interesting one for agbioscience. Venture capital inflows from 2023 to 2024 are roughly flat according to Crop Life, the production cost of corn and soybeans remains roughly in line or slightly below market price and the turbulence around global trade and what tariffs could mean leave an uncertain operating market for what could be ahead. Joining us today is Hoosier Ag Today president, Eric Pfeiffer, to make sense of what’s ahead. We get into:

The current perspective of the farmer, their natural optimism and knowing the challenges that lie ahead for 2025.
Trends he’s noticing that are operational changes to drive net farm income – particularly biologicals – and why that’s challenging.
Property tax reform as a major topic in the Indiana General Assembly and making this issue relatable to the general public – because it does impact them at the end of the day.
The biofuels tax credit bill in the Indiana General Assembly and its potential economic impact and jobs to the state of Indiana (not to mention better burning, more sustainable fuel).
On a federal level – trade wars – and tariffs potential impact, good or bad, on farmers.
Farmers needing certainty on The Farm Bill to make plans for the future – it does not appear to be a priority at the moment.
Reason for optimism from farmers moving forward.

345. Stumbling into agbioscience, forging your path in college + what young talent wants with Field Atlas’ Cameron Weber Feb 03, 2025

Making a difference in the world – it’s nearly a universal desire for all of us. But where do you fit in? And how best to you make an impact? One college student is making that impact and blazing their trail. Cameron Weber, a biology major at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and a Field Atlas Ambassador, joins us today to talk their path to agbioscience, including:

Talking to two kinds of people – those that grew up on the farm and those who stumbled into it and are happy they did. Cameron is in the latter
Wanting to originally be a doctor until getting connected with Field Atlas at a career fair and learning more about agbioscience.
Finding a new path and forging your way forward as a college student
Their six-month internship with Corteva Agriscience as a greenhouse assistant in Puerto Rico
Field Atlas Ambassadors – what do they do? And what has Cameron’s experience been like in their five semesters with the team?
Cameron’s advice for companies searching for young talent (hint: it’s not ping pong tables in the breakroom and pizza on Fridays)
Working on their thesis as they wrap up their time at Rose-Hulman
Cameron’s plans headed into graduation this spring – pssssss – they're currently looking for a job....

344. AgriNovus' Mitch Frazier recaps January, big wins for Gripp + Croft, Velocity's launch + reasons for optimism in 2025 Jan 30, 2025

As the first month of 2025 comes to a close, Mitch Frazier and Cayla Chiddister recap a few of the biggest stories in agbioscience, reasons for optimism on net cash farm income and tease a few upcoming episodes of Agbioscience.

343. AgriNovus’ Dan Dawes on Indiana’s unfair advantage, biggest lessons in leadership + reflections on agbioscience innovation Jan 27, 2025

Much has changed in agbioscience over the last three decades. We’ve seen the introduction of gene editing technologies, new digital capabilities, even autonomy. One leader has had a front-row seat to these innovations. He’ll soon retire, but joins us today to share perspective on where we’ve been and where we’re headed. Dan Dawes, Senior Director of Strategy and Growth at AgriNovus joins us to talk about his career and the highlight reel of groundbreaking innovations in agbioscience. We get into:

What has kept Dan in agbioscience all these years, his connectivity to the farm and wanting others to feel the same sense of reward that he did.
The macro perspective and many cycles of the agbioscience economy – it's down for now, but it’s never forever.
What innovations excited Dan the most throughout his decades long career; but also, which ones did he not see coming?
Indiana’s unfair advantage – its people.
Dan’s biggest lessons in leadership, giving those you’re leading a map to success and the criticality in finding joy in the work that you do.
Finding a mentor as a guide to growing in your career – and beyond – and an update on what’s ahead for Dan.

342. The Pantheon’s Nichole Like on growing a rural economy, creating an agtech hub in Vincennes + leaving things better than you found them Jan 20, 2025

Keeping the heart of the heartland requires two key things when we think about growing small towns, cities and rural economies: big vision and lots of hard work. Today’s guest is no stranger to either and shares a great perspective on how one small community in the Midwest is reimagining itself into an epicenter of innovation. Nichole Like, CEO of The Pantheon, an innovation engine in Vincennes, Indiana joins us to talk:

Investing in small communities while also honoring their heritage to make them a destination for newcomers to move to and hometown kids to return to for their careers.
The steady decline of entrepreneurial activity in rural America and The Pantheon’s vision to create the economy they want – not the way they’re given.
Vincennes as Indiana’s first city has big stats to tout – including Knox County leading in ag receipts, being the #1 producer of fruit and vegetable production in Indiana and #2 in the United States for melon production.
The simple, but effective, equation to building an agtech ecosystem: bring really smart, progressive farmers to the table with innovators to solve critical problems facing their operations.
Creating community buy-in and the importance of local support to drive local economies.
What’s ahead for The Pantheon and Indiana’s first city.

341. Corteva’s Wendy Srnic on gene editing, the Pairwise partnership and artificial intelligence adding speed to biotechnology Jan 13, 2025

According to AgFunder News, gene editing startups have raised $2.7 billion since 2012 in pursuit of technologies that advance everything from crop performance to yield. Today we are joined by a pioneer in science at the largest pure play agriculture company in the world. Dr. Wendy Srnic, VP of Biotechnology at Corteva Agriscience, to talk gene editing and its future. We get into:

What is gene editing and how does it differ from genetically modified crops?
How gene editing affects that broader value chain and food system at large.
Corteva’s partnership with Pairwise via their investment vehicle, Corteva Catalyst, and how they plan to leverage gene editing to make fruits and vegetables more accessible and nutritious.
The objective of Corteva Catalyst to advance external technologies that align with the company’s internal R&D strategy – and the importance of staying nimble to seize opportunities and drive outcomes whether they are joint ventures, acquisitions, investments or traditional collaborations.
Wendy’s perspective on where we’re at in the evolution of biotechnology, what’s emerging and how artificial intelligence (AI) is speeding up – and de-risking – the scientific discovery process.
What does AI bring to the future of a partnership like that of Corteva and Pairwise?

340. BioBond’s Marc McConnaughey on bioproducts, university partnerships and Indiana as a perfect storm of location, logistics + people Jan 06, 2025

According to Zion Market Research, the ag biological products market is expected to grow to $320 billion over the next decade. With a huge connection to agbioscience, what does it mean for farmers? What does it mean for agbioscience innovators? Kicking off season 8 of Agbioscience is BioBond CEO Marc McConnaughey. We get into:

What exactly is the bioproducts market and how is demand growing?
How BioBond’s sustainable adhesives and protective coatings created a eureka moment for Marc as a serial entrepreneur.
The Generation Food Rural Partners Fund and its partnership to help BioBond grow its business in rural Indiana.
BioBond’s strategy as a technology execution platform that licenses from universities and how its position near Purdue has created opportunities for innovation + talent.
Indiana farmers as a critical piece to BioBond’s future and how the state is a perfect storm of location, logistics and people to aid in their success.
What’s ahead for BioBond? Hint: continued focus on the customer and of course, revenue.

339. Mitch Frazier recaps 2024 + looks ahead to three big forces of change in agbioscience Dec 30, 2024

It’s the end of 2024 and it was a giant year across food, animal health, plant science, agtech and agriculture. This week, we recap big stories of the year based on Accelerate 2050 – AgriNovus’ study that showed that Indiana’s agbioscience economy grew by $6 billion in 36 months. The study also launched three forces of change and opportunities for industry growth. We are laying out the top stories of 2024 based on these forces of change starting with:

Farmer Focused Innovation

AGCO and Trimble come together via a joint venture acquisition – listen to Andrew Sunderman from AGCO here;
Corteva Catalyst launches as a new investment and partnership platform designed to accelerate the development of early-stage, disruptive technologies for farmers – listen to Corteva’s Tom Green here;
Gripp wins the Producer-Led Innovation Challenge to reduce administrative burden faced by farmers – listen to Tracey Wiedmeyer from Gripp here.

BioInnovation

Primient and Sustainea announce $125 million investment to establish Lafayette, Indiana as the world’s largest Bio-MEG facility for bio-based plastics;
AgroRenew breaks ground on an $83 million Indiana-based production facility to leverage the power of the region’s melon crop to produce bio-based plastics – listen to Brian and Katie Southern from AgroRenew here;
BioMADE announces Indiana as one of six finalists to compete for the next chapter of bioinnovation infrastructure – listen to BioMADE’s Melanie Tomczak here.

Food is Health

Anu wins the HungerTech Innovation to better connect food supply with food demand using technology – listen to Anu’s Scott Massey here;
Purdue and Elanco announce the OneHealth Innovation District to establish a globally recognized research innovation district dedicated to optimizing the health of people, animals, plants and the planet – listen to Jeff Simmons from Elanco here;
Corteva’s $25 million equity stake in Pairwise to accelerate gene editing solutions, providing growers with another critical tool to keep pace with challenges facing food production.

338. AGCO Ventures’ Alex Russomagno on agtech + a new wave of innovation for farmers Dec 23, 2024

It’s been a tough couple of years in agriculture. Net cash farm income is expected to decrease nearly $6 billion in 2024; that follows a decrease in 2023 of nearly $58 billion. It’s a tough sled for many farmers and there’s companies who are working to bring innovation to farmers to overcome the headwinds that exist. Alex Russomagno, Senior Manager of Strategic Engagement for AGCO Ventures, joins this week to talk:

Where things stand for the agtech and ag equipment industry right now.
How the acquisition of PTx Trimble and the launch of AGCO Ventures has launched a new wave of startup activity in agbioscience.
Matching supply and demand of innovation in the industry; Alex also talks initial investments from AGCO Ventures.
The AGCO Ventures Thesis and how agriculture’s downcycle impacts their strategy.
What challenges are emerging that will require innovation for the farmer, quickly.
Her experience with the power of partnership and investment between big companies and startups.
The seismic shifts that will drive the next wave of innovation in agbioscience.

337. Purdue University President Mung Chiang on the AI revolution + demand-driven education driving impact Dec 16, 2024

Global market intelligence firm, IDC, estimates that artificial intelligence (AI) will contribute nearly $20 trillion to the global economy by 2030 and represent nearly 4% of global GDP. Today we are joined by an AI pioneer, tech diplomat and leader of Purdue University, President Mung Chiang. We discuss:

His journey as a three-time entrepreneur turned university president and how his experience has shaped his approach at Purdue
Being on the cusps of the AI revolution, bringing new jobs to market and its elimination of old ones – and its potential to transform the physical world
Balancing AI’s opportunity for productivity versus its potential to become an adversarial threat
Connecting dots from the past to the future to develop job creation and prosperity in the state – and the critical role of agbioscience to make that happen
Purdue has a top 5 college of engineering and a top 5 college of agriculture – and President Chiang talks about the university’s differentiation to drive big outcomes using demand-driven education
President Chiang’s eye on the future of Purdue and its continued service to Indiana

336. Doing something with your data + the ag equipment market with Gripp’s Tracey Wiedmeyer Dec 09, 2024

Tough commodity markets and a challenging ag economy is putting pressure on all elements of the agbiosciences. One of those is equipment. New data from the Equipment Manufacturers Association shows that tractor sales in the U.S. were down nearly 20% in the most recent month reporting. That's year over year. One entrepreneur is bringing to market a new technology to help those farmers maybe keep their tractors a little longer and better manage their fleet. Tracey Wiedmeyer, CEO of Gripp, joins us this week. We discuss:

The current state of the ag equipment market (not such a spoiler: it’s tough on everyone).
Challenges facing farmers when it comes to the maintenance of existing equipment – from depreciation to staff coordination on-farm.
The greatest opportunity for innovation in the ag equipment market right now and how Gripp was born.
What it’s like for producers to interact with Gripp + their feedback.
How their partnership with Purdue DIAL has accelerated growth on the farm.
Bringing tech talent back to their roots.
What’s ahead for Gripp.

335. Make Hay’s Scott Nelson on the power of storytelling + closing the gaps between farms, food and people Dec 02, 2024

Food is the only economy in the world that touches every person on the planet. We are all connected to food, and one of the world's top marketers turned entrepreneur is now making the connection between farms, food, and people. Scott Nelson, CEO of Make Hay, joins us to talk all things consumers and connecting to the meaningful world of agriculture. We get into:

The existing gap between farms, food and people – and the opportunity to leverage today’s media landscape to connect all three.
His time at Panera and how it shaped his viewpoint on storytelling for brands.
How Scott’s background brought him to Make Hay + what the company aims to do.
Make Hay’s relationship with Purdue’s DIAL Ventures and High Alpha, and how it’s accelerating their business.
Scott’s vision for Make Hay – creating content for food transparency at scale, consumer awareness and farmers at the center of it all.
Where Make Hay is at today and what’s ahead.

334. Mitch Frazier recaps November, the election's impact on agbioscience innovation + big investment announcement from Bain Capital Nov 26, 2024

It's almost Thanksgiving! Mitch Frazier and Cayla Chiddister sit down to recap November and get into:

- The election's impact on farmers and agbioscience innovation.

- Creating certainty for farmers in this new environment to plan for their operations.

- Bain Capital investment into a merger of Biodyne USA, BW Fusion and Agronomy 365.

- Entrepreneurship Week in Indiana.

- Quadrant coming up on December 4!

- Announcing a winner of the 2024 Producer-Led Innovation Challenge.

333. DPH Biologicals’ Alex Cochran on a maturing ag biologics market + the importance of clearly stated ROI for growers Nov 25, 2024

New data from AgFunder News shows that ag biologics are used by just under half of U.S. farmers. Dr. Alex Cochran, CTO of DPH Biologicals, joins today to share his unique perspective on this growing market.

We discuss:

What are ag biologicals and their role in modern production agriculture.
Biologicals as an important piece for growers as they manage a tough farm economy.
The challenge of change when it comes to farming practices and the criticality of clearly describing ROI for growers.
Movement in the biologicals market from big players like Corteva’s acquisition of Symborg and Stoller.
DPH’s focus on differentiation and value to its growers + a deep dive into the conversations they’re having at the farmgate right now.

The biologicals market has come a long way, but is it still early innings? Alex talks how the technology has evolved what’s on the horizon for DPH Biologicals.

332. How policy will shape opportunities for innovation in agbioscience with Agri-Pulse's Sara Wyant Nov 18, 2024

America just elected a new president and many states just elected new chief executives and legislators. What does this time of transition mean for ag, for agbioscience and for entrepreneurs? Sara Wyant, farmer, editor and publisher of Agri-Pulse, joins today to help us understand what’s ahead.

Sarah gets into regulatory topics – from immigration to sustainability – and talks through what the industry might expect from a second Trump administration, its new players as well as Congress. She also talks innovation, removing barriers to market entry and what lawmakers have to get done in order for farmers to plan for their operations.

Sarah founded Agri-Pulse with the idea that someone should be telling the story of how policy affects the hard work of farmers and, ultimately, the food we consume. With eyes on the future, Sarah talks what’s ahead for Agri-Pulse and what issues her team has an eye on headed into a new era of leadership in our country.

331. Field Atlas’ Rilynne Puckett on striving for purpose + the growing interest in agbioscience careers among college students Nov 11, 2024

Workforce development is a topic that tops the list of policymakers and business leaders across the country; but true change in workforce development requires more than policy or curriculum. Field Atlas is an online career exploration platform, coupled with the power of on-campus peer ambassadors, to connect the future workforce to careers across food, animal health, plant science, agtech and agriculture. Today we are joined by Ball State University student and Field Atlas Ambassador, Rilynne Puckett, to talk careers, discovering agbioscience and to answer a big question: what are young people looking for in their professional lives?

Rilynne dives into her accidental discovery of agbiosciences via the Field Atlas Company Tours program and how she instantly saw herself applying a chemistry degree to the industry. She’s been connecting with her peers on campus to share the agbioscience story – and talks their reaction to the opportunities in front of them.

What are college students looking for as the enter the workforce? Rilynne gets into striving for purpose, doing something you love and making an impact on our world.

330. Decision science, optimizing data + uniquely solving problems with Sensix Ag’s Carlos Ribeiro Nov 04, 2024

A new survey of agribusiness professionals found that more than 70% spend more than 11 hours a week collecting, collating and analyzing data. It’s a challenge being tackled by Brazilian company, Sensix, and CEO Carlos Ribeiro joins us today to talk data as a huge task on-farm and their role in optimizing decisions for farmers.

Tremendous troves of data exist on the farm and, surprisingly, Carlos says the problems facing farmers in the U.S. are much the same as they are in Brazil. He gets into decision science and stresses the importance of mindset for tech adoption – despite the size of the farm.

So how is Sensix uniquely solving this problem? A tech guy at heart, Carlos says he realized the amount of data needed to adequately manage farms. He tells the Sensix story, consolidating software and creating one interface for the farmer.

In a time of tight farm margins, tech adoption is a tough sell. Carlos dives into their mission for a clear return on investment and putting money in farmers’ pockets in the short and long-term. On his recent visit to Indiana, he marvels at farmers’ data logs, appetite for decisions and looks ahead to what’s next for Sensix.

329. Mitch Frazier recaps a gigantic October for bioinnovation + long-term implications for farmers Oct 31, 2024

From the grand opening of BioBond's new Indiana location to the announcement of Sustainea and Primient's $400 million announcement, it's been a massive month for bioinnovation news. Mitch Frazier and Cayla Chiddister recap the month and look ahead to the rest of 2024 -- including AgriNovus' last QUADRANT of the year.

328. Anu’s Scott Massey on uniting technology + health, closing the gap on nutrition access Oct 28, 2024

The total healthcare spend relating to poor diet is quickly approaching $4 trillion annually according to the American Heart Association. This doesn't even include lost worker productivity. One of the key contributing factors to that is access to healthy foods. Scott Massey, founder and CEO of Anu, is an entrepreneur that unites the power of technology and health to bring a new category of innovation to agbioscience. He joins us to talk the access gap to nutrition in our country and Anu’s approach to nutrition – right at the point of consumption.

From perishability to socioeconomics and beyond, nutrition access has many challenges to overcome. Scott gets into how Anu has brought their innovation to market – from homes to larger community-based organizations such as hospitals, churches, schools and beyond. He talks balance between developing top-notch hardtech and building a business for scale – and emphasizing their mission to not build the biggest tech system for indoor farming, but one that is most distributed.

As the recent winner of AgriNovus’ HungerTech Challenge, a grant from the National Science Foundation and beyond, there is wind in Anu’s sails. Scott dives into what’s next, staying strategic and his advice to entrepreneurs who aspire to get started.

327. Beck's Hybrids' Bethany Gremel on defining company culture + its critical link to brand Oct 21, 2024

Company culture is often referred to in business books and board rooms, but is hard to define. Beck’s Hybrids’ Bethany Gremel, Director of Brand Experience and Culture, joins today to answer a few big questions: what is company culture? How do you define it for impact?

Bethany gets into culture as a living organism that needs fed and its foundation being a series of behaviors rather than words. She also talks about culture and brand working together, how their team fosters culture at Beck’s and getting new people integrated into the company successfully – starting with their interview process.

How does culture keep going as employees age with the company? Bethany stresses the importance of loving and caring in the workplace and how what happens inside the company shows up on the outside of the company. Beck’s has expanded significantly over the last several years and as they’ve scaled, Bethany gets into the notion of “you cannot create culture, you have to catch it.”

326. Southwest Airlines Renewable Ventures’ Anthony Gregory on growing + scaling the sustainable aviation fuel market Oct 14, 2024

About 1.6 million barrels per day of petroleum jet fuel were consumed in the United States in 2023. That number is expected to increase to nearly 2 million barrels daily by 2050. Southwest Airlines is taking a bold move, migrating away from petroleum to sustainable fuels. Anthony Gregory, COO of Southwest Airlines Renewable Ventures, joins today to talk about its impact on agbioscience innovation, farmers and airline travelers in the future.

As one of the world’s largest airlines, Anthony gets into Southwest’s proactive approach to sustainable aviation fuel, their investment arm aiding new companies in this space and seeing agriculture and aviation industries come together. He also talks about sustainable aviation fuel as a new market for ethanol producers and the critical role of the Midwest economy – farmers, universities, large-scale airline hubs and more – to lead in this space.

So what will it take for sustainable aviation fuel to become a reality? Anthony talks economic and environmental sustainability, the current challenges facing SAF consumption and how ethanol producers can begin the process of increasing demand. He also talks alternative feedstocks and other byproducts in SAF production – and the Southwest Airlines investment approach to new technologies that that help bring innovation in this space to market.

Anthony talks through this journey with Southwest Airlines and their stance of being “one of many.” Airlines are trying to make a big leap in this space and he’s optimistic that small steps forward in this space will create long-term lasting impact.

325. Intelinair’s Tim Hassinger on agtech’s impact on net farm income + managing today for less turbulent times Oct 07, 2024

Corn prices hit a 4-year low in Q3, on the prospect of a record harvest. That data follows research and insights from USDA that expects net farm income to be down 25% year over year. One solution to this challenge is innovation. Tim Hassinger, CEO of Intelinair, joins today to share perspective on the market and innovation’s role in driving net farm income and operational efficiency.

Agriculture is a cyclical business and the industry is certainly going through it now. Tim talks managing today for how you want to come out of this economic turbulence, what he hears from farmer customers (hint: it’s realism) and how innovators should be operating for success.

Where is Intelinair finding their success? Fresh off winning AgTech Data Analytics Company of the Year at the AgTech Breakthrough Awards, Tim talks growing and scaling their business and their continued pursuit of adding tools to their suite that help the farmer make better decisions and – ultimately – save money.

How does the former leader of Dow AgroSciences and Lindsay Corporation feel about his time as CEO of Intelinair? Tim talks about new challenges, adjusting his mindset to meet the needs of the business and what has him excited as he looks to the future.

324. Mitch Frazier recaps September, Corteva + Pairwise collaboration, NASDA and more Sep 30, 2024

Happy International Podcast Day! Mitch Frazier and Cayla Chiddister recap the agbiosciences in September and look ahead to upcoming events. Key takeaways include:

- Artificial intelligence (AI) moving from hype to help + the recent conversation at AgriNovus' QUADRANT with Kristen Owen (Oppenheimer + Co.), Aaron Schacht (BiomEdit) and Brad Fruth (Beck's Hybrids)

- The collaboration and joint venture between Corteva Agriscience and Pairwise (via Corteva Catalyst) -- a $25M investment to advance gene editing

- A recap of NASDA (National Association of State Departments of Agriculture) + audio with Chuck Magro (Corteva) and Jeff Simmons (Elanco)

- A preview of our December QUADRANT. Register here: https://agrinovusindiana.com/quadrant/

Past episodes mentioned:

Aaron Schacht + Eric Bonabeau (BiomEdit): https://podcast.agrinovusindiana.com/public/215/Agbioscience-8a9a4381/7d349933

Elliott Parker (High Alpha Innovation): https://podcast.agrinovusindiana.com/public/215/Agbioscience-8a9a4381/a43e4c6c

323. Insignum AgTech’s Kyle Mohler on early disease detection in crops + the value of farmer feedback Sep 30, 2024

It’s estimated that disease could cost the global food system up to 20% of production and one scientist is turning to the plant itself to change that. Dr. Kyle Mohler joins us today to talk his recent win at the Rally In-Prize Pitch Competition, his work to detect disease in plants much earlier and the Insignum AgTech’s startup journey in 2024.

Insignum AgTech’s traits allow for the farmer to detect when disease is coming – nearly a week before you would actually see symptoms – an opportunity for farmers to treat with precision and before things are past a point of no return. Kyle gets into the farmer feedback surrounding the technology in action and how it serves as a decision-making tool for their operations.

Fresh off a win at the Rally Innovation Conference In-Prize Pitch Competition, Kyle talks scaling via test plots across the Midwest. He also talks great milestones for Insignum AgTech in 2024 and where they hope to be headed in the future.

322. Land O’Lakes' Leah Anderson on the farmer perspective, emerging innovations and data as a differentiator to drive net farm income Sep 23, 2024

The cornerstone of the agbioscience economy is production agriculture. Without farmers, no amount of agtech, animal health, or plant science would ever be applicable to feed and fuel this world. Today we are joined by Leah Anderson, SVP of Land O’Lakes and president of WinField United, to talk about her drive and motivation to help the farmer – and putting it into action.

Key Takeaways:

The farmer perspective headed into harvest including some stress surrounding commodity prices, input costs and declines in farm income levels.
Challenges for Land O’Lakes and WinField United ahead of next growing season – from access to labor and investment decisions – and how they’re helping the farmer with those hurdles.
Data as a decision driver and the Advanced Acre Rx program as a prescription suite of tools based on a farmer’s most pressing individual needs.
The cooperative model as a differentiator for farmers and the emerging innovations that have Leah most excited – including AI biologicals and evolving new markets (Carbon, water, etc.).

321. The Directions Group’s Mark Purdy on farmers of the future + their identified opportunities for innovation in agbioscience Sep 16, 2024

Innovation in agbioscience has never been more critical. In today’s tough economy, farmers are looking for new ways to generate margin and with geopolitical instability around the world, food’s stabilizing force around the world is taking center stage. Former Army Colonel and Executive Vice President of The Directions Group (Aimpoint Research) joins today to talk forces of change in our food system, food security as national security and innovation for the farmer.

Key Takeaways:

The Directions Group’s recent Farmers of the Future research dives into how farmers are evolving, what they need and how his team sees this landscape changing in the future – including consolidation.
Agbioscience’s critical role in human health and its impact on our national security and military service.
Mark’s work with Indiana farmers to define the critical challenges facing their operations as the launch point for this year’s Producer-Led Innovation Challenge and The Directions Group’s methodology of tackling this feedback.
Labor management and administrative burden as huge hurdles for farmers to be successful – and why talking with a farmer will drive better outcomes for innovators.

Read the study, Producer-Led Innovation Challenge Opportunity Identification, at agrinovusindiana.com/research.

320. Rumin8’s Dr. Lucas Huntimer on durability, sustainability + the decarbonization of 100 million cows by 2030 Sep 09, 2024

Sustainability in agbioscience requires two key inputs: environment and economics. Today we are joined by Rumin8’s head of research and development, Dr. Lucas Huntimer, to talk economic durability, sustainability and how his team aims to decarbonize 100 million cows by 2030.

Lucas dives into the challenge at hand – methane – and Rumin8’s differentiated approach to innovating in this space. Rather than focusing on methane knockdown, their team is redirecting methane emission back into productivity, returning investment back to the producer.

With an uptick in innovation happening in this space, we had to ask: why now? Lucas talks through the rise in focus surrounding cattle, their bold mission to decarbonize 100 million cows by 2030 and the hurdles they’ll face to get there, from regulatory to capital.

