Agbioscience

From tightening margins to shifts in the regulatory landscape, growers face a series of headwinds that challenge the success of their operations every year. One constant? Data on the farm. This week, American Autonomy CEO Mariah Scott joins us to talk data as a differentiator and unlocking access in a new American market for drones. Highlights include: The work American Autonomy is leading to bring drone software to dealers and farmers that sets their businesses apart AcreConnect as the company’s first software platform designed to assist during the spray season, the gaps in the market that led to its creation and how it enables farmer success What’s happening with drones in the current market landscape and how Mariah sees the future changing Regulatory shifts and their impact on technological adoption on farms right now How American Autonomy defines success in this environment and how this evolution in the industry has created new opportunities Leveraging farmer relationships to refine and improve technologies; and the farmer’s role in defining the future of innovation in this space What innovations Mariah sees playing the biggest role in drone imagery and spraying in the future — from AI to automation, sensing technologies and regulatory advancements — and how might they reshape both farm operations and the broader agtech landscape Momentum for the American Autonomy team over the last year and how that’s enabled them to grow and scale in new ways Integrations as a critical driver for the American Autonomy team’s success and how partnerships have created high-quality tech adoption in the field Mariah’s non-traditional ag background and how that’s positioned her to lead in the space thus far How she sees talent evolving and reshaping the agbioscience industry over the next decade What’s ahead for the American Autonomy team in 2026

Our March recap is here and it's a busy one! Highlights include: The launch of AgriNovus research and 2026 Velocity. Apply to participate in this year's cohort here: https://agrinovusindiana.com/velocity/Indiana's announcement of a $1B investment in agriculture and bioscience to position the state as a global leader in One Health innovationCICP's launch of the Catalyst Scholars fund focused on advanced chemistry talent, research and commercialization in IndianaCal-Maine Foods' acquisition of Creighton BrothersCorteva Catalysts's investment in gene editing company TropicJoin us for Quadrant on 5/13 in Indianapolis! Register here: https://agrinovusindiana.com/quadrant/

AgriNovus will release new research today identifying critical challenges ripe for innovation that will serve as the foundation for the 2026 Velocity Accelerator, a six-month program that awards entrepreneurs three separate $25,000 cash prizes for their technology solutions in bioinnovation, farmer-focused innovation and food is health. Joining us on the podcast is Tayo Sanders from Arrowpoint Labs, authors of the study that shape the foundation for this year’s accelerator. Are you interested in participating in this year's Velocity? Ten teams will be accepted for each track, so space is limited! Apply to participate today: https://agrinovusindiana.com/velocity/ Highlights include: Tayo’s work at Arrowpoint Labs and who they serve through insights and research The report that his team did for AgriNovus tied to 2026 Velocity, its findings and how it shaped this year’s challenge statements Indiana’s “right to win” across the agricultural value chain, the state’s strongest advantage right now and biggest opportunities to grow A theme in the report that emerges – bridging the gap in innovation among farmer-focused innovation, bioinnovation and food is health Engaging with local, state and national stakeholders to gain insights for this study and how their input provided support or opposition to what had been gathered as existing research The challenges that exist within the food is health space and gaps they identified in the report that could serve as opportunities for startups to innovate for in this year’s accelerator Priorities that were shaped through insights and research on a growing bioeconomy and how entrepreneurs can tackle the challenge being presented in that track for Velocity The value of connecting innovators at the farmgate to create new technologies that impact ROI and help develop new companies that can grow and scale through a program like Velocity What excites Tayo the most about this report and its potential to inform and inspire new innovation

The demand for biobased materials is growing on a global scale, with no signals of that pace slowing any time soon. One startup has leveraged the power of synthetic biology to turn industrial byproducts into biomaterials. This week, Ourobio CEO Alec Brewer joins us to talk the company’s founding, contributing to a circular economy and their innovation process – end-to-end. Highlights include: The company’s origin story out of the University of Virginia and how it has evolved Ourobio’s innovation process, end-to-end, that produces bio-based materials Pivoting as an entrepreneur and knowing when they needed to tilt their business model to capture and offer value The Ourobio differentiation, which includes safety, color of pigmentation of polymer and affordability Alec’s perspective on the regulatory environment, what needs to be defined and how this conversation should evolve as this market continues to grow Biggest headwinds Ourobio has faced as a startup and how they’ve navigated their challenges in the early stage Feedback from companies that are moving to more bio-based materials Where Alec sees the biggest opportunity for bioinnovation reshape traditional industries in the coming decade Tools and technologies that have had the greatest impact on accelerating innovation for Ourobio’s scale and precision How partnerships and collaboration have paved the way for Alec and the Ourobio team’s entrepreneurial success What success looks like at this stage for the company and what’s ahead for Ourobio that has Alec most excited

