We’d all like to be able to predict what the next big technological disruption or trend will be. But while we can't exactly do that, we can look at signals happening today, and use them to drive our thinking about the future. In this bonus episode, Sarah Nolet presents five future forces shaping innovation in food and agriculture, and shares insights about what these forces mean for producers, investors, and entrepreneurs today.
Agrifood value chains are known for their efficiencies: they’ve been optimized to grow, process, and deliver massive amounts of safe food all over the world. But efficiency is no longer enough. Consumers and investors want supply chains that are climate resilient (or positive), sustainable & ethical, and free from waste.
In this episode we examine how farmers can capitalize on the increasing value of growing sustainable food, the opportunities for new players such as Goterra and Apeel, and new technologies to remove food waste and packaging from the supply chain, and signals indicating that the mood around sustainability might be about to shift.
Jana Hocken is a dairy farmer and “lean farming” consultant. After an international career in engineering at Toyota, including training staff in the principles of lean manufacturing to increase efficiency, eliminate waste, and encourage continuous improvement from the team, Jana moved to farm in New Zealand with her husband. At the time, she knew very little about agriculture, but she quickly realized that the principles of lean could also be applied at her own farm….and on many others.
New Zealand is on a mission to clean up its waterways and restore its ‘clean and green’ image, after the problems of nitrate runoff from dairies made international headlines. It’s now requiring all farmers with over 20ha to report on their pollution levels and sustainability measures. In this episode, dairy farmer Mat Hocken and sustainability veteran Brdgit Hawkins discuss what these regulations mean for innovation and whether they will act as a driver for agtech adoption.
Vonnie Estes has been at the forefront of genetics in agriculture for 30 years. She’s witnessed the public backlash over GMO crops in the 1990s, as well as the hype over biofuels in the U.S in the 2000s. In her current role as VP of Technology at the Produce Marketing Association, Vonnie helps companies navigate the confusing agtech landscape, investigating the sorts of food innovations consumers want, as well as innovations the world will increasingly need.
Agriculture experts and tech companies alike are claiming soil carbon payments hold huge potential as a new revenue stream for farmers and as a weapon against climate change. Yet, others say it’s all hype. One thing is clear though: it’s a confusing and rapidly evolving space. This episode features a panel of experts from across tech, policy, and corporate agribusiness to tackle the deeper issues in the soil carbon debate around business models, accuracy and measurement.
We have the technology to measure and improve water efficiency on farms, yet adoption remains low- why is this?
This episode explores our hypothesis in our recent report: that the problem is not with the technology, but rather with a lack of understanding of farmer psychology. Our expert panel explores how tech developers, startups and incumbent firms, can design business models that encourage irrigation tech adoption as well as how farmers can make sure they get the irrigation information they need.
Livestock, and especially cows, get a bad rap when it comes to climate change. But is this fair? There’s no doubt that cows emit methane; however, scientific advancements are increasing our understanding of how methane contributes to global warming, and emerging companies are developing solutions to reduce enteric emissions through advancements such as feed additives and methods to accelerate genetic progress. This episode features Professor Frank Mitloehner, air quality specialist at UC Davis, and Kerryann Kocher, CEO of Vytelle.
The Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture has a lofty mission: to change the food system. It’s an idyllic, sustainability-focused farming property just north of New York City. Jason Grauer is their Crops Director. Jason left his career in asset management to follow his passion for what he calls “soil-based” agriculture, focusing on seed genetics. But how can a 400-acre, non-profit farm influence practices in large, commercial farms?
In a world where food and farming are highly polarized issues, Rob Paarlberg’s approach is to follow the evidence. This has earned him great respect, but also means his well-researched views tend to land him in no-man’s land between traditional industry views and the new food movement.
For instance he supports modern commercial farming and the use of fertilizers - but he’s not pro- big Ag. He’s calling for better animal welfare standards - but he’s not against eating meat. As an author and Associate in the Sustainability Science program at the Harvard Kennedy School, Rob is renowned for debunking the popular myths about food and farming.
There’s always going to be some skepticism about the motives of ‘Big Food’ companies; but, for reasons such as risk management, consumer pressures, and more, the Coca-Cola Company is becoming more focused on the sustainability of its supply chain. In this episode, hear what its latest plans are, from Ulrike Sapiro, head of Global Water Stewardship and Sustainable Agriculture at the Coca-Cola Company.
If you’re looking at a career in agtech, chances are you’re going to spend time working with startups. But what’s it like to work IN an agtech startup? A fast-paced environment, no red tape, and a big vision may come to mind. But there can be downsides, too, such as long hours and setbacks. Hear about the realities of startup life and whether this is the career for you from Soroush Pour (Vow) Alissa Welker (Steward) and Kerryn Thomas (Goterra).
How do you get a career in agriculture or agtech, when you’re not from a farming background? In this episode, we meet four women who’ve become agtech leaders, despite not having grown up on a farm. Hear how they have succeeded at the intersection of two largely white and male dominated industries (agriculture and tech) despite, as they say, ‘not looking the part’.
The race is on globally to scale carbon markets, where farmers can sell the carbon they sequester in their soil to buyers who want to offset emissions. But right now, the space is often confusing for buyers, sellers, and the intermediaries working between them. And further, both public and private market schemes have been criticized for inefficiencies and high costs to participate.
Sarah Sivyer had multiple roles in the corporate world before she decided to start farming eggs. She grew up on a farm, but was completely new to chickens. But by tapping into consumer demand for convenience, freshness, and sustainability credentials, Sarah now runs 2500 chickens in NSW for her subscription-based egg business, Just Been Laid.
How technology was introduced to a 200 year old sheep station.
Cavan Station is a 25,000 acre property, owned by the Murdoch family, which has undergone a significant transformation in the past 10 years. Matt Crozier, the Station’s General Manager, explains how they’re using genetics, genomics, data and software to improve the farm.
Mary Shelman is an internationally recognized agribusiness consultant and speaker, and the former Director of Harvard Business School’s Agribusiness program. Mary grew up in Kentucky, watching her father sell farm equipment; now, based in Boston, she helps corporations and governments tackle agriculture’s biggest problems.
Sarah Mock is a US reporter who isn’t afraid of calling out the agriculture industry. While sometimes portrayed as being anti-farming, Sarah describes herself as “not a cheerleader; not the enemy”. She grew up on a farm in Wyoming and has also worked with agtech startups and in farm data analysis. Sarah Mock wants a more truthful agriculture industry and is on a mission to “make windows in the walls around farming”.
In this final wrap up episode of our regenerative agriculture series, the team from AgThentic is giving you OUR verdict. Sarah is joined by Matthew Pryor, Partner at AgThentic and co-founder of Tenacious Ventures, to discuss what it will take to move beyond the polarizing debate over whether regen ag is good or bad.
Our panel of farming experts debate whether regenerative agriculture can help farmers be more sustainable and profitable, or if it’s all hype.
Richard Leask, a South Australian wine grower, and Toby Grogan, a natural capital specialist from Impact Ag, share their insights on how regen ag is improving soil health and profitability. While Tasmanian mixed farmer, Will Bignell explains why he remains sceptical of regenerative agriculture, despite measuring soil carbon himself.
![What's the [soil carbon] incentive?](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/597bf7e9db29d6c2e336c008/1617680520818-1FJ98DN70I3FP2INPPH6/3.png)