319. IEDC’s Salena Scardina on For the Bold, the customer experience + knowing when to automate vs. innovate Sep 02, 2024

Discover the journey of Salena Scardina, from her start at McDonald's Corporation to becoming the Chief Marketing Officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, and her mission to redefine Indiana's global brand. In this episode of Agbioscience, Salena shares her insights on the customer experience, the power of understanding your audience and the innovative promise of Indiana's economy looking toward the future. Dive into the discussion on how Indiana is boldly claiming its place on the world stage, thanks to strategic branding and a deep commitment to innovation in agriculture, technology and touting what we do best – work together to achieve big outcomes.

318. Mitch Frazier recaps the Rally Innovation Conference, talks Producer-Led Innovation Challenge and more Aug 30, 2024

AgriNovus CEO, Mitch Frazier, recaps August with highlights from the Rally Innovation Conference, the upcoming Producer-Led Innovation Challenge, Field Atlas hitting college campuses across Indiana and events coming up for you to join!

317. Toph Day on the Rally Innovation Conference + the disparate stakeholder driving creative collisions Aug 26, 2024

Venture capital has become synonymous with innovation. And one firm is turning to an event featuring world renowned artists, actors, athletes and innovators (plus a multi-million-dollar pitch competition) to drive new creative collisions. Toph Day, CEO of Elevate Ventures and mastermind of the Rally Innovation Conference, joins today to talk the state of venture capital, false growth driving bad decisions and his optimism heading into the last quarter of 2024.

Part of his optimism starts with a major event kicking off in Indianapolis this week – the 2nd Rally Innovation Conference. Toph stresses the value of other vertical perspectives, bringing a wide range of expertise together at Rally and what attendees can expect at the event this week (in one word: Toph says to expect magic).

What’s so different about Rally, anyway? Toph acknowledges that innovation doesn’t happen 1 on 1 between investor and entrepreneur and introduces a critical figure to the process: the disparate stakeholder (the figure upon which the event was launched). Between the demo floor, nationally renowned keynote speakers and a multi-million-dollar pitch competition, Rally is designed to bring together leaders across multiple disciplines to drive new, creative waves of innovation.

With over 3,000 attendees in year one, Toph has a big vision for Rally’s sophomore season. This includes keynotes from Tia White, Alex Rodriguez, Marcus Lemonis and Jann Mardenborough (think creative collisions) + fantastic breakout sessions across food and agtech (among other verticals).

Learn more about Rally at rallyinnovation.com. Use code RALLYAgrinovus to get 40% off your ticket.

316. Elanco’s Tim Bettington on the evolution of animal health, the barriers of bringing innovation to market Aug 19, 2024

The animal health market – estimated by many sources to be $60 billion globally – spans everything from pet health to livestock and holds applications for innovations in feeds, vaccines, therapeutics and beyond. Joining us this week to talk about this evolving market is Tim Bettington, EVP of Corporate Strategy and Market Development at Elanco, to share his front row view on the evolution of animal health and the driving forces behind its growth.

Tim talks Elanco’s bifurcation between pet and livestock health, the dynamic challenge of bringing innovation to market in both categories and their unique individual challenges and opportunities. He also gets into investment dollars flowing heavily into the pet space – and how to balance that against innovation in livestock as potential to transform our food system and planet.

Innovation in livestock has been focused largely on methane reduction in cattle and Tim shares Elanco’s approach to creating products for the animal health space while also giving farmers a pathway to economic and environmental sustainability. Tim talks their partnership with Athian, the launch of Bovaer in the U.S. market and Elanco’s role in the future of the agricultural industry.

How does Elanco view their balance between internal R&D and external partnerships? Tim dives into the critical role of artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize solutions to problems more quickly and what emerging trends will create a bigger footprint moving forward. He also talks the OneHealth Innovation District coming to Indianapolis, innovating for overall health and what’s ahead.

315. Corteva Agriscience’s Christy Wright on the convergence of ag, food and health + bringing innovation to market Aug 12, 2024

Food: it’s the only economy that touches every person the planet and ideally, we have a relationship with it three times a day. Despite that, many don’t know where their food comes from or its connection to the farm. Christy Wright, Director of Global Food at Corteva Agriscience, joins us today to connect the farmgate to the dinnerplate, the global challenge of food security and what dynamics play into the food economy.

Christy dives into what unites farmers and consumers: the desire for a safe, affordable food supply created sustainably. She also gets into the convergence of food and health, Corteva’s role in optimizing nutrition across the globe through farmer inputs and linking arms with food companies to optimize ingredients.

As food continues to optimize for health, what emerging trends excite Christy? She talks biologicals, regenerative agriculture and other “leveling up” solutions that create healthy crops that meet the needs of a growing population.

As for how the needs of farmers are being met on the other end of the value chain, Christy also gets into Corteva Catalyst, bringing innovation to market and what she sees as the next chapter of our food system.

314. Kevin Still on a hot start for Keystone Cooperative, being a conduit between tech + the farmer amidst a new speed of change Aug 05, 2024

Cooperatives and retailers have been critical infrastructure for agriculture for generations. Keystone Cooperative CEO, Kevin Still, joins today to discuss their key role on farming operations and how ag retail has evolved since its inception.

As on-farm technologies continue to advance so does its role in cooperatives’ product portfolio. Kevin dives into Keystone Cooperative’s approach to being a trusted advisor on products and solutions that create value for their farmers – from data management to labor.

Keystone Cooperative is just a few months old and Kevin gives an update on their people, processes and bringing synergies together. Looking ahead, he talks investing in new technologies at scale and being a conduit between emerging technologies and the farmer. He also gets into the next four decades of agriculture and a new evolution of the farmer.

313. Mitch Frazier on AgriNovus’ newly released study, Heartland BioWorks’ $51M grant, Vital Farms coming to Indiana and more Jul 31, 2024

July was a month of momentum for the agbiosciences, including the release of new research that revealed Indiana agbioscience contributes nearly $70B to the state’s economy. We are here to recap the month:

Accelerate 2050 – a new study that highlights three priority opportunities for the agbiosciences including Food is Health, Farmer-Focused Innovation and Farmer-Focused Innovation. We also hear RTI’s Jim Redden’s comments on what these areas of focus mean for Indiana – and around the world.
Heartland BioWorks – recently announced a nearly $51 million implementation grant made possible by the Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs program created by the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022.
Vital Farms – expanding its supply chain to Seymour, Indiana with plans to break ground in 2025 and be fully operational in 2027. This will add 150 new jobs to the area.
IBJ 250 – celebrating agbioscience representation on Indiana’s list of most prominent leaders!
We are hitting the road for more! West Lafayette and Bedford – join us! Click here to register for these free events: https://agrinovusindiana.com/events/accelerate-2050-driving-growth-in-the-future/
QUADRANT is also back in September. Register here: https://agrinovusindiana.com/quadrant/

Other episodes of Agbioscience mentioned:

Dr. Kofi Essel, Elevance Health - https://podcast.agrinovusindiana.com/public/215/Agbioscience-8a9a4381/6d11d81a
Dave Roberts + Andrew Kossack, Applied Research Institute: https://podcast.agrinovusindiana.com/public/215/Agbioscience-8a9a4381/22551e39

312. Dr. Kofi Essel on food is health, nutrition security, innovative collisions with agbioscience + making sure to measure outcomes Jul 29, 2024

Food – it's the only economy in the world that touches every person on the planet and it’s foundational to human health. So much so that leaders across the economy are uniting the power of food to drive health. It’s a new category of innovation called Food is Health and the nation’s 2nd largest health insurer, Elevance Health, is investing in this area. Dr. Kofi Essel, Food as Medicine Director at Elevance Health, joins today to talk food preventing, managing and treating disease.

Poor diet is one of the leading risk factors for decreased quality of life and premature death. A former pediatrician, Kofi talks about food as medicine being great healthcare and social drivers of health being critical to what happens within the four walls of a doctor’s office. He also stresses the importance of thinking beyond those experiencing food insecurity to nutrition security – ensuring access to the right types of food for their overall health.

The innovative intersection of human health and food is headed for a revolution – and digital is a big piece of that. Kofi gets into Elevance Health’s role in this space and bridging the gap between nutrition supply and demand. As he speaks on hunger as a pervasive problem in the United States, Kofi talks about the innovative solutions that will be needed – and that includes the AgriNovus HungerTech Challenge – designed to create digital solutions that increase access to food and nutrition.

How will we know if food is health is making a difference? Kofi talks health outcomes data, costs of healthcare and thinking about nutrition equity no matter your location.

311. RTI International’s Amanda Rose on Indiana’s $69.6B agbioscience economy, three defined priorities for the future Jul 22, 2024

A team of researchers recently dug in to Indiana’s $69.6 agbioscience economy and its opportunities for growth well into the future – 2050, to be exact. Amanda Rose, agri-food systems lead for RTI International, joins us to elaborate on the newly released study, Accelerate 2050: A Vision for Indiana Agbioscience, and three defined opportunities for differentiated growth amid future uncertainty, including:

Farmer-Focused Innovation
Food is Health
BioInnovation

Why these opportunities? Amanda gets into the study’s methodology, marrying economic data with strategic foresight and creating the conditions for a future economy you want. These aren’t ideas bouncing off the wall but are grounded in existing assets that make Indiana unique. She also talks economic data, establishing a benchmark for future competitive analysis and how the data compares relative to other industries.

This study was largely about the future, so what’s ahead? Amanda talks about possible future scenarios for agbioscience on a global scale and the importance of operating and innovating at unique intersections to drive big outcomes – for people, plants, animals and the planet.

310. Dr. Jaleh Daie on investing for humanity, emerging trends in agbioscience + farmer needs as the priority for the future Jul 15, 2024

Capital and science – two key ingredients that are shaping the future of the agbioscience economy. Dr. Jaleh Daie, Managing Partner of Aurora Equity, joins us today to talk about the state of risk capital in agbioscience, the round trip we’ve taken in the last six years and how it compares to other areas of investment.

With Jaleh’s rich background in education and focus on science, what unique opportunities have been created for her? She talks doing good for humanity, trailblazing for women in science and seeing innovation through a scientific lens. Jaleh talks investment in agtech being in the “early innings” and big trends getting a lot of traction – including biologicals, gene editing and artificial intelligence (AI).

Jaleh gets into digital and its potential to transform agriculture – from the farmgate to the dinner plate – and the opportunities to innovate in a tightening farm economy. She stresses the importance of understanding the needs of farmers and her excitement surrounding upstream innovation to create better margins and profitability for farmers around the world.

309. Traction Ag’s Dustin Sapp on farm accounting technology, responsible growth + enabling economic prosperity for farmers Jul 19, 2024

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has projected to move from hype to help in 2024, generated by a shift in the global economy. There are tech companies taking that ambition and turning it into a reality and one of them joins us today. Dustin Sapp, CEO of Traction Ag, addresses farm accounting through technology, the sophistication of farming operations and how little of that innovation has hit farmers’ back offices.

How do farmers actually manage their books? Dustin says it’s a patchwork of solutions that take lots of time, spreadsheets and occasional uncertainty – something Traction Ag is well positioned to solve. He also gets into the vote of confidence from investors of late, all centered around the idea of improving the economic prosperity of farmers. Dustin also talks about their approach to responsible growth and building something that lasts so that farmers count on it as a trusted source for years to come.

In a tough time for innovators trying to fundraise, what is Traction Ag doing different? Dustin stresses the importance of demonstrating value, telling your story well and the vision you have for your business. How will AI create more help at the farmgate? Dustin talks about AI not being a hero for bad solutions and how his tech background has paved the way to the opportunities he’s had to date.

308. Biodyne USA’s Bodie Kitchel on the economics of biologicals, the pursuit of answers + innovating with urgency Jul 01, 2024

Biologicals – the broad category of ag input products derived from living organisms – have experienced significant growth in terms of adoption and investment. An analysis of Pitchbook data reveals there have been more than 6,000 deals in the global ag biotech market over the past decade. One of those companies driving growth is Biodyne USA. This week, we are joined by their National Director of Agronomy, Bodie Kitchel, to talk Biologicals vs. Biostimulants and what’s driving growth in the space.

For Bodie, everyone’s “why” looks a little different when it comes to the adoption of biologicals and farm economics are certainly a piece of that. He gets into the farmer mindset around adopting innovation to leverage net farm income and Biodyne being an education company to help farmers learn where their dollar has the most value. Bodie also talks about needing economic impact right away but also balancing that belief with the value of economic impact in years two, three, four and five.

With his experience in ag retail, how has Bodie seen innovation evolve? He talks about positioning, investment and companies being afraid of the unknown. Looking ahead, Bodie talks about that fear being outweighed by the urgency around innovating – and Biodyne USA doing it with speed.

307. Mitch Frazier recaps June, talks Animal Health Boston, Elanco’s FDA approval of Bovaer, opportunities to join us + a big announcement! Jun 27, 2024

June was a busy one! From a trip to the Animal Health Nutrition Technology and Innovation Conference in Boston to hosting college students at agbioscience companies across Indiana, Mitch Frazier and Cayla Chiddister look back at the past month, what’s happening and what’s ahead.

Hear from animal health innovators including Dr. Johanna Majamaa of GekkoVet and Celine Halioua from Loyal on bringing new solutions to market, the challenges they face and the opportunities that lie ahead in the future. We also dive into Elanco’s announcement of FDA approval for Bovaer, a feed additive for lactating dairy cows that reduces methane emissions.

We also welcomed nearly 30 college students from campuses across Indiana to tour agbioscience companies over the last month! Hear from Ball State chemistry student, Rilynne Puckett, on her experience and what she learned.

QUADRANT is coming July 17 in Indianapolis! Register here at agrinovusindiana.com/quadrant.

Lastly – Agbioscience is adding video! Watch, listen – whichever you prefer.

306. Ruminant BioTech’s Mark Weldon on methane knockdown, the link between environmental + economic sustainability Jun 24, 2024

There are over one billion cattle globally, emitting methane through a natural process called enteric fermentation. Reducing emissions have become a top target of innovators across animal health and one company out of New Zealand is tackling the challenge from inside the cow. This week, we are joined by Mark Weldon, chairman of Ruminant BioTech, to talk about their bolus – a slow-release device that sits in the cow’s stomach for up to six months and delivers high levels of methane knockdown (think over 70% across a 90-day window).

How was this bolus developed? Mark talks about the mini pilot that launched Ruminant BioTech and the growing conversation around methane emission suppression. He also gets into factors that are paving the way for innovations like this to emerge and creating value -- starting with the rancher and moving all the way through the food system.

What makes Ruminant BioTech different than other aiming to mitigate methane emissions? Mark talks about their differentiation, acquiring funding (good returns for doing good) and their plans to scale outside of New Zealand.

305. Eve Hanks of MI:RNA Diagnostics on early disease identification, transforming the future of animal health Jun 17, 2024

Early identification of diseases in animals is critical to the future of the food system, national security and our ability to care for our pets. One company is harnessing the power of biology to accelerate identification and joined us from the Agbioscience Podcast Corner at the Animal Health, Nutrition, Innovation and Technology Conference in Boston. Eve Hanks, founder and CEO of MI:RNA Diagnostics, joins us to talk their biomarker platform reliant on microRNA that has the potential to transform the future of animal health.

Eve gets into how the platform works and success her team has experienced since spinning out of Scotland’s Rural College. She also talks the importance of partnerships to drive innovation forward.

With diseases like Avian Flu and African Swine Fever threatening the global food system, how can a tool like MI:RNA help? Eve talks combatting disease in animals and how an increased awareness of microRNA is driving interest in her team’s work.

304. Atarraya’s Daniel Russek on real sustainability, innovation in aquaculture and bringing food production back to its natural cycle Jun 10, 2024

Innovation in the agbiosciences is foundational to life – and it’s only accelerating. From biotech to production, food is transforming; and today’s guest is leading the charge on a new way of producing protein. Daniel Russek, CEO of Atarraya, joins us to talk the idea of sustainability, what it actually is and thinking long-term to achieve meaningful outcomes in this space.

From greenwashing to social media allowing people to be “kind of informed” about the state of the planet, Daniel says sustainability has to coexist with strong economics. He dives into how he sees the future of food and Atarraya tackling the fastest-growing source of protein: shrimp.

Atarraya’s innovation in aquaculture has been evolving for over a decade at this point and Daniel talks about the best resource for developing their technology: conversations with people. And it’s paid off. TIME Magazine named Atarraya one of the top 200 inventions of the year. The team also was a gold recipient of The Edison Award; with all this momentum, where do they go next?

Daniel talks expanding production, the importance of partnerships and bringing food production back into its natural cycle.

303. Solinftec’s Leo Carvalho on agtech’s evolution + the importance of co-creating innovation with farmers Jun 03, 2024

Labor remains one of the greatest challenges facing the economy. Solinftec is addressing the problem with autonomy and artificial intelligence focused on improving crop performance. Today we are joined by their Chief Global Strategy Officer, Leo Carvalho, to talk accelerating in a crowded market and creating a value proposition for farmers.

Leo gets into the company’s evolution since its expansion to the U.S. -- from developing technologies to identify problems to new solutions that also solve them. As a technology company, he also stresses the importance of creating concepts that are tested, refined and – candidly – co-created by farmers. The launch of their Solix sprayer addresses all the things Leo says Solifntec aims to accomplish: to create more food, sustainably, while also making the farmer more profitable.

As a seventeen-year-old Brazilian company that started in the sugar industry, Leo talks about lessons learned as they’ve grown and expanded into new markets. Farmers plant crops once a year, so listening to their needs is critical to timely success. Leo also shares Solinftec’s objectives for the future and how agtech will continue to evolve.

302. Mitch Frazier on Elanco + Purdue defining a new era of OneHealth, new funds launched and Traction Ag on the move May 28, 2024

It’s May in Indiana and major headlines abound as The Greatest Spectacle in Racing coupled with the Global Economic Summit (GES) put the state on the world’s stage – for racing spectators and innovators alike. Today, Mitch Frazier and Cayla Chiddister recap the month including major news in the agbiosciences from Elanco, Purdue, Elevate Ventures and Traction Ag.

Elanco and Purdue announced a OneHealth Innovation District as part of the company’s new campus west of downtown Indianapolis. The facility is designed to deliver and scale up innovation where industry and academia can collaborate including office, wet lab and incubator space. Elanco plans to also contribute up to $2M of initial funding to jumpstart a new Animal Health Ventures Fund to support early-stage innovators, in close coordination with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), to take advantage of available tools and programs that support startup activity in this space.

From GES it was also announced that Elevate Ventures will launch a new $100M fund focused on cross-sector innovation driven growth stage companies with a $500M total addressable market (TAM) or greater. The fund will commence formation in late Q2 with targets to make first investments in 2025.

Traction Ag also announced a $10M Series A round led by Cooperative Ventures and joined by Plymouth Growth and existing investors. The investment was designed to support platform development and business growth.

301. BinSentry’s Ben Allen on challenges facing animal producers, feed costs + AI creating better on-farm economics May 27, 2024

The year 2024 is where AI moves from hype to help in agbioscience. Today’s guest is bringing that prediction to animal health. Ben Allen, CEO of BinSentry, joins us to talk the biggest challenge facing animal producers; one that can be controlled? Feed. Specifically, how do you get the right feed to the right place at the right time?

With feed as a gigantic expense to producers, Ben gets into BinSentry’s technology creating economic efficiency and how better data allows farmers to see things they might not see coming. He also explains BinSentry’s tech platform and being able to manage variables they’ve not been able to before, ultimately impacting their bottom line.

How does BinSentry think about the next evolution of AI? Ben talks about the full automation of logistics and planning – and he says we are much closer to that than anyone thinks.

300. BioMADE’s Melanie Tomczak talks the bioeconomy future, from sustainable aviation fuel to clothing May 20, 2024

The bioeconomy – where feedstocks from agriculture are transformed into new products – is poised to surge to more than $30 trillion dollars over the next two decades. The White House calls its potential “enormous,” and there’s an organization leading the effort to create infrastructure around this opportunity. Today, BioMADE Chief Technology Officer, Melanie Tomczak, joins us to tell us 1) what exactly the bioeconomy is, 2) the role of BioMADE in its growth and 3) the unique connection between people, plants and animals.

Where are the greatest opportunities for growth in bioinnovation? Melanie talks cross-sector collaboration and pushing things from early-scale to commercial scale – getting entrepreneurs out of the “Valley of Death.” She also gets into creating resilience and sustainability in U.S. supply chains in a post-pandemic world also experiencing political unrest and geo instability.

What’s ahead? BioMADE recently named six states (Indiana being one) to a short list of geographies that could fill a need that doesn’t exist in the US today: allowing innovators to start the scale-up process without the investment into new facilities, allowing for emerging technologies and products to flow through the U.S. more quickly.

299. Todd Robran on fintech, farmers and data as a differentiator May 13, 2024

From food production to R&D in plant science and animal health, agbioscience is a capital-intensive business. This week, we are joined by Growers Edge Chief Commercial Officer, Todd Robran, to talk reducing risk for farmers, partnerships with ag retailers and how models could be shifting to reward growers with lower rates for more productivity.

Todd also gets into data as a differentiator when it comes to lending and risk management, the current challenges in the agbisocience landscape – from tight commodity markets to interest rates – and how Growers Edge is navigating those waters. He also talks backing innovation for farmer confidence to drive efficient decision-making and creating incentivize gpt farmers alongside ag retailers.

As experts in fintech, how does Growers Edge see themselves when it comes to the adoption of new and emerging technologies? Todd talks about where the company has been, where it’s headed and how he sees the next chapter of agtech coming to fruition.

298. Maizly’s Tim Leclercq on corn-based milk, flexitarian consumers + collaborating with farmers May 06, 2024

The rise in alternative foods has become a growth driver for the food industry at large and has created new opportunities for innovators and consumers to experience new foods, alike. This week, we are joined by Maizly CEO, Tim Leclercq, to talk about the most abundant crop in the world being transformed into a new drink: corn-based milk.

From taste to mouth feel, Tim gets into Maizly’s differentiated product and functionality. He also talks about its environmental impact versus other milk alternatives and Maizly’s commitment to sustainability – from product creation to packaging.

Why milk? And why corn? Maizly’s founding expands well beyond a business getting off the ground. Tim discusses their passion project in Sub-Sarahan Africa, nutrition access for infants as a challenge and their ability to deliver life-saving solutions to young babies.

As Tim looks ahead at Maizly, the U.S. market is on the horizon; so what’s next? He talks working with corn growers, who is driving the next wave of food innovation (hint: he thinks there is a lot of smaller competitors coming) and when Maizly will hit store shelves and e-commerce sites near you.

297. Mitch Frazier recaps April, talks bioinnovation and entrepreneurs on the move Apr 30, 2024

It’s the end of the month, so you know what that means. AgriNovus CEO, Mitch Frazier, sits down with Cayla Chiddister to recap Indiana’s agbioscience trip to Brazil and Mexico with Governor Holcomb, creating new opportunities and driving economies forward.

He also gets into big announcements and items on the move as it relates to bioinnovation, including an investment announcement from Liberation Labs and conversations with BioMADE.

Innovators also made big moves this month and Mitch gets into students winning big at the Indiana Soybean Alliance’s Annual Soybean Innovation Competition. And oh yeah, we’ve got details on this year’s HungerTech Innovation Challenge winner, Anu, and their unique value and potential to deliver nutrition to homes across the world.

Also, an invitation for college students over the age of 18. Join us for upcoming Field Atlas Company Tours coming up in May and June. Learn more and register here: https://agrinovusindiana.com/2024/04/09/field-atlas-agbioscience-company-tours/

296. Courtney Kingery recaps agtech discussions in Brazil + Mexico, looks ahead to shared opportunities Apr 29, 2024

Delegates from Indiana’s agbioscience sector traveled to Brazil and Mexico this month alongside Governor Eric Holcomb as the minutes tick away on his leadership of the state. Courtney Kingery, CEO of Indiana Corn Marketing Council and Indiana Soybean Alliance, joins Mitch for this episode from Mexico City to discuss the trip, its findings and Indiana’s unique advantage on a global stage.

Courtney talks Brazilian companies seeking to understand the U.S. market, and the shared opportunities and challenges for farmers selling commodities in Mexico. There may be a cameo in this episode – shout out to Governor Holcomb – and Courtney talks through how trips like this one shape the future of our state’s economy.

295. Scott Irwin on commodity markets + bearish times driving innovation Apr 22, 2024

Planting season is nearing in North America and as farmers head to the fields, they’re doing so in a tough global market for agricultural commodities. Those markets have an impact on nearly every facet of our daily lives. Today we are joined by Dr. Scott Irwin, author and Laurence J. Norton Chair of Agricultural Marketing at the University of Illinois, to share his market perspective (it’s on the side of bearish) and what he sees ahead.

How low for how long? That’s a big question for the markets and one Scott dives into during the discussion. He also talks about his book, Back to the Futures, looking at the ag markets as an implication on the broader economy and educating a widespread audience using stories from his childhood on an Iowa farm.

294. Elliott Parker on the conflict between efficiency + innovation, The Illusion of Innovation + challenging what we think we know Apr 15, 2024

We are living in a time of innovation crisis where most innovation isn’t driven by large corporations despite them being managed better than ever before, says High Alpha Innovation CEO Elliott Parker. One day ahead of his new book release, The Illusion of Innovation, he joins us to get into how corporations equipped for efficiency losing their resilience and why it’s dangerous to advancing innovation.

Now this isn’t a hot take: Elliott believes in efficiency, but not as a lone strategy. He talks about controlled chaos, a systematic approach to experimentation and uncovering ideas to challenge things we think we know.

So what do companies do? Elliott talks new funding mechanisms, finding the best home for innovations to grow and being contrarian to win over the long-term.

The Illusion of Innovation comes out tomorrow, April 16. Learn morehere.

293. Lorelei Bergin talks data, food and consumers + NielsenIQ’s identified trends for 2024 Apr 08, 2024

Agbioscience is the only economy in the world that touches every person on planet, every day, given that it centers on food. Today we are joined by Lorelei Begin, Vice President of North American Retail for NielsenIQ to talk trends shaping food and what’s ahead for grocery store shelves in 2024.

From ingredient labels being more closely examined by savvy shoppers to the uptick of wellness-related products gaining more traction, Lorelei lays out what is driving consumer behavior and purchase patterns. She also gets into data creating insights for food companies to get the ultimate in-store commodity: shelf space.

Mitch and Lorelei take time to walk through consumers’ increased focus on health, GLP-1 drugs, how it’s shaping what goes in grocery carts and the food system’s response. How does a focus on health function in a tightening economy? Lorelei says food is first and a “better for you” lifestyle is staying resilient in these times. She also looks ahead to trends we could see impacting the food space and how that impacts consumers – no matter their budget.