From seed selection to input purchases and beyond, farmers are responsible for a litany of data points that require decisions on their operations each season. Having tools to enable confident, informed decisions isn’t just a “nice to have” in modern production agriculture, it’s imperative. We are joined by Beck’s Hybrids’ Jim Schwartz, Director of Research, Agronomy and Practical Farm Research, to talk about the launch of their new platform – SeedIQ – its capabilities and the dealer, and farmer, mindset heading into a growing season. Highlights include: What PFR (Practical Farm Research) does to help farmers grow their operations and how it’s different than other research projects within companies Conversations with growers heading into the planting season; what those entail, how they are preparing and their sentiment given the current headwinds being faced The power of certainty being tied to decision-making and how Jim has seen expectations shift over the years when it comes to seed performance, agronomic support and digital tools The balance of innovation adoption and risk management “Innovation that matters” and what that means to the Beck’s team, their definition of innovation and its implications beyond ROI Launching SeedIQ, what the platform does and how it better serves dealers and farmers The gaps Jim and the team identified that led them to develop the SeedIQ platform Dealer and grower response to the launch of the tool heading into a growing season What’s ahead for Beck’s this planting season that has Jim excited

The future of the agbioscience workforce will look different than it does today – as it does than it did ten years ago. At the heart of its change and evolution are college students and young professionals pursuing new fields of studying, from business to biology, and asking themselves one critical question: how do I apply what I’m learning today to my future in the working world? This week we are joined by AgriNovus’ Career Success Manager, Karis Witte, to dive into the organization’s career exploration platform, Field Atlas, exposing young talent to the agbioscience industry and connecting their hearts and minds to a future that matters. Highlights include: The story of Field Atlas and who it aims to serve Biggest headwinds agbioscience companies are facing when it comes to finding talent and buildling a workforce of the future Who Field Atlas is designed for and what makes it different than other talent programs and platforms The brand’s growth into experiential programming and how exposure has created a new dimension of industry recruitment for agbioscience companies Field Atlas as a brand “for students, by students” that is enabled by a network of campus Ambassadors The feedback Karis gets about the impact of Field Atlas – from students, colleges, universities and companies The Company Tours available to students and how that program has created new impact on students with no prior background in agbioscience Launching the Agbioscience Mentorship Program (AMP) and creating new, meaningful connection for late college students and young professionals that are looking to advance their careers How Karis sees Field Atlas evolving as it grows in the coming years What’s ahead in 2026

For farmers looking ahead to a fresh growing season, decisions for their operations require clarity and a certainty around impact and ROI – from inputs to innovation adoption. This week, we are joined by PJ Smith, Senior Global Product Manager at Indigo Ag, to get into soil health’s impact on our food system; and how strengthening agriculture today helps reduce risk and protect food security for the future. Highlights include: The work Indigo Ag is leading and problems their team solves through innovation Conversations with farmers right now as they look ahead to the growing season, their concerns and how they are making decisions based on their needs Indigo Ag’s unique intersection of ag, sustainability and data Balancing opportunities that data can provide with a hesitant mindset that can sometimes linger around a farmer’s data, technology adoption or participation in emerging technologies Benchmarks and measures of success the Indigo Ag team has in front of them over the next 3-5 years Indigo Ag’s launch of Nemora to fight soybean cyst nematode, the leading cause of soybean loss in the U.S How in-field experience with farmers shapes R&D priorities for Indigo Ag PJ’s thoughts on their biggest room for growth Farmers as a part of the solution to climate and sustainability challenges over the next decade and where he sees shifts and changes coming in the market What’s ahead for Indigo Ag in 2026

There is an increasing desire from consumers to better understand food’s overall impact on their health; however, there haven’t always been the proper tools – until now. This week, we are joined by FoodHealth Company’s CEO and co-founder, Sam Citro-Alexander, to talk about the launch of their consumer and brand facing tech-platform, FoodHealth Score, which rates products and suggests smarter swaps in real-time as you shop. We also get into leveraging innovation to better connect the value chain and empowering consumers and food brands alike to make better informed decisions based on data. Want to try out FoodHealth Score for yourself? Download the Chrome extension for free here! Highlights include: What FoodHealth Company does and who they aim to serve through technology Gaps in the market that Sam identified that led to her endeavoring this new startup and systems change How FoodHealth Co. Works across the food system to drive better health outcomes – from consumers to food brands alike Sam’s launch of their flagship product, FoodHealth Score, and what the feedback has looked like across the value chain Retailers and brands using data to better inform purchasing and formulation decisions How FoodHealth Co. Is thinking about impact measured through their platform What food is health means to Sam and her team The role she sees farmers playing in the FoodHealth Score and the opportunity to better align food production and health The company’s $7.5M Series A funding round from 2025 and how it’s enabled them to grow and scale How Sam views partnerships and collaboration as a necessary tool to the growth of FoodHealth Company Where she believes they’ve just started to scratch the surface on their full potential when it comes to FoodHealth Score What’s ahead for the company with the launch of FoodHealth Score in 2026

