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Connie Bowen is the Principal and Program Manager of The Yield Lab as well as the Principal of Cultivation Capital. The Yield Lab is an accelerator program for entrepreneurs in the agriculture industry. The program’s mission is to enable agribusinesses to revolutionize agrifood systems and promote sustainability through educational resources and support.
Connie joins me today to share The Yield Lab’s mission and how they help entrepreneurs build sustainable agribusinesses through their accelerator program. She discusses how technology is impacting the agriculture industry, how the company utilizes agtech to promote global expansion, and how the company is revolutionizing the accelerator model. She also shares what startup agribusinesses can expect by applying and participating in The Yield Lab’s programs as well as her perspective on the state of technology in the agriculture industry.
“Our global network is an asset for companies - so we can help them to expand at a rate that is appropriate for them.” - Connie Bowen
This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast:
- What inspired her to build a career in the agriculture industry.
- How she began working with The Yield Lab.
- How the company is revolutionizing the way accelerators are meeting the needs of agtech and agribusinesses.
- How The Yield Lab defines agtech.
- What agribusinesses can expect when applying and working with the accelerator program.
- Why the company decided to expand into multiple countries.
- Which countries are their accelerator programs currently available?
- How The Yield Lab customizes their programs to meet the needs of their portfolio companies.
- The various programs available through the program.
- Her perspective on the state of agtech.
Key Takeaways:
- It is very difficult to expand into a new foreign country, but it is necessary for companies to scale.
- There is a need for more people to look at ag as a very serious opportunity for innovation.
- Ag technology, right now, is such a collaborative space.
Connect with Connie Bowen:
2019 AgGrad 30 Under 30
Help us celebrate the top 30 future leaders of agriculture! Nominate your favorite up-and-coming, future executives, innovators, and influencers in the following agriculture categories:
- Agribusiness
- Production Agriculture
- Research & Technology
- Entrepreneurship
- Education & Advocacy
Nominations for the 2019 AgGrad 30 Under 30 list are now open and are scheduled to close Thursday, January 31, 2019, at 11:59 PM. Self-nominations are accepted.
Winners will be announced March 2019.
To learn more about the eligibility requirements, announcement date and location, and to nominate for the 2019 AgGrad 30 Under 30 list, visit: 30Under30.ag
We Are a Part of a Bigger Family!
The Future of Agriculture Podcast is now part of the Farm and Rural Ag Network. Listen to more ag-related podcasts by subscribing on iTunes or on the Farm and Rural Ag Network Website today.
Share the Ag-Love!
Thanks for joining us on the Future of Agriculture Podcast – your spot for valuable information, content, and interviews with industry leaders throughout the agricultural space! If you enjoyed this week’s episode, please subscribe on iTunes and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share it with your friends on your favorite social media spots!
Learn more about AgGrad by visiting:
AgGrad on Twitter
AgGrad on Facebook
AgGrad on LinkedIn
AgGrad on Instagram
Sammi Wangsness loves working in agriculture, but not if it means compromising her principles.
Ray Bohacz explains how anti-freeze wears out and why you need to stick with the proper color.
I believe a cold glass of milk is just about the best drink there is. So, it makes sense that if you want to make superior spirits, you start with high quality, Canadian dairy. Omid MacDonald is the founder of Dairy Distillery where they make Vodcow, dairy based alcohol. Listen to the end to find out how to get your free samples. (disclaimer – there are not actually any free samples)
#dairy #vodka #craftbrewery #agriculture #farming #family #rural
Rock & Roll Farming is proud to present the first NFU Mutual 'Ahead of the Field' podcast.
We visited Lyndon Farms in Leicestershire to look at their diversification into Agri-Contracting.
To find other podcasts in the series, or to subscribe, search for 'NFU Mutual' in your podcast app.
Nave Strauss is an arborist and the Director of Street Tree Planting for NYC Parks. His primary function is to make sure New York City and its surrounding areas are equipped with the right combination of trees and plants that can help sustain both public and environmental health. He obtained a degree in Environmental Studies with an emphasis in Forestry from St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY in 2008 and has worked with NYC Parks since 2009. He and his team aim to become the best tree planting program in the world.
Nave joins me today to share his passion for trees and environmental sustainability. He explains what an arborist is, what they do, and how they participate in various programs involving nature and trees. He also discusses the considerations made when assessing locations and trees to be planted and explains how they aim to improve soil health by way of enhancing soil microbiome as well as how they make use of biochar.
“Trees are are investments that will outlive all of us." -Nave Strauss
This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast:
- What an arborist is and the responsibilities that come with this title.
