Podcasts about Agtech

The term ‘agtech' now encompasses so many different types of businesses and innovations, that from an investment perspective, it can look overly complex. However perhaps the opposite is true?Mark Kahn, Managing Partner of Ominvore, shares his ‘agtech-agribusinesss convergence theory'; where agtech startups eventually grow to look like a more conventional agribusiness company. He argues that if an agtech startup can't see a pathway to either becoming an agribusiness or at least complementing one, then it's likely to fail. The recent agtech startup failures in animal protein and vertical farming are an example of this.So what does this argument mean for venture capital, which is all about high growth potential, disruption, and of course, high risk? Are VCs likely to invest in startups which are going to become ‘just another agribusiness'? And does that even matter?For important context, Mark Kahn is based in India, which has a vastly different investment landscape compared with western countries. India has an incredibly large agriculture economy,  worth about $US600 - 700 billion, with about 50% of the Indian workforce employed in agriculture.  If you compare that with Australia, only 2.5% of the national workforce is involved in agriculture. In the United States, it's around 10%. Mark and Sarah discuss:Omnivore's investment thesis and how it has evolved over time to focus on food security, agricultural prosperity, resource efficiency & rural resilienceThe unique agtech investment conditions in India and how it compares with markets in western countries such as the US, Canada, and Australia Whether we are starting to see a global uptick in agtech investmentWhy Mark believes there is an agtech-agribusiness convergenceHow the Indian agtech market can be overlooked by western investors, because they do not take the time to understand itUSEFUL LINKS:Value creation in Indian agriculture - McKinsey and Company, 2025DeHaat - the largest farmer platform in India and portfolio company of Omnivore.What caused the farmer protests in India and what does it mean for innovation in Ag?- Agtech… So What? episode, featuring Mark Kahn and other investors.For more information and resources, visit our website. The information in this post is not investment advice or a recommendation to invest. It is general information only and does not take into account your investment objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making an investment decision you should seek financial advice from a professional financial adviser. Whilst we believe the information is correct, we provide no warranty of accuracy, reliability or completeness.

In this tough economic environment, does it still make sense to invest in technology?

As agriculture evolves, so do the tools that help farmers and ag retailers manage their businesses more easily.

Choosing to get along seems to be the mindset critical to the success of the Coggan family mixed farming business over five generations. Juggling a massive beef, lamb and grain operation in Queensland's Western Downs, siblings Emily, Tom and Sarah are fast becoming a leading force in the early adoption of ag technology.They're the first beef farmers in Australia to use halter collars, allowing them to double the number of breeder cattle grazing otherwise unproductive land, with virtually zero labour or fencing costs.  You can't miss this fascinating chat with three dynamic young farmers, all with open minds and the courage to back each other and give just about anything a crack!takeawaysThe Coggan family operates a multi-generational farm with diverse operations.Each sibling has a unique role within the family business.Returning to the family farm can be a significant career decision and family dynamics play a crucial role in business success.Technology adoption is transforming agricultural practices.Evaluating new technologies requires courage and thorough due diligence.Success stories with ag tech can inspire further innovation.chapters00:00 Introduction and Roles in the Family Business06:10 Career Paths and Returning to the Farm09:02 The Importance of Family Dynamics17:39 Adoption of Technology in Agriculture20:46 Evaluating New Technologies23:39 Success Stories with Ag Tech26:52 Attracting the Next Generation to AgricultureExplore more episodes of Humans of Agriculture - don't forget to rate, subscribe, and leave a review!If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend and let us know your thoughts at hello@humansofagriculture.com.  Rabobank Grad Program: If you're on the lookout for a graduate role, head over to Rabobank.com.au to apply for their 2026 Graduate program before the 18th of August! 

