Podcasts about Agtech

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/

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.

Every Monday, the Illinois Corn Checkoff brings farmers the latest updates in the industry, cool new tech previews, and more on IL Corn TV on YouTube. In this Managing for Profit, John Klemm, a DeWitt County farmer and ICMB board member, provides insight into this unique outreach tool and how it benefits Illinois farms.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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.

One example of how gene editing could help lead to better tools for farmers.

Everybody needs to eat, and our food has to come from somewhere. With changing weather patterns and landscapes, ensuring we have secure and resilient agricultural and food systems is crucial to our future.It's fitting that our next stop on the US National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines tour has subtitled themselves the FARMS Engine: Food systems Adapted for Resiliency and Maximized Security.Officially known as the North Dakota Advanced Agriculture Technology Engine, FARMS is building an ecosystem to support the agricultural innovations that will feed the world. Today, I'm sitting down with FARMS CEO Dr. Hollie Mackey to get the scoop on how they're empowering North Dakota's diverse communities to meet the challenges of creating thriving, resilient food systems for the present and the future.A citizen of the Northern Cheyenne Nation, Dr. Hollie Mackey brings a unique perspective to her work, combining deep expertise in community-driven innovation with a commitment to equity and sustainability. With a distinguished career spanning academia, public policy, and industry leadership, Dr. Mackey has been at the forefront of integrating Indigenous knowledge with modern AgTech solutions. Her leadership at FARMS focuses on empowering Tribal Nations, small farmers, and rural communities by fostering scalable, localized food systems that address both regional and global challenges. Listen to the full episode to hear:How FARMS is helping researchers and growers connect and collaborate to accelerate the pace of agricultural innovationHow they are supporting pathways for the next generation to be able to stay in their communities and continue their agricultural legaciesThe complex interplay of politics, economics, national security, public health and more that impacts how we interact with food systemsWhy developing and implementing agricultural technologies also requires investing in social change and community buildingWhy successful innovation in agriculture starts with addressing what growers actually needHow FARMS is integrating Indigenous knowledge of the landscapes and facilitating the exchange of ideas and practices across communitiesLearn more about Dr. Hollie Mackey:Connect on LinkedInLearn more about Anika Horn:Social VenturersSign up for Impact CuratorInstagram: @socialventurersResources:North Dakota Advanced Agriculture Technology EngineResearch Is Ceremony: Indigenous Research Methods, Shawn Wilson

Fires on farm equipment are a known risk, especially during the busy harvest season, however, a Canadian agtech start-up believes they have developed a solution to help farmers spot problems before they spark. Chariot Command, co-founded by CEO Andrew John Leaman, uses camera-based technology to monitor the mechanical health of farm equipment, with a sharp focus on combines, where fire risk is often highest. “At Chariot Command, we use cameras to understand the mechanical health of farm equipment,” Leaman explains. “We are visual people. We are a vision company, so we use cameras to see things, whether they're cameras that we install or the cameras on a phone. We're taking that information to help farmers understand what's going on with their machinery. We're helping them understand what their machine is thinking and feeling using cameras.” The company's hardware mounts directly onto the machine and includes both a high-end regular camera and a thermal imaging unit. Together, they monitor critical hotspots like chopper bearings, the engine bay and gearboxes. “These are ideally for combines,” says Leaman. “So we're actually looking for heat, potential fire risk, temperature changes.”

Often when we talk about the ability for technology to help with farm labor we automatically default to robots. But there are other ways technology can help address challenges with farm labor.

You could waste a lot of time and money trying all of the various technologies directed at farmers.

Show Highlights: How Tractor Zoom transforms sales and inventory workflow for ag equipment dealers. [04:32] Real-time marketplace visibility and price discovery using AI. [08:07] Tractor Zoom's origin story and the power of leveraging genuine pain points. [14:26] Why true value comes from workflow integration, not data for data's sake. [19:49] The importance of dealer–farmer relationships in the equipment value chain. [23:20] Is Tractor Zoom poised to adapt to farm and dealer consolidation? [28:58] Balancing customer-driven innovation with the internal product roadmap. [37:31] Data-driven sales acceleration, multi-OEM quoting, and more AgTech on the horizon. [41:25] Potential for lateral growth and industry comparisons. [43:49] Learn more about Tractor Zoom at https://www.tractorzoompro.com/. Kyle McMahon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-mcmahon-0440954b/ If you are interested in connecting with Joe, go to LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemosher/, or schedule a call at www.moshercg.com.

