AgriNovus Indiana

The American Farm Bureau estimates that roughly 40% of US farmland is either rented of leased. It’s a reality that creates a labyrinth of contracts and agreements between farmers and landowners that the two have to navigate together. One entrepreneur is turning to the power of software to transform that challenge into an opportunity that makes that relationship a little easier to navigate. Shashi Raghunandan, CEO of Oaken, joins us to talk the complex web between landowners and farm operators. We get into:&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>The existing challenge between landowners and farmers, especially as farms grow to significant acreage&nbsp;</li><li>Oaken as a platform not only manage multiple contracts for large acre farms but to also manage the unique specifics of each individual deal&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>How the migration to cloud-based technologies like Oaken balance in an industry like agriculture that is largely relationship-based&nbsp;</li><li>The feedback farmer customers are giving on the Oaken platform thus far&nbsp;</li><li>Shashi’s background in payments and financial services and how it paved the way to him connecting with Purdue DIAL Ventures and eventually leading Oaken&nbsp;</li><li>What to expect from Oaken in the next 12-18 months &nbsp;</li></ul>

Shashi Raghunandan

CEO, Oaken

The American Farm Bureau estimates that roughly 40% of US farmland is either rented of leased. It’s a reality that creates a labyrinth of contracts and agreements between farmers and landowners that the two have to navigate together. One entrepreneur is turning to the power of software to transform that challenge into an opportunity that makes that relationship a little easier to navigate. Shashi Raghunandan, CEO of Oaken, joins us to talk the complex web between landowners and farm operators.

363. Oaken’s Shashi Raghunandan talks the landowner + farmer relationship, agtech that saves time + money

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

At the end of April, AgriNovus CEO Mitch Frazier jumps on the podcast with Cayla Chiddister to recap the month gone by and events coming up, including: <ul><li>Recent travels and discussions around how the Midwest can add additional value to its commodities, an existing strength and something we've done time and again. </li><li>Mitch recently spoke with AgFunder News' Elaine Watson on challenges meeting opportunities in this tough environment right now and how "pessimists might sound smart, but it's the optimists who will win. That story is <a href="https://agfundernews.com/agrinovus-ceo-on-why-his-agbioscience-glass-is-always-half-full-pessimists-sound-smart-optimists-make-money#new_tab" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here.</a></li><li>Our next Quadrant event is coming up in Indianapolis focused on the evolution of food ingredients based on shifting consumer preferences, how food companies are responding and what that means for farmers. You can register for the free event <a href="https://agrinovusindiana.com/quadrant/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.</li><li>Quadrant's discussion aligns nicely with a gigantic event -- The Sweets and Snacks Expo (learn more <a href="https://sweetsandsnacks.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>).</li><li>Field Atlas just closed its May Company Tour application window, but August is still open for college students to apply. Learn more <a href="https://myfieldatlas.com/company-tours/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here.</a></li><li>Velocity Demo Day is coming up June 18 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Register for the free event <a href="https://agrinovusindiana.com/velocity/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>. </li></ul>

At the end of April, AgriNovus CEO Mitch Frazier jumps on the podcast with Cayla Chiddister to recap the month gone by and events coming up including Quadrant, Sweets and Snacks Expo and Velocity's 1st Demo Day!

362. Mitch Frazier recaps April, talks Midwest resilience + looks ahead to Quadrant + Velocity's first Demo Day

362. Mitch Frazier recaps April, talks Midwest resilience + food takes center stage in Indianapolis in May

The USDA calls biosecurity the cornerstone of animal livestock production and it’s one that’s taken center stage of late as farmers have battled disease. Dr. Kelli Werling, Director of Animal Health Programs at the Indiana Board of Animal Health, joins to talk biosecurity, how farmers are protecting the farm and how the spread of disease among animal production is ultimately impacting consumers. We get into:&nbsp;&nbsp; <ul><li>The current state of biosecurity across the Midwest, avian flu’s impact three years into its reign and how farmers are working to attempt further spread on their operations&nbsp;</li><li>Consumer pressure being felt by avian flu and how egg prices are being impacted&nbsp;</li><li>The migration of the disease from birds to other species – from cattle to cats – and why it’s happening&nbsp;</li><li>As a regulatory body, IBOAH balancing the heightened state of alert, practicality of science and emotion&nbsp;</li><li>Where Kelli sees new innovations emerging on farms to combat the spread of disease&nbsp;</li><li>The best defense to avian flu – is a good offense&nbsp;</li><li>What IBOAH sees ahead with disease pressure and their call to action for farmers and industry alike&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul>