Ever wondered why some vertical farms thrive while others struggle? The answer might lie in combining traditional horticultural wisdom with cutting-edge technology.I sat down with Wessel van Paassen, Managing Director at Green Simplicity, to explore the intersection of greenhouse expertise and vertical farming innovation. Born into a family of flower growers, Wessel brings a unique perspective to the vertical farming industry. His company, Green Simplicity, has been at the forefront of developing research chambers and vertical farming solutions for the past decade.Wessel shares how his background in traditional horticulture has shaped his approach to vertical farming. He emphasizes the importance of efficiency, optimization, and practical knowledge in developing successful systems. We discuss the challenges faced by the vertical farming industry and how lessons from greenhouse cultivation can be applied to indoor farming.Our conversation covers a range of topics, including the evolution of vertical farming technology, the importance of collaboration within the industry, and the potential for hybrid approaches that combine greenhouse and indoor farming techniques. Wessel also offers insights into the future of vertical farming and the role of companies like Green Simplicity in driving innovation.If you're interested in the future of agriculture and want to understand how traditional farming wisdom can inform cutting-edge vertical farming solutions, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to gain valuable insights from one of the industry's most experienced voices.Thanks to Our SponsorsCEA Summit East - https://indoor.ag/cea-summit-east-2025/Indoor AgCon - https://indoor.ag/Key Takeaways5:27 Evolution from research chambers to vertical farms10:30 Pioneering LED lighting in tulip cultivation16:58 Challenges of vertical farming system integration24:40 Attending conferences and industry trends29:45 Green Simplicity joining the GreenV group35:08 Preparing for growth and future innovationsTweetable Quotes"I always say under pressure everything gets fluid. So you have to make sure it works at the ends of the line.""We are not a company that can say, 'Oh, we prove that you can produce 120 kilos of lettuce.' I just say I've never done lettuce. But if you now produce 80 kilos and your climate is this, I know it will be better because our climate is just spot on and we have uniform light distribution.""Seeing is believing. I always say talk to my customer and don't involve me. Then you know the real story."Resources MentionedWebsite - https://greensimplicity.com/en/LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/greensimplicity/Connect With UsVFP LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/verticalfarmingpodcastVFP Twitter - https://twitter.com/VerticalFarmPodVFP Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/direct/inbox/VFP Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VerticalFarmPodSubscribe to our newsletters!AgTech

In this insightful episode, we're joined by Chad Yanchycki, Sales Manager at FP Genetics, to explore the evolution and impact of Hybrid Fall Rye in Canadian agriculture. Early Leadership & Industry Impact - How FP Genetics pioneered the introduction of Hybrid Fall Rye in Canada. - The importance of adaptation trials, fertility recommendations, and fine-tuning seed rates. - Lessons learned over a decade of helping growers adopt and succeed. Agronomic Support for Growers - FP Genetics' comprehensive support system for farmers—including a knowledgeable agronomy team, new Product Specialist roles, and a robust production manual and online resources. Opening New Markets for Rye - The role of TruCover in cover cropping. - Double cropping options such as silage followed by barley or oats. On-Farm Success & Agronomic Benefits - Real-world examples of how Hybrid Fall Rye is delivering high yields and risk management benefits. - How rye's early rooting helps manage moisture in both dry and wet springs. - Seeding and harvest flexibility helping farmers manage workload and weather. Fitting Rye into the Broader Portfolio - How hybrid rye complements the full FP Genetics portfolio, with solutions for every acre. - The benefit of FP Genetics' hybrid rye reseed program and working with their team to match the right product to your farm's specific needs.   Don't miss this great segment and if you're interested in learning more about FP Genetics and its innovative seed varieties you can watch additional interviews with their team here:   1) Gain a Genetic Advantage: FP Genetics Unveils Innovative Seed Genetics for Canadian Farmers (With CEO Chris Churko) On YouTube: https://youtu.be/mjQ4yRsPFgw?feature=shared 2) Product Spotlight: FP Genetics Wheat and Durum Varieties (With Colin Tanner and Chad Yanchycki of FP Genetics) On YouTube: https://youtu.be/QyBM1sI9Z8g?feature=shared   3) Product Spotlight: Selecting Oat & Pulse Varieties w/ Colin Tanner FP Genetics On YouTube: https://youtu.be/pAJYm8h70Ek 4) Product Spotlight: Selecting Barley Varieties w/ Colette Prefontaine from FP Genetics On YouTube: https://youtu.be/WZuOMbOwTmo Thanks for tuning in, Tracy Brunet ✅ Important Link to Follow

Crover says their robot gives farmers information about the condition of stored grain the ability to do something with that data.

