Agbioscience

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick sits down with Kay Kuenker, CEO of Advanced Agrilytics. Innovation in the agbiosciences ultimately enables producers to make the best decisions for their operations based on the findings that technology provides them. On this episode of the podcast, Gerry Dick with Inside INdiana Business sits down with Kay Kuenker, CEO of Advanced Agrilytics, and long-time lover of mathematics. Kay talks about the company’s unique approach to innovation, finding great talent as the company grows and taking on a leadership role at Advanced Agrilytics at the very start of COVID-19.

Coffee runs and calendar coordination might have their place in some internships, but the agbiosciences believe in hands-on experience right out of the gate. On this week’s episode of the podcast, Gerry Dick with Inside INdiana Business talks with Maggie Mulligan, an undergraduate research intern at Purdue University’s Animal Science Department. Maggie talks about her lifelong love of animals leading her down the veterinary path and how her summer experience, working directly with animals and in research labs, is shaping her to be a better young professional after graduation.

Ag Alumni Seed recently announced the discovery of dhurrin-free sorghum in their research efforts at Purdue University. On this week’s episode of the podcast, Gerry Dick with Inside INdiana Business is joined by Jay Hulbert of Ag Alumni Seed and Mitch Tuinstra of Purdue University to walk through the research process, how new products come to market and the importance of this finding for farmers in the sorghum belt.

Talent and workforce development remains at the forefront of big needs for agbioscience employers. Gerry Dick sits down with Andrea Schwartz of Ivy Tech on this week’s episode of the podcast. They talk about the school’s efforts to keep Indiana high school students in-state for their higher education path, their partnership with Purdue University and connecting youth with the many opportunities inside of the state’s agbioscience space.

Among the many challenges presented to companies this summer, navigating internship programs is one of them. AgriNovus Indiana welcomed two new interns in May who have navigated the world of Zoom and work-from-home right out of the gate. This week, Gerry Dick with Inside INdiana Business is joined by Allie Decker and Carson Canfield, summer interns for AgriNovus. They talk about youth finding agbiosciences and necessary tools coming for future generations to discover the breadth of career opportunities in this industry.

Indiana has come a long way in the 22 years since Gerry Dick launched Inside INdiana Business and the agbioscience industry has been a leader in that evolution. This week, AgriNovus puts Gerry on the other side of the interview for a two-year anniversary celebration episode of the podcast. Gerry dives into Indiana’s economic history and the growth of our state’s agbioscience sector. He also talks about the importance of talent, Indiana’s high-performing academic institutions and the future of a fast-growing industry that’s solving critical world problems.

In a time of pivotal discussion on equality, leaders across different industries are examining diversity and inclusion in their cultures. Zachary Brown is the National Graduate Student President of MANRRS and a doctoral student at Purdue University. He joins Gerry Dick from Inside INdiana Business on this week’s episode of the podcast to talk diversity, the agbioscience industry and a nationwide organization with a mission to connect minorities to careers in the sector. MANRRS: Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences is a national organization that promotes academic and professional advancement by empowering minorities in agriculture, natural resources and related sciences. Visit manrrs.org for more information.

A new era begins at AgriNovus Indiana as the organization welcomes its new President + CEO, Mitch Frazier. On this week’s episode of the podcast, Gerry Dick with Inside Indiana Business sits down with Mitch to talk about his vision for the organization and Indiana’s potential as an agbioscience powerhouse. Plenty of power is needed to meet the food demands of the future. In this episode, Mitch examines challenges that lie ahead: producer profitability, a vulnerable supply chain and weaknesses in our food supply in a COVID-19 world and beyond. How do we fix these problems and feed a growing world? Look no further than the resources + expertise in Indiana to create solutions and shape a more sustainable future.

During this era of deeming industries as “essential” business, agriculture nears the top of operations that must keep going despite a pandemic. To feed the world in an unprecedented time takes a special workforce with a heart for people and a need to serve. Gerry Dick with Inside Indiana Business is joined by Natasha Cox, vice president at Farm Credit Mid-America, on this week’s episode of the podcast. Natasha dives into Indiana’s pool of talent in the agbiosciences and how an operation as big as Farm Credit Mid-America needs a diverse workforce to be at its best. With only six million people in the Hoosier state, she talks the importance of keeping in-state talent here at home and forging a career path in agbiosciences to make a difference.

