Future of Agriculture

Latest Episodes:

Future of Agriculture 124: Ag Data Transparency with Todd Janzen of Ag Data Transparent Oct 24, 2018

Show notes

Todd Janzen is an attorney whose practice covers the agricultural industry with the intent to represent farmers and their respective businesses. He is the President of Janzen Agricultural Law LLC, a law firm that specializes in the legal needs of an innovative agricultural industry. He also serves as the Administrator for Ag Data Transparent, a non-profit organization that aims to bring transparency, trust, and simplicity to ag tech contracts.

Todd joins me today to help bring awareness to the idea of data transparency in the agricultural industry. He shares his career journey, what inspired him to become an ag industry lawyer, and explains how data transparency can enable farmers to improve their systems and how they manage their farms. He also explains how companies can get involved, the processes they need to partake, and how he thinks this project can impact the industry as a whole.

“Farmers have a much easier time letting a complete stranger know what they're doing on their farm than they would be letting their own neighbor know." -Todd Janzen

This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast:

Where Todd got his love for agriculture.
The risks that come with Ag Data and how to manage them.
Technologies that could be collecting data without us knowing.
The type of data farmers should be wary of sharing.
The processes involved to help farmers become certified.
Companies that will not find this type of service useful.
The big questions we still need to answer about Ag Data.

Key Takeaways:

With social media, people are much more tolerable of sharing private data.
We have to treat Ag Data with respect and diligence.

Connect with Todd Janzen:

2019 AgGrad 30 Under 30

Help us celebrate the top 30 future leaders of agriculture! Nominate your favorite up-and-coming, future executives, innovators, and influencers in the following agriculture categories:

Agribusiness
Production Agriculture
Research & Technology
Entrepreneurship
Education & Advocacy

Nominations for the 2019 AgGrad 30 Under 30 list are now open and are scheduled to close Thursday, January 31, 2019, at 11:59 PM. Self-nominations are accepted.

Winners will be announced March 2019.

To learn more about the eligibility requirements, announcement date, and location, and to nominate for the 2019 AgGrad 30 Under 30 list, visit: 30Under30.ag

We Are a Part of a Bigger Family!

The Future of Agriculture Podcast is now part of the Farm and Rural Ag Network. Listen to more ag-related podcasts by subscribing on iTunes or on the Farm and Rural Ag Network Website today.

Share the Ag-Love!

Thanks for joining us on the Future of Agriculture Podcast – your spot for valuable information, content, and interviews with industry leaders throughout the agricultural space! If you enjoyed this week’s episode, please subscribe on iTunes and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share it with your friends on your favorite social media spots!

Learn more about AgGrad by visiting:

Future of Agriculture Website

AgGrad Website

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Future of Agriculture 123: Nerding Out About Soil Health with Dr. Abbey Wick of North Dakota State University Oct 17, 2018

Show notes

Dr. Abbey Wick is an Extension Soil Health Specialist for North Dakota State University. In her position, she is responsible for producing soil health videos with topics ranging from soil erosion to cover crops. She is trained in soil organic matter dynamics, soil structural development, and microbial ecology. She believes all systems need a holistic approach encompassing every interaction within them. She implements this belief by working with landowners, industry, and government agencies throughout North Dakota.

Abbey joins me today to discuss the importance of soil health in the agricultural industry. She shares the story of how she got into the industry despite not having a rural background and why she decided to work on soil health. She describes what her normal, day-to-day routine is like especially when interacting with farmers. She also explains some of the projects she’s working on and how they can help the ag industry as well as the environment.

“Most farmers are not farming for themselves. They’re farming for the next generation." -Dr. Abbey Wick

This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast:

How she got into the agricultural industry despite not growing up on a farm.
Her role as an extension specialist and what she does on a daily basis.
What the farmers she works with think about soil health and their primary concerns.
The goals farmers set their priorities to.
The first step in maintaining soil health.
Can they optimize one crop to become the best cover crop?
Nitrogen and when farmers can utilize the type from the soil and not from fertilizers.
The tests involved in evaluating soil health.
What Abbey loves so much about soil.

Key Takeaways:

Data always lead us to directions that provide good guidance to within systems we can understand
No farmer wants to see soil just slough away.
Apply soil health practices in small sections of land first before covering the whole farm.
Planting nitrogen-fixing cover crops won't replace nitrogen fertilizers.