Agriculture is still the most dangerous industry in America, with 23.1 deaths per 100,000 workers. Can technology help?

Agriculture is still the most dangerous industry in America, with 23.1 deaths per 100,000 workers. Can technology help?

Crover developing the world's first subterranean drone and found a use case in grain bin management.

Today as part of the Tales of a Nuffield Scholar podcast which aims to share the stories of Nuffield UK Alumni, we welcome Rob Ward — entrepreneur, innovator, and agri-tech visionary.Rob's story begins on a tenanted family farm in Shropshire where early lessons in strawberries and supermarket selling taught him resilience and strategy. From handing out pick-your-own baskets to selling tech globally, Rob's journey is a masterclass in reinvention.

RLF AgTech: Corner turned – millions in free cash and itsgame on now! Listen to ASX-listed RLF AgTech Chairman Ben Barlow talk toMatt Birney on the Bulls N’ Bears Report about RLF’s comingof age with a stellar quarter and first ever profitable year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AI's role in agriculture is still taking shape, with many growers testing how it fits into their operations.

Canada's position on supply management could trigger a further escalation of trade tensions between Canada and the U.S. Florian Possberg, a partner with Polar Pork, says hope of reaching a trade deal between Canada and the United States are dwindling.Agriculture Innovation Awards were presented at Western Canada's largest outdoor farm show Ag in Motion.The Innovation Award for Ag Tech went to Phiber Manufacturing of Crystal City, Manitoba for its DASH drone carrier. Steve Froese is Phiber's Director of Sales and he talks about what is unique about the drone carrier.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Food is Medicine” is extremely popular right now, and a few facts suggest it might be more than just a trend. The U.S. alone spends something like $1.5 trillion annually on diet-related diseases, and key issues like diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and other diseases are on the rise around the world. There are costly interventions available to manage many of these problems, but an increasing body of research suggests that some of the least invasive (and most affordable) interventions don't come in a pill or vial, but in a grocery basket. Agrifood tech is definitely not sitting on the sidelines. We're seeing a new wave of startups emerging in this space, building on the lessons of food businesses of the past. To explore this trend, we spoke with one such founder– Brad McNamara, CEO and Founder at Morrissey Market, a “food is medicine” distribution startup. Brad was formerly at Freight Farms, a vertical farming company that strove to sell, not the produce, but the farm itself, in the form of a tech-enabled shipping container-sized farm.For more information and resources, visit our website. The information in this post is not investment advice or a recommendation to invest. It is general information only and does not take into account your investment objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making an investment decision you should seek financial advice from a professional financial adviser. Whilst we believe the information is correct, we provide no warranty of accuracy, reliability or completeness.

Farmers have always had to deal with weather extremes, and the volatility of weather patterns continues to be one of the most unpredictable aspects of farming.

There are few things more critical and limiting in western agriculture than water. But not all the problems are in getting rights to that water.

The most scarce resource on most farms is probably the farmer's time.

In this episode, we're joined by Brad Crammond — a farmer near Austin, Manitoba, with a unique background as a former agronomist and retailer. Brad brings a well-rounded perspective on KWS Hybrid Rye, sharing firsthand insights from the field and from the advisory side of the business. From Agronomist to Full-Time Farmer Brad kicks things off by reflecting on what initially drew him to rye, and how his first experience with hybrid rye was a game-changer — delivering a 30 bushel per acre yield boost that caught his attention and changed the way he viewed the crop's potential. Going All-In on Hybrid Rye We explore why Brad has now committed fully to hybrid rye. It's not just about yield — Brad explains how agronomics, harvest timing, weed suppression, and marketing flexibility all factored into his decision to expand acres. Regrets and Resilience Brad shares a moment of hindsight after last fall's rye harvest, where he wished he had kept more acres. We dig into what stood out about that crop — from winter survivability to spring vigor and overall crop resilience. Advice from a Farmer & Agronomist To wrap things up, Brad offers practical, farmer-to-farmer advice for anyone still on the fence about trying hybrid rye. Drawing from both his hands-on experience and years of crop advising, he highlights what to consider when evaluating this crop for your farm. Whether you're new to rye or looking to push your yields higher, this episode is packed with field-proven insight and actionable advice. Tune in now to hear Brad's full story and why he believes hybrid rye has earned a permanent place in his crop rotation. Thanks for tuning, Tracy