From sweeteners and starches to sustainable packaging, the bioeconomy is on the move. At the helm is Primient, a leading producer of food and industrial ingredients made from plant-based, renewable sources – corn being its primary feedstock. Today we are joined by CEO Jim Stutelberg to talk about the $4 trillion global bioeconomy and the rapid innovative trajectory shaping its future. Highlights include: The Primient story and who they aim to serve through innovation How Jim has seen the bioinnovation market evolve and what the competitive landscape looks like for bioinnovators like Primient today The collective headwinds facing the industry Primient’s market differentiation Consumer behaviors influencing company priorities and how they set the tone for R&D and product pipelines The critical role of corn and other feedstocks in the work Primient does and how Jim sees that relationship evolving over the next decade Acquiring Primient Covation and what integrating them into their portfolio will enable their team to do The power of partnerships for the Primient team, how they approach collaboration and what it means to their business Jim’s approach to the business of people, his belief in team culture and how he sees building a talent pipeline for the future What Jim believes to be Primient’s biggest areas of untapped potential What’s ahead for Primient in 2026

The USDA estimates that 30-40% of the U.S. food supply is lost each year, a massive addition to landfills and negative contributor to environmental health. What if that waste stream was handled differently and innovated into dependable feed ingredients for farmers? This week, CEO of Nutrition 101 Rick Shipley, joins the podcast to talk upcycling feed, servicing the entire value chain and flying under the agbioscience radar. Highlights include: How Nutrition 101 leverages food waste management to serve the entire food value chain What conversations look like with producers in this era and how their team is positioned to help drive on-farm impact in a time of unique challenges for their operations Nutrition 101’s relationship with processors on the other end and how they create opportunities for growth, sustainability and more Rick’s tenure as CEO (8 months) and how he sees the company as a differentiator in the agbioscience industry The company’s roots originating on the farm and how that translates to solving problems and generating better feedback to shape priorities for the future What success looks like for the Nutrition 101 team when it comes to working with producers and processors alike How Nutrition 101 focuses on solutions that are practical, effective and easy to implement – and why that’s so critical The company’s acquisition of Value Feeds in 2025 and what it will enable them to do on their growth trajectory Rick’s belief in the company’s greatest untapped potential to date How Rick sees the industry leveraging tech, automation and other innovations to grow a young base of talent interested in focusing on animal nutrition and agriculture Nutrition 101’s impact growing over the next decade as the role of the farmer evolves What’s ahead for the company in 2026

January's recap episode with Christy Wright, CEO of AgriNovus, and Libby Fritz, VP of AgriNovus, includes: Corteva and bp's 50:50 joint venture, Etlas, and its plans to advance production of biofuels made from crops.Elanco's $400 million investment in U.S. manufacturing, R&D and workforce. Listen to Jeff Simmons on Fox Business here.Primient's 100% acquisition of Primient Covation to advance their competitiveness in the bioeconomy.POET's $203 million investment in their Indiana location with plans to double production and nearly double workforce.Gripp winning honors from the ASABE for advancing agtech innovation.The bioeconomy is on the move this month! Get our Bioinnovation Playlist on YouTube. Click .Gripp was a former winner of AgriNovus' Velocity accelerator, which is set to kick off soon. Learn more about the program here.AgriNovus' Quadrant is back on March 11! Get details and register here.

From partnerships and acquisitions to considerable growth in 2025, Traction Ag has had an incredible story to tell as innovators and entrepreneurs. Woven in the fabric of that story, though, is how that growth came to be: direct farmer relationships, focused on creating solutions that will ultimately drive their yield. This week, we are joined by Traction Ag’s COO, Hannah Parsons, to talk fintech for the farmer, making the barrier to entry accessible and what’s ahead for the company. Highlights include: Traction Ag’s tech stack and how the platform functions to specifically serve farming operators What their team is hearing from customers right now as they navigate challenges in financial management and decision making Gaps in a farming operation’s data that can create inefficiencies and how Traction Ag is designed to integrate for more streamlined impact How farmers respond to a platform like this, barriers to tech adoption and their biggest questions about how it can help their operations Strategic partnerships and integrations with FS and Keystone Cooperative and how they better serve the farmer The acquisition of PcMars and what it added to the company’s tech stack Hannah’s perspective on Traction Ag’s biggest untapped opportunities for growth What’s ahead for the company in 2026