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Mark Walton, Chief Technology Officer, AquaBounty. Between 80 and 90-percent of fish consumed in the United States is imported and most of that is a product of aquaculture, otherwise known as fish farming. On this week’s episode of the podcast, Gerry Dick with Inside Indiana Business is joined by Mark Walton, Chief Technology Officer at AquaBounty Technologies. Based in Maynard, Massaschusetts, the company also has a production facility in Albany, Indiana. Mark talks innovation as key to their mission and AquaBounty’s opportunity to provide an abundant supply of fresh, reliable salmon using a smaller footprint. Setting up shop in locations like Indiana are critical, too, as they allow for a quick turn on harvest and delivery to many major U.S. population centers. There is growth ahead for AquaBounty – find out if Indiana is on their radar.

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Molly Grotjan, Corteva Intern and Purdue University Student. The COVID-19 pandemic has agbioscience companies still working with their summer internship programs, albeit with modified circumstances, rather than having the in-office experience. That’s not stopped Molly Grotjan, Corteva intern and Purdue University student, from getting acclimated with her summer opportunity and making the most of her time with the Corteva team. Gerry Dick of Inside Indiana Business chats with Molly as we dive into episode one of our Summer Intern Mini Series. With offers to attend out-of-state land grand universities, Molly set out to research the best fit for her education and future career path. She was then asked the question: where do you want your community to be? Her answer to that has served as a guidepost for choosing Indiana as her home and embracing all of the opportunities the Hoosier state brings. Molly talks about her summer experience at Corteva, life after Purdue and how young people can navigate through the many opportunities Indiana’s agbioscience sector has to offer.

The global population continues to rise, creating critical challenges for our planet’s future. Atop that list is the subject of hunger and how farmers are going to feed more people than ever while using less land and resources to provide a safe and sustainable food supply. Susan Martino-Catt, VP of Product Development at Inari, sits down with Gerry Dick from Inside Indiana Business on this week’s episode to discuss some of the industry’s biggest plant biology challenges that have to be solved to accommodate future demands for food. Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Susan talks about Inari’s growth into Purdue Research Park in West Lafayette and the unique position that has created for collaboration, growth, and proximity to world-class talent in the agbiosciences.

In a world filled with consumption of poultry, swine and dairy products, there has been an uptick in consumer questions regarding animal health and safety in recent years. To get all of those answers, you must start at the beginning. And look no further than United Animal Health, located in Sheridan, Indiana, to lead the way. On this week’s episode, Gerry Dick with Inside Indiana Business is joined by Joel Spencer, Director of Customer Innovation, for United Animal Health. Joel discusses the vital role that animal health plays in our daily human lives, passion coming first as qualification for a career in their industry and their Promise for Protein initiative at UAH – using their resources to provide protein to food banks across Indiana.

Purdue University is home to a mountain of research spanning a broad portfolio inclusive of agriculture, science, engineering, technology and much more. Those capabilities come loaded with a responsibility to identify areas for collaboration across their research enterprise as well as opportunities for corporate, state and federal partnership. Where does the research being done at Purdue University best apply in order to have a material impact on our world? That tall order falls into the hands of Theresa Mayer, Vice President for Research and Partnerships at Purdue University, who joins Gerry Dick from Inside Indiana Business on this week’s episode of the podcast. Theresa gets candid about coming home to Purdue to work under Mitch Daniels, her great sense of responsibility toward making a difference and her passion and insistence that young women get involved with STEM careers early in their education.

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has left consumers wanting more from their trip to the grocery store. With disruptions in the food supply chain, how will consumer habits shift both now and in the future? And how will agtech accommodate the change? Inside Indiana Business host Gerry Dick sits down with Nick Carter, CEO and Founder of Market Wagon, as they discuss a new wave in the grocery e-commerce business: the online farmers market. With Market Wagon’s continual growth and expansion, Nick talks the convergence of tech, logistics and local food, and being an entrepreneur who pivoted into his passion.

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Ronda Hamm, Global Academic Relations, Corteva.

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Mason Gordon, Purdue University student.

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by David Roberts, Chief Innovation Officer, Indiana Economic Development Corporation.

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined Patty Martin CEO of BioCrossroads.

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined Kristin S. Bloink, Vice President of Global Research and External Innovation for Elanco.

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined Alan Tio CEO of Kosciusko County Economic Development Corporation.

