Episodes — AgTech So What Podcast

What’s limiting adoption of irrigation tech? Check out this free report for our insights.

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Later-Stage Agtech Startup Lessons #1 - Semios

Later-Stage Agtech Startup Lessons #1 - Semios

In this 3-part series, we’ll share the lessons from agtech startup founders who have grown their agtech companies from idea to at least 100 employees.

This episode features Michael Gilbert, CEO and founder of Semios, a crop management platform initially focused on tree fruit, nuts and vines, based in Canada. Michael has a PhD in chemistry and started his career in pharmaceuticals and biotech, before realizing his knowledge could be applied to agricultural inputs.

This initial idea has led him on a journey from biologicals, to creating a company with more than 300 employees and over $225 million in external capital raised to date.


Why You Should Give a F*ck About Farming

Why You Should Give a F*ck About Farming

Does the average citizen actually need to care about how their food is produced? This is the central question Australian author and journalist, Gabrielle Chan, set out to answer. Her latest book, “Why you should give a f*ck about farming” details her firm conclusion, that yes, if you eat food, you should in fact care about agriculture.

While the old days of agriculture as the top contributor to GDP is over for most Western countries, Gabrielle argues the future of food and farming is becoming increasingly important for a raft of other reasons such as climate change and food security.


Farmers and Startups: Tips for Collaboration

Farmers and Startups: Tips for Collaboration

The divide between farmers and startups can seem like a chasm. Tech culture and agriculture have evolved from completely different backgrounds, and even seem to have their own languages. So how can agtech bring together two very different groups?

In this episode, you’ll hear practical tips from farmers and agtech experts on how to build mutually beneficial relationships. For startups, this includes approaching farmers as partners, rather than ‘customers,’ and understanding ‘grower economics’. And for farmers, it’s about finding opportunities to access and help shape new products as the startup iterates.

The Economics of Valuing Natural Capital: Ken Henry

The Economics of Valuing Natural Capital: Ken Henry

Dr. Ken Henry became well-known in Australia for his bold economic reforms as the Treasury Secretary throughout the 2000s. His approach to conservation and agriculture is equally as bold, advocating for the natural environment to be valued, and even predicting “an explosion” in financial instruments to measure soil carbon, vegetation, biodiversity and other aspects of nature.

As an economist, former Chair of the National Australia Bank, and current board director of Accounting for Nature, he brings a unique perspective to agtech and agriculture.


100th Episode Special: soil carbon & the future of agtech

100th Episode Special: soil carbon & the future of agtech

For our 100th episode (hooray!), we’ve brought back some of our most popular guests to check in on what’s changed in their businesses and in agtech since we spoke, and the new technologies and opportunities we can all be looking out for. This episode features Mark Wootton, Stu Austin, Sarah Mock, and Derek Norman.

Getting Off the Commodities Treadmill

Getting Off the Commodities Treadmill

Loran Steinlage has been labeled a ‘regenerative’ farmer and branded a conservationist, yet as a farmer in Iowa, in many ways he’s far from the stereotypical image of either. He lives in the heart of the Iowa corn belt, but says he now doesn’t care whether he grows corn or not.

In this episode, Loran shares how his drive for innovation has come from a series of difficult and life-changing events in his personal life. This, coupled with his love of tinkering with machines has helped him unlock new ways of farming, such as cover cropping, interseeding and relay cropping, that have not only won him awards and improved profitability, but also caught the attention of machinery manufacturers and helped him spend more time with his family.


Did Silicon Valley Kill Agtech?

Did Silicon Valley Kill Agtech?

The Silicon Valley model for innovation has worked famously for many software based companies, such as Facebook and PayPal. However, when it comes to agtech, the Silicon Valley template for startup success hasn’t translated very well. This template, of either “user is the customer” or “user is the product” is rather limited in agriculture, where the farming population is small (restricting scale) and the stakes are high.

This episode features Rob Trice, the founder of Better Food Ventures and The Mixing Bowl, along with Sarah Nolet and Matthew Pryor, who both lead the Agthentic Group and Tenacious Ventures. All three guests have a solid tech history in Silicon Valley and discuss why the business models typically used by venture-backed software companies, can’t just be copy-pasted to agriculture.


Carbon neutrality and tackling misinformation in red meat

Carbon neutrality and tackling misinformation in red meat

Red meat can sometimes be seen as the “bad guy” when it comes to climate change. Undoubtedly, animal agriculture has an impact on the environment, but Australia's leading meat producer organisation, the Meat and Livestock Association (MLA) says the negative environmental impacts from red meat are often overblown.

While lamb and beef are still very popular in Australia, red meat consumption is becoming more contentious. The MLA has already committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030, to address environmental concerns. However, there is also currently a battle over food labeling between the meat industry and the growing plant-based protein industry over the use of the word “meat.”

Biologicals and chemistry: finding ways to commercialize the science

Biologicals and chemistry: finding ways to commercialize the science

In agtech, cutting edge science and flashy technologies are just not enough to solve problems on farm and realize impact and returns for investors. In this episode, we chat with two scientists who, instead of viewing the publication of their research as an end point, have made it the beginning of a venture-backed startup journey. Our guests are Dr. Jacqueline Heard, CEO of Enko Chem, and Dr. Nancy Schellhorn, CEO of RapidAIM.

Farmer protests in India: causes, insights, and what they mean for innovation in agriculture

Farmer protests in India: causes, insights, and what they mean for innovation in agriculture

Agriculture in India has been thrust onto the international stage as the world watched and celebrities tweeted about the tens of thousands of farmers camped out in Delhi to protest against governmental reforms which loosen rules around the sale, pricing, and storage of produce. Farmers say these changes prioritize corporate interests and threaten livelihoods, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi argues they will lead to greater efficiency and ultimately income for smallholder farmers.

In this episode, Sarah is joined by colleague Komal Patel to unpack why farmers are protesting, what’s working (and what’s not) in India’s agricultural system, and what it means for agtech and innovation. It features Mekhala Krishnamurthy, Associate Professor of Sociology and Anthropology at Ashoka University and Venky Ramachandran, agritech consultant and author of Agribusiness Matters.

Lean Farming - Jana Hocken brings Toyota’s famous operating model to agriculture

Lean Farming - Jana Hocken brings Toyota’s famous operating model to agriculture

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.

What's the [soil carbon] incentive?

What's the [soil carbon] incentive?

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.

The Agtech Adoption Dilemma: Irrigation

The Agtech Adoption Dilemma: Irrigation

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.

Busting food and farming myths with evidence

Busting food and farming myths with evidence

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.


How can big companies like Coca-Cola impact the sustainability of our food system?

How can big companies like Coca-Cola impact the sustainability of our food system?

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.


Farming eggs the startup way - Sarah Sivyer

Farming eggs the startup way - Sarah Sivyer

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.

Changing human behavior - Matt Crozier

Changing human behavior - Matt Crozier

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.

From defense to disruption - Mary Shelman

From defense to disruption - Mary Shelman

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.

“Not a cheerleader, not the enemy”, journalist Sarah Mock on making windows in the walls around agriculture

“Not a cheerleader, not the enemy”, journalist Sarah Mock on making windows in the walls around agriculture

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”.

Regen Ag Series #5 Our Verdict

Regen Ag Series #5 Our Verdict

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.