- Why it's not odd to be an arborist in New York City.
- The amount of resources New York City should put into its parks.
- How trees factor into the public and environmental health in cities.
- Assessing the number of trees as well as the kind of trees needed per area.
- What soil science says about soil health and how they address it.
- Short and long-term solutions to improving soil microbiome.
- Processes involved in basic tree health.
- What made Nave choose to work in New York City.
Key Takeaways:
- Governments shouldn’t hesitate to put more resources on tree planting because the benefits trees provide are in the interest of public health.
- An arborist’s main job is to speak for the trees.
Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Nave Strauss:
2019 AgGrad 30 Under 30
Help us celebrate the top 30 future leaders of agriculture! Nominate your favorite up-and-coming, future executives, innovators, and influencers in the following agriculture categories:
- Agribusiness
- Production Agriculture
- Research & Technology
- Entrepreneurship
- Education & Advocacy
Nominations for the 2019 AgGrad 30 Under 30 list are now open and are scheduled to close Thursday, January 31, 2019, at 11:59 PM. Self-nominations are accepted.
Winners will be announced March 2019.
To learn more about the eligibility requirements, announcement date and location, and to nominate for the 2019 AgGrad 30 Under 30 list, visit: 30Under30.ag
We Are a Part of a Bigger Family!
The Future of Agriculture Podcast is now part of the Farm and Rural Ag Network. Listen to more ag-related podcasts by subscribing on iTunes or on the Farm and Rural Ag Network Website today.
Share the Ag-Love!
Thanks for joining us on the Future of Agriculture Podcast – your spot for valuable information, content, and interviews with industry leaders throughout the agricultural space! If you enjoyed this week’s episode, please subscribe on iTunes and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share it with your friends on your favorite social media spots!
Learn more about AgGrad by visiting:
AgGrad on Twitter
AgGrad on Facebook
AgGrad on LinkedIn
AgGrad on Instagram
John Cote talks to Rob and Lesley about his journey to making spirits
Let Ray Bohacz explain why you need to know the difference between rebuilt, remanufactured and new.
Tonight I'm delighted to be heading down to the far south East of England, to Kent, to talk to Guy & Claire Eckley @No1FarmerGuy @PureKent
We talk about their backgrounds growing up on farms in Kent & Mid-Wales respectively, and how after University Claire moved down to Kent and got involved with the local YFC where guy was a member (Still not entirely clear who chatted up who initially..).
We also talk all about their diversification into Oilseed Rape Oil production and how it's developed over the years, and the various ways they market and sell it, from wholesale to farmer's markets.
We discuss the farm itself, and the crops they grow there, as well as the two different tillage systems they use, and the pros and cons of both.
We go into their continued involvement in YFC over the years, from being members themselves, to Claire forming a new club where their boys now both attend.
And we also talk about Claire's breast cancer that she contracted in 2012, the difficulties it caused, and how that ultimately changed her perspective on life.
All this and much, much more.
Guy and Claire are great people, and great farmers, and it was an absolute pleasure to talk to them tonight and find out more about what they do.
Check it out folks..
Alexander Reichert is the Co-Founder & CEO of AgVend, an eCommerce platform that partners with various ag retailers to adapt to the evolving needs of American farmers. Their platform allows farmers to connect with retailers and purchase their products and/or services anywhere and at any time. Alex practices the Build-Measure-Learn philosophy in his life and believes customer satisfaction isn’t an option, but a critical part of success in any industry.
Alex joins me today to describe AgVend, what inspired him to start the company, how it works, and how it seeks to help farmers. He explains the need to have an online presence in the ag industry and why farmers today are more open to online retail stores. He discusses the various ways AgVend can help both farmers and ag retailers in as transparent a manner as possible. He also shares the values and culture he promotes in his company.
“The ones who start and get on track early are the ones who will be most successful." - Alexander Reichert
This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast:
- What AgVend is and what it is designed to do.
- The story that inspired him to start AgVend.
- The reason behind the surge of online eCommerce platforms in the ag space.
- How they develop their business strategies and project ideas.
- How they guarantee a healthy and profitable platform.
- Fixing constantly fluctuating quotations on online items.
- Why customers would be inclined to use their platform.
- The company values he instills in AgVend.
Manager Minute
- Retrofitting a culture to a company is nearly impossible.
Key Takeaways:
- Growers appreciate if they can work with retailers within their community.
- Technological solutions that combine with the human element are the ones that stick.
- Farmers today are more comfortable in obtaining information and buying ag products online.