Resources Mentioned

Stories From The Soil

Connect with Dr. Abbey Wick:

2019 AgGrad 30 Under 30

Help us celebrate the top 30 future leaders of agriculture! Nominate your favorite up-and-coming, future executives, innovators, and influencers in the following agriculture categories:

Agribusiness
Production Agriculture
Research & Technology
Entrepreneurship
Education & Advocacy

Nominations for the 2019 AgGrad 30 Under 30 list are now open and are scheduled to close Thursday, January 31, 2019, at 11:59 PM. Self-nominations are accepted.

Winners will be announced March 2019.

To learn more about the eligibility requirements, announcement date and location, and to nominate for the 2019 AgGrad 30 Under 30 list, visit: 30Under30.ag

We Are a Part of a Bigger Family!

The Future of Agriculture Podcast is now part of the Farm and Rural Ag Network. Listen to more ag-related podcasts by subscribing on iTunes or on the Farm and Rural Ag Network Website today.

Share the Ag-Love!

Learn more about AgGrad by visiting:

Future of Agriculture Website

AgGrad Website

AgGrad on Twitter AgGrad on Facebook AgGrad on LinkedIn AgGrad on Instagram

Future of Agriculture 122: Different Perspectives on AgTech Accelerators with Georg Baunach of Hatch and Joel Harris of Ag Startup Engine Oct 10, 2018

Show notes

Georg Banauch is a molecular biotechnologist with extensive knowledge of synthetic biology and biofuels research. He is also a Co-Founder and Development Director for HATCH, an accelerator program focused exclusively on the aquaculture industry seeking to develop and scale disruptive aquaculture startups.

Joel Harris is Ag Startup Engine’s Co-Director. Ag Startup Engine is a privately-owned accelerator program that funds AgTech entrepreneurs and supports them through mentorship and funding. Joel’s responsibility includes coordinating investor relations and mentoring new entrepreneurs.

Georg and Joel join me today to discuss how their accelerator programs work, the type of ideas they want to support, and what makes each company unique from other accelerators. Georg explains how they developed the idea to launch HATCH, why they focused on aquaculture startups, and how aquaculture can help the world grow. Joel shares what their company is all about and the checklist they use when selecting companies as well as how Ag Startup Engine can help business owners. Joel also offers great advice when dealing with investors from a new entrepreneur’s viewpoint.

"For new entrepreneurs, a small pat on the back can go a long way." - Joel Harris

This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast:

What is HATCH accelerator and how it got started.
Their motivation in starting Hatch Accelerator.
How their accelerator program works and their interactions with startups.
An estimate on how many aquaculture startups are out there.
What Hatch looks for in startups and ideas they want to see.
What excites Georg on the future of aquaculture?
Joel Harris’ perspective as an entrepreneur and someone working with entrepreneurs.
Joel’s best advice on how to succeed in growing an AgTech startup.
Is Ag Startup Engine open to startups worldwide?
How Joel motivates budding entrepreneurs into achieving their goals.
Ag Startup Engine's programs and how they help entrepreneurs.
Joel's advice to new entrepreneurs when it comes to communicating with investors.

Key Takeaways:

Aquaculture is efficient compared to others in the agricultural industry.
Working with an accelerator is an opportunity, but where you’ll end up after that is up to you.

Connect with Georg Baunach:

HATCH
Email: georg@hatch.blue

Connect with Joel Harris

Ag Startup Engine

We Are a Part of a Bigger Family!

The Future of Agriculture Podcast is now part of the Farm and Rural Ag Network. Listen to more ag-related podcasts by subscribing on iTunes or on the Farm and Rural Ag Network Website today.

Share the Ag-Love!

Learn more about AgGrad by visiting:

Future of Agriculture Website

AgGrad Website

AgGrad on Twitter AgGrad on Facebook AgGrad on LinkedIn AgGrad on Instagram

Follow Up Friday: Iowa AgriTech Accelerator Oct 05, 2018

Show notes

The Iowa AgriTech Accelerator is a mentor-led program that allows startups to collaborate with agriculture industry leaders and present their solutions to refine product market fit, perform customer discovery within the industry, and build strategic partnerships.

