Future of Agriculture

Latest Episodes:

Future of Agriculture 097: For Profit Approach to International Ag Development with Richard Lackey of World Food Bank Apr 18, 2018

Show notes

Richard Lackey is the Chairman and CEO of the World Food Bank, an organization founded in 2015 to provide sustainable solutions to the food security and hunger issues around the world. He is a highly-regarded expert in the trading and securities industry and is passionate about finding solutions that will help end world hunger.

Richard joins me today to share the driving force behind World Food Bank, their mission, and how their unique program is designed to significantly impact the food security and hunger issues we currently face worldwide. He explains how his systematized approach helps impact the world from an economic standpoint and why systematic approaches are more sustainable solutions to combating world hunger and poverty. He explains how they use model farms to help farmers in third-world countries gain access to the tools, techniques, and strategies that can improve their crop grades, quality, and profits. He also shares his prediction for investors considering food as a future asset commodity and the potential impact that a single 5,000-acre farm can have on the lives of those living in countries such as Uganda.

“The ability to now store commodities for years and years - and maintain grade - is a game-changer.” - Richard Lackey

This Week on the Future of Agriculture Podcast:

The food security issues that the World Food Bank focuses on solving.
What is post-harvest loss and how it impacts the export market worldwide?
How they use model farms as an educational tool within third-world countries.
Why organizations are beginning to shift their focus from project-based programs to systematic solutions.
How the company works with investors and creates profits.
The technology they use to store commodities and remove the calendar risk associated with long storage periods.
How his organization helps third-world countries mitigate and control price volatility.
How the systematic approach is impacting the lives of farmers as well as the poverty crisis within third-world countries.
His prediction on investors considering food commodities as an asset class in the future.
The potential impact that one sustainable farm can have in a third-world country.
How they determine how well crop genetics will work within each region.

Connect with Richard Lackey:

World Food Bank
The Case for Food as an Asset Class - Whitepaper

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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.

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Future of Agriculture 096: Getting Started in Farming with Tom Bottoms Apr 11, 2018

Show notes

Tom Bottoms earned his bachelor’s degree in Plant Sciences from the California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo and in 2013, he received his Ph.D. in Horticulture and Agronomy from the University of California. He currently works as an employee of a large farming operation based in Northern California with the intention of eventually accumulating his own farm land and building his own operation.

Tom joins me today to share what inspired him to work in the agriculture industry and what motivated him to continue his education in agriculture. He shares why he decided to pivot his career from agriculture academia to work in the private sector, his experience while working with the African Leadership Partners in Swaziland, Africa and the challenges he has faced and overcome while helping a small farm operation significantly grow during his missionary operation in Africa. He also explains the importance of networking and building relationships within the farming industry to help you achieve your goals as a professional, the importance of self-awareness and professional development, and tips on how to get started in farming.

“You’ve got to continue to develop yourself - to put yourself in a situation where you’re learning about the industry.” - Tom Bottoms

This Week on the Future of Agriculture Podcast:

Tom’s experience as a missionary in Africa.
How he helped the African farm operation become successful.
How he balances his personal life while advancing his career.
The importance of networking with others in the industry and how it has impacted his career.
The farming operation he is currently working with.
Why he believes setting firm, inflexible deadlines on certain goals is dangerous.
The importance of focusing on improving processes more than the financial opportunities available when you are just starting out in farming.
The importance of building trust within your farm operation.
How to get started in farming.
Assets that young professionals can offer to established farming operations.

Resources Mentioned:

Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap…And Others Don’t book by Jim Collins
Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies (Harper Business Essentials) book by Jim Collins
Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business book by Gino Wickman

Tom Bottom’s Tips for Getting Started in Farming:

Try to keep your day job as long as you can while you are trying to get started.
Ask yourself what you are doing now to make it possible.
Read and understand how basic farming operations work.
Question everything.

Connect with Tom Bottoms:

Email: Tommy@TVFarming.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!