Connect with Alexander Reichert:
2019 AgGrad 30 Under 30
Help us celebrate the top 30 future leaders of agriculture! Nominate your favorite up-and-coming, future executives, innovators, and influencers in the following agriculture categories:
- Agribusiness
- Production Agriculture
- Research & Technology
- Entrepreneurship
- Education & Advocacy
Nominations for the 2019 AgGrad 30 Under 30 list are now open and are scheduled to close Thursday, January 31, 2019, at 11:59 PM. Self-nominations are accepted.
Winners will be announced March 2019.
To learn more about the eligibility requirements, announcement date and location, and to nominate for the 2019 AgGrad 30 Under 30 list, visit: 30Under30.ag
We Are a Part of a Bigger Family!
The Future of Agriculture Podcast is now part of the Farm and Rural Ag Network. Listen to more ag-related podcasts by subscribing on iTunes or on the Farm and Rural Ag Network Website today.
Share the Ag-Love!
Thanks for joining us on the Future of Agriculture Podcast – your spot for valuable information, content, and interviews with industry leaders throughout the agricultural space! If you enjoyed this week’s episode, please subscribe on iTunes and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share it with your friends on your favorite social media spots!
Learn more about AgGrad by visiting:
AgGrad on Twitter
AgGrad on Facebook
AgGrad on LinkedIn
AgGrad on Instagram
Tye Rinner takes us through the ins and outs of raising turkeys
The Hot Rod Farmer, Ray Bohacz, discusses the need to “think outside of the box” if you want your farm to prosper. It is not what you make…it is what you keep!
Visit www.farmmachinerydigest.com for more
Tonight I'm delighted to be heading down to London to talk to the CEO of Kentish Town City Farm, Gus Alston @GusAlston @KTCityFarm
We talk about his early life growing up very close to the farm, and how getting involved with Forest School Camps as a child eventually led him becoming a volunteer with the organisation at the age of 18, before going on to hear about how he got first got into the charity sector almost by accident, when helping to build an adventure playground he ended up as a deputy coordinator in charge of 120 children!
We discuss the various different jobs he's done, including a spell at the Pirate Castle, a community boating charity, where he achieved his highest ever fundraising success, (an incredible £234k!) before going on to talk about his eventually working with Kentish town city farm as a consultant, and then gaining the job of CEO in December 2016.
We tall about the farm in detail, from the different animals they have there, to the regular events they hold, and the incredible role it plays in the community. We discuss the different ways they have to make money to keep going, with funding cuts making things increasingly difficult for small charities, as well as the different ways the farm helps all ages of people, either educationally or therapeutically.
All this and lots more.
I' always humbled when I speak to individuals who dedicate their lives to helping others, and bringing people together, and Gus is definitely one of them. It was fantastic to learn more about what they do at Kentish Town City Farm.
Check it out folks..
Episode Sponsor:
NFU Cymru - for more information please visit www.nfu-cymru.org.uk
Podcast Partners:
Farmer's Guardian. For the biggest range of news and features from across the Ag industry, please visit www.fginsight.com
Rock & Roll Farming is proud to be a part of the Farm & Rural Ag Network. To find more great podcasts and vlogs, please visit www.farmruralag.com
Todd Janzen is an attorney whose practice covers the agricultural industry with the intent to represent farmers and their respective businesses. He is the President of Janzen Agricultural Law LLC, a law firm that specializes in the legal needs of an innovative agricultural industry. He also serves as the Administrator for Ag Data Transparent, a non-profit organization that aims to bring transparency, trust, and simplicity to ag tech contracts.
Todd joins me today to help bring awareness to the idea of data transparency in the agricultural industry. He shares his career journey, what inspired him to become an ag industry lawyer, and explains how data transparency can enable farmers to improve their systems and how they manage their farms. He also explains how companies can get involved, the processes they need to partake, and how he thinks this project can impact the industry as a whole.
“Farmers have a much easier time letting a complete stranger know what they're doing on their farm than they would be letting their own neighbor know." -Todd Janzen
This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast:
- Where Todd got his love for agriculture.
- The risks that come with Ag Data and how to manage them.
- Technologies that could be collecting data without us knowing.
- The type of data farmers should be wary of sharing.
- The processes involved to help farmers become certified.
- Companies that will not find this type of service useful.
- The big questions we still need to answer about Ag Data.
Key Takeaways:
- With social media, people are much more tolerable of sharing private data.
- We have to treat Ag Data with respect and diligence.