292. AGCO’s Andrew Sunderman on better together with Trimble + creating value for farmers Apr 01, 2024

As we head into the spring planting season, there is much focus on technologies and innovations that will enable producers to drive returns in a tightening farm economy. Andrew Sunderman, Join Venture Transition Lead for AGCO, joins today to talk about their new JV with Trimble and having an innovation ecosystem ready to serve the farmer – no matter how or what they’re investing in for their operations during any given year.

In a time where it could be easy to say no to new tech or innovation, how does AGCO differentiate? Andrew talks control and accuracy, usability and optimizing outcomes. From their retrofit tech approach that helps to leverage smaller bets on-farm to improved performance of current equipment, he gets into solving problems that have never been met before and how the joint venture with Trimble will add continuation to their work.

291. Mitch Frazier looks back at March, talks Corteva Catalyst, BioMADE and more Mar 28, 2024

Fresh off a plane from the World AgriTech Summit and following a keynote address on food security as national security, we are recapping a gigantic March in agbioscience. From Corteva’s big news in San Francisco last week to Indiana hitting the short list for BioMADE, we cover the latest industry topics and look ahead to what’s coming.

Show Notes:

Food Security as National Security Episode with U.S. Senator Todd Young: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/253-food-security-is-national-security/id1412179095?i=1000627443801

QUADRANT 7/17 registration: https://agrinovusindiana.com/quadrant/

Field Atlas: https://myfieldatlas.com/

290. BONUS: Tom Greene from World AgriTech on Corteva Catalyst, rolling out innovation at a stronger pace Mar 26, 2024

On the ground at World AgriTech in San Francisco last week, Corteva announced the launch of a new investment platform forcused on bringing to market agricultural innovations that advance the company’s R&D priorities and drive value creation. We caught up with Tom Greene, Corteva’s Senior Director of External Investment, to talk through how the platform is designed, why it’s launching now and what it will mean for farmers in the future.

Tom talks through the areas of focus for Corteva Catalyst and the types of companies that would be a great fit for the platform. Engaging in technology – no matter the stage – is the approach and he talks about the criticality of their partnership with Corteva’s larger M&A team to drive meaningful results.

Corteva enters the market with this program at a time when commodity prices are low, investment in agricultural innovation is down and so the question has to be asked – why now? Tom talks about the long-term view that Corteva Catalyst will take, the excitement of being in agbioscience (despite the volatility) and what he envisions for the program in the future.

289. BioCrossroads’ Vince Wong on collaborating to drive new innovation, leadership + creating an elevated workforce Mar 25, 2024

The connection between agbioscience and human health has become undeniable and in the case of Indiana – it's a differentiator. Today we are joined by Vince Wong, the brand new CEO of BioCrossroads to talk life sciences and extending the state’s leadership to drive growth.

Vince talks about the challenges facing Indiana, where we are uniquely positioned to lead and the criticality of collaboration to elevate the state’s profile. Of course we also dive into the idea of plant, animal and human life sciences coming together to create new biotechnology innovation. Vince scratches the surface on what’s possible on the heels of Indianapolis’ designation as a U.S. Federal Tech Hub.

288. Frank Klemens from Big Idea Ventures on operating at the intersection of university innovation + product creation Mar 18, 2024

As a kid from Ohio that went to Purdue University and then worked for DuPont, Frank Klemens’ career has taken a trendline path to his role at Big Idea Ventures today. He joins this week to walk through their General Rural Partners Fund, taking innovation from university shelves and creating new companies in one of our country’s most untapped resources: rural communities.

How does Frank and his team match innovation to the right community? Frank talks customers driving outcomes, the importance of corporate partnerships and the growing list of universities partnering with the firm to create new companies. He also dives into trends in IP across food and agriculture – including cellular meats, bio-based materials and animal management – that are creating a better rural America.

Looking ahead, how do you create technical companies in rural America that also attract investment? Frank talks about Big Idea Ventures’ secret sauce, making food and ag an investment clear of confusion and their call to the rest of venture capital: come join us, we welcome your competition and it’s necessary to feed a growing world, sustainably.

287. AWS’ Elizabeth Fastiggi on agtech, Project Kuiper + democratizing access to innovation Mar 11, 2024

From major companies to startups, one thing holds true from Amazon Web Services: they start with the customer in mind and work backwards. This week, we are joined by an agtech veteran and now the company’s Head of Worldwide Business, Agriculture, Elizabeth Fastiggi. She dives into their service across the whole value chain, how companies use AWS and the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in its stages of early adoption.

Elizabeth also talks new applications and ensuring innovation is accessible. She talks Amazon’s Project Kuiper to increase global broadband access, providing service to early customers by the end of 2024 and agriculture’s opportunity to be in the midst of the early customer base.

As an environmental science major, did she ever think she’d be here? Elizabeth gets into spotting the opportunities to make a difference using innovation and how she sees the future of agtech.

286. BONUS: Geoff Zentz on the HungerTech Innovation Challenge, leveraging innovation to eliminate food insecurity Mar 06, 2024

Doing good by doing well – it's a concept the AgriNovus Indiana team embraced when the HungerTech Innovation Challenge was launched. Three years later, it’s still going strong; and new solutions are hitting the market that better connect food supply with food demand.

The 2024 HungerTech tasks innovators with developing market-driven tech models that ensure increased and equitable food distribution that is both environmentally sustainable and economically viable. The winning team will receive $25,000 to help accelerate commercialization of their solution.

Solutions could find, but are not limited to, opportunities for innovation in the following areas:

Infrastructure - current critical inefficiencies exist in capturing, managing and redirecting surplus food from points of excess – such as producers and retailers – to communities grappling with food insecurity (this is exacerbated for perishable goods).
Forecasting - deployment of tools for accurately forecasting the production of surplus food and quantifying demand from food-insecure populations have significant deficiencies.
Preservation - there are shortfalls in current food preservation technologies to prolong shelf life of perishables without detracting nutritional value or safety.

Registration to join this year’s HungerTech Innovation Challenge closes March 12. Learn more and connect with Geoff at agrinovusindiana.com/hungertech.

285. BiomEdit’s Aaron Schacht + Eric Bonabeau on the microbiome, intersection of animal + human health Mar 04, 2024

What exactly is the microbiome? And why is it important when it comes to animal health – both in livestock and pets? All those questions and more get answered this week as we are joined by Aaron Schacht, CEO, and Eric Bonabeau, CTO, of BiomEdit. They talk the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in microbiome science, the intersection of human and animal health and new partnerships paving the way for the acceleration of innovation.

From collaborative partnerships with Nutreco and funding from The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, what’s ahead for BiomEdit? Aaron and Eric get into new challenges, leveraging the microbiome to reduce methane emissions in cattle and taking advantage of studying things in animals that can be translated to humans.

284. Mitch Frazier talks February news + what’s up and coming Feb 29, 2024

We are bringing you something new with this episode: a look back at February’s news in agbioscience including Elanco’s sale of their aqua business, a new partnership between Corteva and John Deere, Indiana as a top ag state and the current operating environment for the farmer.

Show Notes:

QUADRANT is coming 3/6. Register here: https://agrinovusindiana.com/quadrant/

HungerTech Innovation Challenge registration closes 3/12: https://agrinovusindiana.com/hungertech/

Kristen Owen, Oppenheimer + Co. Episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-ai-moving-from-hype-to-help/id1412179095?i=1000641950597

283. Kevin Summers on Trimble’s Connected Climate Exchange + the wild west of carbon markets Feb 26, 2024

We are days away from guidance from the federal government on how it will calculate the carbon intensity of corn production for ethanol and how that will impact farmers, ethanol producers and the economy at large. Kevin Summers, North American Carbon Sustainability Lead for Trimble, joins us to talk about the Wild West that is the current carbon market structure and Trimble’s Connected Climate Exchange as a voice of reason platform in it all.

Originally launched in Canada, Kevin talks through CCE’s 5 million tons of ag carbon offsets, the $50 million dollars for Canadian farmers and how Trimble plans to roll this program out in the United States. From data security to education, he also talks about the challenges of carbon markets today and their potential for growers and CPG companies in the future.

In the launch of Connected Climate Exchange, what has Trimble learned? Kevin says it’s about keeping the grower first in mind, connecting sellers and buyers in the marketplace and continuing to tell the story of its measured impact on the climate.

282. Data systems making a difference Feb 19, 2024

Today’s guest is an entrepreneur who got her skills in organizing business systems where any young talent might consider learning efficiency: the Chick-fil-a drive-thru. Sarah Hinkley, CEO of Barn Owl Precision Ag, actually helped to build the fast-food chain’s drive-thru system as we know it today (alongside her brother). Watching a major company leverage technology to solve problems really inspired Sarah and from that, a company was born.

Sarah gets into Barn Owl’s inception, creating new innovation to supplement a massive labor problem and listening to what growers need today, tomorrow and what would be nice in the future. She dives into how a Barn Owl robot functions and what factors are driving the need for more agility on-farm. As a serial minded entrepreneur, Sarah also provides insight into launching an idea into a business, creating solutions to problems and making a difference through your work (even when it hurts).

281. Building a technical workforce for the agbiosciences Feb 12, 2024

Ryan Priest is no stranger to hard work and servant leadership, assets that have been integral to his role as COO at Premier Ag Cooperative today. And as someone that has done many jobs – from welding to executive leadership – he identified a problem that needed a new, fresh idea to solve: developing an emerging workforce that’s equipped with the tools to understand farmers, the broader agbioscience economy and the technical knowledge required to be successful in the industry.

Ag equipment today has more in common with an airplane than a pickup truck and there is an under-appreciated level of knowledge required to operate this machinery. Ryan talks about Premier’s cutting-edge work-based training program with Ivy Tech designed for workers to better understand and function in high-tech agriculture. He notes the ripple effect of talent starting in the program and learning more about the industry, and the earning potential for someone in the program.

Mitch Frazier recently joined Ryan’s podcast, The High Ground, which can be heard here.

280. Data-based decision drivers Feb 05, 2024

Matt Bechdol fell into a class on remote sensing during his time as a student at Indiana University and what was initially a requirement for environmental science turned into a love affair. Specifically, he fell in love with the intersection of business, agriculture, technology and the environment – close to the definition of agbioscience, right? That love took him to graduate school, an ag research gig at NASA and ultimately becoming the CEO of GRYFN in 2019.

GRYFN focuses on remote sensing and spatial data to help automate business processes and bring objectivity to time-intensive, human work like plant breeding. Matt gets into the question they’re always asking: what else? From defense to oceanography, he talks about a creating a wide swath of tools to create multiple insights that solve problems across different industries.

As a CEO, Matt gives us his entrepreneurial leadership lessons, too. He talks about providing clarity on your value proposition, pricing discipline, knowing what you’re good at and hitting base hits rather than home runs.

Listen to Matt’s past episode of Agbioscience here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-30-asking-new-questions-on-using-big-data-in-ag/id1412179095?i=1000433274065

279. Busting myths + misinformation Jan 29, 2024

Telling the real story behind agbioscience innovation and what’s happening on farms requires a willingness to bravely sit at tables where you might be misunderstood. Michelle Miller, The Farm Babe, found seats at those tables over a decade ago and has become one of the most influential voices and advocates for modern, high-tech agriculture. From The Today Show to Forbes and People Magazine, Michelle has been breaking myths about where our food comes from and helping consumers better connect to their food through her moniker – The Farm Babe.

But her advocacy wasn’t always on behalf of the farmer. Michelle talks about her time on Rodeo Drive, her once belief in the misinformation surrounding agriculture and how life changes also changed her mindset. Whether it’s biotech or artificial intelligence (AI), she talks about how she’s approached those topics with consumers – hint: it starts with empathy for those who are trying to learn more.

What excites Michelle about the future of agbioscience and modern agriculture? From animal health to plant science, she talks about the future of our food and how farmers will continue to do more with less.

278. Better innovation, better yield Jan 22, 2024

Ask new CEO of AgReliant Genetics about his career journey and you’ll get an interesting take from him: it’s not at all what he expected. But whether he’s been launching, fixing or changing products, systems and processes, agbioscience innovation has been the fabric of his story. This week, Brian Barker joins us to talk about making the leap into leadership of AgReliant’s longstanding reputable brands.

From global turbulence to urban sprawl and a growing population, how does AgReliant view their next wave of innovation to meet the demands that evolve globally? As Brian says, that corn kernel is more like a microchip than anything else and getting everything you can out of the plant will remain their focus. From gene editing to analytic tools, the new wave has just begun.

What’s ahead for AgReliant Genetics? Brian says it starts with AgReliant’s people and doubling down on what they do best.

277. BONUS: AI moving from hype to help Jan 17, 2024

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) has become synonymous with innovation and that was certainly the case in Las Vegas last week as agbioscience brands like John Deere, Kubota and more flooded the tradeshow floor. Kristen Owen, executive director of equity research at Oppenheimer and Co., joins us to talk about innovation’s ability to create impact in a tightening economy and what she sees ahead as major shifts in industry trends.

One of the big ones from CES? Artificial intelligence (AI). With the cost of capital still high, AI has a chance to move from hype to help. Kristen examines where it can impact productivity in agriculture – from equipment to the bio-economy – to reduce variability for farmers’ operations.

As we brace for economic turbulence, what does Kristen see ahead for the broader food and ag economy? She talks about the investment landscape that will impact the next wave of agbioscience innovation, austerity creating opportunity and the one big trend she sees for the industry in 2024.

276. From plant waste to plastic Jan 15, 2024

AgroRenew’s story begins where most good ideas form: at the kitchen table. Founders Brian and Katie Southern join us to talk about a new transformation in agbioscience – unused watermelon byproduct (rinds) becoming eco-friendly bioplastics. Based in Knox County, Indiana, AgroRenew announced plans at the end of 2023 for an $83 million investment in the form of a processing facility, a business that will ultimately employ nearly 250 people.

All the right factors came together to make this new company possible. Knox County is known for specialty crop production (watermelons, cantaloupe, pumpkins) and the Southerns have worked closely with The Pantheon to bring this idea to life. Brian and Katie talk about the science behind the product, their long-term vision to blend with other crop waste streams and contributing to a circular economy that generates more sustainability in the agbiosciences.

So what comes next? Brian and Katie discuss their long-term objectives and potential, adding value to the farmer’s operation and the timeline of getting AgroRenew plastics in stores.

275. Innovation for the world’s animals Jan 08, 2024

What’s in a name? For the world’s second-largest animal health company, Elanco, its name bears roots from Eli Lilly and Company. More than an acronym for a name, though, the company is on a growth trajectory, an innovation engine looking to create a positive impact for the world’s animals. And for Dr. Tyre Grant, Vice President of Global Product Development and Project Management, the name defines her 19-year career as a scientist (a resume she calls a privilege).

Tyre joins us today to talk about how Elanco thinks about innovation for both farm animal and pet health, what the company is uniquely positioned to solve and how that mindset focuses her team when it comes to bringing new products to the market. She also gets into the importance of partnerships when it comes to innovation, spinning out technologies and striking the right balance to create the most value to farmers and pet owners.

As a career scientist, what has Tyre seen as the biggest advances in the industry over the last two decades? And how do those set the tone for the next 20 years and what’s to come? Tyre talks automation and the intersection between human and animal health solutions. She also gives advice to future scientists looking for their role in the agbioscience industry.

Listen to Dr. Jennifer Miller’s episode on Elanco’s monoclonal antibody for Parvovirus in puppies here.

274. Determining our destiny Jan 02, 2024

From his cowboy boots to his tall stature, Governor Eric Holcomb is a presence. You’ve likely heard him, though not like this. How did Indiana’s leader come to be? He joins us today to tell his story, to dive into his sense of urgency headed into the final 12 months of his administration and to talk about, of course, agbioscience. More specifically, its critical role in securing Indiana’s economy of the future.

Indiana has evolved rapidly under his leadership and Holcomb has established a new approach to economic development – from the READI program and the LEAP concept just north west of Indianapolis, to name a few. How do these assets shape our future? Holcomb talks about being ready for what's coming and making sure we’ve not put our eggs in one industry basket. He also talks leadership, having a plan and being ready to keep eyes and ears open to adapt to the moment.

Heading into the fourth turn (a little IndyCar reference), where is Holcomb focused? This is our time, he says, and carpe diem. And because we like basketball in Indiana – it's time to step up to the line, block out the boos and knock down those important shots to make great things happen.

273. Agbioscience’s best of 2023 Dec 26, 2023

From food security as national security to innovation as sustainability, we covered a lot of ground on Agbioscience in 2023! Here are the top five most downloaded episodes of the year. We look forward to seeing you in 2024. Happy holidays!

272. A look back at 2023 Dec 18, 2023

What a year it’s been! The team at AgriNovus Indiana wants to thank you for listening to Agbioscience in season 6 and to let you know – there are still plenty of episodes to go. Season 7 will kick off on January 2.

In the meantime, take a walk back through 2023 with us – from agtech consolidation to new companies emerging, Indiana has a lot to celebrate. We talk about the big themes in agbioscience over the last year, how the industry is evolving and emerging trends we feel are here to stay for a while. You’ll hear from past guests and get a glimpse on what to expect in the new year.

271. BONUS: Winning the 2023 Producer-Led Innovation Challenge Dec 13, 2023

In partnership with the Indiana Corn Marketing Council and Indiana Soybean Alliance, the 2023 Producer-Led Innovation Challenge tasked companies, entrepreneurs, students and innovators with creating new revenue streams from current on-farm processes to increase efficiency and return on investment for producers’ operations.

FiberX, the winning team of this year's challenge, works with corn growers to source and convert corn stover into a feedstock for the chemical and materials sectors. The company’s product portfolio includes natural fiber-reinforced plastic polymer pellets and fiber for the plastic injection molding industry, focusing on customers producing durable products for long-term use such as outdoor furniture. Their team, comprised of Dave Skibinski, Wade Lange and Tom Santelli, has already received a Manufacturing Readiness Grant from Conexus Indiana and an Innovation Voucher for Elevate Ventures. As winners of the Producer-Led Innovation Challenge, FiberX receives $25,000 to help accelerate commercialization of their solution.

Dave Skibinski joined us following the winners announcement to talk about how the FiberX team will use their $25,000, creating new revenue streams for the farmer and what's ahead for their company.

270. The next giant leap Dec 11, 2023

A law signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862 created the cornerstone for America’s leadership in engineering and agriculture. Known as the Morrill Act, the law established land grant universities in states across the country, including Purdue University in Indiana. Since the university’s launch in 1869, it has become a research powerhouse becoming the only university in the country to have both a top 10 ranked college of agriculture and college engineering. Its graduates include 27 astronauts, 3 World Food Prize laureates, 2 Noble Prize winners and the pace continues to quicken. Today we are joined by Purdue’s Executive Vice President of Research, Dr. Karen Plaut, to share how the university is building on its momentum to advance research and create the economy of the future.

Asking “what if” has been the cornerstone of Karen’s career and she talks all things innovation at Purdue and where they see their greatest opportunities for impact – from agbioscience to aerospace. As the former dean of the College of Agriculture, she explores the idea that technologies across different disciplines have meaningful effect on food. Karen also talks research influencing legislation, commercializing and conducting basic research that will drastically improve lives in the future.

So, what are the next gigantic leaps for Purdue? Karen talks about students being at the core of the university’s success, new intersections for driving change and agbioscience’s critical role in the future.

269. From great moderation to great volatility Dec 04, 2023

Global venture capital deal volume has fallen by 50% worldwide since peaking in the first quarter of 2022 – that’s according the global analyst firm CB Insights. Despite the decline, companies are raising capital. Today’s guest is here to share more about the current fundraising environment and what it means for innovation. Audre Kapacinskas, principal with S2G Ventures – the second most active agtech investor in America – joins us to talk investment across the entire value chain.

The daughter of an immigrant, Audre found her love for the food space when her mother opened up a bakery. That love took her on a professional journey to s2g Ventures where she focuses on helping their nearly 100 portfolio companies in food and agriculture thrive. She gets into solutions that create more balance across the value chain, removing the brunt of risk and cost to the farmer and aligning financial incentives to drive impact. Audre also talks about the importance of having farmers at the discussion table when it comes to innovation and what she’s seeing in terms of valuation, time to close and how entrepreneurs and investors are working together during a tumultuous time; she stresses patient capital in the agbiosciences as being important.

So what will the capital landscape look like in the future? Audre talks big corporate investment, aligning incentives for all stakeholders to drive innovation and how she sees the agbiosciences evolving from an era of great moderation to one of great volatility.

268. Navigating the energy transition Nov 27, 2023

Discussion around the energy transition often focuses on electrification, but one Indiana company and thousands of Indiana farmers are working together to create new options in that transition – specifically around biofuels. Today’s guest is a long-time energy leader and the chief executive of one of Indiana’s largest privately held companies. Matt Smorch, CEO of CountryMark, joins us to talk the continued emergence of biofuels, diversifying for the farmer and answers a question that most won’t know: where exactly does our fuel come from?

How will farmers play a role in the new innovative energy sources coming to market? Matt talks about lessons learned from E-85 and how changing the gasoline standard could open up a wide array of new options for fuel (and agriculture). He also looks ahead and how CountryMark will continue to innovate to stay reliable and serve the farmer.

267. We have to talk turkey Nov 20, 2023

An estimated 88% of Americans will consume turkey this Thanksgiving – that equates to more than 46 million turkeys! It’s big business for farmers across the country, including here in Indiana where the state has become the fourth largest producer of turkey in the country. Becky Joniskan, president of the Indiana State Poultry Association, joins this week to share more about Indiana’s turkey production and the innovation making it possible.

Becky talks all things poultry in Indiana – ranging from key innovators like Miller Poultry and Maple Leaf Farms – to the well-informed at-home farmer with a smaller flock. She also dives into turkey’s growing presence in many forms (deli meats, sausage links and more) on your grocery store shelves, With poultry demand on the rise, where are the opportunities for innovators to disrupt the industry? Becky talks nutrition, genetics and environment as spaces ripe for new discoveries and how poultry farmers approach adoption of new innovations. She talks about the critical role of Indiana corn and soybeans to poultry farmers’ success and what’s ahead for the industry.

266. A breakthrough in pet health innovation Nov 13, 2023

Parvovirus – a potentially deadly disease in puppies – has been called the world’s most common canine infectious disease. The viral infection is one that has long been battled through a preemptive vaccine regimen and treated by managing the clinical signs of the infection. However, a new innovation from Indiana-based animal health giant Elanco is transforming canine care through science. This week, we are joined by Elanco veterinarian and veterinarian technical marketer, Dr. Jennifer Miller, to talk about the newly approved monoclonal anitibody treatment for canine parvovirus.

What is parvovirus, how is it caused and what were the treatment options before Elanco’s breakthrough monoclonal antibody? Dr. Miller talks about its severity, its commonality and why this innovation was so critical for puppy owners. She also gets into the years it takes to bring innovation to market and the rewarding feeling of watching it save lives in clinics across the country.

How does this become the next wave of innovation at Elanco? Dr. Miller talks about the transferable opportunities to other animals and to human health. She also gets into the collaborative spirit working to advance the innovation ecosystem and what she sees as the future of animal health.

265. Who are the farmers of the future? Nov 06, 2023

Approximately 6% of the U.S. population are veterans – those who have served in the U.S. military. Leaders who have donned the uniform have gone on to serve in roles that are now shaping the future of the food and agbioscience economy. Today’s guest is doing just that. W US Army COL (retired) Mark Purdy joins us to talk about his journey through the military and into agbioscience, what Aimpoint does and how he sees food and agriculture innovating for the future.

What exactly is wargaming and how can it impact agriculture? Mark talks about its nexus of art and science, understanding the industry better today – and tomorrow. Geopolitical tension continues to spread across different parts of the globe. How will uncertainty drive innovation? Marks lays out our opportunities, science creating new efficiencies and asking a really important question: who are the farmers of the future? And what will they require of us?

264. The intersection of animal, plant and human science Oct 30, 2023

Biotech – everything from innovation in seeds and animal vaccines to new foods and human medicines – hold tremendous opportunity to transform the future. The science also represents significant opportunity to create new jobs and improve America’s national security. Those were just a few of the key theses outlined in the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 and key reasons why the US Department of Commerce designated Indiana one of 31 federal tech hubs in October. Today we are joined by Dave Roberts and Andrew Kossack of The Applied Research Institute to share more about what this designation means.

They talk about how the tech hub came to be, Indiana’s strengths on the balance sheet – from agbioscience to advanced manufacturing – and our ability to collaborate across industries in the application process. A question you might have: what exactly is a tech hub? Dave and Andrew get into what the Heartland Bioworks tech hub means for Indiana, our future potential and how see animal, plant and human science coming together to advance the state’s economy.

263. Through the lens of the farmer Oct 23, 2023

Innovations in seed holds tremendous promise – from improving yield to resilience and profitability – and has transformed significantly over the last few decades. Today we are joined by Beck’s Hybrids President, Scott Beck, to talk about the iconic family-owned brand, being a third-generation leader in the business and watching a small operation grow to the massive brand it is today.

Scott talks all things company culture and keeping that as you grow and scale a business. He also reflects on returning to the company after graduating from Purdue in 1987 (he was the 12th employee), shifting their focus from being a seed company that has marketing to becoming a marketing company that has seed, and viewing all things through the lens of the farmer. That includes relationships with many agbioscience companies to bring diversity and value to the farmer.

What’s ahead for Beck’s Hybrids? More of the farmer, of course. Scott talks R&D, looking into the future to help the farmer and how he sees the company innovating in the future.

262. Getting the economy you want Oct 16, 2023

Forbes – the global business media powerhouse – named Indiana the best place to start a business in 2023. It’s one of many recent wins on the board for Indiana – a trophy case that includes everything from securing commitments for $33B in capital investment in the last six quarters to securing the rights to host the next Global Economic Congress. It’s momentum that today’s guest seeks to continue. Indiana Secretary of Commerce David Rosenberg joins us to look into the future, poising Indiana for success and retaining young talent in state for generations to come.

David talks about getting the economy you want versus the one that comes to you, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) becoming a strategic organization and agbioscience’s role in building our state’s future. He also gets into Indiana’s evolving talent pipeline and creating the necessary tools for companies to fill jobs. David also talks about growing the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, venture’s growth and opportunities in Indiana and shaking the humble Hoosier mindset.

With all this momentum and a little bit of time left under Governor Holcomb’s administration, what’s next for IEDC? David looks ahead at what needs to be done, the strength of their team to make it happen and his excitement for Indiana’s future.