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Dan Peterson, Vice President Industry + Government Affairs at Cook Medical.

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Megan Ritter, Executive Director of Administration for Indiana Farm Bureau.

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Rob Hays, Director of FFA Association, Indiana State Department of Agriculture.

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Aaron Schacht, Acting CEO of AgriNovus Indiana and Executive Vice President Innovation, Regulatory + Business Development Elanco.

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Beck’s Hybrids’ Director of Innovation Brad Fruth

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Phytoption Co-Founder + CEO Joanne Zhang

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Dr. Karl MacDorman, IUPUI School of Infomatics + Computing, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and the Director of Infomatics and Data Science and Associate Professor of Human-Computer Interaction

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Courtney Kingery, CEO, Indiana Corn and Soybean Association

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Beth Bechdol, President & CEO, AgriNovus Indiana.

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Beth Bechdol, President & CEO, AgriNovus Indiana, Jay Hulbert, President & CEO, Ag Alumni Seed and Daniel Padrão, Chief Operating Officer, Solinftec

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Daniel Padrão, Solinftec, COO.

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Norman Burns, CEO, Conner Prairie

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Mitch Tuinstra, Purdue University, Professor of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Wickersham Chair of Excellence in Agricultural Research, Scientific Director – Institute of Plant Sciences

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Tade Powell, Senior Vice President of Communications and Public Relations Director, First Farmers Bank and Trust

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Stefan Muehlbauer, CORMO USA, CEO

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Jon Hoek, Premier Biosource, Director

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Jason Pennington, Executive Director, Indiana IoT Lab

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Rajan Gajaria, Executive Vice President for Business Platforms, Corteva

This week Inside INdiana Business host Gerry Dick is joined by Chris Lowery, Sr. VP - Workforce Alignment, Ivy Tech Community College. Chris Lowery is the senior vice president for workforce alignment for Ivy Tech Community College. Prior to this role, Chris served as Chancellor for the Columbus/Southeast Region of Ivy Tech. Over the course of his career, he has worked for Hillenbrand, Inc., the Association of Indiana Counties, and was an aide to former Indiana Governor Robert D. Orr and Senator Dan Quayle. Chris chairs the Career Coaching and Navigation Action Team for Governor Eric Holcomb’s Workforce Cabinet and is Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Sagamore Institute think tank. He received his master’s degree in management from Indiana Wesleyan University and a bachelor’s degree in public affairs from Indiana University.

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Scott Henderson, VP + Chief Entrepreneurial Officer for Purdue Research Foundation. A human spark plug and world-class connector, Scott can turn “something” into “something amazing” through grassroots collaboration and old school perseverance. His career arc includes raising charitable donations for universities, running a capital campaign consultancy, creating digital strategies for brands and nonprofits, leading social and entrepreneurial movements, and helping to connect the highest concentration of students, startups, corporate innovators, and researchers in the entire southeastern US. You might recognize him from the UN’s 7 Billion Actions campaign, TLC/Discovery Channel’s Sarah Palin’s Alaska digital team, Hypepotamus.com, TechSquareATL.com, or his new role as VP and Chief Entrepreneurial Officer of the Purdue Research Foundation.

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Kevin Cavanaugh, Director of Research for Beck's Hybrids. Kevin's first introduction to corn breeding was with detasseling—a summer job many teenagers dread but that the 14-year-old loved and used to launch his career. His labor of love turned into a full-time career after he earned a Ph.D. in plant breeding from Purdue University. No matter what, he knew he wanted to be involved in ag—plant breeding was a fortunate find that combined his interest in science and math with his love for the outdoors. After graduating with his doctorate, Cavanaugh joined Beck’s, where he’s prospered for the past 25 years.

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick is joined by Jason Mauck, CEO of Constant Canopy.