Send me a messageIn this episode of Climate Confident, I sat down with Kanika Chandaria, Climate Lead at Agreena, to explore one of the most overlooked yet high-impact climate solutions: soil.We talked about why regenerative agriculture is gaining traction, not just as a nature-based solution, but as a scalable, economically viable climate strategy. Kanika broke down how soil has the potential to sequester 2–5 gigatonnes of CO₂ annually, making it a key lever for companies aiming to meet net zero targets.We also got into the challenges: from the financial barriers facing farmers to the complexity of MRV (measurement, reporting, and verification) for soil carbon. Kanika explained how Agreena combines satellite imagery, AI, and selective soil sampling to deliver robust data at scale, data that's now being used not just for carbon markets, but to inform sustainable loans and supply chain initiatives.We examined the growing role of the private sector in climate action, especially as policy delays continue in the EU and US. And we discussed the importance of interoperability, why regenerative farming solutions need to work across carbon markets, food systems, and financial products.If you're a business leader thinking seriously about decarbonisation, soil carbon may be the high-impact tool you've been missing.

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When it comes to the production of high-value food crops, California is, without question, a global leader. Plus, much of the state's thousands of acres of farmland lies within close proximity of Silicon Valley, where high-tech tools and solutions are endemic. And yet, many California farmers are struggling to continue their work, and agtech startups are increasingly looking beyond the state for customers and sectors to serve. So what gives? To answer this question, we asked Walt Duflock, Senior VP of Innovation at Western Growers Association on the show to help us connect the dots on why California's world-renowned ag and its state-of-the-art tech sectors are struggling to align. Policy plays a big role here, but shifting tides around agtech funding are also having an effect. For more information and resources, visit our website. The information in this post is not investment advice or a recommendation to invest. It is general information only and does not take into account your investment objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making an investment decision you should seek financial advice from a professional financial adviser. Whilst we believe the information is correct, we provide no warranty of accuracy, reliability or completeness.

In this Voices of the Valley episode, Western Growers SeniorVice President, Innovation, Walt Duflock and The Reservoir CEO Danny Bernstein introduce Reservoir Farms, a first-of-its-kind initiative in Salinas, Calif., where agtech startups can work with growers to do field trials of their technologies. In tandem with endeavors from the Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology, Reservoir is trying to solve one of ag's biggest problems: there is simply not enough labor to get crops out of the field and onto dinner tables. “We have a big and growing line-item expense challenge withgrowers in California,” Duflock says. “The best and maybe only realistic scalable solution for that is robots.”

UbiQD founder Hunter McDaniel says the technology works in a variety of greenhouse crops.

On today's episode, ag journalist Amy Wu shares how her platform From Farms to Incubators is documenting the overlooked stories of women in ag tech, mentoring the next generation of ag communicators and reshaping the story of innovation is told in modern farming. Hear the full conversation with Wu on the Farm Bureau Friday podcast on July 11th at myaglife.com.Supporting the People who Support AgricultureThank you to this month's sponsors who makes it possible to get you your daily news. Please feel free to visit their website.2025 Crop Consultant Conference - https://myaglife.com/crop-consultant-conference/