Iowa AgriTech Accelerator Executive Director Megan Vollstedt joins the show to share more about their program. One of their success stories is Rabbit Tractors, that you may remember from Future of Agriculture 118.

Learn more at https://agiowa.com

Check out the "Future of Agriculture" Blog: www.FutureOfAg.com

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Future of Agriculture 121: Electricides with Andrew Diprose of Rootwave Oct 03, 2018

Show notes

Andrew Diprose is the CEO at Rootwave, a UK tech startup that aims to provide a sustainable and efficient solution to weed problems by zapping them from the root up. The goal is to reduce weeds without using chemicals which could help solve soil contamination issues. His role is to lead the product and technology department, making sure the technology is safe and effective when it is commercially available in 2020.

Andrew joins me today to discuss Rootwave, what inspired him to start this type of technology, and how it works. He explains the need for clean methods of killing weeds relative to soil health and describes some of the ways this technology is superior to the conventional means of removing weeds in farms. He also shares his prediction of what agriculture will look like in the future.

“Electricides will be a benefit to society. It will better the environment and the health of individuals.” - Andrew Diprose

This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast:

What are electricides and how does it work in agriculture?
Why Andrew believes electricides are the best alternative to herbicides.
What inspired him to come up with the idea of inventing electricides.
What makes electricides different from using fire and other thermal methods?
How electricides are energy efficient and where the energy comes from.
Why electricides won’t adversely affect general soil health.
The type of plants they aim to use the technology initially.
The current stage the technology is currently in and when it is expected to become available commercially.
How Andrew envisions agriculture looking differently in the future.

Key Takeaways:

With soil contamination being rampant all over the world, the need for a localized yet efficient and sustainable herbicide is critical.
Electricides protect crops from unwanted vegetation without collateral damage.

Resources Mentioned:

FoA118 Autonomous Swarm-Enabled Tractors with Zack James of Rabbit Tractors

Connect with Andrew Diprose:

Rootwave

We Are a Part of a Bigger Family!

The Future of Agriculture Podcast is now part of the Farm and Rural Ag Network. Listen to more ag-related podcasts by subscribing on iTunes or on the Farm and Rural Ag Network Website today.

Share the Ag-Love!

Learn more about AgGrad by visiting:

Future of Agriculture Website

AgGrad Website

AgGrad on Twitter AgGrad on Facebook AgGrad on LinkedIn AgGrad on Instagram

Future of Agriculture 120: Data to Improve Aquaculture Farms with Tony Chen of Manolin Sep 27, 2018

Show notes

Tony Chen is the Co-Founder of Manolin Inc., a new startup in the aquaculture space. Manolin is a software company that aims to accelerate resource sharing between salmon farms as well as prevent and manage sea lice outbreaks through digital health management. Before co-founding Manolin, Tony was developing software for the U.S. government and was only interested in aquaculture as a hobby. His fascination grew to new heights when he discovered how oyster farming works and the plight of its farmers.

Tony joins me today to share his thoughts on aquaculture and why he thinks it’s going to radically change the way we look at agriculture in the near future. He explains what aquaculture is all about, how he believes it can contribute to solving the world food production crisis, and how their company aims to help ocean farmers. He discusses some of the issues of aquaculture and how they tie with the ocean’s current problems. He also describes why they worked with HATCH among other startup accelerators in the industry.

“Aquaculture is another industrial revolution and the world is starting to recognize that.” - Tony Chen

This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast:

What is Aquaculture and how can it impact the future of agriculture?
Why he focused on Aquaculture despite having a degree in Computer Science from MIT.
What is Manolin and what do they aim to do?
Their clients and what their operation might look like.
Why they pursued a partnership with the startup accelerator HATCH.
The challenges and benefits of being a U.S. company operating in a foreign country.
His advice to startups planning to work with accelerators.
Why people need to pay more attention to aquaculture.
How their app works and what it can provide to its users.

Key Takeaways:

We're at a stage where there is an opportunity for regeneration in the ocean.
Knowing what's happening at a nearby farm is just as important as what's happening at your specific farm.
The lack of aquaculture is one of the larger problems when you think about food production globally.

Resources Mentioned:

HATCH

Connect with Tony Chen:

Manolin
Manolin Aqua
Email: tony@manolinaqua.com

We Are a Part of a Bigger Family!