261. BONUS: The “why” behind innovation Oct 11, 2023

The agbioscience story is one worth telling in many aspects and that’s exactly what Delaney Howell-Groth has done in her career. The ag journalist turned founder of AgCulture Marketing joins us from the Rally Innovation Conference to talk about shaping the story of companies across the industry, having affinity for rural America and innovation driving the food system. Delaney also talks about unlocking emotions alongside facts, new technologies as a story and an industry that’s ripe to create excitement and vibrancy in rural communities across the country.

260. Meeting the needs of a global market Oct 09, 2023

About 25% of U.S. farm products by value are exported annually. That global market fuels demand for producers and the companies that serve them across the Midwest. Ben Forsythe, Director of Sustainability and Value Creation with the Indiana Corn Marketing Council and Indiana Soybean Alliance, is just back from a global trip to visit some of those foreign markets and joins us today to share new perspective on the markets and the opportunities they create for innovation.

From his travels to The Netherlands to Indonesia, he gets into the unique challenges each country faces, how Indiana farmers can help solve those challenges to meet the needs of the world’s markets. He also talks about gleaning inspiration from other countries that could validate and improve the great work we already do here. No matter where they're at in this world, farmers speak a universal language; so what did their shared communication look like on the trip? Ben talks common themes and conversations taking place in agriculture across the world.

259. The food supply chain of tomorrow Oct 02, 2023

From chocolate to food innovation, True Essence Foods has taken a disciplined approach to making food ingredients taste better. This week, founder and CEO, Matt Rubin, joins us from the Rally Innovation Conference to talk about what the food supply chain of tomorrow looks like and the technology helping them pave the way.

Matt also gets into sustainability, balancing flavor and water to create delicious, shelf-stable food at commercial scale, and the growing list of partners in collaboration with True Essence Foods. As the company recently announced a $27.6M growth investment from AFM Capital Partners, what do they plan to do next? Matt talks all things expansion – both in terms of equipment and talent – in order to grow and scale the business.

258. BONUS: AI/ML keeping dairy cows healthy Sep 27, 2023

How does a recovering journalist make her way into diagnostics? Answer: agriculture (or as she puts it, the cornerstone of human civilization). Tamara Leigh, EIO Diagnostics Co-Founder and CEO, joins us from the Rally Innovation Conference to talk about artificial intelligence and machine learning as a tool for detection and prevention of mastitis in dairy cows. As “super athletes of lactation,” she gets into dairy cows’ productivity, the importance of being able to detect for mastitis and how the EIO Diagnostics is integrated into dairy operations.

How is the dairy industry evolving? Tamara talks about perception versus reality, dairy being more than just beverages and driving efficiency to create sustainability and profitability for farmers and the planet. She also talks about their solution being shaped by farmers, gleaning innovative inspiration from other sectors and what’s ahead for EIO Diagnostics.

257. Indiana to host GEC 2025 Sep 25, 2023

Agbioscience was in Melbourne, Australia last week for the Global Entrepreneurship Congress – a gathering of more than 2,000 entrepreneurs, investors and organizations from more than 120 counties - all focused on supporting startups and building the economy of the future. During the conference, the United States – particularly Indiana took center stage. Today we are joined by Mark Marich, EVP of the Global Entrepreneurship Network and David Watkins, Senior Vice President of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, to talk about the conference and its future plans to bring the conference to Indiana in 2025.

Helping entrepreneurs flourish is what the Global Entrepreneurship Network does – no matter where they are located across the globe. Mark and David get into what the conference entails, why they chose Indiana as their destination for 2025 and the rapidly evolving entrepreneurial ecosystem across the state. Indianapolis will be the first U.S. city to host the conference since it was originally founded and there will be a chance for Indiana to spotlight its entrepreneurs. What people can do ahead of the Global Entrepreneurship Congress to prepare for what’s to come? All that and more is here; learn more.

256. BONUS: A revival in food entrepreneurship Sep 20, 2023

From her days as a dance major at Indiana University to the possibility of opening up her own aerial yoga studio, creativity and an entrepreneurial spirit runs through Rachel Klein’s veins. This week, the co-founder and CEO of Revival Food Company, joins us to walk through her journey as a food entrepreneur, how the company has grown and scaled to date and what it’s like to be an Indiana startup.

Rachel also talks about her gut check moment of choosing to grow Revival Food Company instead of staying small, the challenges of being a female founder and connecting with Walmart to get her products into 1,000 stores in 2020. Revival is focused on bringing new energy to the market, so what’s next? Rachel talks about the future of her company and what consumers can expect as she continues to grow (hint: it’s well beyond nut butters).

Revival Food Company was a finalist for the Rally Innovation Conference In-Prize Pitch Competition. To learn more, click here.

255. Tech starts with the customer Sep 18, 2023

Artificial intelligence, machine learning, autonomy, edge computing … all new disciplines of science that are transforming the future. And, they are as close as the nearest farm field thanks to today’s guest and his team of engineers and technologists. Aaron Wetzel, John Deere’s Vice President, Production and Precision Ag Production Systems, joins us to talk about his journey through the agbiosciences, tech transforming the industry and the company’s recent acquisition in Indiana.

How does John Deere balance the creation of their own tech versus acquisition? Aaron gets into how they walk that line, marrying strengths and how Smart Apply came to be a part of their portfolio. How will this next chapter of innovation unfold? Aaron leans into the discussion of a growing population and less land creating challenges for the farmer – and John Deere’s readiness to answer that call across the globe to enable farmers to be more efficient to grow more food with less resources than ever before.

254. BONUS: Innovating to feed a growing world Sep 13, 2023

Leaders from agbioscience juggernauts gathered on stage at the Rally Innovation Conference last month to talk about the growing, evolving sector and what’s ahead for the agbiosciences in terms of both challenges and opportunities. This week, we bring the panel to you. Brook Cunningham, Chief Strategy Officer at Corteva Agriscience, Audre Kapacinkskas, Principal at S2G Ventures and Jeff Simmons, CEO of Elanco, have a candid discussion on their vision for the future of food and innovating to feed a growing population.

They get into how they are approaching the challenge of feeding more people with less resources, how funding will impact new innovators entering the market and streamlining new innovation from the outside looking in (rather than internally at large companies). How do companies think about internal research and development versus acquiring innovation from the outside? Brook and Jeff break down their approach in this area, collaborating cross sector to drive new solutions into the market and doing what you’re good at (or as Brook says: fit and focus).

What innovations do Brook, Audre and Jeff see as potential game changers for the agbioscience? They discuss emerging technologies, sustainability as profitability and barriers that exist that keep innovation from the farm gate.

253. Food security is national security Sep 11, 2023

Twenty-two years ago, terrorists took to the sky and transformed airplanes into weapons. Nearly 3,000 Americans were killed in the attacks. The nation and the world responded, and much has changed since to enhance U.S. National Security. One area that remains a significant area of focus is here in agbioscience – specifically the food system. To help define this challenge and how the Nation is responding is a former Marine and a national security expert. Today we are joined by U.S. Senator Todd Young of Indiana to talk about his military service, the events of 9/11 unveiling just how vulnerable Americans were and the correlation between food security and national security.

Once deemed by Senator Young as “a moral imperative,” he dives into hunger within our country’s food system, the proximity to anarchy and crises when food access is removed and the importance of sustaining and nurturing these systems to keep our nation secure. He also talks about the role of innovation in creating better food security, The CHIPS and Science Act to enable this innovation and Indiana’s enviable position to lead the way in creating a better food system for a growing population.

252. BONUS: Plants for your pets Sep 07, 2023

From the outside looking in, most would be shocked to learn that Mahsa Vazin was once afraid of dogs. The PawCo Foods founder went from a career in chemistry and nanoscience to plant-based diets for humans in her role at Impossible Foods – and eventually, her work trickled into pet animals. AgriNovus spoke with Mahsa during the Rally Innovation Conference in Indianapolis to talk about gaps in the pet food market, key allergens in dogs and her fast-growing line of fresh, plant-based dog foods.

She gets into the emerging trends surrounding plant-based foods for humans and animals, approaching the direct-to-customer subscription sales model and her plans to grow and scale PawCo (hint: it involves the Midwest). Masha also talks about her advice to entrepreneurs and what’s ahead for her company.

PawCo Foods was announced as the winner of the Rally Innovation Conference In-Prize Pitch Competition and could receive up to $1M in funding for her company. Learn more here.

251. Pod in, produce out Sep 04, 2023

Only 9% of adults eat the recommended amount of vegetables, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s a startling statistic that one agbioscience innovator is seeking to improve through at-home technology. Today we are joined by Scott Massey, founder and CEO of Anu, to talk about his gropod technology paving the way for greater food access and sustainability.

From delivering the student newspaper at Purdue University at night to cover costs of growing his business, Scott talks about habout his entrepreneurial journey, his Purdue roots helping to get his innovation off the ground and what consumers could expect from the company’s gropod system in their home – from leafy greens to tomatoes and herbs.

With momentum on his side, including a READI grant to manufacture his systems, the question remains: what’s the long-term goal for Anu? Scott gets into his vision for the company and the rewarding feeling of connection consumers to nutrition.

About Anu

Anu™ is a health and wellness brand that empowers consumers to grow Pure Produce® within the convenience of their homes through their proprietary Rotary Aeroponics® technologies.

This 'Nespresso for plants' business model supplies consumers with recurring seed pod subscriptions to sustainably grow Pure Produce that has superior flavor, nutrition, and food safety.

Anu was founded by former Purdue University NASA research engineers, and is now commercializing these technologies funded by the Purdue University Research Foundation Venture Capital Fund, the NSF (National Science Foundation) to develop computer vision AI algorithms, and State of Indiana Manufacturing Grants accelerating their seed pod mass manufacturing capabilities to support commercial partnerships.

250. BONUS: It’s RALLY week! Aug 28, 2023

Innovation is something often discussed but is often under executed across sectors. Earlier this year, the agbioscience economy witnessed a powerful commitment to cross-sector innovation when global ag giant Corteva announced plans to create a new low Carbon fuel with oil giant Chevron and ag processor Bunge. Inspiring more of these cross-sector innovations is believed to hold tremendous opportunity for creating the economy of the future, and today’s bonus guest is laser focused on making that happen with a new event that is underway. Toph Day, CEO of Elevate Ventures and the mastermind behind the Rally Innovation Conference in Indianapolis, joins us to kick off Rally’s inaugural year and talk about our opportunity to bring together disparate stakeholders across innovative sectors to drive new ideas and creative collisions to move faster than before.

From brain dates to a $5 million pitch competition, high-level keynote speakers like Moira Gunn and Peyton Manning, Toph gets into what visitors can expect from the event in downtown Indianapolis (hint: Peyton Manning opens for an AgriNovus led panel discussion on Thursday at 10 AM).

Tickets are still available for Rally and single-day passes are also available for purchase. Visit rallyinnovation.com.

249. Slowing down to speed up Aug 28, 2023

Their combined experience in agbioscience leadership has paved the way for Katie Sauer and Scott Keetle’s venture into helping industry companies grow and scale. This week, the Ephiphium Advising co-founders join us to talk about helping companies find their innovative spirit, using insights to help agbioscience companies grow and creating processes and procedures to enable business success.

How do you help entrepreneurs grow while you’re also trying to grow a consulting business? Katie and Scott talk about the key ingredients that startups and medium-sized businesses need to consider, slowing down to speed up and making sure you focus as much on whole business growth as much as product growth. They also talk about digging deep into your organization to find great ideas from your team and staying curious to unlock new potential.

248. AI’s future in agbioscience Aug 21, 2023

Artificial intelligence is projected to be among the fastest-growing jobs through 2027 based on survey results highlighted by World Economic Forum earlier this year. Known as AI, the discipline is making an impact on agbioscience, and today’s guest is partnering with a well-known celebrity’s foundation to ensure the agbioscience economy has the AI talent it needs. Dominique Pianeli, Senior Product Manager from Corteva, joins us to talk tech as a way of expressing her creativity and building tech platforms as a way of solving problems being huge in all sectors – from MySpace to Hobby Lobby, enter her career in agbioscience.

Dominique gets into AI as it relates to agbioscience, Corteva’s partnership with The Mark Cuban Foundation AI Bootcamp and bringing high school students along to learn more about their future career opportunities; hint: there’s another one coming soon and an opportunity to register! She gets into what students can expect from Camp Corteva, where to apply at markcubanai.org/cortevaai and how the camp paves the way for young people to imagine the future of AI.

246. Digital innovation to solve labor challenges Aug 07, 2023

The labyrinth of navigating foreign worker programs is one that is navigated by many … including many here in agbioscience. It’s a dizzying maze of service providers, forms, agencies and advisors, and it’s a system that a new startup connected to Purdue University is seeking to improve. Today we welcome agtech company Croft founder and CEO Scott Prince.

Scott is no stranger to startups. He gets into his passion for starting and growing businesses, what Croft aims to solve through innovation and what it would mean for the challenge to go un-solved. Farms struggle to find seasonal talent to help their operations run efficiently and Scott dives into the H2A program, the experience for the farm operator and the employee and how this streamlined option creates better trusting work relationships on both sides.

So why does an IU grad get into a venture studio at Purdue University? Scott gets into the go-to-market resources and opportunity to collaborate with a base of professionals that allow them to accelerate quickly and optimize their product. He also talks Indiana’s agtech ecosystem and what’s ahead for Croft.

245. BONUS: Data making a better world Aug 02, 2023

There will be more than 13,000 job openings annually across the U.S. for data scientists until 2031 – that’s according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics who also shares the median wages for those jobs will be more than 100,000 dollars. These numbers are big and they are across agbioscience. Dr. Sofia Brandariz Zerboni, Senior Data Scientist with Bayer, joins us to share her perspective on the opportunity and new partnerships making data science more accessible to companies and students across the Midwest.

Sofia talks about data science informing better decision making, Bayer’s approach to innovation and the average day of a data scientist in agbioscience. She gets into the company’s partnership with The Data Mine at Purdue University and enabling students from various backgrounds to understand the application of data science in the agbioscience. Diving into data making a better world, Sofia shares her advice for young people considering their career and agbioscience being a good fit for them.

244. Leading agbiosciences into the future Jul 31, 2023

Rankings are important. They provide a quick measure of relative strength, but sometimes the story of how those rankings were made possible are lost. Today’s guest has invested more than three decades delivering the work to make rankings like #3 college of agriculture in North America and #1 Agricultural and Biological Engeering graduate program a reality. He’s a great partner for agbioscience innovators and he is the new Dean of the Purdue University College of Agriculture -- Dr. Bernie Engel.

Bernie gets into Purdue’s growth story in the years he’s served at the university, their big focus on driving innovation and entrepreneurship and looking beyond agbioscience in the College of Agriculture. He talks about his deep connection to engineering, Purdue’s unique strength in partnerships and bringing those together to grow and accelerate meaningful connections.

How will Purdue continue working to meet the talent needs of a growing agbioscience industry? Bernie gets into the sector’s pace of change and helping students to adapt to that as they enter the workforce. He also talks about Purdue’s innovation portfolio, research paving the way for it to happen and what’s ahead at Purdue University’s College of Agriculture.

243. Corn’s role in the energy transition Jul 24, 2023

Renewable fuels and oils – those made from plants – are expected to grow more than tenfold in the next decade in the U.S. alone. Today’s guest is a veteran of the industry and has a unique view of the role plants and agbioscience can and will play in the energy transition. Doug Berven, Vice President of Corporate Affairs at POET, join us to talk about the company’s evolution from family farm struggling to make it to 35 years later being the largest bio-processor in the United States -- and the largest biofuels producer in the world.

Doug also talks about the opportunity at the intersection of biofuels and fossil fuels, electrification’s role in the energy transition and getting more resources from the surface of our land rather than from the center of the Earth. He also talks about the potential for agriculture globally being currently untapped, creating market conditions for countries dependent on agriculture to succeed with biofuels and our ability to feed the world (and then some) while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fighting climate change through the production of biofuels.

What can we learn from ethanol’s emergence in the early 2000s? Doug dives into its rejuvenation of rural America, expanding that impact globally and what’s ahead for this growing piece of the agbioscience economy (including the opportunities for decarbonization).

242. Innovation to save human lives Jul 17, 2023

The intersection of human health and agbioscience is one rarely discussed, but it is one that is delivering innovation that may save lives. Today’s guest is long-time human health leader who is turning to agbioscience to develop a solution that could transform the way doctors care for patients with chronic, traumatic or surgical wounds. Andy Eibling, President and CEO of GeniPhys, joins us to talk about his journey from Eli Lilly to the leading the startup that inspires him to continue learning. He also talks about GeniPhys solving a problem that the human body cannot: producing collagen to aid the remodeling process that comes from injury, surgical wounds and more.

Andy gets into the opportunity for GeniPhys to cross into multiple verticals, how the agbiosciences help the company to source their collagen and working alongside Indiana’s 5th nationally ranked pork production industry to make this a statewide success story. He also gets into GeniPhys’ fundraising to date and their plans for refining the manufacturing process, adding talent to their team and what’s ahead as they grow and scale.

241. Breaking down silos Jul 10, 2023

Analyzing the performance of publicly traded companies provides unique insight into what’s happening in the global market and a view into what could be ahead for both public and private companies. That’s certainly true in agbioscience with public companies including John Deere, Case, Corteva, Elanco and many more reporting quarterly results. Joining us today is an expert in analyzing public company performance. Kristen Owen is Executive Director, Equity Research at Oppenheimer - a full-service brokerage and investment bank.

Kristen gets into what an equity researcher does, her focus on agbioscience (hint: it’s expansive) and big trends that are emerging in our current economic cycle. She also talks about allocating capital where it can make a difference, informing investment decisions and the application of technologies in other spaces to drive agbioscience innovation forward. In a time where inflation is high, supply chains are flimsy and challenges loom, agbioscience is finding the opportunity for new technologies and innovation in the space.

How does Kristen see this cycle of innovation driving forward? Kristen sees opportunity for mature technologies, finding scale and moving from single-opportunity innovation to being multi-faceted solutions. She also talks plant science, sustainability and continuing to do more with less. Lastly, she talks about other industries shaping the future of agbioscience and vice versa, acquistions and what’s ahead for our industry.

240. Tasty food, created sustainably Jul 03, 2023

About 17% of global food production goes to waste according to the World Economic Forum. It’s a massive challenge, and one Indiana startup is bringing new technology to preserve food, reduce waste … and even improve taste. It’s an incredible story of science and innovation. Today we are joined by True Essence Foods’ Head of IP & Licensing Simran Trana. She gets into her experience in private and public sectors, working with entrepreneurs and her passion for coming for the work being done at True Essence Foods.

How do you create truly tasty food and do it sustainably? Simran talks about True Essence Foods’ focus on preserving texture, flavor and consistency of foods through their technology and removing “off-flavors” to eliminate sharp bites that can be unpleasant to eat. In a world where food insecurity is a macro challenge, she also examines the role of technology to connect food supply with food demand. Simran looks ahead to how food companies can leverage innovation to do what they already do, better, and what’s ahead for True Essence Foods.

239. Digital connectivity = better nutrition access Jun 26, 2023

More than 34 million people, including nine million children, in the United States are food insecure. It’s a staggering reality that has become a call to action for innovators seeking new approaches to better connect food supply to food demand. Today’s guest is a pioneer in innovating to improve access. Dr. Shantanu Agrawal, Chief Health Officer of Elevance Health gets into the criticality of better nutrition to drive positive health outcomes and innovative, digital worlds colliding to create an ecosystem where food is medicine (and is accessible to all).

As a country so well resourced, how do we address a growing problem that is food insecurity? Shantanu gets into our HungerTech Innovation Challenge, digital connections creating better access to food and nutrition and it being a part of the Elevance Whole Health toolkit for their users. He also talks about nutritious food as a right in America, kicking the stigma surrounding SNAP and how Elevance Heath views innovation in nutrition security. To learn more about Elevance Health’s investment in food and nutrition security, click here.

238. One percent feeds 100% Jun 19, 2023

Forty chances – that’s the number of times a farmer has in his or her lifetime to optimize growing a crop. It’s also a title of a great book by Howard G. Buffet who describes the realities, challenges, maximization of profit and preservation of legacy that go into the decisions farmers make each season. Critical to optimizing those calculations and managing the complexity, is ag retail or co-ops. And joining us today is the leader of one of the largest coops in the Midwest is Jeff Troike, CEO of Ceres Solutions.

Jeff talks about the consolidation of co-ops and the evolution of meeting the needs of farmers to fuel growth. He also gets into innovations driving profitable growth, being a source of decision-making for farmers and areas ripe for new opportunities when it comes to development and innovation. So many changes have come in the last ten years – what comes in the next five? Jeff gets into automation, efficiency and systems of accuracy to make sure that the one percent focused on growing and producing food can make that happen for 100% of the population.

237. BONUS: Introducing the winner of our HungerTech Innovation Challenge Jun 13, 2023

The power of technology to transform how America serves its hungry is the focus of the HungerTech Innovation Challenge. Presented by Elevance Health and supported byShipt, TechPoint and AT&T, this year’s winners join us today to share how they are harnessing the power of innovation and technology to connect food supply with food demand.

GreenBasket developed CropSpots, a click-and-collect model that delivers farmer’s market goods to areas of frequent community engagement instead of homes. With delivery costs not being covered by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), participants can opt-in for group deliveries that allow that cost to be divided and much more manageable. GreenBasket’s team is comprised of IUPUI students Shreyas Patel, Drishti Dinesh Jogadia, Nisarg Hiteshkumar Rajpura and Aditya Suresh Nair.

South Bend, Ind.-based Cultivate Food Rescue received a runner-up prize of $5,000 co-sponsored by AT&T and TechPoint. Their platform, ShelfLife, is a customer-facing software solution intended to connect the upstream food supplier and donor in the value chain with a Food Hub central organizer that can easily connect to downstream distribution centers (food pantries) and ultimately the pantry end-user. The company’s model is already in use and has helped to expand the amount of food rescued and distributed to over 2 million pounds per month. Cultivate Food Rescue’s team includes Jim Conklin and Maxxamillion Hamm.

Learn more about AgriNovus Indiana’s HungerTech Innovation Challenge here.

236. Efficiency is sustainability Jun 12, 2023

Sustainability investments have gained headlines and attracted support and ire of many across the country and around the world. However, one of the leading global animal health companies is proving that innovation is making it possible for sustainability and profitability to coexist. Today we are joined by Katie Cook, Vice President of Farm Animal Global Innovation and Marketing at Elanco. From growing up on a Michigan farm to launching her Elanco career out of college, she talks leading farm animal innovation strategy, what the company is doing today and looking ahead to the future of animal health. Katie talks about Elanco’s growth into pet health, the opportunity for innovation in farm animal to create a positive sustainable impact and the industry’s shift from treating farm animals to preventing disease.

The conversation also dives into sustainability and profitability going hand-in-hand, especially during a time of high input prices for the farmer and examining the “must-haves” versus the “would be nice to haves” when it comes to innovation and remaining profitable. What’s on the horizon for animal health? Katie gets into Elanco’s investment into sustainability across species, providing farmers and ranchers the data tools to make more informed decisions and changing the conversation around food animal production and environmental impact.

235. A catalyst for innovation Jun 05, 2023

Unlocking the power of data science is a relatively new endeavor for many across the economy. However, one industry was literally built on the concept generations ago; gleaning insights from troves of data, using it to calculate and project risk is the very underpinning of insurance and today’s guest is a veteran of that industry and brings his data-centered approach to agbioscience. Wes Sprinkle, CEO of Indiana Farmers Insurance, joins us as the premiere sponsor of the podcast to dive into data informing decisions and creating opportunities for the innovation economy to solve the biggest challenges farmers face regularly. He also talks on-farm trends backed by data, technology’s role in making farms safer and how collaboration can help manage risk in the future.

234. How bank collapses impact agbioscience innovation May 30, 2023

The innovation economy and the broader global economy runs on capital and the underlying banking system has experienced significant challenge of late. Since March 2023, three regional banks have failed; most notable: Silicon Valley Bank (a bank with deep connections to venture capital and tech companies). Today we are joined by Aaron Gillum, Senior Vice President at 50 South Capital, to help us make sense of what’s happening and what it means for the future of agbioscience. He gives us an understanding on how the banking system functions and what broke to put us in the position we are in today. Aaron also talks about bank collapses being more common than we realize, the ripple effects of one collapse paving the way for more instability and what is ahead for the macro economy (and venture capital).

233. BONUS: Food security + the farmer May 24, 2023

Farming is a vocation, a calling that for generations has fed, clothed and fueled the world. As innovation continues to advance and supply chains become even more globalized, the role of the American farmer has never been more important to the future of our economy and our national security. Today we are joined by Indiana Farm Bureau’s executive director of administration, Megan Ritter, to examine serving rural communities and their role in advancing the future of our food system. She also talks about innovation and its connectivity to the farmer, the intersection of food security and national security and its ability to create a better, more politically stable world. What challenges and complexities do farming operations face on a daily basis? Megan dives into that challenging question and the opportunity for new innovation to address those hurdles in the future.

232. An innovative Indianapolis icon May 22, 2023

Would it really be May in Indiana if we DIDN’T talk about milk? Each year, Indianapolis is flooded with race fans from around the globe to watch The Indianapolis 500 and its winning driver be presented with a cold glass of milk by an Indiana dairy farmer at Victory Circle.

The state is home to over 700 dairy farms and, together, provide a home for more than 174,000 dairy cows (generating more than 4.5 billion pounds of milk per year). Today we are joined by Jenni Browning, CEO of American Dairy Association of Indiana, to talk all things nutrition, consumer-focused innovation and the diversity of product and technology found on the state’s dairy farms. Jenni also gets into innovation on dairy farms as she sees it today, how it’s feeding growth to the industry and its potential for transformation in the future. Lastly, she talks the platform of Indiana dairy farmers, being an upfront feature and tradition for The Greatest Spectacle in racing a la The Indianapolis 500 and how dairy can and will continue for future generations.

To learn more about the tradition of dairy at The Indianapolis 500, click here.

231. A new wave of agtech consolidation May 15, 2023

According to Capital Market’s database, Pitchbook, more than 100 agtech companies were acquired in 2022 and this year is on pace to top that total. The market isn’t far from historic levels, but the question remains: is 2023 the year that agtech consolidation accelerates? On the heels of their own acquisition, Intelinair CEO Tim Hassinger joins us to talk the agbioscience’s biggest hurdles, how those are driving innovation and introducing a new wave of talent to the sector. He also gets into Intelinair’s recent acquisition of Aker Technologies, the winner of AgriNovus’ 2022 Producer-Led Innovation Challenge and what they bring to the company’s technology platform. As agriculture moves through another cycle, what opportunities lie ahead for agtech and this new wave of innovation potentially being equally balanced between quality of product and farmer adoption rate.

Read more about Intelinair's acquisition of Aker Technologies here.