The founder and chief executive of Ag Tech giant Halter comments on the New Zealand company revolutionising farming with its virtual fencing and animal management system, having raised $165 million in a fundraising round, now valuing Halter at $1.65 billion (US$1 billion).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if every droplet sprayed on a crop actually counted? In this episode, we meet Vishnu Jayaprakash, founder and CEO of AgZen, who's leading a revolution in precision agriculture—one droplet at a time. With a staggering 50% of pesticides missing their mark, AgZen's feedback-driven spray technology is eliminating guesswork, boosting efficiency, and giving farmers real-time insights into every application. Vishnu shares how a childhood experience with mango trees shaped his mission, and how AgZen scaled to one million acres in just three years by measuring what no one else did. Tune in for a fresh look at innovation that solves a massive problem--- Hey Climate Tech enthusiasts! Searching for new podcasts on sustainability? Check out the Leaders on a Mission podcast, where I interview climate tech leaders who are shaking up the industry and bringing us the next big thing in sustainable solutions. Join me for a deep dive into the future of green innovation exploring the highs, lows, and everything in between of pioneering new technologies.Get an exclusive insight into how these leaders started up their journey, and how their cutting edge products will make a real impact. Tune in on…YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@leadersonamissionNet0Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7o41ubdkzChAzD9C53xH82Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leaders-on-a-mission/id1532211726…to listen to the latest episodes!00:58 – Childhood on Indian farm04:17 – MIT research origins07:26 – The “sticky” nozzle breakthrough10:12 – The billion droplet problem13:45 – Feedback loop vs. blind spraying17:33 – Differentiating from precision sprayers22:01 – From lab to field trials26:19 – Word-of-mouth growth model32:59 – Farmer trust and reliability38:44 – Building industry-wide partnershipUseful links:

we welcome Ethan Branscum, a farmland investment leader with a deep background in ag finance, to explore the growing intersection of agriculture and alternative investment. As Partner and Director of Farmland Investments at Sower Farmland Fund and Legacy Farmland Fund, Ethan helps manage a portfolio of properties that connect farmland owners with investors—all while prioritizing legacy, flexibility, and profitability.Ethan shares his personal path from his upbringing and education at the University of Arkansas to over a decade in ag finance and credit. He breaks down the mission behind Legacy Farmland Fund: giving landowners a new path to transition their asset without selling out their identity. Listeners will get a refresh on how Legacy enables contributors to trade farmland for ownership shares—maintaining long-term exposure to farmland returns, gaining liquidity, and relieving themselves from day-to-day operations.We dive into today's land investment landscape, exploring what investors are looking for, how farmland compares to other asset classes, and which U.S. regions are catching the most interest. Ethan also unpacks how technology and data are changing the way land is valued, managed, and selected for investment.For farmers, this episode provides guidance on what makes a strong farmer-investor partnership, what Ethan looks for in operators, and how Sower supports profitability and growth from the ground up. He offers candid advice for producers considering leasing versus owning, and shares examples of farmer success stories made possible through Sower's model. Want Farm4Profit Merch? Custom order your favorite items today!https://farmfocused.com/farm-4profit/ Don't forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen! Website: www.Farm4Profit.comShareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.comEmail address: Farm4profitllc@gmail.comCall/Text: 515.207.9640Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5XqwFollow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farm4profitllc Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Farm4ProfitLLC/

Finding the right solution often starts with finding many, many wrong solutions. When it comes to some of agtech's most beguiling challenges, like real-time, granular soil testing, many startups have found the wrong solution– either ones that simply don't work, don't work at the right price, or don't work in a way that makes them useful enough. But just because a problem hasn't been solved yet doesn't mean it's unsolvable! And with the recent leaps made in artificial intelligence, a new startup– Soil Action– is taking another crack at this problem, hoping that a novel approach will help align the stars of effectiveness, usefulness, and affordability. The co-founders at Soil Action, Jack Oslan and Nate Storey, also know a thing or two about tackling big challenges in agtech. They both were also co-founders at vertical farming startup Plenty, and this week, in addition to hearing about Soil Action, we'll also hear about lessons learned from that journey. For more information and resources, visit our website. The information in this post is not investment advice or a recommendation to invest. It is general information only and does not take into account your investment objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making an investment decision you should seek financial advice from a professional financial adviser. Whilst we believe the information is correct, we provide no warranty of accuracy, reliability or completeness.

In this episode of On the Record, brought to you by Associated Equipment Distributors, we take a look at how dealers sales forecast compares to the major line OEMs. In the Technology Corner, Noah Newman shares a glimpse of Horsch's new AgTech building in Cottage Grove, Minn. Also in this episode, Lindsay reports revenue growth in the third quarter and prices and inventory are trending downward for 100+ horsepower tractors.