AgriNovus Indiana Director of Communications + Engagement and co-producer of this very podcast, Libby Fritz joins us this week on the Ag+Bio+Science Podcast. Since she was young, Libby has always wanted to share the agriculture story to a broader audience outside of the sector. Now, three years into her role at AgriNovus, Libby gets to do exactly that. If there is a way to tell Indiana’s agbioscience story—whether through a full marketing campaign (#timetotell), signature events, fun computer stickers, airport advertising, bringing people together to engage in a conversation, or this podcast—she will find it! Follow AgriNovus Indiana: Twitter Facebook Instagram LinkedIn

gBETA Indy Director Chelsea Linder introduces listeners to our newest partnership to support entrepreneurs in the agbioscience community: gBETA Agbioscience. This is a new program of nationally ranked startup accelerator, Wisconsin-based gener8tor. gBETA Agbioscience is a free, seven-week accelerator for early-stage agriculture, biotechnology, and life science companies with Indiana roots. Each program is capped at five teams and requires no fees and no equity. Apply for gBETA AgBioScience by September 20, 2019: https://www.gbetastartups.com/agbioscience Chelsea Linder joined the gener8tor team after managing the corporate innovation and incubation center at a private equity firm in Indianapolis. Prior to that role, she was an operations manager for product and engineering at Angie’s List, where she discovered a passion for Design Thinking and customer-centered value creation. Chelsea graduated from Butler University in 2011 with BAs in International Studies, Spanish, and Anthropology. Follow AgriNovus Indiana: Twitter Facebook Instagram LinkedIn

NutraMaize is a consumer-focused agbioscience company commercializing a more nutritious variety of better tasting, non-GMO orange corn. The company was co-founded by a father-son team, Torbert and Evan Rocheford, who now serve as the company's CTO and CEO respectively. CTO: “Professor Torbert” Rocheford is internationally recognized as a leading expert in his field and holds the Patterson Endowed Chair for Translational Genomics in Crop Improvement at Purdue University. Professor Torbert has over 25 years of experience working as a research professor in corn breeding and molecular genetics. Professor Torbert and his collaborators have made substantial advancements to their discipline and have published on discoveries in prestigious journals, such as Science and Nature Genetics, that are held up as some of the best examples of basic genomic research on a crop plant that has been applied to benefit the developing world. CEO: Evan Rocheford is an enthusiastic young entrepreneur with experience managing new ventures and bringing consumer products to market. Evan is the architect of the Professor Torbert’s brand and has successfully authored and served as the PI of two SBIR/STTR grants (USDA and NSF) attracting over $400,000 in non-dilutive funding for NutraMaize. Follow AgriNovus Indiana: Twitter Facebook Instagram LinkedIn

How has Indianapolis cultivated a thriving tech community over the past decade? Look to TechPoint Indiana. TechPoint President + CEO Mike Langellier fills us in on how the organization strives to lead Indiana into a next-generation, high tech economy. Entrepreneur and software executive Mike Langellier serves as the President and CEO of TechPoint, Indiana’s technology growth initiative. Langellier co-founded MyJibe, a personal finance and banking software company. He sold the company in November 2011 and served as vice president of strategic partnerships with acquirer MoneyDesktop. Prior to starting MyJibe, Langellier was director of account management for Experian (formerly Baker Hill). Follow Mike on Twitter at @MLanj and TechPoint at @TechPointInd. This episode is a part of a six-part mini-series on CICP as part of its 20th Anniversary celebration. The series features the CICP industry sector and talent initiatives which have been successful in generating awareness, investment, collaboration (AgriNovus Indiana, Ascend Indiana, BioCrossroads, Conexus Indiana, Energy Systems Network and TechPoint). Listeners hear about innovation/technology convergence; economic development; talent attraction; and more. All shared priorities among the initiatives and what makes AgriNovus and its work to support the agbioscience sector (a sector entirely focused on interaction and collaboration) so successful. Follow AgriNovus Indiana: Twitter Facebook Instagram LinkedIn