230. Lead, grow, give, remember May 08, 2023

Cooperatives have long been an integral part of the production ag system and agricultural economy. Today that role remains and is rapidly evolving as precision agriculture, technology and new entrants like biologicals and biostimulants become increasingly important in the pursuit of farm profitability and yield. Today we are joined by Co-Alliance Chief Strategy Officer, Phil Brewer, to talk about the co-op's rise to the 80-location powerhouse it is today, identifying innovations that hold promise for the farmer and keeping pace with the speed that innovation trickles into the agbioscience economy. He also talks about driving net farm income through data-driven insights, managing risk and the role of the organization in the future to ensure farmer success.

229. BONUS: Approachable, connected innovation May 03, 2023

Small businesses of 500 employees or fewer make up 99.9% of all U.S. businesses; and of the new jobs created between 1995 and 2020, small businesses accounted for nearly 2/3 (or 12.7 million). Our guest today is a journalist, an author and a bold visionary who sees the next chapter of America’s economy coming from what some may consider to be surprising places. Founder of Times of Entrepreneurship, Elizabeth MacBride, joins us to talk about her coverage of the Middle East, high finance and business paving the way for where she saw her greatest impact as a writer: covering a new wave of cities with emerging innovation ecosystems. She gets into commonly held misconceptions surrounding entrepreneurship, her passion for telling these stories on a national stage and the power of storytelling to create meaningful change. Elizabeth also talks about her recent visit to Indiana to cover small businesses and entrepreneurship and our exceptional (and compelling) strength in agbioscience.

How does Indianapolis compare to other cities? And what other cities are in that comparative? Elizabeth tells all. Learn more about her coverage of entrepreneurship. Visit timesofe.com.

228. Unlocking the potential of every acre May 01, 2023

Agronomy – the science of soil management and crop production – is critical to advancing the profitability, sustainability and durability of modern agriculture. However, science alone is not enough. An emerging agtech company is combining that science with technology and people to create the next generation of precision crop production. Today we are joined by Advanced Agrilytics CEO, Kay Kuenker, as the company celebrates one million acres of farmland served. From 29.6 years as a mathematician (her words) at Dow Chemical to her leadership at Advanced Agrilytics today, she gets into math and risk assessment paving the way for better on-farm decisions defining her career. She also talks what Advanced Agrilytics does differently, treating sub acre environments to create on-farm efficiency and optimal productivity. Kay also talks about the company’s growth story over the last few years, growing her team five-fold during that time (and the variety of careers they are hiring for) and what’s ahead at Advanced Agrilytics.

227. Bringing blue food to Midwestern plates Apr 24, 2023

About 90% of US seafood comes from abroad, resulting in a $17 billion trade deficit. With a new $10 million grant from USDA, a Purdue professor is working to eradicate that deficit with a new sustainable and integrated aquaponic production system. Today we are joined by Dr. Jen-Yi Huang, Project Director and Associate Professor of Food Science, at Purdue University. He talks about innovation in this area creating more environmental and economic sustainability, and how the Midwest could benefit from aquaponics. Jen also gets into the timelines for products to be commercialized and what’s ahead for his team. Learn more here.

226. Connecting innovation to the farmer Apr 17, 2023

The agbioscience economy is the only economy that touches every person on the Planet given that it centers on food. It’s necessary for life; and for generations, Indiana farmers have served a critical role in the global food supply chain. Now the state has a farmer leading the charge to shape the next chapter of the state’s ag economy and he joins us today. Don Lamb, Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA), talks with us about always wanting to be a farmer and the season of life being right for him to lead ISDA. Like many Indiana natives, he talks basketball as a metaphor for the role of production agriculture in the agbiosciences. He also gets into farmer adoption of new innovations, his advice to innovators that want to bring a product to market and the role of farmers when it comes to helping companies develop new innovations. He highlights soil conservation, mental health of the farmer and ISDA’s Indiana Grown initiative as three things he sees as big opportunities for the organization in the future.

225. BONUS: Soybeans, sustainability, StyroSoy Apr 12, 2023

Indiana soybean production eclipsed more than 330 million bushels in 2022 making it the state’s second-largest commodity crop. Twelve Purdue University student teams set out to transform those soybeans into new products during the Indiana Soybean Alliance’s New Uses Competition and a winner was selected to receive the top prize of $20,000 just a few short weeks ago. Today we are joined by Team StyroSoy, winners of the competition, to talk through their innovative soy-based styrofoam product. They get into the critical problem that current styrofoam packaging presents, their varied backgrounds coming together to create a healthy team dynamic and all the challenges that come when creating a new product. The team also talks about the sustainability aspect of StyroSoy, its ability to serve multiple facets of the packaging industry and what’s ahead for their team.

Congratulations to Team StyroSoy! Members include Louis Edwards Caceres-Martinez, of Bogota, Colombia, a PhD student at the School of Engineering Technology at Purdue University; Alyssa Choi, a Purdue sophomore studying biological engineering from Addison, Ill.; Valeria Tellez Gallego, a PhD student studying industrial and physical pharmacy from Bogota, Colombia; and Amy Tang, a Purdue sophomore from Sao Paulo, Brazil, studying biological engineering and pharmaceutical sciences.

224. Pathogen detection in the palm of your hand Apr 10, 2023

Rapid identification of pathogens in food and water holds the power to save lives. Katherine Clayton, Founder and CEO of OmniVis, has developed a technology that puts the power of a pathogen lab in hands around the world. She joins us to talk about her personal story paving the way for this innovation, her passion for proactively stopping disease from happening and moving from California to study at Purdue University.

So what does a handheld lab entail? Katherine talks about her device, iSpyDx, and its ability to quickly turn results (40 minutes), a focus on ease of use (it weighs under 2 pounds) and COVID-19 rapid tests as market validation for the work the OmniVis team was doing at the time. She also examines this innovation as a tool for crowdsourcing insights on infectious diseases and what’s ahead for the company.

Learn more at omnivistech.com.

223. BONUS: Better food access through private sector innovation Apr 05, 2023

Last year, the federal government invested nearly $120 billion to combat food insecurity with its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), but the challenge still remains. As AgriNovus works to inspire innovation in food security through a new category of agtech we call HungerTech, it’s important to understand the scope of food insecurity in America and how we can improve. Today we are joined by Head of Economics at Purdue University and Distinguished Professor, Dr. Jayson Lusk, to discuss new research from AgriNovus that examines factors driving food insecurity across Indiana and areas ripe for private-sector innovation to increase proper access to nutrition.

Read the full report here.

222. Eggs for the greater good Apr 03, 2023

In the US, more than 42 million people don’t know where their next meal is coming from and nearly 1/3 of those are children. Today we are joined by HATCH for Hunger Executive Director, Danny Leckie, to talk about the organization’s mission to unite Midwest poultry producers and a distribution network to combat hunger. They talk about how the organization was founded, building a sustainable model for food insecure populations and animal protein as a key to building healthy lives. Danny also gets into COVID, inflation and manning a difficult pricing era for eggs.

So why eggs? Danny gets into that, eggs as a powerful tool to do great things and what’s ahead for HATCH for Hunger. Learn more here.

221. BONUS: Let’s RALLY Mar 28, 2023

The agbiosciences offer one of the most approachable areas of modern innovation. From new foods to sustainability advances and new tech, agbioscience touches every human being on the planet. Today we are joined by Elevate Ventures CEO, Toph Day, to talk about a new global event where agbiosciences will link arms with other modern focuses of our economy: RALLY Innovation Conference, which is coming to Indianapolis on August 29-31, 2023. They dig into what attendees can expect for the world’s largest cross-sector innovation conference (including a $5M pitch competition), why Indianapolis and RALLY as a launch pad for big ideas and authentic connections.

From high school and university talent to venture, entrepreneurship, industry and beyond, RALLY is Indiana’s time to put their game face on and seize an opportunity.

Get your spot for RALLY today! Visit rallyinnovation.com.

220. Emerging innovations in pork Mar 27, 2023

Pork’s place on the plates of people around the globe continues to grow with a global pork market expected to reach more than $418 billion by 2028. Indiana hog producer and National Pork Board President, Heather Hill, joins this week to talk a growing demand for the protein paving the way for new innovation. She dives into her work at the National Pork Board, emerging trends in pork consumption and a continued dedication to sustainability (and also what that actually looks like on a farm). Heather also gets into the criticality of public education, emerging innovations she sees on the horizon and the one thing she wants others to know about raising pork.

219. BONUS: Announcing the 2023 HungerTech Challenge Mar 21, 2023

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that 13.5 million households – more than 10% of the population – experience food insecurity. Innovation, especially in the category of agtech, holds tremendous promise to lower that number. Today we are joined by AgriNovus Indiana Senior Director of Innovation, Geoff Zentz, to announce the launch of the 2023 HungerTech Challenge. They talk about what this year’s challenge entails, the intersection of doing good and doing well and what’s at stake for this year’s winning team (hint: it includes a $25K prize to accelerate their solution). They also dive into the role of innovation to eliminate food insecurity, not needing to know food or agriculture to solve this problem and the importance of food and nutrition to drive better health outcomes.

Are you ready to take on the 2023 HungerTech Challenge or do you want to learn more about AgriNovus’ work in this space? Click here.

Special thank you to Elevance Health – our presenting sponsor of the HungerTech Challenge – for their commitment to tackling food insecurity. Hear Dr. Shantanu Agrawal’s episode of Agbioscience here.

218. Seeing what’s ahead before it comes Mar 20, 2023

Growing an economy is part art and part science. It requires a bold vision, deep understanding of a region’s assets and an ability to unite leaders across business, academia and government, all to take action and drive growth. Today we are joined by Melina Kennedy, CEO of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, to learn how a former lawyer, deputy mayor and leader at Cummins came into her new role last month. She talks about the uniqueness of CICP as an organization, serving the community in an impactful way and being a proponent for innovation.

How does Indiana continue to grow and what is the role of agbioscience in that story? Melina also talks about refusing to sit still, looking up and out and seeing what’s ahead before it comes.

217. Transforming engines from diesel to ethanol Mar 13, 2023

Companies and governments across the world have made commitments to decarbonization; but one of the key technologies, electrification, is still years away from being applicable to the high-horsepower, high-torque requirements of production agriculture. BJ Johnson, founder and CEO of ClearFlame Engine Technologies, has developed a technology to transform high-horsepower diesel engines to run on 100% ethanol. He joins this week to talk about ClearFlame starting as an academic exercise and accelerating into a high commercial-potential product, the economic and environmental impact of this innovation and the necessary long-term focus on net positive emissions. BJ also dives into ClearFlame’s collaboration with Beck’s Hybrids, their innovation as one tool for the overall sustainability toolbox and how he thinks about growth in the future.

ClearFlame’s research and development is located in Columbus, Indiana. Learn more here.

216. Letting crops tell a colorful story Mar 06, 2023

Worldwide, an estimated 20-40% of crop yield is lost to pests and diseases every year. Coupled with a growing desire to reduce environmental impact in crop protection and you’ve got a growing opportunity for innovation. From a central Indiana farm to Purdue University and then onto Scotland, Insignum Agtech founder and CEO, Kyle Mohler, joins us to talk stress detection in crops using his tech-enabled solution that taps into a plant’s visible natural pigments that signal a problem is coming. He also talks about farmer’s love for the tangibility of what Insignum offers, enabling responsiveness to whatever nature throws in their path and help boost yields while also being more sustainable. Kyle and Mitch also talk about making sense of on-farm data and Insignum integrating into existing systems. They wrap up with what’s ahead for Insignum Agtech including expanding partnerships.

Insignum attached the close of a pre-seed rounding of funding the day this episode was released. Read more here.

215. A more equitable, resilient food supply chain Feb 27, 2023

Tackling food security in America often centers on programming and funding; however, innovators are turning to tech and new models to better connect food supply with food demand. Today we are joined by Khadijah Abdullah, Vice President of Economic Development and Social Impact at Shipt, to talk about the company’s fundamental shift in how access to grocery and goods happens and how they are using that to improve food security.

From her time as a lawyer and past experience as an educator, Khadijah considers her career path the perfect straight line to where she’s at today. She talks her passion for changing big systems, impacting communities and Shipt leading innovation in how America gets its groceries. Khadijah also dives into the challenges our country faces with food insecurity, technology reducing barriers to food access and scaling solutions that create meaningful change.

Shipt recently launched their accelerator program – LadderUp - to create conditions for innovators to solve these big problems surrounding food insecurity. Learn more here.

214. A seamless experience for the farmer Feb 20, 2023

Agtech continues to be one of the fastest-growing categories of the agbioscience economy as producers and those that serve them seek to deliver greater value, efficiency and ultimately, improve net farm income. This week, we are joined by Dr. Brian Lutz, VP of Agricultural Solutions, at Corteva Agriscience. They dive into optimizing solutions for the farmer, the transformation of agtech and where we are at in its maturation cycle. Brian also talks about digital solutions letting farmers transparently see the value of the products they’re investing in for their operations and how Corteva Agriscience is formatting their business in accordance. Lastly, he talks through energy, sustainability and what’s ahead for the company’s digital platform.

213. BONUS: Creativity + confection collide Feb 14, 2023

Happy Valentine’s Day! It is estimated that 58 million pounds of chocolate have been purchased over the last seven days in honor of the holiday, fueling a global market of more than $46 billion. Today we are joined by an Indiana leader in sweet treats: founder and president of DeBrand Fine Chocolates, Cathy Brand-Beere.

From a high school student making wedding cakes to the specialty chocolates that come from DeBrand’s today, Cathy talks about her love for sweets, allowing her creativity to fuel a growing business and working alongside her husband and kids. She also talks innovation not always being new, but improving what’s right in front of you. Lastly, what are the trends coming in chocolate? She has your answers and why trends aren’t always the answer.

DeBrand Fine Chocolates is based in Fort Wayne, Indiana with an additional retail location in Indianapolis. Learn more here.

212. Innovating for consumer choice Feb 13, 2023

Fermentation has become a catalyst for new food innovation and Mark Warner, co-founder and CEO of Liberation Labs, is bringing a new approach to scaling a solution to support food companies and the customers they serve. With the recent announcement that Liberation Labs would build a new facility in Indiana, we sit down with Mark to talk through his background, what’s on the horizon for alternative proteins and when products will roll out of their new location.

Liberation Labs, which aims to enable the commercialization of alternative protein products through fermentation manufacturing, will construct a facility on 36 acres of Richmond’s 700-acre Midwest Industrial Park. The new facility, which will have a fermentation capacity of 600,000 liters with a fully dedicated downstream process (DSP), is part of the company’s model to offer customers fit-for-purpose capacity at large scale. Liberation Labs’ facility in Richmond will help meet demand for alternative proteins, increasing its availability and cost-effectiveness for existing major food brands as well as the growing network of food-tech innovators.

Read more about Liberation Labs’ new Indiana location here.

211. Collaboration defeats complexity Feb 06, 2023

Microbiome has been heralded as a next frontier of unlocking the power of biology to drive healthier outcomes. This week, we bring together two pioneers focused on driving those outcomes in animal health: Aaron Schacht, CEO of BiomEdit, and David Bravo, Chief Science Officer at Nutreco. The two companies recently announced plans for a long-term strategic partnership focused on discovery, development and commercialization of next-generation ultra-specialty feed additives called Biom-actives to address livestock producers’ health and sustainability challenges.

The two leaders dive into the details of their collaboration and what the industry can expect in terms of new products. They also examine the power of partnership, a nice marriage bringing out what both companies do best and the luxury of good timing. David and Aaron also discuss the emergence of microbiome innovation, an environment of complexity creating difficulty for companies’ continued ambition and turning that complexity into a competitive advantage.

Read the full announcement on this partnership here.

210. Agbioscience clicking with young talent Jan 30, 2023

Last week, AgriNovus announced its sixth class of Field Atlas Ambassadors – students that serve as the on-campus peer connection to the online career exploration platform (MyFieldAtlas.com). After a handful of ambassador classes, several Indiana college campuses and lots of discussion surrounding the sector, one this is clear: young talent is learning what it means to work in agbioscience (and they really like it). Julia Hamblen is an agricultural education major at Purdue University and a three-time Field Atlas Ambassador while DePauw University biology major, Bree Mahoney-Sutherland, takes on the role as the first-ever ambassador on her campus.

The two of them dive into what draws them to agbioscience, the surprise reaction from their peers when they realize the breadth of opportunities available to them and how they plan to advocate for the industry on their campus this semester.

Interested in learning more about this year’s Field Atlas Ambassador class? Visit MyFieldAtlas.com/Ambassadors.

209. BONUS: Indianapolis, it’s our time Jan 25, 2023

From COVID-19 to African Swine Fever and now a global recession facing supply challenges, Elanco has faced many circumstances since becoming an independent company in 2018. CEO Jeff Simmons addressed the Economic Club of Indiana last week to send a clear message: their greatest era of innovation and impact to society lies ahead (and is coming quickly). This week, we bring you his comments as a special bonus episode.

Jeff dives into Elanco’s new global headquarters being a destination, not an obligation, where people want to go and work with purpose and reaching the world’s animals from this new epicenter for innovation. And while acknowledging that great work has been done in Indianapolis, he calls on leaders to prioritize building an inclusive community where talent wants to be and to work quickly – because the window is small for us to seize our opportunity.

**A special thank you to the Economic Club of Indiana for allowing use of their audio for this episode. To watch Jeff Simmons’ full program, click here.**

208. Finding your funding Jan 23, 2023

Agbioscience companies attracted more than $50B in venture capital globally in 2021, but venture isn’t the only source of funding fueling innovation. Private equity and debt are also flowing into the agbioscience economy as investors seek new avenues to deliver returns while advancing innovation. With interest rates rising and a cool off in the tech economy, what does this mean for the future? This week, we are joined by Patrick Gilbert, Managing Director of Vine Capital, Randall Lewis, Managing Partner at Cleveland Avenue and Steve Witges, SVP of Ag Lending at Farm Credit Mid-America to examine all the potential tools for startups and early-stage companies to scale and grow.

They dive into how companies discern the right financial instrument for them given the current state of our economy, uncertainty driving the source of capital (along with an uptick in involvement from investors) and agbioscience as a growing market of attraction for investors. They also talk about capital efficiency and how it relates to trends and commitments made by companies, such as sustainability and environmental impact, and their ability to capture market while saving costs in the long-term.

207. Thinking in systems to achieve sustainability Jan 16, 2023

How does wrangling bulls compare to working in corporate America? Perhaps no one is more supremely qualified to answer that question than Anya Gandy. From Capitol Hill to The Great Plains, Google and now Inari, the Sustainability and Strategy Leader has an impressive resume. This week, we talk with Anya about her career – from cowboy to tech star - and the common thread through it all: sustainability. She dives into nature-positive farming, Inari’s potential to go beyond net-zero pledges and the urgent need for more companies creating positive value to the planet (rather than a commitment to do less harm).

Anya also talks about Inari’s plan to make that happen: AI-powered predictive design and a pioneering multiplex gene editing toolbox that unlocks the full potential of seed as a cornerstone of our food system. She also busts the myth that sustainability comes at a cost to profits, walking through the relationship between economic and environmental sustainability and talks about the future of collaboration and partnerships for Inari.

Want to learn more about Inari? Click here.

206. AgriNovus at CES 2023 Jan 09, 2023

An audible gasp filled the room at CES 2023’s opening keynote as the world’s leading innovators heard John Deere unveil its new robotic technology, ExactShot, which gives farmers the opportunity to dose fertilizer with precision rather than apply an entire stream – creating healthier plants with less chemical use while saving farmers money. AgriNovus caught up with John Deere’s VP of Production and Precision Ag Production Systems, Deanna Kovar, to talk about this continuation of the company’s smart industrial strategy and putting farmers at the heart of everything they do.

Deanna also talks about the critical problems facing farmers – both economically and environmentally, the history of John Deere’s investment into groundbreaking technology and being precise to make sure their tools create efficiency. She also dives into what’s ahead being bigger than what’s behind us, finding and creating new uses for their current tools and drawing inspiration on tech solutions at the show, paving the way for potential application in agbioscience.

205. A look back at 2022 Dec 19, 2022

Do you also feel as though the year flew right on past you? As we sat down to recap what 2022 looked like for Indiana’s agbiosciences, we realized how much can happen in a short amount of time. From food to agtech, creating new innovative opportunities and putting Indiana on a global stage, please enjoy our first-ever year-in-review episode of Agbioscience, and also, our season 5 finale. We appreciate your passion and enthusiasm each week and look forward to bringing you more episodes in the new year.

Reference episodes:

Jeff Simmons, Elanco: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/agbioscience/id1412179095

Pamela Whitten, Indiana University: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/building-the-crossroads-of-biomedical-engineering/id1412179095?i=1000587701375

Susanne Wasson, Corteva Agriscience: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/modern-crop-protection-making-an-impact/id1412179095?i=1000561550250

Luca Bonini, Hello Nature: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bionutrients-indianas-latest-agbioscience-collaboration/id1412179095?i=1000553925930

Sam Krouse, MPS Egg Farms: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/egg-celerating-innovation-in-indiana/id1412179095?i=1000557079928

Daniel Russek, Atarraya: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shrimp-shipping-containers-sustainability/id1412179095?i=1000580638895

Aaron Schacht: BiomEdit: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/biomedit-betting-on-microbiome-science/id1412179095?i=1000567108868

Mike DiPaola + Opher Flohr, Taranis: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-taranis-recent-fundraise-brings-new-growth-opportunities/id1412179095?i=1000579439249

Stacy Dean, USDA: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-agrinovus-at-the-white-house-conference-on/id1412179095?i=1000581518985

204. BONUS: Introducing the winner of the Producer-Led Innovation Challenge Dec 14, 2022

In partnership with Indiana Corn Marketing Council and Indiana Soybean Alliance, the 2022 Producer-Led Innovation Challenge tasked innovators with optimizing existing on-farm data to create a farmer-focused platform that will increase data accuracy and reliability to impact speed and cost of capital from lenders. The winning prize: $25,000 to help accelerate commercialization of their solution. This week, we are joined by the winning team, Orlando Saez and Tom Uthell with Aker Technologies.

They dive into their approach to the Challenge, how their solution fits within their existing tech stack and their plans to accelerate the platform’s growth in the future.

Learn more about AgriNovus Indiana’s Producer-Led Innovation Challenge: https://agrinovusindiana.com/producer-led-innovation-challenge/

203. Connection + community driving innovation Dec 12, 2022

From restaurant tech to climate science, innovation taking over the agbioscience sector continues to diversify and grow as the problems we face when it comes to food get more attention. This week, we are joined by Jennifer Marston, senior reporter at AgFunder News, to talk about venture capital’s $51B investment in the global market last year and “the hype cycle” surrounding new tech and innovation. She also looks ahead at emerging innovations in the agbiosciences, market correction following the pandemic and how funding might shift more to the farm-side in the near future.

202. A manifestation of his vision Dec 05, 2022

David Johnson’s impact on Central Indiana and its economic growth cannot be overstated. This week, the CEO of Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) joins us to tell his story, from Harvard and Oxford to Capitol Hill, being a lawyer and coming home to Indianapolis (eventually to lead CICP). David also talks about the necessary formation of CICP as an organization, the emergence of AgriNovus as an agbioscience initiative of the organization and the industry’s vast opportunity for sustainable growth in Indiana. As he prepares for his retirement, David looks back on the evolution of the state’s economy during his run at CICP, examines the headwinds Indiana will face in the future and what comes next for him.

201. Building the crossroads of biomedical engineering Nov 28, 2022

She’s the 19th president of Indiana University and the institution’s first female leader. Today we welcome Dr. Pamela Whitten to the podcast to get her take on IU’s strength at the intersection of tech and health, the university’s deep interest and application in agbioscience and creating a seven-year strategic framework during a time where higher education is facing enrollment decline. She also talks about collaborating alongside Purdue University president, Mitch Daniels, to split IUPUI into two world-class establishments in the heart of Indianapolis and what that means for the future of our state.

200. Disrupting the coffee industry Nov 21, 2022

How are coffee and cryptocurrency related? In the case of this week’s guest, the more you consume, the greater your investment portfolio. Andre Ramsey, Co-Founder of CoinCoffee, joins us to talk about rewarding members through java coins that are redeemed for cryptocurrency, going to market and the consumer reaction and the massive validation he felt from Starbucks launching a similar program.

199. Durable, differentiated growth Nov 14, 2022

Brad Chambers’ career is rich in entrepreneurial ventures – from launching and selling a landscaping business, investing in his first rental property as a sophomore at Indiana University (he owned 31 properties by the time he graduated) and ultimately founding Buckingham Properties. This week, the Indiana Secretary of Commerce talks with us about joining Governor Holcomb’s cabinet, industries that will power our state’s economy for years to come and his passion growing entrepreneurship in Indiana. He also talks about this exciting time for Indiana’s agbioscience sector and its integral role in building the economy of the future.

198. A slice of food innovation Nov 07, 2022

What came first, the chicken or the pizza? This week, they come together. We are joined by founder of Zero Carb LYFE, Omar Atia, to talk all about his chicken-based protein pizza’s fast-growing success. He also talks food science, diets and creating innovative food products that people want – and need. Ever hear about a chicken-based chocolate chip cookie? Listen here.

197. Good food, better health Oct 31, 2022

In a time where hunger is still a critical issue in the United States, Elevance Health is stepping up to connect consumers to better nutrition and, subsequently, better health outcomes. This week we are joined by Elevance Health’s Chief Health Officer, Shantanu Agrawal, to talk about the company’s approach to whole health, the role of innovation in connecting health food to the consumer and participating in AgriNovus’ HungerTech Challenge.

To learn more about HungerTech, click here.

196. Powering the agbiosciences Oct 24, 2022

Power is a critical component of growing and scaling economies. This week we are joined by Brian Anderson, director of economic development at Wabash Valley Power Alliance, to talk disruption to the industry, the organization’s balanced path to decarbonization and working alongside agbioscience industry leaders to create big impact in Indiana.

195. Hydrogen + high horsepower Oct 17, 2022

Cummins made news recently with the announcement that they would partner with Buhler Industries, Inc. to integrate the company’s 15-liter hydrogen engines into Buhler’s Versatile equipment. This week, we are joined by Ann Schmelzer, general manager of Cummins global agriculture business.

They dive into diversifying power in agriculture, innovation creating powerful – and sustainable - engines and the comparison of hydrogen to diesel engines when it comes to performance.

Learn more about Cummins’ partnership with Buhler Industries, Inc. here.