Farmers Evaluate PathoScan's Ag Tech: Real Feedback, Real Insights, Ep.2 Join us in episode two of 'What Farmers Want,' hosted by Danny Aberhart, where REAL-WORLD producers dive deep into evaluating innovative Ag Tech solutions. In this episode, we feature Tayeb Soomro, founder of PathoScan, pitching his microbial profiling platform, PathoBox. The technology allows early detection and management of crop diseases, potentially transforming fungicide application decisions. Hear from seasoned farmers like Matt Wallington, Kris Mayerle, Janel Delage, and Scott Maurer, among others, as they provide candid feedback, discuss the practicality, and explore the potential ROI. CEO Doug Jones from Cornerstone Credit Union shares insights on supporting Ag Tech advancements. This interactive, no-nonsense series aims to bridge the gap between Silicon Valley innovation and practical farming needs, ensuring technologies not only impress but work effectively in the field. 00:00 Introduction to What Farmers Want 01:54 Meet the Panelists 03:19 Farmers Share Crop Conditions and Innovations 09:12 Cornerstone Credit Union's Role in Ag Tech 16:32 Challenges in Ag Tech Adoption 20:24 Introducing Patho Scan and Patho Box 35:05 Challenges with Previous Device 35:44 Improvements in Sample Preparation 37:27 Cost and Pricing of the New Technology 40:12 Fungicide Decision-Making on the Farm 44:14 ROI and Cost Analysis of Fungicide Application 49:48 Future Plans and Farmer Feedback 58:26 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

On this week's MyAgLife in Technology episode, The Reservoir CEO Danny Bernstein discusses a groundbreaking on-farm agtech incubator in Salinas, developed in partnership with leading growers to fast-track automation, support startups and modernize specialty crop farming through grower-driven innovation.Supporting the People who Support AgricultureThank you to this month's sponsors who makes it possible to get you your daily news. Please feel free to visit their website.2025 Crop Consultant Conference - https://myaglife.com/crop-consultant-conference/

Can a device actually listen to the rain? Track crop health? Guide irrigation—with zero maintenance? In this episode of Future Food Cast, Oz Ben-David, Chief Business Office of Arable shares how their Mark 3 sensor suite is transforming agriculture with real-time, in-field data. From rainfall detection using sound waves to daily plant imaging and chlorophyll tracking, this 30-minute conversation explores how farmers can make better decisions faster. Whether you're in AgTech, climate, or food systems, this is one to tune into.

Brian Frank, the founder and general partner at FTW Ventures, shares why he left his founder career to invest in startups solving real-world problems starting with the global food system. He explores the climate risks, supply chain fragility, and health challenges driving the need for innovation in food and agriculture. From AI and biotech to automation, Brian highlights where the biggest opportunities lie. He also offers candid advice for founders navigating slow-moving, regulation-heavy industries and calls for a more collaborative, mission-aligned approach to venture capital.In this episode, you'll learn:[03:35] How startup success as a student got Brian hooked on innovation early[05:54] Why Brian left startup life after seven companies to support founders solving global problems[09:18] The urgent reasons our food system needs reinvention—from climate to national security[12:33] FTW Ventures investment philosophy and focus areas[22:50] Hard truths for founders in food and agriculture[31:13] The story of a founder who proved his market, didn't wait for funding, and built trust[37:05] What needs to change in VC: stop party rounds, leave space for small funds, invest with purposeThe nonprofit organization Brian is passionate about: World Central KitchenAbout Brian FrankBrian Frank is the founder and general partner at FTW Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on technology solutions in food, agriculture, and health. A serial entrepreneur with a background in computer science and product development, Brian has launched and scaled seven startups. He brings that hands-on experience to founders tackling real-world challenges, backing science-backed and mission-driven companies that aim to improve life on the planet.About FTW VenturesFTW Ventures is a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm investing in the future of food, agriculture, and human health. With a thesis grounded in problem-first investing, FTW backs early-stage startups applying biotechnology, artificial intelligence, automation, and sustainable systems to global challenges. Their portfolio includes companies advancing biomanufacturing, food-as-medicine, CRISPR-based crop innovation, and more—pursuing returns across people, planet, and profit. Companies in FTW's portfolio include Boston Bioprocess, ALTR, Sylvan Health, FreshFry, Izote Biosciences, Arise, Quorum Bio, Earthodic, Heritable, Brilliant Harvest, VoltAir, Geltor, Spoiler Alert, Plantible Foods, Galley, Phytoform, Nfinite Nanotech, Yali Bio, and Debut Biotechnology.Subscribe to our podcast and stay tuned for our next episode.

