EarthOptics is an agricultural technology company developing next-generation soil-sensing technologies that give growers revolutionary insights into the physical characteristics of their soil. EarthOptics beat out three finalists and more than 100 international agtech startup entries to win the AGCO Innovation Challenge Award during the 2021 World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit. Tune in today as Lars Dyrud, Founder talks more about how this company got started and the innovative ways they are working in the agriculture industry.
Since the 1970’s, The National Center for Appropropriate Technology has been engaging with and educating farmers and helping them be successful with their operations. Through resource gathering and sharing, connecting them to experts, conducting workshops and more, Margo Hale, Southwest Regional Director, Livestock Specialist in the Southeast Regional Office says that they work hard to find the appropriate technology for farmers across the country on a very individualized basis. Margo Hale, NCATNCAT is headquartered in Butte, Montana, but has field offices and representatives across the United States. In addition, they have specialists within the fields of agriculture. NCAT specialists work in the sustainable energy, farm energy, sustainable agriculture and information technology spaces. Hale also leads a “Armed to Farm'' program, where she has worked with over nine-hundred military veterans with hands-on and classroom learning opportunities for sustainable agriculture since launching in 2013. Farmer veterans learn how to run a successful business and market their products, how to access USDA resources, set business goals, and develop meaningful mentorships with seasoned farmers. Farmer veterans who complete a training series stay connected to their peers and often develop ties to other farmers, increasing their ability to succeed. These farmer veterans have access to individualized technical assistance and one-on-one consultations, in-person networking events and virtual learning opportunities through the National Center for Appropriate Technology. www.ncat.org
In today's show, we talk about emerging technology being used in agriculture as American farms increasingly rely on technology to manage the unpredictable aspects of crop and herd management. However, many farming tasks are still done manually, wasting valuable time and chipping away at profit levels. Enter exciting, new drone technology, which is helping to increase automation and take the guesswork out of farming operations through artificial intelligence, cloud connectivity and deep learning devices. With us today is Aquiline Drones Founder and Chairman Barry Alexander, to tell us how his company is revolutionizing the ag industry with advanced drone technology. Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=A-DIjTlN8Skwww.aquilinedrones.comhttp://www.aquilinedrones.com/
The American Society of Agriculture Consultants (ASAC) is a non-profit organization whose members represent a diverse range of disciplines in the agriculture industry. ASAC's membership is comprised primarily of experienced consultants boasting a wide array of expertise.Their business models range from sole proprietorships to leadership roles in larger, multi-consultant organizations covering a wide geographical area.Growing and\or building a successful consulting practice takes more than just expertise in a particular field.Members benefit from continuing education in a variety of topics related to agriculture as well as topics related to practice management.
Lee Ann Pearce is Manager of the Food and Agribusiness Industry Advisors team at Wells Fargo Bank and is my featured guest in today’s podcast. Our main focus will be sustainability in agriculture and how her team is working hard to be proactive in getting producers and ag industries to adopt sustainability practices because that is what consumers are wanting.Lee Ann joined Wells Fargo in 2016 after a 30-year career in Commercial Banking and the Farm Credit System. Prior to joining Wells Fargo, Lee Ann worked as Regional Vice President and Manager of Capital Markets for Farm Credit West, and also led a Wine Specialty Lending Group with emphasis on the Central Coast of California.Lee Ann holds an undergraduate degree in Ag Business Management from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, with an emphasis in finance.Lee Ann lives with her family in Templeton, California on a small farm growing grapes used for premium wine production. She has served as Secretary of the Templeton Instrumental Music Boosters Association and as a member of the San Luis Obispo Farm Bureau Board of Directors.Lee Ann’s office is in Templeton, California and her geographic area of coverage extends to all regions of North America.