194. Bringing big ideas to life Oct 10, 2022

He’s an entrepreneur turned venture capitalist and today, he’s on the podcast. Christopher “Toph” Day, the new CEO of Elevate Ventures, joins us to talk about the venture fund’s work in Indiana, helping companies beyond capital and making intentional connections to bring big ideas together. He also digs into the agbiosciences, opportunities for growth and what can be expected ahead for the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

193. BONUS: AgriNovus at The White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition + Health Oct 04, 2022

Last week, AgriNovus had the privilege of an invitation to The White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health where President Biden unveiled a five-pillar strategy to eradicate hunger by 2030. Mitch Frazier had the chance to catch up with the Deputy Under Secretary for USDA’s Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, Stacy Dean, to discuss this new framework to end hunger and the role of innovation in the agbiosciences to make it possible.

Using tech to connect those facing food-insecurity to high-quality nutrition is a problem AgriNovus has set out to solve. Learn more about our HungerTech Challenge and the work we’re doing here: www.agrinovusindiana.com/hungertech.

192. Growing Indiana’s agtech talent pipeline Oct 03, 2022

AgTech is Indiana’s fastest growing agbioscience innovation platform and to continue that growth, a top-notch base of talent is required. This week, we are joined by Dennis Trinkle, Executive Vice President of TechPoint, and Sheila Simpson, Chief Human Resources Officer at Intelinair, to talk about a new opportunity to connect agbioscience employers to tech talent: Xtern.

Learn how your company can collaborate with TechPoint + AgriNovus to participate in Xtern. Visit here: https://techpoint.org/xtern-students/

191. Shrimp, shipping containers + sustainability Sep 26, 2022

There’s a new kid in town and he’s using artificial intelligence to grow shrimp in shipping containers near downtown Indianapolis. We are joined today by Daniel Russek, founder and CEO of Atarraya, a new Indiana company focused on transforming a nearly $50 billion shrimp industry.

He talks about the hurdles he overcame before developing the company’s shipping container system, Shrimpbox, how their controlled environment creates a more sustainable product and when consumers can expect to see Atarraya shrimp on their dinner plates.

190. Soybeans + mulch = smulch Sep 19, 2022

Purdue University students competed earlier this year with one objective: who can create the best innovation using soybeans? The answer: Team Smulch. This week, we are joined by Zuhal Cakir, Libby Plassard and Ethan Miller, the founders of Smulch, to talk about their innovation, sizing up the competition and what’s next for these young entrepreneurs.

189. BONUS: Taranis’ recent fundraise brings new growth opportunities Sep 14, 2022

Taranis recently announced a $40M Series D fundraise to fuel growth, focus on global expansion and invest in new technologies. This week, we are joined by Mike DiPaola and Opher Flohr, the company’s Chief Commercial Officer and Chief Financial and Operations Officer, for a bonus episode to talk about the news, agtech’s evolution and what’s next for Taranis.

188. Conquering on-farm complexity Sep 12, 2022

Indiana Corn Marketing Council and Indiana Soybean Alliance serve producers across the state, including value creation and innovation for their operations. This week we are joined by Ben Forsythe, Sustainability and Value Creation Director for the organization, to talk about AgriNovus’ newly announced Producer-Led Innovation Challenge.

The Producer-Led Innovation Challenge tasks innovators with optimizing existing on-farm data to create a farmer-focused platform that will increase data accuracy and reliability to impact speed and cost of capital from lenders..

The winning team receives $25K to help commercialize their solution. Are you ready to take on this year’s Challenge? Register your team for our accelerator program and the opportunity to pitch your solution in November! Learn more at agrinovusindiana.com/producer.

187. Solving real problems with biologicals Aug 29, 2022

Mick Messman spent some time in Indiana early in his career and as CEO of DPH Biologicals, he is back. This week, he sits down with Mitch Frazier to talk about investor interest in biologicals, their positive environmental impact, DPH Biological’s Indiana operation and what’s next for the company.

186. Connecting food + human health Aug 22, 2022

Teri Willey’s impressive career has touched many college campuses in our state, and well beyond. This week, the Managing Director of IU Ventures joins us to talk about the next chapter of tech transfer, IU’s investment portfolio and the emergence of new startups operating on the idea of food as medicine.

185. A new partnership in animal health Aug 15, 2022

United Animal Health has long been a leader in animal nutrition and now, they are looking to the future and adding new partnerships. This week, we are joined by Scott Holmstrom, Senior Vice President of Research and Development at United Animal Health, and Joel Harris, Co-Founder of Genvax.

They talk about Joel’s recent fundraise, including a strategic investment from United Animal Health, how the two companies align well for a partnership and the future of animal health.

184. A front-row seat to Indiana’s agbiosciences Aug 08, 2022

Melissa Proffitt’s career in law spans many industries, but agbioscience stands out to her. This week, the Partner-in-Charge of Client Relations at Ice Miller joins the podcast to talk about her path to becoming a lawyer, feeding the world and what sets Indiana apart.

183. Introducing the winner of our HungerTech Challenge Aug 01, 2022

AgriNovus issued a challenge to the tech community this year: unlock free delivery access to those participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a $100 billion federal program annually. Eleven teams answered the call and brought forth their solutions recently and a panel of judges selected a winner to receive a $25,000 prize to help launch their product to market. This week, we are joined by Geng Wang, the CEO of Civic Champs and winner of the HungerTech Challenge.

Geng talks about the “why” behind his organization, what called his team to sign up to participate and how they plan to proceed. Learn more about HungerTech at AgriNovusIndiana.com/HungerTech.

182. Serving communities + creating change Jul 25, 2022

Purdue University has been hosting the 4th cohort of The Mandela Washington Fellowship with agbioscience innovators from Africa spending time on campus this summer to hone and develop their professional and leadership skills. This week, we are joined by Boaz Berhanu and Molly Abende to talk about their experience with the program this summer.

They talk about the critical issues facing their respective communities, what they’ve learned from the program and how they plan to enact change at home once they return.

181. The intersection of human + animal health Jul 18, 2022

How does a medical doctor with decades of helping women conceive children apply their experience and a mindset for innovation toward pregnancy in cows? This week, we are joined by Jim Donahue, founder of Indianapolis-based ReproHealth Technologies.

He talks about how the idea came to be, the difference in treating humans versus cows and the future of the company and what they hope to achieve.

180. A powerful engine for workforce innovation Jul 11, 2022

When her career started as a basketball coach, one could argue it was foreshadowing a future in Indiana. President of Huntington University, Sherilyn Emberton, joins the podcast this week. She talks about the evolution of the university’s offerings, how they’ve evolved since COVID-19 and the importance of connecting their students to diverse and vast opportunities in agbioscience.

179. Applying innovation to SNAP Jun 27, 2022

With 11% of the United States population using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, how can innovation create a better way to connect proper nutrition to more people? This week we are joined by Craig Gundersen, Snee Family Endowed Chair at the Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty and professor in the Department of Economics at Baylor University.

He talks about the role of innovation in food insecurity, the challenges facing the current SNAP system and his recommendations for durable, sustainable solutions long-term.

178. BiomEdit betting on microbiome science Jun 20, 2022

Microbiome science is a fast-growing field and Indiana is home to a new company focused on innovation in animal health based on the microbial communities in animals and the surrounding environment. This week, we are joined by Aaron Schacht, CEO of BiomEdit, a company launched by Elanco and Ginkgo Bioworks in 2021.

He talks about the criticality of microbiome science in creating healthier animals, the value of revisiting innovative ideas that were once passed over and BiomEdit’s need to continue growing their team.

177. Bringing aeroponic greens to Indiana Jun 13, 2022

Living Greens Farm announced in March that they would invest $70M to establish operations in Indiana, a move that will add up to 120 agbisocience jobs to the state. This week, Gerry Dick with Inside INdiana Business is joined by the company’s CEO, George Pastrana, and Melanie Faust, its VP of Supply Chain.

They talk about Indiana as a great location to serve Midwest and surrounding area customers, Muncie’s upside for talent and how aeroponics differ from other operations.

176. The future of food science innovation Jun 06, 2022

Whether it’s 3D printers in food or personalized nutrition, the way consumers eat is continually evolving. On this week’s episode, we are joined by Purdue University’s Food Science Department lead, Senay Simsek.

She dives into her work, the importance of carbohydrates, the opening of Purdue’s Food Entrepreneurship Manufacturing Institute and what she sees as the exciting future of food science innovation.

175. BONUS: Building an economy of the future May 31, 2022

It's a bonus episode! AgriNovus hosted a panel discussion at Indiana's first Global Economic Summit last week and we've got the full session right here. Joining Mitch Frazier was Jeff Simmons, CEO of Elanco, Martha Hoover, Founder of Patachou, Inc., Jean Luc Tete, Founder of Paris-based Horus Impact, and Robert King, EVP of Crop Protection of Corteva Agriscience.

174. Thought leadership + fast cars May 23, 2022

For the first time ever, Indiana Economic Development Corp (IEDC) will host a Global Economic Summit in tandem with The Greatest Spectacle in Racing – The Indianapolis 500. This week, we are joined by IEDC’s SVP of Global Investments, Andrea Richter-Garry, to talk about GES, what attendees can expect, what this means for Indiana and potential surprises that may come from the event.

Learn more about GES at iges2022.com

173. BONUS: AgriNovus announces HungerTech Challenge with $25K prize for innovators May 17, 2022

It’s a bonus episode! This week, we are joined by our very own Senior Director of Innovation, Geoff Zentz, to launch a new challenge to the tech community: HungerTech.

The HungerTech Challenge by AgriNovus Indiana will be a month-long technology challenge looking to use mobile-first technology to improve access to nutrition for people using the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Running throughout the month of June 2022, the HungerTech Challenge will help entrepreneurs, students, technologists, and existing companies ideate and iterate toward a minimum viable product that can be launched in a pilot with the State of Indiana. Participants will receive access to AgriNovus research data, connections to subject matter experts and mentors, as well as one-on-one coaching to develop their idea.

The winning team will be given the opportunity to launch their pilot during Q3 2022, be featured in a report to the United States Congress and receive $25,000 to launch their product to market. Learn more at agrinovusindiana.com/hungertech.

172. Modern crop protection making an impact May 16, 2022

Corteva Agriscience announced Indianapolis would become its global headquarters in March, making them the 4th largest company in the state by market cap and the second publicly-held agbioscience company to choose Indiana in the last 18 months. Susanne Wasson, President of Crop Protection at Corteva, joins the podcast this week to talk innovation in plant science, how it’s shaping a more sustainable future and moving headquarters closer to technology and customers.

171. Bringing seed innovation to its best May 09, 2022

Farmers make decisions every day and while variables change year in and year out, one thing remains constant: it all starts with seed. This week, we are joined by CEO of AgReliant Genetics, Paul Nselel. They dive into his career path, from Nike to today, driving on-farm innovation and what’s next for the company.

170. What happens to innovation after it’s created? May 02, 2022

Inspired by the senses at a young age, Matt Rubin has taken that curiosity to a new level in his adult years. The founder and CEO of True Essence Foods joins us this week to talk all things SoChatti Chocolate, his lingering curiosity driving innovation in food and the company’s approach to sustainability.

169. Gen-z charting their agbioscience course Apr 25, 2022

Clean resumes. Companies with strong values. Transparency and communication. These are a few things running through the minds of gen-z talent as they search for internships or early-career opportunities. This week, Gerry Dick from Inside INdiana Business is joined by Field Atlas Ambassadors - Baylee Dwenger from Hanover College and Sriya Nagubani of Purdue University for a panel episode about agbioscience, challenges in their search and what they look for in companies while on the job hunt.

168. Personalized medicine from the ground, up Apr 18, 2022

Happy Earth Week! Farmers work tirelessly to be good stewards of the land and innovation enables them to make better decisions than ever before. This week, we are joined by Sustainability Lead at Advanced Agrilytics, Jane Stautz.

They talk about data science creating actionable insights for farmers, advancing data precision in the future and the ways that agtech is allowing farming to increasingly become more sustainable.

167. BONUS: The epicenter for animal health innovation Apr 14, 2022

The silver shovels were out this week as Elanco broke ground on their new global headquarters west of downtown Indianapolis. CEO of Elanco, Jeff Simmons, made one thing very clear: this is a new era at Elanco Animal Health. The company’s new facility includes many amenities; biggest among them is the epicenter for animal health innovation and the opportunity for innovators across the globe to collaborate on new ideas, create, incubate and scale new animal health companies right here in Indianapolis.

This bonus episode of Agbioscience comes from the groundbreaking event as AgriNovus spoke with Jeff Simmons, CEO of Elanco, and Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb on what this new headquarters brings to the state – and the world.

166. Egg-celerating innovation in Indiana Apr 11, 2022

Byproduct feed for chickens. Solar panels to power facilities. MPS Egg Farms recently announced a partnership with Kroger’s Simple Truth Brand to bring the world’s first carbon-neutral eggs to the United States. On this week’s episode, Mitch Frazier talks with Sam Krouse, VP of Business Development for MPS Egg Farms.

They talk about what it takes to make eggs carbon-neutral, the partnership with Dutch-based company Kipster and when you will find these available in a Kroger store near you.

165. Giving food entrepreneurs a system of success Apr 04, 2022

A new tech platform is giving artisan food entrepreneurs the opportunity to manage their business in one place – from website creation all the way to order fulfillment. This week, Mitch Frazier talks with Mark Josephson, founder and CEO of Castiron.

They dive into Mark’s idea for the platform during a High Alpha Sprint Week, creating opportunity for entrepreneurs and how established systems of success will grow the artisan food industry.

164. Starting entrepreneurs early Mar 28, 2022

Earlier this year, Ivy Tech announced the launch of their Garatoni School for Entrepreneurship and Innovation with the idea that entrepreneurs needed to know better than how to just run a company – they needed to know how to start one, too. This week, Gerry Dick hosts our monthly panel episode with Ronda Taylor, the statewide dean for Garatoni School of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Ivy Tech, and Iris Hammel, executive director of RISE (Regional Innovation and Startup Education).

They talk about the need for more entrepreneurs in Indiana, starting kids early with the idea of entrepreneurship as a career and how this program can connect startups to their local communities, enabling them to thrive.

163. Innovating for critical challenges in our food system Mar 21, 2022

From a fractured supply chain to an increasing desire from consumers to be more connected to the food they eat, some of the best innovations in agbioscience are birthed in times where opportunities for growth are presented. On this week’s episode, Mitch Frazier is joined by Dave Taiclet and Larry Page from Lewis and Clark Agrifood.

They talk about the quiet disruptions that shift markets and gain the attention of investors, agbioscience being in the early innings of ESG and emerging trends they are carefully watching as our global food system continues to evolve.

162. Bionutrients: Indiana’s latest agbioscience collaboration Mar 14, 2022

Hello Nature and MPS Egg Farms recently announced plans to partner on a $50M Indiana-based specialty fertilizer manufacturing facility. Hello Nature CEO, Luca Bonini, joins Mitch Frazier this week to talk about the company’s new venture.

They also talk about the role of bionutrients in a time where fertilizer is economically challenging to farmers, his definition of sustainability and what the future holds for Hello Nature.

161. Functional food vs. healthy food Mar 07, 2022

What exactly is functional food and how is it different than eating healthy? This week, we are joined by Matt Whiteside, Co-Founder and CEO of Circle Bev, a functional beverage company located in downtown Indianapolis.

They dive into how the business was founded, what functional food really is and the company’s vision on sustainability and supply chain. Matt also talks about the perks of growing a business in downtown Indianapolis.

160. Market shift meets opportunity for Indiana entrepreneur Feb 28, 2022

This week, Mitch Frazier is joined by Jennifer Crandall, Founder and CEO of Safe Food En Route.

They talk all things food safety, how regulatory shifts helped to her founding of her own company and the impact of COVID-19 on food safety and the supply chain.

159. Innovating genetic detection in grain Feb 21, 2022

Innovation in genetic detection is giving farmers a better opportunity to claim premiums on their non-GMO crops. On this week’s episode, Mitch Frazier is joined by Ryan Skaar, COO of NanoBio Designs.

They talk about the company’s recent move to Indiana, the similarities of genetic detection to testing for COVID-19 and the widespread impact NanoBio’s innovation could have for farmers and consumers in the future.

158. Investing in disruption Feb 14, 2022

How disruptive does innovation need to be to shift markets and gain the attention of investors? On this week’s episode, Mitch Frazier talks with iSelect Fund CEO, Carter Williams.

They talk emerging trends in food and agriculture, the agbioscience intersection with human health and entrepreneurs being willing to listen while holding conviction around the core innovation that they’re driving.

157. Evolving innovation in animal health Feb 07, 2022

Do you know if your pet has looked out the window more or less lately? Innovation isn’t far off from providing you that information, and it could lead to a better understanding of your furry friend’s overall health. On this week’s episode, Mitch Frazier of AgriNovus is joined by Kristin Bloink, VP of Global Regulatory and Pharmacovigilance at Elanco.

They talk about her 30+ years working in human and animal health, her passion for maximizing technologies and innovations to impact the greatest number of patients (whether human or animal) and emerging trends in animal health and nutrition that excite her the most.

156. Better bees, if you please Jan 31, 2022

For crops like almonds, bee pollination is a critical first step in their growing season. Now, agtech is making it possible for growers to know what beehive health looks like ahead of that first step, allowing for agility and better decision-making. On this week's episode, Mitch Frazier of AgriNovus is joined by CEO of The Bee Corp, Ellie Symes. They dive into her co-founding of The Bee Corp, the launch of their agtech solution Verifli, being a Forbes Under 30 Lister and what it means to be an agbioscience entrepreneur in Indiana.

155. Data science closing the gap on farmer uncertainty Jan 24, 2022

In a world where watches remind us to stand or breathe or our bank notifies us of suspicious activity to our accounts, farmers are now being given the same kind of real-time intelligence that equips them to make better decisions - sometimes before the problem is even visible to the naked eye. On this week's episode, Mitch Frazier with AgriNovus is joined by IntelinAir's new CEO, Tim Hassinger. They talk through the company's intelligence platform, AGMRI, the company's relocation to Indiana in 2021 and the future of data science in farming.

154. A look ahead for the agbiosciences Jan 17, 2022

It's a new year, new us! Welcome to season 5 of Ag+Bio+Science. On this week's episode, our panel moderator, Gerry Dick with Inside INdiana Business, is joined by Mitch Frazier, CEO of AgriNovus, and Nate Feltman, owner and CEO of IBJ Media. They talk about what's ahead for Indiana's agbioscience sector, how we best tell our state's story and some new changes to the podcast in 2022.

153. The future is now: AgriNovus at CES 2022 Jan 10, 2022

On display at CES (Consumer Electronics Shows) last week was more than just another wave of agtech innovation; it was the future of farming. This week's special episode comes from the show in Las Vegas where Mitch Frazier, AgriNovus CEO, is joined by Igino Cafiero, CEO of Bearflag Robotics (recently acquired by John Deere) and Dave Roberts, Chief Innovation Officer at Indiana Economic Development Corp. They talk about John Deere's brand new, fully autonomous tractor, electrification and why these innovations go beyond the label of "cutting edge technology" to actual solutions that farmers will need in the future.

247. The next chapter of startup capital Aug 14, 2023

Less than 1 percent of startups in the world are funded by venture capital, yet venture remains the focus for many seeking to advance innovation. Today’s guest is a veteran of the venture capital community and is here to shed more light on the role of venture and share a few tips for startups and big companies alike. Ting Gootee, CEO of TechPoint, joins us to talk capital connectivity in startups, big companies investing to create strategic product consolidation and how the venture community is evolving in the Midwest at large.

Ting also talks about investor interest in agbioscience and driving momentum using the customer voice. As the past Chief Investment Officer at Elevate Ventures, she lays out quick tips for entrepreneurs getting ready to make their first pitch including and how to create an “aha” moment rather than a “so what” moment. Ting also lays out for big companies the benefits of working with startups and entrepreneurs to expand their portfolio of solutions and looks ahead at agtech and its acceleration in Indiana.

152. Navigating The Great Resignation Dec 13, 2021

The Great Resignation: you've heard of it and in all likelihood, you (or someone you know) has participated in it this year, too. On this week's episode, Mitch Frazier is joined by Todd Richardson, CEO of EDGE Mentoring and Bethany Gremel, Director of Culture + Brand Experience at Beck's Hybrids. They talk about the all too real record-breaking August where over 4 million people voluntarily left their jobs, what employees are searching for and how companies can begin to turn the tides and create a culture that focuses on its people.

151. From coal mining to community development Dec 06, 2021

An Indiana company is up-cycling former coal mining sites to create sustainable community development and job creation. On this week's episode, AgriNovus CEO, Mitch Frazier, is joined by President and Co-Founder of Land Betterment, Kirk Taylor. They talk about how this concept came together, the work that goes into restoring the land and how the communities react to these projects. Kirk also talks about the entrepreneurial mindset and future growth of the company.

150. gBETA Agbioscience: a really impressive group of founders Nov 22, 2021

It's the most wonderful time of the year! You heard that right -gBETA Pitch Night is coming up soon. On this week's episode, Gerry Dick with Inside INdiana Business is joined by Doug Applegate, Director of gBETA Agbisocience. They talk this year's fall cohort, innovation in agbioscience and what we can expect from the startups when Pitch Night rolls around. Have you registered to attend the 12/7 event? Link here: https://www.gbetastartups.com/indiana/pitch-night

149. Creating soybean innovation for a better planet Nov 15, 2021

She's a third-year student at Purdue's College of Veterinary Sciences AND she recently won a competition put on by the College of Engineering where she developed a fabric for use in face masks made from waste stream in soybean processing. Ash Chitnis joins Gerry Dick on this week's episode of the podcast. They talk animals, the entrepreneurial mindset and keeping your ambition high to avoid regret.

148. Creating a community for entrepreneurs Nov 08, 2021

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is home to some of Indiana's best and brightest talent -- an area ripe for entrepreneurial development. On this week's episode, Gerry Dick with Inside INdiana Business talks with President Robert Coons of Rose-Hulman.

They talk about the launch of The Sawmill Society, which gives alumni entrepreneurs a forum for sharing insights, experience and inspiration with each other. They also talk Rose-Hulman students, their entrepreneurial efforts and potential for impact on Indiana's agbioscience sector.

147. Making southwest Indiana an agtech hub for specialty crops Nov 01, 2021

Southwest Indiana is known for its melon production. Now they want to be known for agtech in specialty crops, too. On this week's episode, Gerry Dick with Inside INdiana Business, talks with Nichole Like, CEO of The Pantheon. They talk about the theatre's recent renovation and evolution into a business incubator, creating opportunities for entrepreneurs in southwest Indiana and advancing agtech in the region.

146. Small school making giant impact in agbioscience Oct 25, 2021

Young talent finding their way to the agbioscience sector doesn't just happen - it takes boots on the ground and effort in spreading awareness about the career opportunities available. On this week's episode, Gerry Dick with Inside INdiana Business is joined by Sylvia Harris, a Field Atlas Ambassador and senior at Huntington University. They dive into Huntington's fast-growing agriculture program, connecting students to the agbiosciences through Field Atlas and what it's like for soon-to-be college graduates searching for their first career. Want to learn more about Field Atlas? Visit myfieldatlas.com.

145. Family, innovation and starting with “why?” Oct 18, 2021

It started in 1937 with three acres of hybrid seed corn offered by Purdue University and today, it is the largest family-owned, retail seed company in the U.S. Beck's Hybrids CEO, Sonny Beck, joins Mitch Frazier on this week's episode. They talk family, using agbioscience innovation to help farmers succeed and exploring the “why” in your work.

144. Insects: the next alternative protein source Oct 11, 2021

Scientists at IUPUI, the IU School of Medicine and two other U.S. universities have been awarded a $2.2 million grant from the National Science Foundation to explore insects as food and feed in agriculture as a response to a growing population, climate issues and food insecurity. On this week's episode, Gerry Dick with Inside INdiana Business talks with Christine Picard, an associate professor at IUPUI, about The Center for Environmental Sustainability Through Insect Farming. They talk about the basis for this research, why it's necessary and the industry engagement with their work.

143. Indiana entrepreneur automating the almond industry Oct 04, 2021

A once aspiring fashion designer, Anna Haldewang is now the founder and CEO of InsightTRAC based in Syracuse, Indiana. On this week's episode of the podcast, she joins Gerry Dick from Inside INdiana Business to talk finding agtech as a career, developing a Rover to remove mummies and navel orangeworms in almond orchards and her biggest lessons as an entrepreneur

142. Introducing the 2021 Producer-Led Innovation Challenge Winner Sep 27, 2021

Meet Team Regrow, the winners of the 2021 Producer-Led Innovation Challenge, designed to inspire innovators to create software that makes it faster for farmers to aggregate complex data sets required to participate in Carbon markets. Mitch Frazier, president and CEO of AgriNovus talks with Manal Elarab, global head of business and product development at Regrow. They walk through their solution, collaborating with Indiana producers and what's next for their company after winning $25K from Purdue Foundry. A special thank you to the presenting sponsor of the Producer-Led Innovation Challenge: Indiana Corn Marketing Council and Indiana Soybean Alliance.

141. Robotics + giving consumers seed to shelf traceability Sep 20, 2021

What if one day you purchased a bottle of wine from the store and a label on that bottle could trace back to where its grapes were grown? Blockchain technology of that kind isn't far away and it's being developed right here in Indiana. On this week's episode of the podcast, Gerry Dick with Inside INdiana Business is joined by Mont Handley and AJ Moran, the co-founders of Plantennas, a patented Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) sensor enabled, molded fiber, propagation pot and ancillary hardware/software system.

140. Field Atlas, one year later Sep 13, 2021

Happy 1st birthday to Field Atlas! On this week's episode of the podcast, Mitch Frazier, president and CEO of AgriNovus is joined by Hannah McGee, a former Field Atlas ambassador and a recent college grad turned agbioscience professional. From Butler from Beck's Hybrids, Hannah talks about finding Field Atlas in 2020, her ambassadorship and opening the door to new opportunities for her peers on campus (as well as herself). Are you ready to connect with careers that make a difference and feed the world? Visit myfieldatlas.com.

139. AI and the evolution of animal fertility Aug 30, 2021

For animal breeding and reproduction, the needle hasn't moved much in recent years...until now. On this week's episode of the podcast, Gerry Dick with Inside INdiana Business talks with Liane Hart, Founder and CEO of Verility, about their AI technology Fertile-Eyez. They dive into purposing human health technologies for animal health, building a business in Indiana's agtech ecosystem and advice for entrepreneurs with great ideas that need to materialize.

138. Innovation: the only thing that will never stop is change Aug 23, 2021

Inari is a huge agbioscience success story in 2021, with new funding and partnerships being announced in the past few months. On this week's episode of the podcast, Gerry Dick with Inside INdiana Business is joined by Claudia Nari, Chief Product Officer at Inari. They talk change, from Claudia's career evolution and coming to Inari, and the constant evolution of innovation in agbioscience. Claudia also talks Inari's latest fundraising announcement, the company's unicorn status and the future of the Inari in Indiana.