For more than 100 years, Ingredion has been providing the world ingredient solutions. From sweeteners to starches, that type of innovation has to be grounded in a consumer-forward attitude and understand what comes next in the food industry – all around the world. Today we are joined by Eric Seip, SVP of Global Operations and Chief Supply Chain Officer at Ingredion, to explore global ingredients in more than 120 countries across 60 diverse sectors and how they stay on the cutting edge of providing innovative solutions. Highlights include: What Ingredion does and who they aim to serve through innovation Common gaps and challenges emerging for customers across their food and beverage portfolio How Eric sees Ingredion helping to advance Food is Health Consumer preferences shifting and how those translate into operational and R&D priorities Ingredion’s recent $100 million investment in its Indianapolis facility, what it entails, the capabilities it adds and why now What this upgrade to the Indianapolis locate will differentiate from their competitors or others in the space What technologies Eric believes have the biggest potential to transform how Ingredion innovates in the future The food value chain, texture and challenges that have risen in recent years – and how Ingredion has found themselves adapting through headwinds to build resilience Ingredion’s perspective on partnerships and how they’re used to drive outcomes forward The relationship with the farmer and what that means to the Ingredion innovation portfolio Biggest challenges and opportunities facing the food ingredients industry What has Eric most excited for Ingredion in the future

So much can happen in a year – transformative change can happen in 70. From applied research to precision fermentation, United Animal Health has continued to accelerate innovation and growth of its portfolio on behalf of producers over their seven decades of business. This week, we are joined by COO Trent Torrance to cover it all – joint ventures, animal nutrition, food is health, artificial intelligence and beyond. Highlights include: United Animal Health’s pursuit to grow and serve a broader range of agriculture and food production Some unique challenges and emerging issues that they’re trying to get ahead of on behalf of producers The state of discussion with producers United Animal Health works with and how they feel about the year ahead How their investment in applied research has defined and differentiated them as a company Trent’s thoughts on the biggest opportunities for transformational change in food production The critical intersection of animal and human health – and United Animal Health’s role in that space What seventy years of business and longevity can bring to a company, Trent’s thoughts on the future of United Animal Health and their biggest untapped potential to date How artificial intelligence (AI) is playing an additive role to the work they’re doing United Animal Health’s focus on joint ventures and striking balance between internal validation and seeking collaboration without outside partners What’s ahead for United Animal Health in 2026

From gene editing to food is health and consumer education to bioinnovation, we’ve had no shortage of amazing conversations on the podcast this year. This episode is a celebration of some of your favorite guests combined into one ultimate audio experience. And let’s face it, you have the holiday windshield time for this podcast. Don’t you? Featuring the following guests: Wendy Srnic, Corteva Agriscience Jay Hulbert, Ag Alumni Seed (Retired) Ronda Hamm, Conner Prairie’s Food, Farm and Energy Experience Mike Jacob, TerraForce Mark Warner, Liberation Bioindustries Ed Fish, Bay State Milling Sarah Glaven, Princeton University’s Andlinger Center Aaron Schacht, BiomEdit Christy Wright, AgriNovus We can’t wait to bring you even more fantastic Agbioscience content in 2026! Season 9 starts January 12.

When it comes to crop inputs, farmers are looking for more than a salesman in the field – they need an advisor. One partner that can help shape decision making that keeps them profitable, efficient and sustainable all while driving yield to make their operations successful. It’s a tall order and one this week’s guest loves to welcome as a challenge. Danny Carmony, Central Indiana GM for Nutrien Ag Solutions, joins AgriNovus’ VP Libby Fritz to talk consistency, serving in that advisory role over multiple generations and what innovations have him most excited for the future of the industry. We get into: The work Nutrien Ag Solutions does to serve farmers and the outlook of growers over the last 12 months What Danny sees ahead for 2026 and recommendations they are making to their customers The relationship of Nutrien Ag Solutions with its parent company and its unique advantage Alternatives for nitrogen fertilizer, new forms of nitrogen or emerging innovations that enable the farmer to be more efficient Generational farming operations and the difference in selling across multiple generations of operators who have different schools of thought on ROI Biologicals past, present and future in agbiosience innovation Global geopolitical pressures factoring into supply and demand for farmers Using the power of partnerships, leverage Nutrien Ag Solutions’ reach, while also tapping into locally to create maximum value for customers The criticality of sourcing talent in areas that are serving rural customers – and Danny’s passion for bringing people from outside the industry into agbioscience What’s ahead for Nutrien Ag Solutions that has him excited in 2026

It is rare air to get two fantastic leaders in the same room for the podcast, but today we are joined by our very own. CICP’s CEO, Melina Kennedy, hosts our newly named AgriNovus President and CEO, Christy Wright, to talk service, food as the next frontier of health and her vision for what lies ahead for Indiana’s agbioscience economy.