AgriSafe was formed in 2003 by rural nurses who believed that together they could improve the health and safety of farmers and ranchers. Today, AgriSafe builds the competency of health and safety professionals to deliver exceptional occupational agricultural health care. Charlotte Halvorson is one of the founding members and she talks to Lorrie Boyer today about mental health in agriculture and the fact that she is the curriculum developer for other nurses who need to further their education. She specializes in respiratory health, pesticide safety, hearing, personal protective equipment, and COVID 19 related training.https://www.agrisafe.org/
In today’s show, get a 101 on what is going on in the U.S. sugar industry with American Sugar Alliance Director of Economics and Policy Analysis, Dr. Rob Johannson. As a former USDA Chief Economist, Dr. Johannson starts off with an overview on what ASA is a clearinghouse for both cane and sugarbeet growers, as well as a voice for the industry. He offers an explanation of what is going on with the sugar supply chain, sugar imports, sugar subsidies in other countries, and U.S. production, the effects of the U.S. mega-drought on growers, and COVID effects on the industry. He also talks about the loss and recovery post-Hurricane Ida.Dr. Johannson makes for a great interview given his background and knowledge and how USDA works when it comes to USDA farmer programs, trade, and data. This interview is not only educational but relevant for both producers and the food business industry experts as he also talks about consumer trends that are evolving.https://sugaralliance.org/
In today’s show is an exciting interview with Ted McKinney, the new Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. He will lead NASDA in amplifying the voice of state departments of agriculture in Washington, D.C., seeking policy solutions for our food system and expanding and deepening NASDA’s partnerships. Today we recap their annual meeting and talk about important ag issues including trade, Waters of the U.S., barge backups and much more. McKinney most recently served as the U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs. He led the development and implementation of the department’s trade policy, facilitated foreign market access, and promoted opportunities for U.S. agriculture through various trade programs and high-level government negotiations. Prior to USDA, McKinney held the position of Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, and during his time as a NASDA member, he served on multiple committees for the NASDA Foundation. He also brings over 30 years of experience to NASDA from agriculture’s private industry, including 19 years of experience from NASDA’s partner Dow AgroSciences (now Corteva Agriscience) and 14 years from NASDA’s partner Elanco Animal Health. Prior to his career in agriculture, McKinney grew up on a family farm in Tipton, Indiana.Chief Executive Officer, Ted McKinney as Chief Executive Officer. He will lead NASDA in amplifying the voice of state departments of agriculture in Washington, D.C., seeking policy solutions for our food system and expanding and deepening NASDA’s partnerships.McKinney most recently served as the U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs. He led the development and implementation of the department’s trade policy, facilitated foreign market access, and promoted opportunities for U.S. agriculture through various trade programs and high-level government negotiations. Prior to USDA, McKinney held the position of Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, and during his time as a NASDA member, he served on multiple committees for the NASDA Foundation. He also brings over 30 years of experience to NASDA from agriculture’s private industry, including 19 years of experience from NASDA’s partner Dow AgroSciences (now Corteva Agriscience) and 14 years from NASDA’s partner Elanco Animal Health. Prior to his career in agriculture, McKinney grew up on a family farm in Tipton, Indiana.
Karol Flynn, Wells Farm Vice President of Food and Agribusiness, is full of stats and data around the economy of the agriculture industry. She’s well versed in AgTech and how that’s changing and shaping the food system. Flynn will talk about drivers in the food business industry, consumer trends when it comes to ordering and picking up food, new work models and hybrid schedules, how retail stores are adapting to new trends and she gives her perspective on the outlook for the ag industry in today’s conversation with Lorrie. Karol previously served as Executive Director covering North American grains and oilseeds for Rabobank.She spent several years as Senior Member at Entira’s strategy consultancy. Karol’s background includes extensive experience in production agriculture with table grapes, almonds, figs, dry land grains, and beef cattle. She co-founded Precision Farming Enterprises, an early GPS/GIS systems integrator based out of Davis, CA in the late 90s.Karol completed her M.B.A. at the University of California, Davis with an emphasis in finance and agricultural management. Her undergraduate degree is from Stanford University.
Dianna Bagnall Research Soil Scientist talks about what the Soil Health Institute and what they do across the United States is collecting and researching soil health and economics. They work with government, nonprofit, and private partners in providing information to assist in managing lands better and more sustainable. The Soil Health Institute also offers a mentoring program, workshops, and training. https://soilhealthinstitute.org/