Cotton Incorporated's Dr. Ed Barnes joins the podcast to provide a look at the progress, promise, and potential for new automation and technologies on cotton's horizon.

Listen in on Cultivation Station while we learn about how the supply chain for Ag Tech is getting more streamlined. Alexandra at Factorem will share with us how they have been able to reduce lead times from 3 months to under 15 days. As innovation and time to market becomes more and more competitive, supply chain efficiency is one way a company can gain an edge.

Modern farms and ranches are complex businesses, often managing millions of dollars worth of assets. But many of these operations are still largely run by an individual.

Ambrook has a thesis that farmers and ranchers could benefit from tools to make financial decisions without having to become full time bookkeepers.

Season 5: Episode 211As the ag tech sector matures, the industry is finally shifting its focus from flashy innovations to solving real problems on the ground. In this episode of North American Ag Spotlight, Chrissy Wozniak explores how the ag tech space is becoming more practical, profitable, and proven — especially when it comes to addressing the core issue that keeps most farmers up at night: labor. Joining the conversation from St. Louis, Missouri is Connie Bowen, Founding Partner of Farmhand Ventures, a venture firm focused on the future of work in U.S. agriculture.Connie shares how her background — spanning from engineering to hands-on farm work in Oregon's Willamette Valley — shaped her laser focus on labor as agriculture's most pressing challenge. She discusses how investor enthusiasm surged after high-profile acquisitions like Monsanto's purchase of Climate Corp, but notes the disconnect between capital flowing into ag tech and the slow pace of on-farm adoption. That's where Farmhand Ventures comes in — helping startups build with the farmer, not just for them.Throughout the conversation, Connie breaks down what makes an idea investable in the ag space, why founders must collaborate closely with growers and farmworkers from day one, and how including the voices of those doing the work creates smarter, more successful tools. She explains that while sustainability and climate concerns may attract outside capital, these investors often fail to understand the farmer's “hair-on-fire” problems — like labor shortages and razor-thin margins — which must be addressed first.Connie also talks about mistakes she sees ag tech startups making, including overpromising, chasing the wrong markets, or designing without true farm-level feedback. She emphasizes the importance of field trials, user input, and ongoing proof, comparing startup success to a sports team that has to earn its wins every season. Looking ahead, she predicts robotics will play an increasingly critical role in specialty crops and emphasizes the need for tech to help elevate workers into higher-value roles rather than displacing them.This episode highlights a turning point in ag tech — one where the best solutions come from close collaboration, practical thinking, and a deep respect for the realities of farm work.Learn more about Connie and Farm Ventures at https://www.farmhandventures.com/#agtech #smartfarming #agricultureNorth American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.comWant to hear the stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.comDon't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!Send us a textAgritechnica in Hannover, Germany is held every other year, this year long-time tech writer & ag journalist Willie Vogt has put together for ag enthusiasts! The Agritechnica tour includes three days at the huge equipment and farm technology event. Learn more - https://agtoursusa.com/agritechnica.htmlSubscribe to North American Ag at https://northamericanag.com

How is automation and robotics changing the future of farming?Katie Bradford, Founder and CEO of Rotate8, joins Nikki to share her story of building practical automation that empowers small farms to thrive without sacrificing repairability or local expertise. Tune in to hear the challenges and opportunities in ag-tech, the design of accessible robotic platforms for small farms, and why an open-source, repairable approach matters for sustainable farming. Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-gonzales/ Connect with Ali on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicia-gilpin-ali-g-process-controls-engineering/ Connect with Courtney on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneydfernandez/ Connect with Katie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradford-katie/ ————-Support the show__________________________________________________________________Co-Hosts are Alicia Gilpin Director of Engineering at Process and Controls Engineering LLC, Nikki Gonzales Director of Business Development at Weintek USA, and Courtney Fernandez Robot Master at FAST One Solutions. Follow us on Linkedin and YouTube for live videos, demos, and other content!Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for episode updates, job announcements, and more!Get in touch with us at automationladies.io!P.S. - Help our podcast grow with a 5-star podcast review if you love us!