The Future of Agriculture Podcast is now part of the Farm and Rural Ag Network. Listen to more ag-related podcasts by subscribing on iTunes or on the Farm and Rural Ag Network Website today.

Share the Ag-Love!

Learn more about AgGrad by visiting:

Future of Agriculture Website

AgGrad Website

AgGrad on Twitter AgGrad on Facebook AgGrad on LinkedIn AgGrad on Instagram

Future of Agriculture 119: Stories from the Soil with Jim Loar of Cool Planet Sep 20, 2018

Show notes

Jim Loar is CEO and President of Cool Planet, an innovations company that seeks to improve upon the current agricultural technologies we have today to facilitate increased profits and crop production at a low cost in a sustainable manner. Jim has over 30 years of experience in the industry and worked with big corporations like Wilbur-Ellis Company and Griffin LLC. He has a Bachelor of Nautical Science from the United States Merchant Marine Academy and obtained his Master's degree in Business administration from Ohio University.

Jim joins me today to discuss his ideas around soil health and why he says it’s the future of agricultural innovations. He explains what soil health is and what exactly makes soil healthy. He introduces a new project called Stories From The Soil and describes its purpose and what he wants it to achieve. Jim also discusses how improving soil health benefits not only the environment but also the economy around the agricultural industry.

“Soil health really is the next evolution of agriculture.” - Jim Loar

This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast:

Why is soil health so important in agriculture?
Why he began focusing on innovating soil for agricultural purposes.
The properties of healthy soil and what makes soil not healthy.
The tools available to the farmer to help make the soil healthy.
How Cool Planet plans to initiate the innovations of soil health.
The goal of launching "Stories From The Soil" and what you can expect from it.

Key Takeaways:

Farmers have always been focused on health and it's a priority that's passed to the next generation.
Improving soil health positively affects soil biology which translates to better crops and bigger profits.

Resources Mentioned:

Biochar with Jim Loar of Cool Planet

Connect with Jim Loar:

We Are a Part of a Bigger Family!

The Future of Agriculture Podcast is now part of the Farm and Rural Ag Network. Listen to more ag-related podcasts by subscribing on iTunes or on the Farm and Rural Ag Network Website today.

Share the Ag-Love!

Learn more about AgGrad by visiting:

Future of Agriculture Website

AgGrad Website

AgGrad on Twitter AgGrad on Facebook AgGrad on LinkedIn AgGrad on Instagram

Future of Agriculture 118: Autonomous, Swarm-Enabled Tractors with Zack James of Rabbit Tractors Sep 12, 2018

Show notes

Zack James is the Founder of Rabbit Tractors, a team that designs and builds swarm-enabled, compact, and autonomous farm equipment. His company’s aim is to help farmers save time and money while increasing productivity. He has a degree in Finance from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business and attended University of Michigan Law School with a focus on corporate governance and securities.

Zack joins me today to share his company’s ideas and solutions when it comes to increasing farm efficiency. He introduces the concept of Rabbit Tractors, describes how they developed the idea and explains how it can improve farm productivity. He also describes how they incorporated autonomy in their technology and how farmers can simply run their machines with smartphones.

“What autonomy will do is let us break the paradox of one farmer driving one tractor at a time.” - Zack James

This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast:

What is Rabbit Tractors?
How Zack got the inspiration to start the company.
His unconventional background prior to starting his company.
How having smaller farm equipment can help farmers with their work.
How Rabbit Tractors products can help farmers save time and increase productivity
To what point is their technology autonomous?
Can Rabbit Tractors replace 100% of what farmers use?
The current status of Rabbit Tractors.
The qualities that made the company attractive to accelerators
Their current business focus and their plans for the future.

Key Takeaways:

Most ag tech companies have a great technology component but don't have a good delivery method for it.

Resources Mentioned:

AgLaunch

Connect with Zack James:

Rabbit Tractors
Email: zack@rabbittractors.com

We Are a Part of a Bigger Family!

The Future of Agriculture Podcast is now part of the Farm and Rural Ag Network. Listen to more ag-related podcasts by subscribing on iTunes or on the Farm and Rural Ag Network Website today.

Share the Ag-Love!