Ali Cox is an agriculture and food ingredient marketing visionary, an Olympic Silver Medalist in rowing, and founder of Noble West, an award-winning marketing consultancy that specializes in the entire agricultural ecosystem. From fresh produce and nuts to dairy and agTech, Noble West works in all aspects of agriculture. Ali is not only a changemaker but is considered the industry leader when it comes to strategic and creative services including brand identity, campaign development, content planning, media planning, production and more.A fifth-generation farmer who is a fierce advocate for farmers, Ali's blend of a deep personal connection to the land and business acumen has made her a highly sought after strategist by her clients. With an eye on the future of farming and the climate crisis, Ali regularly consults with her clients on upcycling, regenerative water use, and hydroponic and organic farming practices. Ali joins Raising the Barn to talk about the challenges affecting the future of farming, whose responsibility it is to tell Ag stories, and what it was like to compete on Team USA.----The South Carolina Ag + Art Tour is back in York County, SC! Join us for this FREE, family-friendly event—a self-guided tour showcasing 18 farms with artisans at every stop. Experience first-hand where your food comes from, witness and shop from artisans in action, enjoy local musicians, and learn about the importance of supporting our local farms! You don't want to miss this unique event, so mark your calendars for June 7th-8th! This ad is brought to you by Visit York County.

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 

What if drones could revolutionize farming and empower growers worldwide—without a single dollar of venture capital? In this episode, Arthur Erickson, CEO and co-founder of Hylio, shares how his team is transforming agriculture through autonomous drones, precision spraying, and farmer-first data insights. From crashing prototypes in sugarcane fields to revenue growth of  $20M+ in 2025, Arthur unpacks the grit, ingenuity, and strategy behind Helio's bootstrapped success. Dive into the realities of modern farming, the race against nature, and how Hylio's tech is clearing the “fog of war” in agriculture. Tune in to see how a drone innovator scaled without taking a dollar of VC funding—only on the latest episode!--- 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!Timestamps:0:00 – No VCs, just velocity2:14 – From drone dream to startup6:20 – Pivoting into agriculture10:35 – The modern farmer's struggle14:34 – Triple Black Diamond startup20:54 – Overcoming drone failure rates26:55 – Data: the new differentiator31:12 – Surging demand, scaling fast36:13 – Bootstrapping with crowdfundingUseful links: Hylio's website:     https://www.hyl.ioHylio's LinkedIn:   https://www.linkedin.com/company/hylio/            Arthur Erickson's linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-erickson/Leaders on a Mission website: https://cs-partners.net/podcasts/Simon Leich's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/executive-talent-headhunter-agtech-foodtech-agrifoodtech-agritech/

Sorting through the growing number of ag products on the market today can be overwhelming, especially when every company claims to have the next big thing.

David Hamblin, a farmer and seed retailer based in Morris, Manitoba, brings a dual perspective to our product spotlight conversation on hybrid rye. In this episode, we explore his experience with hybrid rye, his retail business, and insights into grain marketing opportunities through the KWS Cover+ program.

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.

Vic Verchereau welcomes Tony McCaul, who is the Executive Director at Critter Barn. Before joining Critter Barn, Tony McCaul worked with the Ottawa County ISD for 14 years as an Ag Tech teacher. Tony is a graduate of Michigan State University and Colorado State University with Bachelors and Masters degrees in Agriscience, Agriculture Education, and Biology. As the Executive Director of the Critter Barn, Tony says, "we serve children and youth from all walks of life and engage them in activities on our farm. We celebrate our farming heritage and share stories of days gone by. We teach that agriculture is a gift of nature and give people of all ages the opportunity to witness the wonder of new life. Together we study the impact of the seasons and the role that plants, animals and the environment play in our sustainability." With 36 Acres and thousands of visitors, Tony is busy leading and setting the course for his team. Vic Verchereau, goes down on the farm to hear all about this story on the Leadership Lowdown! It's worth the trip to Zeeland Michigan to listen to the Critters! » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN's YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/

Grain Weevil's goal is to build a tool so that no farmer has to ever get into a grain bin while there's grain in it.