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Future of Agriculture Website

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Future of Agriculture 095: Could Organic and GMO be on the Same Team with Rob Saik Apr 04, 2018

Show notes

Rob Saik is the founder of the Agri-Trend® group of companies whose primary goal is to help farmers grow food through agriculture consulting services in areas such as agronomic production, carbon-offset trading, grain marketing strategies, and data management systems for producers around the world. He is the creator of The Agri-Prize contest series, a TEDx and keynote speaker, and the author of the book The Agriculture Manifesto - 10 Key Drivers That Will Shape Agriculture in the Next Decade which has earned an Amazon 2014 Best of Books award. Additionally, he is the Executive Producer of the movie KNOW GMO as well as the webisode series LEARN GMO.

Rob joins me today to discuss the mission behind The Agri-Trend and the connection between the organic movement and the non-GMO movement. He explains how he believes GMOs can impact the future of agriculture, sustainability, and the food supply around the world as well as the impact they can have on the health of consumers. He also shares why he believes many consumers refuse to use GMO-friendly products and the importance of due diligence when educating yourself about organic and genetically engineered crops.

“Most of what you are reading about GMOs on social media are an absolute distortion of the truth.” - Rob Saik

This Week on the Future of Agriculture Podcast:

How Agri-Trend helps farmers allocate scarce resources.
The impact that banning GMO products have had on certain countries and cultures.
The connection between the organic movement and the non-GMO movement.
What farmers should consider to grow more crops organically.
Why farmers shouldn’t be at odds when deciding to grow organically or become GMO-friendly.
Why he believes many people think GMOs are bad or unhealthy.
How “organic” and “non-GMO” food labels are misleading consumers.
How GMOs can contribute to the agriculture industry’s long-term sustainability.
The impact that embracing genetically modified food can have on the world’s starvation crisis and consumer health.

Connect With Rob Saik:

KNOW Ideas Media
KNOW Ideas Media on Facebook
KNOW Ideas Media on YouTube
Will Agriculture be ALLOWED to Feed 9 Billion People - Rob Saik’s TEDx Talk

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 094: Ag Literacy for Kids with Simone Kain of George the Farmer Mar 28, 2018

Show notes

Simone Kain is the co-creator of George the Farmer, a social enterprise that focuses on educating kids about proper farming practices as well as how food and fiber are produced using apps, music, videos, picture books, and free curriculum-aligned educator’s guides. She drew inspiration from a 2012 survey in Australia that shows 10-12-year-old students don’t know where their food comes from. Simone describes George the Farmer as “everyone’s mate” and tackles the daily activities of Australian farming with passion.

In this episode, Simone explains how George the Farmer educates children. She shares the story behind George the Farmer, how they structured their app, and why knowing where your food comes from is essential. She also discusses the need for people to learn that a career in agriculture is not always about farming and how George the Farmer aims to do just that.

“We try to get kids to start thinking about the amazing opportunities available in agriculture.” – Simone Kain

This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast:

The origins of George the Farmer.
What their app aims to do.
Who their market is and their target age group.
Their response from those who don't have a farm background.
How kids have benefited from their app.
Their future projects for George the Farmer
Their process in trying to get George the Farmer in television.
The challenges they've faced
What surprised her the most in this project?

Connect with Simone Kain:

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

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Future of Agriculture 093: CrowdFARMING with Chris Rawley of Harvest Returns Mar 21, 2018

Show notes

Chris Rawley conceived the idea of crowdfunding platforms for agriculture while visiting a farm investment in Central America. He would soon start Harvest Returns, a crowdfunding company that serves investors looking to diversify their portfolio and invest their money on actual farms. Before founding Harvest Returns, Chris obtained corporate management roles in various companies and once served as a defense consultant at Special Operations Command Headquarters thanks to his military experience. He has been investing in real estate and agriculture for almost twenty years.

In this episode, Chris discusses how his company helps both farmers and investors. He shares how he got the idea of starting Harvest Returns, the company’s main goals, and what makes them different from other agricultural crowdsourcing platforms. He also shares some of their recent projects as well as some of their strategies in handling difficult markets.