Learn more about AgGrad by visiting:

Future of Agriculture Website

AgGrad Website

AgGrad on Twitter AgGrad on Facebook AgGrad on LinkedIn AgGrad on Instagram

Future of Agriculture 117: Bridging the Gap Between AgTech Entrepreneurs and Farmers with Pete Nelson of AgLaunch Sep 05, 2018

Show notes

Pete Nelson is the President and Executive Director of AgLaunch, an agriculture accelerator that supports startups that innovate food and provide sustainable solutions. He has over twenty years of experience as a farmer, writer, consultant, speaker, and entrepreneur emphasizing farm-based innovation technologies and models. He has worked with a variety of public and private sector partners building a support ecosystem for new ag companies.

Pete joins me today to discuss what AgLaunch is about and how they work with new entrepreneurs in the industry. He shares his background and what inspired him to start AgLaunch and explains the problems farmers encounter when choosing which companies to invest in. He also describes the kind of startups they prefer to partner with - especially when it comes to AgTech.

“There is a lack of calibration between what is needed on the farm and the solutions coming forward.” - Pete Nelson

This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast:

An overview of what AgLaunch is all about
Pete's role in the early-stage startups they help.
How agriculture is different from other industries regarding
Farmers’ perspectives on the current state of AgTech.
What it takes to grow the ecosystem to where it needs to be.
How AgLaunch selects and works with entrepreneurs.
The kind of technology or ideas AgLaunch would love to work with.
Why agriculture startups have difficulty "crossing the chasm."

Key Takeaways:

Ag startups aren’t adopted by clients as fast as startups in the tech world.
There are too many agriculture startups to choose from, and farmers have a hard time choosing which ones to invest in.

Resources Mentioned:

GroGuru

Connect with Pete Nelson:

AgLaunch
Twitter
Email: PNelson@Aglaunch.com

We Are a Part of a Bigger Family!

The Future of Agriculture Podcast is now part of the Farm and Rural Ag Network. Listen to more ag-related podcasts by subscribing on iTunes or on the Farm and Rural Ag Network Website today.

Share the Ag-Love!

Learn more about AgGrad by visiting:

Future of Agriculture Website

AgGrad Website

AgGrad on Twitter AgGrad on Facebook AgGrad on LinkedIn AgGrad on Instagram

Future of Agriculture 116: Farming Algae with Martin Gross of Gross-Wen Technologies Aug 29, 2018

Show notes

Martin Gross is the Founder and President of Gross-Wen Technologies, a next generation wastewater treatment company that makes use of microalgae to provide a sustainable and efficient alternative to conventional water treatment methods. As President, he has raised over $3 million in Angel and Series A investments, applied for numerous patents, and served as Principal Investigator in non-diluting SBIR grant funding. Martin has a Ph.D. in Agriculture & Biosystems Engineering, and a Ph.D. in Food Science and Technology from Iowa State University.

Martin joins me today to discuss the potential of microalgae in innovating the world’s wastewater treatment industry. He explains how their technology works, what sets it apart from traditional methods, and why he believes their process is sustainable and efficient. He also shares how they grow microalgae and why we shouldn’t worry about the possibility of algae-produced toxicity in water as well as describes how accelerators impacted the growth of his company.

“How do you have a successful business with algae? There are two ways today. That is to clean water or produce high-value algae products.” - Martin Gross

This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast:

How Gross-Wen Technologies grows and farms algae.
The major advantage of algae to bacteria or chemical to clean nitrogen phosphorus from water.
Where the nitrogen-phosphorus in water originates.
Martin's background and how he started Gross-Wen Technologies.
What piqued his interest in starting a business.
How the technology works and how they validated the process.
What makes their system much more efficient and cost-effective than conventional algae-growing technology?
The challenges in growing one species of algae.
How have accelerators impacted his business?

Key Takeaways:

Algae is better than bacteria or chemicals when it comes to cleaning water.
An efficient water treatment system is sustainable.

Resources Mentioned:

Connect with Martin Gross:

Gross-Wen Technologies

We Are a Part of a Bigger Family!

The Future of Agriculture Podcast is now part of the Farm and Rural Ag Network. Listen to more ag-related podcasts by subscribing on iTunes or on the Farm and Rural Ag Network Website today.

Share the Ag-Love!

Learn more about AgGrad by visiting:

Future of Agriculture Website

AgGrad Website

AgGrad on Twitter AgGrad on Facebook AgGrad on LinkedIn AgGrad on Instagram

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