Farming is a very dangerous occupation, and one of the most dangerous places on a farm is a grain bin.

Innov8.ag announced the acquisition of 2nd Sight Bioscience, an agricultural labor tracking and inventory systems provider

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.

Two things that are constantly in short supply in western agriculture are labor and water.

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.

Can irrigation catch up to technological advancements in other areas of farming?

Over the last few decades, a lot of products and technologies have promised to disrupt the diets and food buying habits of the world's consumers. But nothing has made true on that promise quite like the emergence of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. These (as of now) injectables are changing the way people– and their households– eat and shop, and CPG companies, quick serve food brands, and others are already seeing a marked decline in purchasing in the months since these drugs have gone mainstream. Given the speed with which people are adopting these treatments, and how fast the therapy affects their diets and choices, many in the food and ag sectors have been caught flat footed by a dramatic change in preferences among 10% (and growing) of consumers. Who will be the winners and losers?To tell us more about what the future might hold for ag and food alike, we're joined this week by Mary Shelman, Founder at the Shelman Group. 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.

Netafim, a global leader in precision irrigation, announced today a new partnership with Treetoscope.

The weather is heating up, which means so are irrigation needs throughout farm country.

Tim and Tyler talk to Andrew Sunderman about the background of the $2B PTx Trimble deal that finalized a year ago.  — This episode is presented by PF Partners. Unlock the exclusive AgTech Go-to-Market webinar HERE. — Links PTx - https://www.ptxag.com/ Farmer Mode Hats are in stock! https://farmermode.com 

Agribusiness suppliers are looking for ways to help support farmers through these challenging times.

The American Farm Bureau estimates that roughly 40% of US farmland is either rented of leased. It's a reality that creates a labyrinth of contracts and agreements between farmers and landowners that the two have to navigate together. One entrepreneur is turning to the power of software to transform that challenge into an opportunity that makes that relationship a little easier to navigate. Shashi Raghunandan, CEO of Oaken, joins us to talk the complex web between landowners and farm operators. We get into: The existing challenge between landowners and farmers, especially as farms grow to significant acreage Oaken as a platform not only manage multiple contracts for large acre farms but to also manage the unique specifics of each individual deal How the migration to cloud-based technologies like Oaken balance in an industry like agriculture that is largely relationship-based The feedback farmer customers are giving on the Oaken platform thus far Shashi's background in payments and financial services and how it paved the way to him connecting with Purdue DIAL Ventures and eventually leading Oaken What to expect from Oaken in the next 12-18 months

The American Farm Bureau estimates that roughly 40% of US farmland is either rented of leased. It's a reality that creates a labyrinth of contracts and agreements between farmers and landowners that the two have to navigate together. One entrepreneur is turning to the power of software to transform that challenge into an opportunity that makes that relationship a little easier to navigate. Shashi Raghunandan, CEO of Oaken, joins us to talk the complex web between landowners and farm operators. We get into:  The existing challenge between landowners and farmers, especially as farms grow to significant acreage Oaken as a platform not only manage multiple contracts for large acre farms but to also manage the unique specifics of each individual deal  How the migration to cloud-based technologies like Oaken balance in an industry like agriculture that is largely relationship-based The feedback farmer customers are giving on the Oaken platform thus far Shashi's background in payments and financial services and how it paved the way to him connecting with Purdue DIAL Ventures and eventually leading Oaken What to expect from Oaken in the next 12-18 months  

Farmer adoption of technology has evolved at an impressive pace. Today, farmers aren't just open to innovation — they expect it.