“Agriculture is for people with long-term investment horizons.” – Chris Rawley

This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast:

What is equity crowdfunding?
Who are their primary clients?
What does Harvest Returns invest in?
What assurance do investors have that their farm will be well managed?
What would compel farmers to give up some of their ownership to get money?
How do they handle a two-sided marketplace?
How does their company make money?
What made them start the company?
How many deals have they closed so far?

Resources Mentioned:

AgFunder

Connect with Chris Rawley:

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 091: The Role of Cooperative Extension in Modern Agriculture with Dr. Jason de Koff Mar 07, 2018

Show notes

Dr. Jason de Koff is an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist at Tennessee State University. He holds a Ph.D in agronomy from Purdue University and has received numerous awards including the NACAA Achievement Award and the TAAA&S Communications Award (Learning Module Southeast Region) in 2016.

Dr. de Koff joins me on today’s episode to discuss how cooperative extension programs are helping to spread unbiased information throughout the agriculture industry to help improve the future of agriculture. He also explains how cooperative extensions are encouraging the future of careers in agriculture, how they are helping new farmers get started in the agriculture industry, and how drones can be used in agricultural production.

“Cooperative extension agents are really the unsung heroes of the extension program.” - Dr. Jason de Koff

This Week on the Future of Agriculture Podcast:

The history of cooperative extension programs and how the organization was funded.
The importance of the cooperative extension providing an unbiased voice in the agriculture community.
Who the cooperative extension programs help on a day-to-day basis.
Project examples of how the cooperative extension programs work.
What are “needs assessments” and how they help cooperative extensions decide which projects to focus on next.
How cooperative extensions work with private industries.
How they are helping new farmers learn valuable skills in the agriculture industry.
How they are educating farmers and children to use drones in agriculture.
Evaluating project effectiveness for the USDA and stakeholders.
How to learn more about cooperative extension programs in your local area.

Resources Mentioned:

40 Chances: Finding Hope in a Hungry World book by Howard G. Buffett
New Farmer Academy

Connect with Dr. Jason de Koff:

Future of Agriculture 089: Farmer and Rancher Perspectives on Data, Blockchain and the Consumer with Jerod McDaniel Feb 21, 2018

Show notes

Jerod McDaniel is a farmer and cattleman from Texhoma, Oklahoma. He is progressive when it comes to farm-related data, and new technology and practices. He is quite open and excited about the idea behind blockchain and how it would impact farmers like him. Jerod took over his grandfather’s farm in 1995 when he was just 18 years old which has enabled him to acquire the necessary skills for traditional farming as well as learn and integrate new ways to make the different processes involved much more efficient. He is considered one of the agriculture industry’s top Twitter influencers.

In this episode, Jerod discusses what farmers like him expect from blockchain technology. He shares some of the issues farmers and ranchers currently face and their current solutions, and how blockchain technology can elevate the systems they already have in place. He also describes the importance of having the right data when it comes to breeding with the right genetics and how it can make an otherwise slow year profitable.

“The best thing about blockchain technology is it would unify the platform people use.”– Jerod McDaniel

This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast:

How much do farmers value data?
Why, even with data, it would be difficult to remove the farmer from farming.
What data is he collecting now that he didn't previously?
Data points regarding cows he is more interested in.
How will blockchain help ranchers?
When it comes to data, what makes the beef industry different from the poultry and swine industries?
His opinion on the cryptocurrency trend?

Connect with Jerod McDaniel:

Twitter

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 088:Farmgate Blockchain Applications with Emma Weston of AgriDigital Feb 14, 2018

Show notes

Emma Weston is the CEO and one of the founders of AgriDigital, a commodity management company that combines advanced technical and industry expertise with aesthetic design and intelligent systems to develop seamless solutions to complex logistical, risk, customer management, and commodity issues in the agricultural sector. Emma leads the company’s business strategies, investor engagement, and their own Blockchain and talent management. She also has responsibilities in sales and operations.