From domestic and global policy to the speed of innovation, the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) works on behalf of the industry to promote research, development and movement of quality seed to meet the world’s demand for food, feed, fiber and beyond. This week, Beck’s Hybrids’ President, Scott Beck, hosts ASTA CEO, Andy LaVigne, and organization Chair, Dave Treinen, to talk about the organization’s pursuit to better connect innovation to consumers, new markets, policymakers and more. We get into: ASTA as one of the world’s oldest trade organizations and who they aim to serve Where seed production finds itself in the mix of current challenges facing production agriculture and what is unique to them The biggest regulatory discussions shaping the industry, both domestically and internationally How domestic policy impacts the industry’s ability to do business internationally The accelerated trend of food is health, the seed innovator’s role and how ASTA is tackling this with its partners across the value chain How ASTA works to connect seed innovation to the consumer’s understanding of food production Where ASTA sees the biggest opportunities to advance technologies through partnerships and collaborations Big areas of focus for 2026 The call to action for seed distributors and innovators that want a seat at the table with ASTA, but don’t know how to get started

From market volatility to high input costs and beyond, farmers have faced a series of unique challenges -- and farm management is something they need and want to get a good grasp on for their operations. Looking ahead to 2026, we are joined by Dwight Raab, Advisor to Farm Business Farm Management, to examine the balance between innovation adoption and financial management. We get into: A high-level perspective on the work FBFM does to serve Midwest farmers through data-driven decisions What the year has looked like for their farmers and how that’s informed their decision making for 2026 Tax policies that are changing and how the One Big Beautiful Bill is transforming the way people should be thinking about their farming operations Out of the farmers who have operations that are doing well – what are they doing differently than others? FBFM’s comprehensive farm level financial data and how those models have helped guide their decision-making processes Balancing the adoption of new innovation between the realities of economic pressures for farming operations and what efficiencies could come from technologies coming on farm The importance of financial literacy as farming operations switch hands over the next ten years The one piece of advice Dwight would offer heading into 2026

Happy Thanksgiving! AgriNovus was proud to present the One Health Summit in partnership with BioCrossroads and Elanco this month at the company's newly opened global headquarters in Indianapolis. Please enjoy audio from this power panel including Elanco CEO Jeff Simmons, Corteva Agriscience CEO Chuck Magro, Eli Lilly CEO Dave Ricks, Purdue University President Mung Chiang and Indiana University President Pam Whitten. The panel was moderated by the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) CEO Melina Kennedy to talk about the One Health opportunity and how best we can advance that here in the state.

From food is health to biologicals, what innovations and emerging trends took over the agbiosciences in 2025 and where are we headed in 2026? Perhaps no one better a source than Jennifer Marston, Global AgTech Editor at AgFunder News, to join us as we talk through the state of venture capital, its down market and the good news about where it’s headed in the future. She gets into: A high-level overview of the venture capital market in 2025 The categories of agbioscience that are securing deals – and the areas of the globe that seem to be doing better than others with venture capital deals The shifts in the last 18-24 months across dealmaking and what feedback Jenn has heard while talking with both VCs and startups while writing stories What the startups and entrepreneurs who are winning are doing differently With longer sales cycles, regulatory pressures, etc., does Jenn think we are due for a reset in how innovation is funded in agbioscience? Indiana’s unique models unfolding with Corteva Catalyst, the launch of Elanco’s One Health Innovation District and how those might create a new ecosystem in the Midwest for entrepreneurs to grow and thrive New startups and innovation partnerships out of the Midwest that have Jenn most excited right now Upcoming stories and things coming from AgFunder News that she wants people to know about

As an entrepreneur, sometimes the boldest move you can make is to pivot. This week, we are joined by Rian Mc Donnell, CEO of FloVision Solutions, to talk about AI-driven solutions to help the food industry become more financially and environmentally sustainable by reducing waste and maximizing yield. We get into: The work Rian leads with his team to optimize the food chain starting with protein – and how that vision varies from when he started the company Insights that FloVision drives downstream to food processors and the capabilities they have because of these technology FloVision’s market differentiation How Rian sees the company playing a role in this massive food evolution Feedback he gets from working with customers – especially food processors who are very traditional in their operations FloVision’s recent $8.7 million Series A fundraise and what it will enable the company to do The company’s tech stack and how the data drives different decisions and solutions based on their position around the globe, their food priorities and regulatory frameworks Areas ripe for collaboration and what’s ahead in 2026