Ever wondered how indoor farming is revolutionizing the way we connect with our food? I sat down with Marc Oshima, CEO of Babylon Microfarms, to explore the cutting edge of sustainable agriculture.Marc Oshima brings over 30 years of experience in driving large-scale commercial businesses, including co-founding AeroFarms. Now at the helm of Babylon Microfarms, he's spearheading innovative solutions in B2B indoor farming across healthcare, corporate dining, hospitality, and education sectors.In this episode, we dive deep into how Babylon Microfarms is bringing the farm directly to customers, fostering a greater connection between people and their food. Marc shares insights on the company's success in increasing leafy green consumption by 35% in senior care facilities and their expansion to over 350 farms across five countries.We also discuss the evolution of the indoor farming industry, the importance of customer feedback, and how Babylon Microfarms is preserving cultural heritage through locally grown, culturally relevant produce. Marc offers valuable lessons on business fundamentals and the power of focus in scaling a successful AgTech company. Ready to discover how indoor farming is reshaping our relationship with food and transforming industries? Tune in to this episode for a fascinating glimpse into the future of sustainable agriculture.Thanks to Our SponsorsIndoor AgCon - https://indoor.agKey Takeaways5:07 Babylon Microfarms' focus on key verticals10:40 Surprising installations and high-profile customers 16:19 Lessons from early industry struggles21:53 Listening to customers and adapting strategies27:17 Workforce development in indoor farming33:40 Cultural connections through locally grown food37:18 CEA Alliance's role in industry advocacyTweetable Quotes"We're seeing amazing use cases that we might not even have thought about. We were at this conference last week, and this fantastic operator chef was telling us how they've got the mint planted for the mint juleps for Kentucky Derby next week, and then they have the cilantro already planted and ready for Cinco de Mayo.""Understanding what business you're in, understanding the economics of your business, and appreciating how your technology can uniquely solve some of these challenges. I think that's core when you think about what's worked, what hasn't worked.""We have units cruising the world on cruise ships, literally cruising on cruise ships. It gives you a sense of the autonomy, the self-autonomous aspect and how resilient the farming approach is."Resources MentionedWebsite - https://babylonmicrofarms.com/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcoshima/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 Digest -

An interview with Chrissy Wozniak of North American Ag I am joined by Chrissy Wozniak, who owns and runs North American Ag and is the marketing manager for Ecorobotix in the US. We welcome her today in a discussion focused on Ag tech. In her travels, she attends all the major US farm shows as […]

Big news from Tenacious– WE'RE HIRING! Do you share our mission of unlocking impact at scale in agri-food systems? Check out our open roles here. ...Is agtech a good fit for venture capital, and vice versa?This question - existential for some - is flying around in the ether right now. We've been thinking about both the bearish and bullish answers a lot lately. And we've been intrigued by the possibility of shifting the question away from black and white answers, into nuance. Namely, we've been asking: if venture capital is not a perfect fit for agtech, but there are big opportunities for technology in agriculture, how else might agtech companies get funded?To help us take on this larger inquiry, we called on friend of the podcast Connie Bowen, Founder of Farmhand Ventures. Connie has been both thinking about deploying alternative funding models in agtech. She brings the insight she's gained from utilizing (and passing) on some of these alternatives, including redeemable equity, to the podcast this week. 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.

Show Highlights: Discover Damien Lepoutre's story of Geosys and AgTech evolution. [03:50] How early weather-data-sharing evolved from static maps to dynamic updates. [08:32] Challenges of providing unique value to the customers of a proprietary solution. [12:20] What made acquisition by Land O'Lakes a strategic fit as an exit strategy for Geosys? [20:37] Excess capital and overvaluation mistakes to avoid for post-acquisition investor confidence. [26:47] Why did Geosys prioritize people over government funding for R&D? [31:28] Explore Geosys' model of goal alignment in their NASA and USDA–ARS-funded R&D. [37:47] Damien Lepoutre's life after Geosys as a strategic consultant for deploying digital tech in ag. [41:01] To contact Damien Lepoutre, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/damien-lepoutre/, or email him at ASDICLLC@lepoutre.cloud. If you are interested in connecting with Joe, go to LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemosher/, or schedule a call at www.moshercg.com.

Tim and Tyler talk to Todd Robran on agtech markets and how his company Growers Edge is approaching growth. — This episode is presented by PF Partners. Unlock the exclusive AgTech Go-to-Market webinar HERE. — Links Growers Edge - https://www.growersedge.com  Farmer Mode Hats - https://farmermode.com