The life sciences sector is undoubtedly crucial to Indiana’s economy, with over 1,750 companies that call Indiana home. Much of this success can be attributed to CICP’s first initiative, BioCrossroads. Learn about BioCrossroads’ many programs and efforts from project director Brian Stemme. Brian Stemme is the project director for BioCrossroads. Brian has a strong background in life sciences market development and research and is responsible for identifying and developing opportunities for growth within Indiana’s life sciences sector, evaluating early-stage companies for investment by BioCrossroads’ seed funds and supporting the State’s efforts to attract and grow life sciences companies. Brian led the formation of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership’s AgriNovus Indiana. Follow BioCrossroads on Twitter at @BioCrossroads. This episode is a part of a six-part mini-series on CICP as part of its 20th Anniversary celebration. The series features the CICP industry sector and talent initiatives which have been successful in generating awareness, investment, collaboration (AgriNovus Indiana, Ascend Indiana, BioCrossroads, Conexus Indiana, Energy Systems Network and TechPoint). Listeners hear about innovation/technology convergence; economic development; talent attraction; and more. All shared priorities among the initiatives and what makes AgriNovus and its work to support the agbioscience sector (a sector entirely focused on interaction and collaboration) so successful. Follow AgriNovus Indiana: Twitter Facebook Instagram LinkedInThe life sciences sector is undoubtedly crucial to Indiana’s economy, with over 1,750 companies that call Indiana home. Much of this success can be attributed to CICP’s first initiative, BioCrossroads. Learn about BioCrossroads’ many programs and efforts from project director Brian Stemme. Brian Stemme is the project director for BioCrossroads. Brian has a strong background in life sciences market development and research and is responsible for identifying and developing opportunities for growth within Indiana’s life sciences sector, evaluating early-stage companies for investment by BioCrossroads’ seed funds and supporting the State’s efforts to attract and grow life sciences companies. Brian led the formation of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership’s AgriNovus Indiana. Follow BioCrossroads on Twitter at @BioCrossroads. This episode is a part of a six-part mini-series on CICP as part of its 20th Anniversary celebration. The series features the CICP industry sector and talent initiatives which have been successful in generating awareness, investment, collaboration (AgriNovus Indiana, Ascend Indiana, BioCrossroads, Conexus Indiana, Energy Systems Network and TechPoint). Listeners hear about innovation/technology convergence; economic development; talent attraction; and more. All shared priorities among the initiatives and what makes AgriNovus and its work to support the agbioscience sector (a sector entirely focused on interaction and collaboration) so successful. Follow AgriNovus Indiana: Twitter Facebook Instagram LinkedIn

Ascend Indiana strays from the traditional model of all other CICP initiatives because it serves all industry sectors, working in all areas of talent and workforce development. What was it about Indiana’s overall economy or talent ecosystem that compelled the creation of Ascend? Jason Kloth, President + CEO of Ascend Indiana fills us in. Jason Kloth joined CICP in July 2015 and serves as President + CEO of Ascend Indiana. The initiative is a cross-sector, industry-led organization that collaborates with employers, education, and community partners to identify and address challenges within the talent pipeline. Prior to joining CICP, Jason led the Office of Education Innovation (OEI) as the deputy mayor of education under Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard. Before joining the Mayor’s office, Jasonheld a variety of senior positions at Teach For America. Follow Jason on Twitter at @KlothJason and Ascend Indiana at @AscendIndiana. This episode is a part of a six-part mini-series on CICP as part of its 20th Anniversary celebration. The series features the CICP industry sector and talent initiatives which have been successful in generating awareness, investment, collaboration (AgriNovus Indiana, Ascend Indiana, BioCrossroads, Conexus Indiana, Energy Systems Network and TechPoint). Listeners hear about innovation/technology convergence; economic development; talent attraction; and more. All shared priorities among the initiatives and what makes AgriNovus and its work to support the agbioscience sector (a sector entirely focused on interaction and collaboration) so successful. Follow AgriNovus Indiana: Twitter Facebook Instagram LinkedIn

The need for renewable energy and technological innovation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ultimately ensure energy security has never been more urgent for a promising future. How is Indiana advancing energy technology? Paul Mitchell, President + CEO of Energy Systems Network, (ESN) fills us in. Paul Mitchell serves as President + CEO of ESN. Prior to joining ESN, Paul served as Policy Director for Economic Development, Workforce, and Energy for Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels. In this capacity, he oversaw legislation, policy, and program development for the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, the Departments of Workforce Development and Labor, and acted as Governor’s liaison to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission and Office of Utility Consumer Counselor. Follow Energy Systems Network at @EnergySystemsNk. This episode is a part of a six-part mini-series on CICP as part of its 20th Anniversary celebration. The series features the CICP industry sector and talent initiatives which have been successful in generating awareness, investment, collaboration (AgriNovus Indiana, Ascend Indiana, BioCrossroads, Conexus Indiana, Energy Systems Network and TechPoint). Listeners hear about innovation/technology convergence; economic development; talent attraction; and more. All shared priorities among the initiatives and what makes AgriNovus and its work to support the agbioscience sector (a sector entirely focused on interaction and collaboration) so successful. Follow AgriNovus Indiana: Twitter Facebook Instagram LinkedIn