Indiana Farm Bureau has outlined its legislative priorities for 2026 and this week. Katie Nelson, the organization’s Executive Director of Public Policy, joins this week to talk about the three buckets of prioritization heading into session, why they’re focused on broad issues and the call to action for agbioscience innovators. We get into: A legislative recap of 2025 and lingering challenges that persist for the industry The broad policy scope that Indiana Farm Bureau has casted heading into 2026 and the “why” behind that Investment in agriculture, the challenges farmers are facing and how Katie hopes some measures move forward to enable operational success Helping rural communities thrive, the uphill battles being faced – from education to healthcare – and where Indiana Farm Bureau plans to be most active Supporting Indiana farmers through helping them to have the resources they need (water, land, etc.) How Indiana Farm Bureau is navigating federal challenges, the shutdown and conversations on behalf of farmers Trade agreements they’re eyeing heading into 2026 that may impact Indiana farmers most critically The call to action for the agbioscience community to drive these priorities forward

Everyone has a story of how they’ve come into their career and many times on this podcast we hear the phrase “I got here by accident.” This week, we are joined by Angel Vazquez, a Field Atlas Ambassador and Ball State University student, who is exploring his interest in agbioscience careers, sharing the industry story with his peers and what he hopes to accomplish after graduation. We get into: How he is thinking about his career journey as college winds down Angel’s personal story, why medicine is the path he chose and how he hopes to make a difference in the lives of others The curiosity of agbioscience and wanting to be a Field Atlas Ambassador Agbioscience conversations on Ball State’s campus and how his peers engage when discussing career opportunities in the industry Learning from his peer Ambassadors on other college and university campuses What he thinks students are seeking in a career What employers should know about connecting with students His favorite Field Atlas experience and what it taught him

October was a busy month and we spare none on today's update with AgriNovus CEO, Christy Wright, and VP Libby Fritz. Updates include: A new global HQ for Elanco and our upcoming One Health Summit co-hosted with BioCrossroads (register here)Corteva's restructure into two companies and what comes nextBiomEdit's $2M Bezos Earth Fund Grant (listen to CEO Aaron Schacht here)BioBond launches two new adhesives -- one for fake fingernails and school adhesivesARI's new HQ at the 16 Tech Innovation District to secure Indiana's bioinnovation futureQuadrant is coming on 12/3! Register here.

Biochar is an effective and profitable way to manage organic waste – and there are innovators creating new platforms to enable producers, investors and equipment suppliers to grow and deploy waste-to-value projects faster and easier than ever before. This week, we are joined by Jason Dodier, Co-Founder and CCO of Grain Ecosystem, to talk decarbonization projects, the value of the American farmer and grain as a risk reduction partner. We get into: What Grain Ecosystem does and how they deploy these waste-to-value solutions How this process looks for each player in the system – farmers, investors and equipment suppliers The Grain Ecosystem model and its adoptability that differentiates it from competitors on the market Feedback they get from the ecosystem as they deploy solutions Grain’s momentum built up over the last three years and the company’s biggest opportunities for growth Working with Elevate Ventures and other Indiana partners to expand their footprint in the state What’s ahead for Grain Ecosystem

From agbioscience innovation to defense, pharma, food and nutrition, and beyond – the bioeconomy is broad; and the intersection of innovation, research and policy generates a lot of questions when it comes to how we grow and scale to be a global leader right here in the United States. This week, we are joined by Sarah Glaven, Visiting Fellow at Princeton University’s Andlinger Center and a former biotechnologist representing The White House, The Pentagon and The Naval Research Laboratory. We get into: Sarah’s professional story, from being an outdoors kid to leading critical bioinnovation work on a national scale How she defines the bioeconomy and what she believes is its importance to the US’ future Biggest headwinds we are facing when it comes to the growth and scale of the bioeconomy How her past experiences have shaped her perspective on the critical alignment needed among policy, innovation and research to advance the bioeconomy in the US (and the grade she’d give us on that alignment today) Indiana’s position in the bioeconomy and how reshoring biomanufacturing supply chains can reduce disruption and increase competitiveness in the US Creating a skilled workforce to grow the bioeconomy and examples of upskilling and developing talent that have her most impressed What has Sarah most excited about the US’ bioinnovation future

The intersection of innovation and regulatory – specifically when it comes to food is health – is a growing conversation. This week, we are joined by Dave Riggs, Business Cluster Unit President for Eurofins SFA, to talk laboratory science, consulting food brands around the world and health emerging as a trend on their minds. We get into: The work his SFA team leads and who they aim to serve How much food companies have to think about in product development and the risks that come up in a product’s life cycle in quality and safety standard aren’t met How laboratory scientists approach their work like consultants to overcome challenges and drive big outcomes for food brands around the world Food is Health making its way into the Eurofins labs and unintended consequences that have come alongside the movement Balancing innovation and scientific discovery with an evolving regulatory landscape Challenges and headwinds on the horizon for the food industry and how those create opportunities for creativity across the value chain Dave’s advice to young talent considering science careers What’s ahead for Eurofins