Connect with Todd Janzen:
2019 AgGrad 30 Under 30
Help us celebrate the top 30 future leaders of agriculture! Nominate your favorite up-and-coming, future executives, innovators, and influencers in the following agriculture categories:
- Agribusiness
- Production Agriculture
- Research & Technology
- Entrepreneurship
- Education & Advocacy
Nominations for the 2019 AgGrad 30 Under 30 list are now open and are scheduled to close Thursday, January 31, 2019, at 11:59 PM. Self-nominations are accepted.
Winners will be announced March 2019.
To learn more about the eligibility requirements, announcement date and location, and to nominate for the 2019 AgGrad 30 Under 30 list, visit: 30Under30.ag
We Are a Part of a Bigger Family!
The Future of Agriculture Podcast is now part of the Farm and Rural Ag Network. Listen to more ag-related podcasts by subscribing on iTunes or on the Farm and Rural Ag Network Website today.
Share the Ag-Love!
Thanks for joining us on the Future of Agriculture Podcast – your spot for valuable information, content, and interviews with industry leaders throughout the agricultural space! If you enjoyed this week’s episode, please subscribe on iTunes and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share it with your friends on your favorite social media spots!
Learn more about AgGrad by visiting:
AgGrad on Twitter
AgGrad on Facebook
AgGrad on LinkedIn
AgGrad on Instagram
Janice Person could have gone a completely different route if it not for some nice farmers.
Michael Allemeier is only one of four Master Chefs in Canada. He talks to us about how meeting farmers changed his opinions on ingredients
Kristin Reese, aka Local Farm Mom, has been my companion on a couple of recent adventures. In this episode, we share our experience exploring Europe's food and agriculture, while also attending Bayer's Future of Farming event - the first event since the acquisition of Monsanto.
Our journey through Switzerland taught us the importance of slowing down in life. In Germany we learn there are no speed limits & the Netherlands provided a one-of-a-kind event involving Dutch Cooking.
Take a listen to learn more.
Special thanks to Bayer for inviting Kristin and I to the Future of Farming event.
In this two part series, Ray Bohacz explains why the agriculture community needs to take a lesson from the auto industry of 30 years ago to successfully lobby for this cause.
In this two part series, Ray Bohacz explains why the agriculture community needs to take a lesson from the auto industry of 30 years ago to successfully lobby for this cause.
Andrea De Groot traded in a ruthless banker gig to head up the Ontario Pork Industry Council (OPIC) to help pork producers navigate the issues in the swine business. Sometime work/life balance is as simple as saying no and giving yourself permission to not bake cookies. Also, find out what sport is more Canadian than hockey. Hint - it's like hockey, only nicer.
#agriculture #farming #rural #family #banking
Tonight I'm heading up to Withnell in Lancashire to talk to marketing officer, freelance journalist, and Vice Chairman of Lancashire YFC, Alice Singleton @alicemay_sing
We start of by talking about her family farm, that her parents bought 12 years ago, and the herd of Angus & Hereford Cows they run there, before going on to talk about their exciting diversification project, a gin distillery! We talk about Cuckoo Gin in detail, including the local ingredients they use, and how sustainability is so important to the business (For more info: www.brindledistillery.co.uk ).
We talk about the various jobs she does, from being a full time Marketing Officer at Lancashire wildlife Trust, to trying to build up a freelance journalism and photography business, and what she enjoys most about the different roles. We also talk about rural crime, and how it's affected her and her family recently, with two different break-ins at their farms.
Lastly, we talk in depth about her 13 year involvement in the Young Farmers Clubs, from a 12 year old new member, right on through to becoming Vice Chairman of Lancashire YFC, and winning the the prestigious NFYFC Member of the Year.
We go into what YFC means to her, and what she's got out of it over the years, before we move on to discuss the recent controversial cancellation of the annual convention. We hear her opinions on the subject, and what she thinks might happen next.
All this and much, much more.
It was fantastic to talk to someone as articulate, passionate and enthusiastic as Alice for the podcast tonight, and hear her views on a wide range of subjects.
Check it out folks..
Episode Sponsors:
AFTP - Agrifood Training Partnership. Please visit www.aftp.co.uk/podcast to check out a wide range of agriculture-related online courses. For 10% discount on selected courses use the word 'podcast' at check out!
NFU Cymru - for more information please visit www.nfu-cymru.org.uk
Podcast Partners:
Farmer's Guardian. For the biggest range of news and features from across the Ag industry, please visit www.fginsight.com
Rock & Roll Farming is proud to be a part of the Farm & Rural Ag Network. To find more great podcasts and vlogs, please visit www.farmruralag.com
From choosing his education to building his own farm... Mike Manion has carved his own way.
Andrea Hollak is a bourbon drinking vegetarian that shares her views on eating meat.