137. Betting on a winning horse Aug 16, 2021

It's been a busy summer for Owl Manor Medical as the Indiana-based company's equine horse care product line was acquired by global animal health company, Zoetis. On this week's episode, Gerry Dick with Inside INdiana Business is joined by Mark Schindel, Founder + CEO of Owl Manor. They talk regenerative medicine, entrepreneurship and the collaborative, innovative uptick happening in northeast Indiana.

136. Agtech: start with the problem and work backward Aug 09, 2021

To create a solution to a problem or a problem for a solution? That is the question...with an obvious answer. On this week's episode of the podcast, Mitch Frazier, president and CEO of AgriNovus talks with Bret Sitzmann, Head of Grain at Solinftec, on their new grain marketing platform.

135. Ready for robots: Purdue NW project will streamline labor practices Aug 02, 2021

Northwest Indiana is experiencing a big wave of innovation and a key piece of that comes from the campus of Purdue Northwest. On this week's episode, Gerry Dick with Inside INdiana Business is joined by Niaz Latif, dean of the College of Technology at Purdue Northwest. They talk about Project TRAVERSE, a $1 million funded effort to develop and test agtech solutions, the need for high-skilled workers to engineer robotics for remote planting and harvesting of crops and their partnership with Hammond-based Digital Crossroads.

134. Inspiring innovators to bring great ideas forward Jul 26, 2021

Indiana's agbioscience sector is unmatched in bringing innovative minds together to solve critical issues facing production agriculture. On this week's episode, Gerry Dick with Inside INdiana Business is joined by John Hays, Global Marketing Manager for Bango Liquid Handling Products, to talk collaboration and the 2021 Producer-Led Innovation Challenge. Stay up with the latest on this year's Challenge: www.agrinovusindiana.com/challenge.

132. Getting the data right for Carbon markets Jul 12, 2021

AgriNovus Indiana President and CEO Mitch Frazier chats with Kip Tom, U.S. Ambassador + CEO of Tom Farms, about carbon markets and the data challenges growers are facing ahead of the 2021 Producer-Led Innovation Challenge.

131. Attention innovators: we’ve got a $25K data challenge for you Jun 28, 2021

AgriNovus recently launched a $25,000 innovation challenge to the tech community to solve a critical data gap that prevents farmers from participating in Carbon markets, where companies purchase credits from farming operations that sequester Carbon. This week, AgriNovus president + CEO, Mitch Frazier, talks about the 2021 Producer-Led Innovation Challenge with Courtney Kingery, CEO of Indiana Soybean Alliance and Indiana Corn Marketing Council as well as Larry Wilkinson, Noble County producer and ISA Director. To register your team, visit agrinovusindiana.com/challenge.

130. Investing in animal health innovation Jun 21, 2021

Indiana's animal health + nutrition sector is fast-growing and ripe for innovation and collaboration in the coming years. The key question: how do entrepreneurs and startups in the space obtain funding to fuel that growth? On this week's episode of the podcast, AgriNovus President + CEO Mitch Frazier is joined by Julia Stephanus, Partner at Borealis Ventures. They talk bringing products to market, animal health as human health and Indiana's vast potential in the space.

129. Bring on the biosensors: combatting bovine respiratory disease Jun 14, 2021

A Purdue researcher has received $1.4 million in funding for his groundbreaking work to produce a biosensor-based decision-making tool that will combat bovine respiratory disease. On this week's special episode, AgriNovus CEO Mitch Frazier is joined by Dr. Mohit Verma at Purdue University to talk about innovation in animal health and nutrition, its correlation to human health and bringing ideas to market.

127. Let us talk about lettuce May 24, 2021

Many innovations in agtech come down this principle: how can we do more with less and protect our natural resources? On this week's episode, Gerry Dick with Inside INdiana Business, is joined by Joe McGuire, CEO of Pure Green Farms, to talk all things indoor hydroponic farming. The conversation dives into the control capabilities that a high-tech indoor facility allows for maximum output, scaling up and choosing South Bend as their home location.

126. A job board for the agbiosciences May 17, 2021

Employers in the agbioscience sector now have the opportunity to reach high-level talent through the AgriNovus Indiana job board, released this week. In partnership with ISDA and Farm Credit Mid-America, the job board connects from early career to senior level talent to opportunities available in Indiana and with Indiana-based agbiosciences companies. On this week's episode of the podcast, Gerry Dick with Inside INdiana Business is joined by Melissa Rekeweg, Senior Director of Talent for AgriNovus Indiana. They talk about industry feedback and needs that led to the job board's creation and how this will better connect employers with core and allied talent in the agbiosciences.

125. Connecting gen-z with agbioscience employers May 10, 2021

We put gen-z on a panel and asking them what you REALLY want to know: what are you looking for in an employer? Field Atlas manager, Skylar Clingan, hosts two of our Field Atlas ambassadors - Emily Miller (University of Southern Indiana) and Maranda Elswick (Purdue University) - to tackle everything from where gen-z is searching for their jobs to the difficulties of navigating a career search in a COVID world.

124. IU + Purdue collaborate on new joint ag law degree May 03, 2021

While normally foe in the athletic arena, these two schools are teaming up for something big. On this week's episode of the podcast, Gerry Dick with Inside INdiana Business, is joined by Miki Pike Hamstra, Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs at IU McKinney School of Law, and Nicole Olynk Widmar, Professor of Ag Economics, Associate Department Head and Graduate Chair at Purdue's School of Agriculture, to talk about the recent collaboration between the two schools: a joint ag law degree. They speak to the where, why and how and what might be ahead for future collaboration between the two schools.

123. Butler students finding their fit in agbioscience Apr 26, 2021

Field Atlas ambassadors are the agbioscience voice on campus, connecting their peers to opportunities and careers in a sector that many had no idea even existed. On this week's episode of the podcast, Cayla Chiddister from AgriNovus is joined by Samantha Worden, a Field Atlas ambassador and student at Butler University. Samantha talks about breaking the family cycle of working in healthcare, becoming an ambassador and showing Butler students what the agbiosciences are all about.

122. Job outlook good for college graduates in agbioscience Apr 19, 2021

A recent report released by USDA and Purdue University shows strong opportunity for college graduates pursuing careers in agbioscience. On this week's episode of the podcast, Gerry Dick with Inside INdiana Business is joined by Marcos Fernandez, Professor of Animal Sciences at Purdue University, to talk about the report's findings and what's ahead for careers in the sector. Read more about the 2020 report here: https://agrinovusindiana.com/2021/03/12/usda-employment-study-shows-strong-outlook-for-college-graduates-interested-in-agbioscience/

121. Indiana agtech startup strikes partnership with John Deere Apr 12, 2021

By the time Steve Booher founded Smart Guided Systems, he had already launched and sold four other businesses. On this week's episode of the podcast, the serial entrepreneur is joined alongside his new CEO, Jerry Johnson, to talk their intelligent spray control system - Smart-Apply. Steve and Jerry talk with Gerry Dick at Inside INdiana Business about serving the grower, sustainability and their recent partnership with global equipment powerhouse, John Deere.

120. More than money: math majors discovering agbioscience Apr 05, 2021

When Morgan Sparks became a Field Atlas Ambassador, she knew she would be helping other students connect to careers in agbioscience. What she maybe didn't expect, though, is that her career search would change as well. On this week's episode of the podcast, Morgan talks with Gerry Dick at Inside INdiana Business about her semester in the Field Atlas Ambassador program, how the platform is helping students connect to agbioscience careers and the current job market from the perspective of a college student beginning their search.

119. Purdue Research Foundation making an impact through discoveries Mar 29, 2021

Purdue University was named 3rd nationally in startup creation by IP Watchdog Institute last year, and in the words of Wade Lange, Chief Entrepreneurial Officer of Purdue Research Foundation and Purdue Foundry, there is the potential to do more. On this week's episode, Wade sits down with Gerry Dick at Inside INdiana Business to talk innovation in the agbiosciences, the state's need for young entrepreneurial talent and what resources are lacking for startups in Indiana.

118. People, robots, machinery: making AI easy for producers Mar 22, 2021

There's a new kid in town and they brought their robots with them. On this week's episode of the podcast, Gerry Dick with Inside INdiana Business is joined by Mike DiPaola, North American general manager and vice president of sales for Taranis. They talk about the company's choice to relocate global headquarters to Indiana, their precision scouting AI technology and where the future of agtech is quickly headed.

117. AgReliant’s Seed Academy diversifying agbioscience talent Mar 15, 2021

What if college you had the opportunity to go back and start your higher education in step with a professional development internship program? Not just one that locks you into a career that you'll do for life, but helps you diversify and discover all of your opportunities? What if you had that internship for your entire college career? On this week's episode, Gerry Dick with Inside INdiana Business is joined by Clayton Michael-Butler with AgReliant Genetics as the two discuss their brand new Seed Academy - a three-tier learning and development program designed to connect first-year college students to careers in agbioscience.

116. Man vs. machine: fighting food waste with agtech Mar 08, 2021

Food waste is a global issue -- the United Nations reports $1 trillion in wasted food across the world annually. On this week's episode, Gerry Dick with Inside INdiana Business is joined by Rian Mc Donnell, CEO of Flowaste, to talk agtech as a solution to reform our food's supply chain. Rian talks about his time at Notre Dame and launching his business here in Indiana. Flowaste recently completed a $270k round of pre-seed funding. Learn more about that here: https://agrinovusindiana.com/2021/03/02/flowaste-secures-270k-pre-seed-funding-round-led-by-plug-and-play-ventures/

115. How a food bank can improve health outcomes Mar 01, 2021

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick sits down for a one-on-one discussion with Gleaners Food Bank CFO/COO Joe Slater.

114. Introducing Field Atlas Ambassadors Feb 22, 2021

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick sits down with University of Notre Dame students and Field Atlas Ambassadors Kyle Walker and Katherine Urasky.

113. The First Producer-Led Innovation Challenge Winning Team Feb 15, 2021

Inside INdiana Business host Gerry Dick sits down for a discussion with Paul Ousterhout and Keith Hoeing of the Benton Group. The pair won AgriNovus Indiana's Producer-Led Innovation Challenge.

112. Innovative technology changing waste to clean water + fertilizer Feb 08, 2021

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick sits down with Cheri De Jong of Natural Prairie Dairy.

111. COVID19 study provides analysis of Indiana’s food supply chain Feb 01, 2021

This week we have a special discussion for our podcast from the Ernst and Young + AgriNovus COVID-19 Moderated Discussion. AgriNovus Indiana President + CEO Mitch Frazier leads the discussion with Jayson Lusk, Distinguished Professor and Head of the Department of Agricultural Economics at Purdue University and Brian Bourquard, Senior Director at E-Y-Parthenon, Food and Agriculture Strategy.

4. Indiana Farmers are Innovators Aug 06, 2018

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Jane Ade Stevens, CEO for Indiana Soybean Alliance, Indiana Corn Marketing Council and Indiana Corn Growers Association.

109. Loving science + loving food = a perfect match for the agbiosciences Dec 07, 2020

From plant to final product, students at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology are rolling up their sleeves in the school's first semester offering of a food chemistry course. On this week's episode of the podcast, Gerry Dick with Inside INdiana Business is joined by Luanne Tilstra of Rose-Hulman to talk about the course's popularity, the curriculum and how this offering applies to the every day life of a college student who wants to work in STEM upon graduation. Luanne also talks about her role in the launch of The Center for Diversity and Inclusion, actively promoting diversity on campus and how far Rose-Hulman has come since she started as a professor in 1992 - before the school was co-ed.

108. New study shows $39 billion comes from Indiana agbiosciences Nov 30, 2020

AgriNovus Indiana recently released a new report, Innovative Agbioscience in Indiana: 2020 Assessment, showing the sector contributes $39 billion to the state economy. This week's special episode features Mitch Frazier, president + CEO, of AgriNovus Indiana with Simon Tripp and Deborah Cummings of TEConomy Partners.

Read the full report here: https://agrinovusindiana.com/research/

107. Agbioscience entrepreneurs are going for it in 2020 Nov 16, 2020

There has been an uptick in entrepreneurial activity this year, paving the way for more startup creation and collaboration in the agbiosciences. On this week’s episode of the podcast, gBeta Indy’s Geoff Zentz joins Gerry Dick with Inside INdiana Business to talk about the organization's Agbioscience Cohort.

Interested in learning more about the 2020 startups participating in the accelerator? Join us for Pitch night on Friday, 11/20: - https://live.remo.co/e/gbeta-agbio-science-and-indy-vir/register

105. Career advice: let your dreams swerve and merge Nov 02, 2020

While in college, Adrienne Woodward could have sworn her career would lead her down an equestrian path. On this week’s episode of the podcast, Adrienne joins Gerry Dick at Inside INdiana Business to talk about her present-day career path at United Animal Health where she works with an entirely different species: swine.

Adrienne is a featured nutritionist on our career profiles section of Field Atlas – a career exploration platform designed to connect high-school and college students to the diverse opportunities in agbioscience. Learn more here: http://bit.ly/FA-Nutritionist

104. FFA Blue Room spotlights new innovations + careers Oct 26, 2020

Along with most other large events in 2020, the National FFA Convention is providing a virtual experience in lieu of its otherwise massive annual event in downtown Indianapolis. On this week’s episode of the podcast, Gerry Dick with Inside INdiana Business sits down with Blaze Currie at National FFA to talk about this year’s convention and Blue Room.

103. Innovative environments = good ideas, people + capital Oct 19, 2020

AgriNovus Indiana recently wrapped its 3-week Hackathon series with Forbes. Among those involved was High Alpha Innovation, and CEO Elliott Parker joins Gerry Dick with Inside INdiana Business on this week’s episode to talk about the experience.

Elliott also talks about innovative environments, Indiana’s unique opportunity to be a global leader in agtech and what young entrepreneurs need to be doing now to set themselves up for success.

102. IU research: cutting-edge specialties focused on agbioscience Oct 12, 2020

In a time where life has slowed drastically in some aspects, research at Indiana University is as busy as ever. And while you might think of business, informatics or medicine when it comes to their expertise, the university is hard at work in the agbioscience space, as well.

On this week’s episode of the podcast, Gerry Dick with Inside INdiana Business talks with Fred Cate, VP of Research for Indiana University. They talk innovation in the COVID-19 era, research collaboration among businesses and universities in Indiana and what IU is working on to directly help farmers with efficiency, actionable decision-making and environmental change.

101. Field Atlas: students exploring the unexpected in agbioscience Oct 05, 2020

It’s episode 100! This week, Gerry Dick with Inside INdiana Business is joined by Melissa Rekeweg, senior director of talent for AgriNovus Indiana, to talk all things Field Atlas – a career exploration platform launched in September that connects high school and college students to careers in the agiosciences.

Learn more about Field Atlas: www.myfieldatlas.com.

100. Forbes AgTech+ Hackathon: creating disruption + new ideas Sep 28, 2020

This month, AgriNovus and IEDC team up with the Forbes Under 30 List and leaders in Indiana’s agbioscience sector to create disruption and new ideas that will transform the industry. Gerry Dick from Inside INdiana Business talks with Shauna Haras and Sherry Phillips with Forbes on the Forbes AgTech+ Under 30 Hackathon.

The three-weekend event is designed to address issues related to 1) a fragile supply chain exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, 2) the intersection of human and animal health and 3) farm-to-fork sustainability. Learn more about the Hackathon here: https://www.forbes.com/connect/event/forbes-agtech-hackathon-weekend1/

99. Collaboration: a strong part of Indiana’s DNA Sep 21, 2020

The largest rural broadband testbed in the nation is in the early phases of development here in Indiana. Johnny Park makes a necessary comeback on the podcast this week to talk with Gerry Dick at Inside INdiana Business about WHIN’s efforts to bring the “I” in IoT to the organization’s 10-county region.

Johnny also speaks on AgriNovus Indiana’s upcoming Producer-Led Innovation Challenge and his role as a mentor for competing teams. Interested in helping farmers solve critical software needs? Sign up by Friday, September 25. The winning team takes home $25,000 from Purdue Foundry. Visit https://www.agrinovusindiana.com/challenge/.

98. BONUS: TechPoint CEO talks Producer-Led Innovation Challenge Sep 16, 2020

On this bonus episode of the podcast, Mike Langellier, president + CEO of TechPoint, talks with Mitch Frazier, president + CEO of AgriNovus, about the Producer-Led Innovation Challenge and the big opportunity it presents to Indiana's tech pioneers - starting with $25,000 from Purdue Foundry.

Indiana's agbioscience industry needs help to solve critical needs related to farm management software. Listen to hear more and register your team by Friday, September 25. https://www.agrinovusindiana.com/challenge/

97. Producer-Led Innovation Challenge: a big opportunity for Indiana’s tech industry Sep 14, 2020

Indiana's agbioscience industry is calling on tech pioneers to solve its most pressing issues with farm management software. The prize? $25,000 from Purdue Foundry. Deadline to register is September 25: https://www.agrinovusindiana.com/challenge/

On this week’s episode of the podcast, Gerry Dick with Inside INdiana Business welcomes Courtney Kingery, CEO of Indiana Corn and Soybean, and Paul Hodgen, an Indiana producer, to talk about the first ever Producer-Led Innovation Challenge – where best-in-class producers team up with pioneers in Indiana’s tech sector for unseen collaboration between two of our state's thriving industries.

96. Data science paving the way for efficiency in production agriculture Aug 31, 2020

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick sits down with Kay Kuenker, CEO of Advanced Agrilytics.

Innovation in the agbiosciences ultimately enables producers to make the best decisions for their operations based on the findings that technology provides them. On this episode of the podcast, Gerry Dick with Inside INdiana Business sits down with Kay Kuenker, CEO of Advanced Agrilytics, and long-time lover of mathematics.

Kay talks about the company’s unique approach to innovation, finding great talent as the company grows and taking on a leadership role at Advanced Agrilytics at the very start of COVID-19.

95. INTERN SERIES: hands-on work creating better young professionals Aug 24, 2020

Coffee runs and calendar coordination might have their place in some internships, but the agbiosciences believe in hands-on experience right out of the gate. On this week’s episode of the podcast, Gerry Dick with Inside INdiana Business talks with Maggie Mulligan, an undergraduate research intern at Purdue University’s Animal Science Department. Maggie talks about her lifelong love of animals leading her down the veterinary path and how her summer experience, working directly with animals and in research labs, is shaping her to be a better young professional after graduation.

94. Sorghum research: from big idea to groundbreaking solution Aug 17, 2020

Ag Alumni Seed recently announced the discovery of dhurrin-free sorghum in their research efforts at Purdue University. On this week’s episode of the podcast, Gerry Dick with Inside INdiana Business is joined by Jay Hulbert of Ag Alumni Seed and Mitch Tuinstra of Purdue University to walk through the research process, how new products come to market and the importance of this finding for farmers in the sorghum belt.

93. Building curriculum for the future of agbiosciences Aug 10, 2020

Talent and workforce development remains at the forefront of big needs for agbioscience employers. Gerry Dick sits down with Andrea Schwartz of Ivy Tech on this week’s episode of the podcast. They talk about the school’s efforts to keep Indiana high school students in-state for their higher education path, their partnership with Purdue University and connecting youth with the many opportunities inside of the state’s agbioscience space.

92. INTERN SERIES: professional development in a pandemic Aug 03, 2020

Among the many challenges presented to companies this summer, navigating internship programs is one of them. AgriNovus Indiana welcomed two new interns in May who have navigated the world of Zoom and work-from-home right out of the gate.

This week, Gerry Dick with Inside INdiana Business is joined by Allie Decker and Carson Canfield, summer interns for AgriNovus. They talk about youth finding agbiosciences and necessary tools coming for future generations to discover the breadth of career opportunities in this industry.

91. Turning the table: anniversary episode with Gerry Dick Jul 27, 2020

Indiana has come a long way in the 22 years since Gerry Dick launched Inside INdiana Business and the agbioscience industry has been a leader in that evolution. This week, AgriNovus puts Gerry on the other side of the interview for a two-year anniversary celebration episode of the podcast.

Gerry dives into Indiana’s economic history and the growth of our state’s agbioscience sector. He also talks about the importance of talent, Indiana’s high-performing academic institutions and the future of a fast-growing industry that’s solving critical world problems.

90. Connecting minority students to agbiosciences Jul 20, 2020

In a time of pivotal discussion on equality, leaders across different industries are examining diversity and inclusion in their cultures. Zachary Brown is the National Graduate Student President of MANRRS and a doctoral student at Purdue University. He joins Gerry Dick from Inside INdiana Business on this week’s episode of the podcast to talk diversity, the agbioscience industry and a nationwide organization with a mission to connect minorities to careers in the sector. MANRRS: Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences is a national organization that promotes academic and professional advancement by empowering minorities in agriculture, natural resources and related sciences. Visit manrrs.org for more information.

89. A new era at AgriNovus Indiana Jul 13, 2020

A new era begins at AgriNovus Indiana as the organization welcomes its new President + CEO, Mitch Frazier. On this week’s episode of the podcast, Gerry Dick with Inside Indiana Business sits down with Mitch to talk about his vision for the organization and Indiana’s potential as an agbioscience powerhouse.

Plenty of power is needed to meet the food demands of the future. In this episode, Mitch examines challenges that lie ahead: producer profitability, a vulnerable supply chain and weaknesses in our food supply in a COVID-19 world and beyond. How do we fix these problems and feed a growing world? Look no further than the resources + expertise in Indiana to create solutions and shape a more sustainable future.

88. Agbioscience Talent: a heart for serving people Jul 06, 2020

During this era of deeming industries as “essential” business, agriculture nears the top of operations that must keep going despite a pandemic. To feed the world in an unprecedented time takes a special workforce with a heart for people and a need to serve. Gerry Dick with Inside Indiana Business is joined by Natasha Cox, vice president at Farm Credit Mid-America, on this week’s episode of the podcast.

Natasha dives into Indiana’s pool of talent in the agbiosciences and how an operation as big as Farm Credit Mid-America needs a diverse workforce to be at its best. With only six million people in the Hoosier state, she talks the importance of keeping in-state talent here at home and forging a career path in agbiosciences to make a difference.

87. Aquaculture primed to stabilize salmon supply through innovation Jun 29, 2020

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Mark Walton, Chief Technology Officer, AquaBounty.

Between 80 and 90-percent of fish consumed in the United States is imported and most of that is a product of aquaculture, otherwise known as fish farming. On this week’s episode of the podcast, Gerry Dick with Inside Indiana Business is joined by Mark Walton, Chief Technology Officer at AquaBounty Technologies. Based in Maynard, Massaschusetts, the company also has a production facility in Albany, Indiana.

Mark talks innovation as key to their mission and AquaBounty’s opportunity to provide an abundant supply of fresh, reliable salmon using a smaller footprint. Setting up shop in locations like Indiana are critical, too, as they allow for a quick turn on harvest and delivery to many major U.S. population centers. There is growth ahead for AquaBounty – find out if Indiana is on their radar.

86. INTERN SERIES: Where do you want your community to be? Jun 22, 2020

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Molly Grotjan, Corteva Intern and Purdue University Student.

The COVID-19 pandemic has agbioscience companies still working with their summer internship programs, albeit with modified circumstances, rather than having the in-office experience. That’s not stopped Molly Grotjan, Corteva intern and Purdue University student, from getting acclimated with her summer opportunity and making the most of her time with the Corteva team. Gerry Dick of Inside Indiana Business chats with Molly as we dive into episode one of our Summer Intern Mini Series.

With offers to attend out-of-state land grand universities, Molly set out to research the best fit for her education and future career path. She was then asked the question: where do you want your community to be? Her answer to that has served as a guidepost for choosing Indiana as her home and embracing all of the opportunities the Hoosier state brings. Molly talks about her summer experience at Corteva, life after Purdue and how young people can navigate through the many opportunities Indiana’s agbioscience sector has to offer.

85. Inari: solving pressing problems through innovation Jun 15, 2020

The global population continues to rise, creating critical challenges for our planet’s future. Atop that list is the subject of hunger and how farmers are going to feed more people than ever while using less land and resources to provide a safe and sustainable food supply. Susan Martino-Catt, VP of Product Development at Inari, sits down with Gerry Dick from Inside Indiana Business on this week’s episode to discuss some of the industry’s biggest plant biology challenges that have to be solved to accommodate future demands for food.

Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Susan talks about Inari’s growth into Purdue Research Park in West Lafayette and the unique position that has created for collaboration, growth, and proximity to world-class talent in the agbiosciences.

84. Animal health careers require drive, passion first Jun 08, 2020

In a world filled with consumption of poultry, swine and dairy products, there has been an uptick in consumer questions regarding animal health and safety in recent years. To get all of those answers, you must start at the beginning. And look no further than United Animal Health, located in Sheridan, Indiana, to lead the way.

On this week’s episode, Gerry Dick with Inside Indiana Business is joined by Joel Spencer, Director of Customer Innovation, for United Animal Health. Joel discusses the vital role that animal health plays in our daily human lives, passion coming first as qualification for a career in their industry and their Promise for Protein initiative at UAH – using their resources to provide protein to food banks across Indiana.

83. Purpose in passion: females discovering STEM careers Jun 01, 2020

Purdue University is home to a mountain of research spanning a broad portfolio inclusive of agriculture, science, engineering, technology and much more. Those capabilities come loaded with a responsibility to identify areas for collaboration across their research enterprise as well as opportunities for corporate, state and federal partnership. Where does the research being done at Purdue University best apply in order to have a material impact on our world? That tall order falls into the hands of Theresa Mayer, Vice President for Research and Partnerships at Purdue University, who joins Gerry Dick from Inside Indiana Business on this week’s episode of the podcast.

Theresa gets candid about coming home to Purdue to work under Mitch Daniels, her great sense of responsibility toward making a difference and her passion and insistence that young women get involved with STEM careers early in their education.

82. Startup innovating the local food supply chain May 18, 2020

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has left consumers wanting more from their trip to the grocery store. With disruptions in the food supply chain, how will consumer habits shift both now and in the future? And how will agtech accommodate the change?

Inside Indiana Business host Gerry Dick sits down with Nick Carter, CEO and Founder of Market Wagon, as they discuss a new wave in the grocery e-commerce business: the online farmers market. With Market Wagon’s continual growth and expansion, Nick talks the convergence of tech, logistics and local food, and being an entrepreneur who pivoted into his passion.

81. Agbioscience Careers Welcome All Talents May 11, 2020

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Ronda Hamm, Global Academic Relations, Corteva.