Developing and recruiting next generation talent is a critical topic for all industries and agbioscience leaders are no stranger to the conversation. This week, we are joined by National FFA CEO, Scott Stump, to examine how young leaders are developed, getting them engaged in agbioscience and looking ahead to the excitement that is October for National FFA in Indianapolis as their Convention and Expo looms near. We get into: Scott’s story – from leading students in the ag classroom to leading the National FFA Organization What the organization does and who it exists to serve How Scott has seen the makeup of National FFA students evolve over his career – and how that’s changed the organization What National FFA hears from industry partners on challenges they are facing in terms of workforce and talent development How agriculture education will need to shift in the future to meet industry needs The upcoming 98th National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis, what to expect and why it’s important to unite to share ideas What’s ahead for National FFA

AgriNovus CEO, Christy Wright, and Vice President, Libby Fritz, recap September with Cayla Chiddister and discuss the month's news, including additions to our team via our Field Atlas Ambassador program, our participation in the One Health Summit in Indianapolis and several industry stories to share.Meet our Field Atlas Ambassadors Read Christy's Food Dive StoryAgriNovus Partners with BioCrossroads and Elanco for the Life Sciences Summit 2025Aaron Schacht to Speak at Life Sciences Summit 2025 | Watch Aaron Schacht - BiomEdit on AgbioscienceKeystone Cooperative's Kevin Still Announces Intention to Retire | Watch Kevin Still -- Keystone Cooperative on AgbioscienceSePro Corporation Announces Two AcquisitionsInsignum AgTech Raises $2.4MPurdue Researchers Develop Rapid Test for HPAIIntegrated Dynamics (Velocity Winner) Awarded $245,000 from National Science Foundation for Phase 1 SBIR GrantField Atlas AMP Applications Now Open | Apply Here

As consumers shift their preferences toward healthier food options, there is ripe opportunity for innovators in the CPG snack market. This week, we are joined by NutriPop co-founders Ujaswin Jain and Audrey Chung to talk food is health, student entrepreneurship and seizing the moment. We get into: How the NutriPop team came together on the campus of the University of Notre Dame What popped water lily seeds are and how they become a nutritious snack The company’s participation in AgriNovus’ Velocity accelerator and how that experienced helped drive NutriPop forward in 2025 After winning the Food is Health track for Velocity, NutriPop’s successes, wins and momentum on market NutriPop’s differentiation and what makes them unique in the food is health space The tough realities of the CPG market and why they chose to enter as entrepreneurs Advice they would offer to young student entrepreneurs heading down a similar path What’s ahead for NutriPop

From innovation pipeline movement to Series B funding, leadership changes and so much more, BiomEdit is on the move. This week, CEO Aaron Schacht joins Agbioscience to talk scientific discovery, artificial intelligence, creating “and” solutions and how he approaches adding to his team in a meaningful way. Highlights include: An overview of BiomEdit’s innovation pipeline and what has Aaron most excited right now Optavant – BE-101 – and its movement through the USDA regulatory process, what the technology is designed to do and its benefit to the poultry industry Creating solutions that establish certainty for producers – having the economics make sense to where they can realize the full genetic potential of the animal Finding the right messages to connect consumers to straightforward understanding of how their food is produced and why these innovations are so important for them How the BiomEdit team approaches scientific discovery The company’s latest Series B fundriase -- $18.4 M – and what it will enable the company to do New leadership additions and how they add not only competencies, but culture to the BiomEdit team Aaron’s vision for the continued opportunity to marry the AI-driven predictive analysis with scientific discovery to drive this work forward – and some incredible updates for their team in this space What’s ahead for BiomEdit

The global GMO testing market was valued at $3.9 billion in 2021, and is projected to reach $6.2 billion by 2031. With current processes costing time and money, there is a massive opportunity for innovation in genetic detection that benefits grain distributors, seed suppliers and ultimately – the farmer and consumer. Today we are joined by Ryan Skaar, COO of NanoBio Designs, to talk their platform technology and winning AgriNovus’ Velocity accelerator. We get into: What NanoBio Designs does and who they exist to serve through their technology How the company has evolved since locating their headquarters to Indianapolis in 2022 Why they chose Indiana, its entrepreneurial resources and connections, as home base Their technology, IndyStix, and its differentiation from other genetic testing technologies on the market What winning the AgriNovus Velocity accelerator did for NanoBio Designs as a company and what they’ve done post-win to build momentum How IndyStix creates confidence for the entire value chain What Ryan sees as NanoBio Designs’ biggest opportunities for the future The company’s pilot that’s currently running and its end goal What’s ahead for the company