Rusty Halvorson and Sarah Heinrich share some of the week's top headlines in Ag News!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ANNOUNCEMENT: AgList is now 10x more powerful. Introducting AgList AI. — Tim and Tyler talk to Joe Coelho and Dave Booher about how and why Joe decided to adopt the MyLand soil health solution. — This episode is presented by PF Partners. Unlock the exclusive AgTech Go-to-Market webinar HERE. — Links MyLand - https://myland.ag  American Pistachio Growers - https://americanpistachios.org  AgList - https://aglist.com 

Longtime listeners have heard Sarah and Matthew talk about ideas like “ecosystem disruption” and “adoption chain risk” and “value architecture,” all of which stem from the works of Ron Adner. Ron is a researcher, strategist, and professor at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth University, and the author of two books, The Wide Lens and Winning the Right Game, both of which have been influential at Tenacious. So this week, we're going straight to the source as Matthew sits down with Ron for a wide ranging discussion of how fundamental business strategy has changed in recent decades, and how agtech companies and investors can learn lessons from other sectors to inform their business models, go-to-market strategies, and the very way they understand the spaces where they play. For more information and resources, visit our website. The information in this post is not investment advice or a recommendation to invest. It is general information only and does not take into account your investment objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making an investment decision you should seek financial advice from a professional financial adviser. Whilst we believe the information is correct, we provide no warranty of accuracy, reliability or completeness.

Tim and Tyler talk to Zak Laffite, President of Wonderful Citrus, about all things ag. — This episode is presented by PF Partners. Unlock the exclusive AgTech Go-to-Market webinar HERE. — Links Wonderful Citrus - https://www.wonderfulcitrus.com  Polaris Energy Services - https://polarisenergyservices.com 

Despite a persistent sense of uncertainty in the AgTech market lately, we're still seeing startups get acquired– even if information about those acquisitions is opaque. Case in point: Syngenta recently purchased Intrinsyx Bio, a biologicals company, for an undisclosed sum. Why do companies conceal this information? And in this moment when everyone has their eyes peeled for some indication of where the market is headed, what can we learn from exits? Sarah sits down this week with Tenacious Ventures' Matthew Pryor and Shane Thomas, author of Upstream Ag Insights, to do a deep dive into the latest news and discuss what it all means. For more information and resources, visit our website. The information in this post is not investment advice or a recommendation to invest. It is general information only and does not take into account your investment objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making an investment decision you should seek financial advice from a professional financial adviser. Whilst we believe the information is correct, we provide no warranty of accuracy, reliability or completeness.

This week, we hit the road to check out California's Central Valley, where the future of agricultural innovation is taking shape. We visited a farm that's piloting next-gen tools and a university research center that's helping develop that tech. Today, we're at an AgTEC Workforce graduation, a community college program in this region that helps upskill farm workers.

This week, we hit the road to check out California's Central Valley, where the future of agricultural innovation is taking shape. We visited a farm that's piloting next-gen tools and a university research center that's helping develop that tech. Today, we're at an AgTEC Workforce graduation, a community college program in this region that helps upskill farm workers.

This week, we're heading to California's Central Valley to see how technology is transforming this agricultural region. And we're going straight to the innovation source: the University of California, Merced, where academics there are guiding students to research agtech innovations to potentially develop them for commercialization.

This week, we're heading to California's Central Valley to see how technology is transforming this agricultural region. And we're going straight to the innovation source: the University of California, Merced, where academics there are guiding students to research agtech innovations to potentially develop them for commercialization.