80. Agbioscience talent needed in all corners of Indiana May 04, 2020

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Mason Gordon, Purdue University student.

79. Innovation is critical in Indiana’s agbioscience story Apr 27, 2020

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by David Roberts, Chief Innovation Officer, Indiana Economic Development Corporation.

78. We are #INThisTogether Apr 20, 2020

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined Patty Martin CEO of BioCrossroads.

77. Elanco is Indiana’s global, innovative, collaborative animal health company Apr 13, 2020

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined Kristin S. Bloink, Vice President of Global Research and External Innovation for Elanco.

76. KEDCo: an innovation hub for life sciences, agbioscience and manufacturing Apr 06, 2020

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined Alan Tio CEO of Kosciusko County Economic Development Corporation.

74. Educating, Engaging and Advocating for Indiana Farmers Mar 23, 2020

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Megan Ritter, Executive Director of Administration for Indiana Farm Bureau.

73. Indiana FFA + ISDA Mar 16, 2020

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Rob Hays, Director of FFA Association, Indiana State Department of Agriculture.

72. Our Partners Continue to Collaborate + Lead Agbioscience Momentum Mar 09, 2020

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Aaron Schacht, Acting CEO of AgriNovus Indiana and Executive Vice President Innovation, Regulatory + Business Development Elanco.

71. Cutting-Edge Technology at Beck’s Hybrids Mar 02, 2020

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Beck’s Hybrids’ Director of Innovation Brad Fruth

70. Transforming Major Crops Into Clean Ingredients Feb 24, 2020

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Phytoption Co-Founder + CEO Joanne Zhang

69. How ag, big data and IUPUI Informatics fit together Feb 17, 2020

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Dr. Karl MacDorman, IUPUI School of Infomatics + Computing, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and the Director of Infomatics and Data Science and Associate Professor of Human-Computer Interaction

68. How ISA/ICMC supports agbioscience innovation for future farmers Feb 10, 2020

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Courtney Kingery, CEO, Indiana Corn and Soybean Association

67. Putting Indiana Agbioscience on the Global Stage Feb 03, 2020

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Beth Bechdol, President & CEO, AgriNovus Indiana.

66. Agbiosciences Insiders Panel Dec 23, 2019

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Beth Bechdol, President & CEO, AgriNovus Indiana, Jay Hulbert, President & CEO, Ag Alumni Seed and Daniel Padrão, Chief Operating Officer, Solinftec

65. Why a Brazilian AgTech Company Moved to Indiana Dec 16, 2019

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Daniel Padrão, Solinftec, COO.

64. Showing Agriculture’s Past + Future at Conner Prairie Dec 09, 2019

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Norman Burns, CEO, Conner Prairie

63. Professor + Entrepreneur = A Collaboration of Outreach, Science + People Dec 02, 2019

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Mitch Tuinstra, Purdue University, Professor of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Wickersham Chair of Excellence in Agricultural Research, Scientific Director – Institute of Plant Sciences

62. Community Banking + The Agbiosciences Nov 25, 2019

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Tade Powell, Senior Vice President of Communications and Public Relations Director, First Farmers Bank and Trust

61. Sustainable Solutions: A New Look at Corn Stalk Waste Nov 18, 2019

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Stefan Muehlbauer, CORMO USA, CEO

60. Animal AgTech: How Pigs Can Improve Lives Nov 11, 2019

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Jon Hoek, Premier Biosource, Director

59. Convergence of Tech + Ag at Indiana IoT Lab Nov 04, 2019

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Jason Pennington, Executive Director, Indiana IoT Lab

58. ”Corteva is Ag+Bio+Science” Oct 28, 2019

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Rajan Gajaria, Executive Vice President for Business Platforms, Corteva

57. Ivy Tech Community College, Filling the Agbioscience Talent Pipeline Oct 21, 2019

This week Inside INdiana Business host Gerry Dick is joined by Chris Lowery, Sr. VP - Workforce Alignment, Ivy Tech Community College.

Chris Lowery is the senior vice president for workforce alignment for Ivy Tech Community College. Prior to this role, Chris served as Chancellor for the Columbus/Southeast Region of Ivy Tech. Over the course of his career, he has worked for Hillenbrand, Inc., the Association of Indiana Counties, and was an aide to former Indiana Governor Robert D. Orr and Senator Dan Quayle. Chris chairs the Career Coaching and Navigation Action Team for Governor Eric Holcomb’s Workforce Cabinet and is Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Sagamore Institute think tank. He received his master’s degree in management from Indiana Wesleyan University and a bachelor’s degree in public affairs from Indiana University.

56. Evolving + Amplifying Stories from Purdue’s Researchers + Entrepreneurs Oct 14, 2019

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Scott Henderson, VP + Chief Entrepreneurial Officer for Purdue Research Foundation.

A human spark plug and world-class connector, Scott can turn “something” into “something amazing” through grassroots collaboration and old school perseverance. His career arc includes raising charitable donations for universities, running a capital campaign consultancy, creating digital strategies for brands and nonprofits, leading social and entrepreneurial movements, and helping to connect the highest concentration of students, startups, corporate innovators, and researchers in the entire southeastern US. You might recognize him from the UN’s 7 Billion Actions campaign, TLC/Discovery Channel’s Sarah Palin’s Alaska digital team, Hypepotamus.com, TechSquareATL.com, or his new role as VP and Chief Entrepreneurial Officer of the Purdue Research Foundation.

55. Beck’s Hybrids: Building a Collaborative Research Community Oct 07, 2019

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Kevin Cavanaugh, Director of Research for Beck's Hybrids. Kevin's first introduction to corn breeding was with detasseling—a summer job many teenagers dread but that the 14-year-old loved and used to launch his career. His labor of love turned into a full-time career after he earned a Ph.D. in plant breeding from Purdue University. No matter what, he knew he wanted to be involved in ag—plant breeding was a fortunate find that combined his interest in science and math with his love for the outdoors. After graduating with his doctorate, Cavanaugh joined Beck’s, where he’s prospered for the past 25 years.

54. Innovative + Sustainable Ag: Double Crop Farming Sep 30, 2019

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Jason Mauck, CEO of Constant Canopy.

53. Starting an Agbioscience Movement Through Storytelling Sep 23, 2019

AgriNovus Indiana Director of Communications + Engagement and co-producer of this very podcast, Libby Fritz joins us this week on the Ag+Bio+Science Podcast.

Since she was young, Libby has always wanted to share the agriculture story to a broader audience outside of the sector. Now, three years into her role at AgriNovus, Libby gets to do exactly that. If there is a way to tell Indiana’s agbioscience story—whether through a full marketing campaign (#timetotell), signature events, fun computer stickers, airport advertising, bringing people together to engage in a conversation, or this podcast—she will find it!

Follow AgriNovus Indiana: Twitter Facebook Instagram LinkedIn

52. A New Opportunity for Agbioscience Entrepreneurs Sep 16, 2019

gBETA Indy Director Chelsea Linder introduces listeners to our newest partnership to support entrepreneurs in the agbioscience community: gBETA Agbioscience.

This is a new program of nationally ranked startup accelerator, Wisconsin-based gener8tor. gBETA Agbioscience is a free, seven-week accelerator for early-stage agriculture, biotechnology, and life science companies with Indiana roots. Each program is capped at five teams and requires no fees and no equity.

Apply for gBETA AgBioScience by September 20, 2019: https://www.gbetastartups.com/agbioscience

Chelsea Linder joined the gener8tor team after managing the corporate innovation and incubation center at a private equity firm in Indianapolis. Prior to that role, she was an operations manager for product and engineering at Angie’s List, where she discovered a passion for Design Thinking and customer-centered value creation. Chelsea graduated from Butler University in 2011 with BAs in International Studies, Spanish, and Anthropology.

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51. Orange Corn: A Father-Son Start-up Sep 09, 2019

NutraMaize is a consumer-focused agbioscience company commercializing a more nutritious variety of better tasting, non-GMO orange corn. The company was co-founded by a father-son team, Torbert and Evan Rocheford, who now serve as the company's CTO and CEO respectively.

CTO: “Professor Torbert” Rocheford is internationally recognized as a leading expert in his field and holds the Patterson Endowed Chair for Translational Genomics in Crop Improvement at Purdue University. Professor Torbert has over 25 years of experience working as a research professor in corn breeding and molecular genetics. Professor Torbert and his collaborators have made substantial advancements to their discipline and have published on discoveries in prestigious journals, such as Science and Nature Genetics, that are held up as some of the best examples of basic genomic research on a crop plant that has been applied to benefit the developing world.

CEO: Evan Rocheford is an enthusiastic young entrepreneur with experience managing new ventures and bringing consumer products to market. Evan is the architect of the Professor Torbert’s brand and has successfully authored and served as the PI of two SBIR/STTR grants (USDA and NSF) attracting over $400,000 in non-dilutive funding for NutraMaize.

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50. Spotlight: TechPoint Indiana – CICP Mini-Series Aug 26, 2019

How has Indianapolis cultivated a thriving tech community over the past decade? Look to TechPoint Indiana. TechPoint President + CEO Mike Langellier fills us in on how the organization strives to lead Indiana into a next-generation, high tech economy. Entrepreneur and software executive Mike Langellier serves as the President and CEO of TechPoint, Indiana’s technology growth initiative. Langellier co-founded MyJibe, a personal finance and banking software company. He sold the company in November 2011 and served as vice president of strategic partnerships with acquirer MoneyDesktop. Prior to starting MyJibe, Langellier was director of account management for Experian (formerly Baker Hill). Follow Mike on Twitter at @MLanj and TechPoint at @TechPointInd. This episode is a part of a six-part mini-series on CICP as part of its 20th Anniversary celebration. The series features the CICP industry sector and talent initiatives which have been successful in generating awareness, investment, collaboration (AgriNovus Indiana, Ascend Indiana, BioCrossroads, Conexus Indiana, Energy Systems Network and TechPoint). Listeners hear about innovation/technology convergence; economic development; talent attraction; and more. All shared priorities among the initiatives and what makes AgriNovus and its work to support the agbioscience sector (a sector entirely focused on interaction and collaboration) so successful. Follow AgriNovus Indiana: Twitter Facebook Instagram LinkedIn

49. Spotlight: BioCrossroads – CICP Mini-Series Aug 19, 2019

The life sciences sector is undoubtedly crucial to Indiana’s economy, with over 1,750 companies that call Indiana home. Much of this success can be attributed to CICP’s first initiative, BioCrossroads. Learn about BioCrossroads’ many programs and efforts from project director Brian Stemme. Brian Stemme is the project director for BioCrossroads. Brian has a strong background in life sciences market development and research and is responsible for identifying and developing opportunities for growth within Indiana’s life sciences sector, evaluating early-stage companies for investment by BioCrossroads’ seed funds and supporting the State’s efforts to attract and grow life sciences companies. Brian led the formation of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership’s AgriNovus Indiana. Follow BioCrossroads on Twitter at @BioCrossroads. This episode is a part of a six-part mini-series on CICP as part of its 20th Anniversary celebration. The series features the CICP industry sector and talent initiatives which have been successful in generating awareness, investment, collaboration (AgriNovus Indiana, Ascend Indiana, BioCrossroads, Conexus Indiana, Energy Systems Network and TechPoint). Listeners hear about innovation/technology convergence; economic development; talent attraction; and more. All shared priorities among the initiatives and what makes AgriNovus and its work to support the agbioscience sector (a sector entirely focused on interaction and collaboration) so successful. Follow AgriNovus Indiana: Twitter Facebook Instagram LinkedInThe life sciences sector is undoubtedly crucial to Indiana’s economy, with over 1,750 companies that call Indiana home. Much of this success can be attributed to CICP’s first initiative, BioCrossroads. Learn about BioCrossroads’ many programs and efforts from project director Brian Stemme. Brian Stemme is the project director for BioCrossroads. Brian has a strong background in life sciences market development and research and is responsible for identifying and developing opportunities for growth within Indiana’s life sciences sector, evaluating early-stage companies for investment by BioCrossroads’ seed funds and supporting the State’s efforts to attract and grow life sciences companies. Brian led the formation of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership’s AgriNovus Indiana. Follow BioCrossroads on Twitter at @BioCrossroads. This episode is a part of a six-part mini-series on CICP as part of its 20th Anniversary celebration. The series features the CICP industry sector and talent initiatives which have been successful in generating awareness, investment, collaboration (AgriNovus Indiana, Ascend Indiana, BioCrossroads, Conexus Indiana, Energy Systems Network and TechPoint). Listeners hear about innovation/technology convergence; economic development; talent attraction; and more. All shared priorities among the initiatives and what makes AgriNovus and its work to support the agbioscience sector (a sector entirely focused on interaction and collaboration) so successful. Follow AgriNovus Indiana: Twitter Facebook Instagram LinkedIn

48. Spotlight: Ascend Indiana – CICP Mini-Series Aug 12, 2019

Ascend Indiana strays from the traditional model of all other CICP initiatives because it serves all industry sectors, working in all areas of talent and workforce development. What was it about Indiana’s overall economy or talent ecosystem that compelled the creation of Ascend? Jason Kloth, President + CEO of Ascend Indiana fills us in.

Jason Kloth joined CICP in July 2015 and serves as President + CEO of Ascend Indiana. The initiative is a cross-sector, industry-led organization that collaborates with employers, education, and community partners to identify and address challenges within the talent pipeline. Prior to joining CICP, Jason led the Office of Education Innovation (OEI) as the deputy mayor of education under Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard. Before joining the Mayor’s office, Jasonheld a variety of senior positions at Teach For America. Follow Jason on Twitter at @KlothJason and Ascend Indiana at @AscendIndiana.

This episode is a part of a six-part mini-series on CICP as part of its 20th Anniversary celebration. The series features the CICP industry sector and talent initiatives which have been successful in generating awareness, investment, collaboration (AgriNovus Indiana, Ascend Indiana, BioCrossroads, Conexus Indiana, Energy Systems Network and TechPoint). Listeners hear about innovation/technology convergence; economic development; talent attraction; and more. All shared priorities among the initiatives and what makes AgriNovus and its work to support the agbioscience sector (a sector entirely focused on interaction and collaboration) so successful.

Follow AgriNovus Indiana: Twitter Facebook Instagram LinkedIn

47. Spotlight: Energy Systems Network – CICP Mini-Series Aug 05, 2019

The need for renewable energy and technological innovation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ultimately ensure energy security has never been more urgent for a promising future. How is Indiana advancing energy technology? Paul Mitchell, President + CEO of Energy Systems Network, (ESN) fills us in. Paul Mitchell serves as President + CEO of ESN. Prior to joining ESN, Paul served as Policy Director for Economic Development, Workforce, and Energy for Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels. In this capacity, he oversaw legislation, policy, and program development for the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, the Departments of Workforce Development and Labor, and acted as Governor’s liaison to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission and Office of Utility Consumer Counselor. Follow Energy Systems Network at @EnergySystemsNk. This episode is a part of a six-part mini-series on CICP as part of its 20th Anniversary celebration. The series features the CICP industry sector and talent initiatives which have been successful in generating awareness, investment, collaboration (AgriNovus Indiana, Ascend Indiana, BioCrossroads, Conexus Indiana, Energy Systems Network and TechPoint). Listeners hear about innovation/technology convergence; economic development; talent attraction; and more. All shared priorities among the initiatives and what makes AgriNovus and its work to support the agbioscience sector (a sector entirely focused on interaction and collaboration) so successful. Follow AgriNovus Indiana: Twitter Facebook Instagram LinkedIn

46. Spotlight: Conexus Indiana – CICP Mini-Series Jul 29, 2019

Learn all about AgriNovus Indiana’s parent organization, the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) from President + CEO David Johnson.

David L. Johnson was elected President and CEO of CICP in December 2012. CICP is a unique, nationally-recognized, strategic collaboration of business executives, philanthropic leaders and university presidents brought together to develop initiatives, investments and projects that advance regional prosperity. Follow CICP on Twitter at @CICPIndiana

This episode kicks off a six-part mini-series on CICP as part of its 20th Anniversary celebration. The series will feature the CICP industry sector and talent initiatives which have been successful in generating awareness, investment, collaboration (AgriNovus Indiana, Ascend Indiana, BioCrossroads, Conexus Indiana, Energy Systems Network and TechPoint). Listeners will hear about innovation/technology convergence; economic development; talent attraction; and more. All shared priorities among the initiatives and what makes AgriNovus and its work to support the agbioscience sector (a sector entirely focused on interaction and collaboration) so successful.

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45. Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) and the Power of a Guiding Force Jul 22, 2019

Learn all about AgriNovus Indiana’s parent organization, the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) from President + CEO David Johnson.

David L. Johnson was elected President and CEO of CICP in December 2012. CICP is a unique, nationally-recognized, strategic collaboration of business executives, philanthropic leaders and university presidents brought together to develop initiatives, investments and projects that advance regional prosperity. Follow CICP on Twitter at @CICPIndiana

This episode kicks off a six-part mini-series on CICP as part of its 20th Anniversary celebration. The series will feature the CICP industry sector and talent initiatives which have been successful in generating awareness, investment, collaboration (AgriNovus Indiana, Ascend Indiana, BioCrossroads, Conexus Indiana, Energy Systems Network and TechPoint). Listeners will hear about innovation/technology convergence; economic development; talent attraction; and more. All shared priorities among the initiatives and what makes AgriNovus and its work to support the agbioscience sector (a sector entirely focused on interaction and collaboration) so successful.

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44. A Year of Agbioscience Stories and Success - Where Next? With Beth Bechdol Jul 15, 2019

One year ago, AgriNovus Indiana President + CEO Beth Bechdol recorded the first episode of our Ag+Bio+Science podcast. What have we accomplished with our partners over the past year? What’s next? Beth shares her thoughts on the future of Indiana’s agbioscience community.

Beth Bechdol is the President + CEO of AgriNovus Indiana. Beth excels at building unconventional alliances, connecting people who may not know they need connecting and telling the exciting and inspiring story of the agbiosciences to everyone she meets.

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43. Why Gen-Z + the Agbiosciences Are a Perfect Fit Jul 08, 2019

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick speaks with Claire Baney, AgriNovus Intern and Purdue College of Agriculture Student.

42. Talent + Indiana + Agbiosciences – Telling Our Story on “Why Here” Jul 01, 2019

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick speaks with Tom Bratton, Medallion Partners, CEO

41. Developing Swarm Robotics and Autonomous Farm Equipment Jun 24, 2019

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick speaks with Zack James, Rabbit Tractors, Founder

40. Food Tech: A Rising Segment in the Agbiosciences Jun 10, 2019

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick speaks with David Rowe, Epogee, Chief Technology Officer

39. How AgriNovus + ISDA Partner on Agbioscience Momentum in Indiana Jun 03, 2019

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick speaks with Bruce Kettler, Indiana State Department of Agriculture, Director

38. Purdue University: Taking Giant Leaps in Ag R+D May 20, 2019

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick speaks with Karen Plaut, Purdue College of Agriculture, Dean

37. High-Tech Animal Health Innovation in Albion, Indiana May 13, 2019

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick speaks with Rebecca Schroeder, Whiteshire Hamroc, President

36. Look to Indiana University Assets to Help Build Agbioscience Entrepreneurs May 06, 2019

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick speaks with Jason Whitney, Indiana University Philanthropic Venture Fund, Manager of Strategic Partnerships

35. My Journey as a Late-Career Mentor and Agbioscience Convener Apr 29, 2019

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick speaks with Dan Dawes, AgriNovus Indiana, Senior Director of Strategy + Innovation

34. The Time to Invest in Indiana Agbioscience is Now Apr 22, 2019

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick speaks with Ting Gootee, Elevate Ventures, Chief Investment Officer

33. Unexpected + Impactful AgTech: Chicken Manure Apr 15, 2019

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick speaks with Sonia Nofziger Dasgupta, EnviroKure Inc., Vice President of Commercial Strategy

32. What’s Promising About AgTech in Indiana? Apr 08, 2019

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick speaks with Drew Garretson, Land O’Lakes, U.S. E-Business Field Team Lead

31. Design Student Turned AgTech Entrepreneur Apr 01, 2019

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick speaks with Anna Haldewang, Plan Bee, Founder + CEO

30: Asking New Questions on Using Big Data in Ag Mar 25, 2019

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick speaks with Matt Bechdol, GeoSilos, CEO

29. Why a Global Biostimulant Company Chose Indiana Mar 18, 2019

On episode 29 of AgriNovus Indiana's AG+BIO+SCIENCE podcast, Gerry of Inside INdiana Business talks with Luca Bonini, the CEO of Italpollina.

Luca Bonini is the third generation at the helm of this European-based family business with an expansive global reach. Operating today in more than 70 countries worldwide, with four production sites and 13 commercial offices, Italpollina’s proprietary technologies are utilized in the production of organic fertilizers, beneficial microbials, and 100 percent vegetal-based biostimulants. Most recently, Italpollina opened its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Anderson and are now adding a research and development center, Italpollina Park, there as well. Bonini graduated from Bocconi Commercial University in Milan with a degree in Business Strategy. In 2016, he was appointed “Officier du Merite Agricole” by the French Government - an honor that is of the second most important in France and given to people strongly committed to the development of agriculture.

Subscribe to Indiana is AG+BIO+SCIENCE Podcast: • Podcast Site: http://bit.ly/2RR1wDA • Apple: https://apple.co/2LwGDiV • Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2LQOmUP • Stitcher: http://bit.ly/2Mcj92F

28. Animal Health: R&D + Cutting Edge Tech Mar 11, 2019

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick speaks with Trent Torrence, United Animal Health, Chief Operating Officer.

27. Using Digital Agriculture for Soil, Seed and Weather Mar 04, 2019

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick speaks with Samantha Bock – AgReliant Genetics, Digital Ag Lead

26. How Do Robotics Fit in the Agbiosciences? Feb 25, 2019

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick interviews Troy Fiechter, Rogo, CEO

25. FFA: Shaping Future Agbioscience Leaders Feb 18, 2019

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick interviews Mark Poeschl, National FFA, CEO

24. How Will IoT Change Agriculture? Feb 11, 2019

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick speaks with John McDonald – ClearObject, CEO

23. It’s Happening Here Feb 04, 2019

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick kicks-off Season 2 of our Ag+Bio+Science Podcast. His guest this week is Elaine Bedel, President, Indiana Economic Development Corporation

106. Producers shape new innovations in agbioscience Nov 09, 2020

As the agbioscience sector routinely introduces new innovations, the question should always be asked: is this solving a real problem for producers? Or does it create a problem that’s only solved by new innovation?

On this week’s episode of the podcast, Gerry Dick with Inside INdiana Business talks with Andy Tauer at Indiana Farm Bureau about the ongoing Producer-Led Innovation Challenge with AgriNovus Indiana, Indiana Corn Marketing Council and Indiana Soybean Alliance. Learn more here: http://bit.ly/ProducerLedPod

75. Promising Opportunities between the Agbiosciences + Life Sciences Mar 30, 2020

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Dan Peterson, Vice President Industry + Government Affairs at Cook Medical.

22. Indiana is Ag+Bio+Science Dec 10, 2018

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Beth Bechdol, President & CEO, AgriNovus, Susanne Wasson, President of Crop Protection Business Platform, Corteva Agriscience and Johnny Park and CEO, Wabash Heartland Innovation Network

21. Microorganisms, Biology + Biotechnology in One Company Dec 03, 2018

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Gil Farley, Founder and President of Biodyne Midwest

20. Clabber Girl – Not the Company You Remember Nov 26, 2018

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Gary Morris, President + COO of Clabber Girl Corporation

19. Start-up Journey for Food Security Nov 19, 2018

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Scott Massey, CEO + Co-Founder of Heliponix

18. Indiana’s Opportunity for Investment Nov 12, 2018

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Aaron Gillum, Senior Vice President, 50 South Capital

17. The Convergence of Life Sciences and Agriculture Nov 05, 2018

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Rainer Fischer, CEO and Chief Scientific and Innovation Officer, Indiana Bioscience Research Institute

16. Showcasing the Ag+Bio+Science to Future Talent Oct 29, 2018

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Susanne Wasson, President of Crop Protection Business Platform for Corteva Agriscience.

15. Binge Listen to Season 1, Episodes 1-14 Oct 22, 2018

Get a glimpse into the world of ag+bio+science and why Indiana is a leader in the agbioscience sector by joining our weekly conversations with agbioscience leaders, innovators, researchers and investors. 14 episodes are available for you to binge listen!

14. Revolutionizing Indoor Farming Oct 15, 2018

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Green Sense Farms CEO + Founding Farmer Robert Colangelo.

13. The Blue Room and Regional Efforts Oct 08, 2018

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Wabash Heartland Innovation Network CEO Johnny Park

12. Ivy Tech programs; partnership with AgriNovus Oct 01, 2018

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Ivy Tech Community College’s Sue Ellspermann and Scott Caldwell

11. IoT Entrepreneur in the Agbiosciences Sep 24, 2018

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Ellie Symes, Founder and CEO of The Bee Corp. in Bloomington, IN.

10. Consumer Perception About the Agbiosciences Sep 17, 2018

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Jayson Lusk, Distinguished Professor and Head of the Agricultural Economics Department at Purdue University

9. Huntington University Fostering Innovators Sep 10, 2018

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Huntington University President Dr. Sherilyn Emberton.

8. Corteva Agriscience is an Indiana Company Sep 04, 2018

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Scott Hutchins, Global Leader of Integrated Field Sciences Research and Development for Corteva Agriscience

7. Indiana Leads the Way Aug 27, 2018

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Jay Hulbert, President and CEO of Ag Alumni Seed

6. Talent Pipeline in the Agbiosciences Aug 20, 2018

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Bethany Gremel, Human Resources Director at Beck Hybrids.

5. Purdue Foundry + Indiana Start-up Community Aug 13, 2018

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by John Hanak, Managing Director of Purdue Ventures and Entrepreneur in Residence at Purdue Foundry.

3. Tech + Agriculture Jul 30, 2018

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Mitch Frazier, Reynolds Farm Equipment, CEO. Gerry and Mitch discuss how technology is changing how farmers plant, grow, harvest and distribute crops.

2. Indiana’s Momentum: The Time is Right Jul 20, 2018

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Aaron Schacht, president of global research and development and regulatory affairs at Elanco Animal Health. Schacht is also vice chairman of the board for AgriNovus.

1. What is Agbioscience? The Start of Something Incredible Jul 13, 2018

In this first episode we sit down with AgriNovus President and CEO Beth Bechdol to breakdown the basics. What exactly is agbioscience? How did it come to be? Why is it important? Beth answers these fundamental questions at the heart of the matter, and previews what's to come on this new podcast.

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