AgriNovus Indiana

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:&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>What Grain Ecosystem does and how they deploy these waste-to-value solutions&nbsp;</li><li>How this process looks for each player in the system – farmers, investors and equipment suppliers&nbsp;</li><li>The Grain Ecosystem model and its adoptability that differentiates it from competitors on the market&nbsp;</li><li>Feedback they get from the ecosystem as they deploy solutions&nbsp;</li><li>Grain’s momentum built up over the last three years and the company’s biggest opportunities for growth&nbsp;</li><li>Working with Elevate Ventures and other Indiana partners to expand their footprint in the state&nbsp;</li><li>What’s ahead for Grain Ecosystem&nbsp;</li></ul>

Jason Dodier

Co-Founder + CCO

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. 

393. Grain Ecosystem’s Jason Dodier on waste-to-value solutions + innovating to create growth for farmers, agbiosciences

This weekly podcast dives into agbioscience, where agriculture, life sciences and cutting-edge technology converge. Agbioscience is an in-depth conversation with leaders and entrepreneurs across food, animal health, plant science and agtech. This one-of-a-kind podcast offers updates on the latest advancements and future trends from those at the forefront of agbioscience innovation.

Agbioscience

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: &nbsp; <ul><li>Sarah’s professional story, from being an outdoors kid to leading critical bioinnovation work on a national scale&nbsp;</li><li>How she defines the bioeconomy and what she believes is its importance to the US’ future&nbsp;</li><li>Biggest headwinds we are facing when it comes to the growth and scale of the bioeconomy&nbsp;</li><li>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)&nbsp;</li><li>Indiana’s position in the bioeconomy and how reshoring biomanufacturing supply chains can reduce disruption and increase competitiveness in the US&nbsp;</li><li>Creating a skilled workforce to grow the bioeconomy and examples of upskilling and developing talent that have her most impressed&nbsp;</li><li>What has Sarah most excited about the US’ bioinnovation future&nbsp;</li></ul>

Sarah Glaven

Visiting Fellow, Princeton University's Andlinger Center

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. 

392. Princeton University’s Sarah Glaven on growing the bioeconomy + finding critical alignment among policy, innovation + research

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.

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:&nbsp;&nbsp; <ul><li>The work his SFA team leads and who they aim to serve&nbsp;</li><li>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&nbsp;</li><li>How laboratory scientists approach their work like consultants to overcome challenges and drive big outcomes for food brands around the world&nbsp;</li><li>Food is Health making its way into the Eurofins labs and unintended consequences that have come alongside the movement&nbsp;</li><li>Balancing innovation and scientific discovery with an evolving regulatory landscape&nbsp;</li><li>Challenges and headwinds on the horizon for the food industry and how those create opportunities for creativity across the value chain&nbsp;</li><li>Dave’s advice to young talent considering science careers&nbsp;</li><li>What’s ahead for Eurofins&nbsp;</li></ul>

Dave Riggs

SFA Business Unit President, Eurofins

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.

391. Eurofins’ Dave Riggs on balancing food innovation with the regulatory landscape + opportunities for creativity across the value chain

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: &nbsp;<ul><li>Scott’s story – from leading students in the ag classroom to leading the National FFA Organization&nbsp;</li><li>What the organization does and who it exists to serve&nbsp;</li><li>How Scott has seen the makeup of National FFA students evolve over his career – and how that’s changed the organization&nbsp;</li><li>What National FFA hears from industry partners on challenges they are facing in terms of workforce and talent development&nbsp;</li><li>How agriculture education will need to shift in the future to meet industry needs&nbsp;</li><li>The upcoming 98th National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis, what to expect and why it’s important to unite to share ideas&nbsp;</li><li>What’s ahead for National FFA &nbsp;</li></ul>

Scott Stump

CEO, National FFA 

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. 

390. National FFA’s Scott Stump on developing future leaders, meeting industry needs + convening in Indianapolis for Convention

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. <ul><li><a href="https://myfieldatlas.com/ambassadors/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Meet our Field Atlas Ambassadors</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.fooddive.com/spons/food-is-health-an-emerging-superpower-in-agbioscience-innovation/759822/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read Christy's Food Dive Story</a></li><li><a href="https://biocrossroads.com/annual-indiana-life-sciences-summit/2025-biocrossroads-life-sciences-summit/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">AgriNovus Partners with BioCrossroads and Elanco for the Life Sciences Summit 2025</a></li><li>Aaron Schacht to Speak at Life Sciences Summit 2025 | <a href="https://youtu.be/vxmXiK4xda4?si=9DE2sj0e15U84srI" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Watch Aaron Schacht - BiomEdit on Agbioscience</a></li><li>Keystone Cooperative's Kevin Still Announces Intention to Retire | <a href="https://youtu.be/Mz-RsMvcSdY?si=IzyelU7PCQqHUWk6" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Watch Kevin Still -- Keystone Cooperative on Agbioscience</a></li><li>SePro Corporation Announces Two Acquisitions</li><li>Insignum AgTech Raises $2.4M</li><li>Purdue Researchers Develop Rapid Test for HPAI</li><li>Integrated Dynamics (Velocity Winner) Awarded $245,000 from National Science Foundation for Phase 1 SBIR Grant</li><li>Field Atlas AMP Applications Now Open | <a href="https://myfieldatlas.com/amp/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Apply Here</a></li></ul>

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.

389. AgriNovus' Christy Wright recaps September, examines Indiana's One Health opportunity + agtech startups on the move

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:&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>How the NutriPop team came together on the campus of the University of Notre Dame&nbsp;</li><li>What popped water lily seeds are and how they become a nutritious snack&nbsp;</li><li>The company’s participation in AgriNovus’ Velocity accelerator and how that experienced helped drive NutriPop forward in 2025&nbsp;</li><li>After winning the Food is Health track for Velocity, NutriPop’s successes, wins and momentum on market&nbsp;</li><li>NutriPop’s differentiation and what makes them unique in the food is health space&nbsp;</li><li>The tough realities of the CPG market and why they chose to enter as entrepreneurs&nbsp;</li><li>Advice they would offer to young student entrepreneurs heading down a similar path&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>What’s ahead for NutriPop&nbsp;</li></ul>

Ujaswin Jain + Audrey Chung

Co-Founders, NutriPop

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.

388. NutriPop’s Ujaswin Jain + Audrey Chung on student entrepreneurship, food is health + innovating for an evolving, mindful consumer

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:&nbsp;&nbsp; <ul><li>An overview of BiomEdit’s innovation pipeline and what has Aaron most excited right now&nbsp;</li><li>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&nbsp;</li><li>Creating solutions that establish certainty for producers – having the economics make sense to where they can realize the full genetic potential of the animal&nbsp;</li><li>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&nbsp;</li><li>How the BiomEdit team approaches scientific discovery&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>The company’s latest Series B fundriase -- $18.4 M – and what it will enable the company to do&nbsp;</li><li>New leadership additions and how they add not only competencies, but culture to the BiomEdit team&nbsp;</li><li>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&nbsp;</li><li>What’s ahead for BiomEdit&nbsp;</li></ul>

Aaron Schacht

CEO, BiomEdit

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.

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SEASON 8