In this episode, Emma shares how their company works with Blockchain and how it enables them to support farmers. She describes the impact Blockchain has on the future of transactions and why it will eventually become a standard in the industry.

“A platform approach means there is a single source of data and a single source of truth.”– Emma Weston

This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast:

How Blockchain helped solve problems for their company.
How does Blockchain solve the payment security problem?
What's the difference between Blockchain transactions and today's internet transactions?
How their company utilizes Blockchain tech when it comes to finance.
Incentivizing the buyer to pay earlier than they should.
How can Blockchain provide transparency without exposing sensitive information?

Connect with Emma Weston:

AgriDigital
Email: emma.weston@agridigital.io

Win a free book on Blockchain!

Want to know more about Blockchain? We are giving one lucky listener a copy of the book Blockchain: The Beginner’s Guide to Understanding the Technology Behind Bitcoin & Cryptocurrency. Learn the basics of Blockchain, Bitcoin, and other cryptocurrencies and how they work.

To enter for your chance to win, click this link and follow the instructions. The lucky winner will be randomly selected on February 15 2018, so don’t miss out!

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 087:Blockchain and the Internet of Food with Raja Ramachandran of Ripe.io Feb 07, 2018

Show notes

Raja Ramachandran is the CEO of Ripe.io, a company that considers itself as the Blockchain of food. Ripe.io offers solutions to food problems that involve data transparency while also providing answers to many consumer questions. Raja has a background in finance and FOREX trading and is fond of using financial technology, cloud-based systems, machine learning, and Blockchain to help solve problems around food on a global scale.

In this episode, Raja shares the idea behind Ripe.io, their mission, and how they can make use of Blockchain to solve problems specific to food and agriculture. He explains why Blockchain is not the answer, but part of a solution and how consumer feedback helps make the system work better. He also describes the current application of Blockchain now as well as how he sees it being implemented in the short term.

“Once you recognize the things you know and don't know, you're gonna be looking for different tools to make certain things happen.”– Raja Ramachandran

This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast:

Why they created Ripe.io
Why did they focus on food in applying Blockchain?
Where does the data end up and where is the value in it?
How consumers can contribute to the Blockchain.
How does a company insert themselves in the middle of a system where the purpose is to get rid of the middle?
Who are their ideal customers?
What was the Sweet Green Pilot all about?
What can Blockchain do for food waste?
Is an ICO something Ripe.io is interested in?

Connect with Raja Ramachandran:

Ripe.io

Win a free book on Blockchain!

To enter for your chance to win, click this link and follow the instructions. The lucky winner will be randomly selected on February 15 2018, so don’t miss out!

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 086: 086 FOA How Blockchain Works with Alex Danco of Social Capital Jan 31, 2018

Show notes

Alex Danco is an Associate and member of the Discover Team at Social Capital, a partnership consisting of philanthropists, capitalists, and technologists who together share the same goal of funding startups and ideas that can create value and change on a global scale. Alex is fond of thinking and writing about the future, and has authored a number of blogs that discuss the future of human society and technology all over the web. This penchant for futurism has made him grow fond of little yet novel ideas that just need a bit of capital to get started.

In this episode, Alex explains how Blockchain works. He discusses what made Blockchain a necessity, how it was initially conceptualized, and why Bitcoin paved the way for its mainstream introduction. He also describes just how cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum have value, and why they are not that different from gold.

“When people talk about Blockchain, it’s just the record of the process that happens.” - Alex Danco

This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast:

The beginnings of Blockchain
The problems that Blockchain could solve
Why Bitcoin and Ethereum have value.
How to determine the value of cryptocurrencies.
The difference and similarities between gold and Bitcoin.
What does it mean to build an agricultural product on the Blockchain?

Connect with Alex Danco:

Social Capital

Win a free book on Blockchain!

To enter for your chance to win, click this link and follow the instructions. The lucky winner will be randomly selected on February 15, 2018, so don’t miss out!

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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