Indiana is now home to a commercially available renewable diesel fuel production facility after CountryMark cut the ribbon on its $100 million plus refinery upgrade in Mount Vernon. With new production capabilities and a new market for Indiana soybean farmers, we are joined by CountryMark CEO Matt Smorch to talk about the expansion and what lies ahead. We get into it: The company’s innovation portfolio and what they bring to the energy market How biofuels have evolved in recent years – from policy driving change to sustainable aviation fuel Ag and oil coming together to drive outcomes on policy The $100 million investment in the Mount Vernon facility and how it positions them for the future The benefits of co-processed renewable diesel Why they chose to make this investment right now What’s ahead for CountryMark

Young leaders are born in the show rings of 4-H fairs and Cora Rodibaugh knows that story well. This week, the 10-year 4-H'er sits down with Indiana Farm Bureau’s Annie Romine to recap her career, talk about her love of pigs and the skills she’s acquired along the way that have her equipped her for the future. She also shares what’s ahead for her as she takes off for Purdue University to start the fall semester. Indiana Farm Bureau is dedicated to supporting youth in agriculture. There are several opportunities for youth to be involved in INFB, with scholarships for graduating seniors and college students; Collegiate Farm Bureau chapters at Purdue, Huntington and Vincennes universities; FFA advocacy days and trainings; grants for FFA chapters and 4-H clubs; and leadership development events, competitions, awards and conferences. INFB also serves as presenting sponsor of the Exhibitor Experience for livestock exhibitors and all showmanship contests at the Indiana State Fair. You can learn more at infb.org/YFAP.

For the first time on Agbioscience (except that one time when she was a guest), we are joined by our new President and CEO, Christy Wright! She talks her first week on the job, connecting with industry leaders and stakeholders and hosting her first Quadrant on day three at AgriNovus. You can also read her feature with Elaine Watson in AgFunder News and on Hoosier Ag Today. Christy, Libby and Cayla get into: The announcement of a potential merger between Premier Companies and Superior AgA recap of the Indiana Farm Bureau Critical Issues Summit -- including bonus audio from President Randy Kron and a look at the Future State of Ag Report of Idealyst InnovationIntelinair's 2nd Consecutive Win at the AgTech Breakthrough AwardsFloVision Raising $8.7M to Expand AI Tools for Food ProcessingField Atlas Company Tours recap -- we are recruiting companies for 2026! If you're interested in hosting students, contact [email protected].

Consumer education and connectivity to agbioscience innovation and their food’s origin story is a growing conversation. To see is to believe; but to experience the farm? That’s a whole different story. Purdue University’s Megan Kuhn guest hosts Hannah Vorsilak, Indiana Soybean Alliance’s Marketing and Communications Manager, this week to talk about the organization’s ultimate commitment to consumer experience in Indiana agriculture: The Glass Barn – located on the Indiana State Fairgrounds. We get into: What The Glass Barn is and what it is designed to do for someone who has never visited Why that name? Over ten years in, how has The Glass Barn evolved to meet consumer questions and the evolution of innovation in agbioscience The use of the facility well beyond the 15 days of the Indiana State Fair – The Glass Barn welcomes 10,000 students each year + the integration of their virtual learning programs How the experiential is positively affecting the perception Commonly asked questions by consumers Features inside of the barn, including live farmer chats, games and more The growing need for experiences like this in a time where consumers have pressing questions about their food What’s ahead for The Glass Barn

For the first time in Agbioscience video history, we have taken the show on the road; and not to just any venue...but to the iconic Indiana State Fair. Spanning 15 days that welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors, those consumers and small businesses help to generate millions for the regional economy in its two weeks run. Today our guest host Kenda Resler Friend from KRF Public Relations is joined by Indiana State Fair Executive Director, Cindy Hoye, to talk the impact of consumer experience, agbioscience innovation and the fairgrounds beyond these two weeks. We get into: Cindy’s perspective on the 2025 Indiana State Fair, its new attractions and consumer feedback Marrying time-honored traditions with new themes The underpinning of agbioscience innovation and education as the foundation for the Indiana State Fair and its 15 days Bringing veterinary science to the fair via a partnership with Purdue University that allows Q&A opportunities between consumers and vet students on modern agriculture practices How young leaders are developed through the spirit of 4-H, competition and hard work each year Leveraging the other days of the year to invest in the Indiana State Fair property in order to give back to the state What’s ahead for the Indiana State Fair