Dr. Kelli Werling

Director of Animal Health Programs, Indiana Board of Animal Health

The USDA calls biosecurity the cornerstone of animal livestock production and it’s one that’s taken center stage of late as farmers have battled disease. Dr. Kelli Werling, Director of Animal Health Programs at the Indiana Board of Animal Health, joins to talk biosecurity, how farmers are protecting the farm and how the spread of disease among animal production is ultimately impacting consumers.

361. IBOAH’s Dr. Kelli Werling on animal disease pressure, biosecurity risks + farmers innovating to combat the spread

Agbioscience was on-site at the Indiana Farm Bureau’s Ag Threats and Security Summit in March and had a chance to sit down with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)’s Special Agent in Charge Herb Stapleton to talk all things biosecurity. We get into:&nbsp;&nbsp; <ul><li>The complex labyrinth of threats and risks affecting agriculture in the Midwest and across the United States&nbsp;</li><li>How threats to agriculture are evolving and what that evolution means for farmers and agbioscience companies alike&nbsp;</li><li>As Special Agent in Charge, what Herb has witnessed as the most prevalent cyber threats to ag across the Midwest in recent years&nbsp;</li><li>Herb’s perspective on the relationship between food security and national security&nbsp;</li><li>What controls farmers and agbioscience companies can put in place to be prepared&nbsp;</li><li>Action items Herb hopes attendees take from the event – from the simple to the complex&nbsp;</li></ul>

Herb Stapleton

Special Agent in Charge, FBI

Agbioscience was on-site at the Indiana Farm Bureau’s Ag Threats and Security Summit in March and had a chance to sit down with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)’s Special Agent in Charge Herb Stapleton to talk all things biosecurity.

360. BONUS: The FBI’s Herb Stapleton on the complexity of threats affecting agbioscience + calls to action for defense

Pet ownership in the U.S. has increased dramatically over the past three decades according to Forbes – showing 66% of households own a pet. That’s almost 87 million houses, up 58% from 1988. Staggering growth drives dramatic need for innovation in pet health...and pet food. Dr. Mahsa Vazin, CEO and founder of PawCo Foods, joins us fresh off a venture capital raise to talk innovation and what’s ahead, including:&nbsp; <ul><li>The overall macro challenges in the pet health market, including obesity in dogs and cats&nbsp;</li><li>How the pet food market is responding to a consumer desire and demand for more nutrient-dense food for their companion animals&nbsp;</li><li>How plant-based brands are capturing market share in the pet health space&nbsp;</li><li>PawCo’s leveraging of AI in tandem with nutritionists to optimize recipe formulations&nbsp;</li><li>The company’s recent venture capital raise and what it will enable them to expand and do in the future&nbsp;</li><li>Investor feedback, questions and response to the PawCo model during the recent fundraise&nbsp;</li><li>Mahsa approach to driving sales for PawCo&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>What’s on the horizon for the company as it continues its growth trajectory&nbsp;</li></ul>

Dr. Mahsa Vazin

Founder + CEO, PawCo Foods

Pet ownership in the U.S. has increased dramatically over the past three decades according to Forbes – showing 66% of households own a pet. That’s almost 87 million houses, up 58% from 1988. Staggering growth drives dramatic need for innovation in pet health...and pet food. Dr. Mahsa Vazin, CEO and founder of PawCo Foods, joins us fresh off a venture capital raise to talk innovation and what’s ahead.

359. Dr. Mahsa Vazin on PawCo Foods leveraging AI to optimize pet nutrition + disruption in pet health innovation

Pet ownership in the U.S. has increased dramatically over the past three decades according to Forbes – showing 66% of households own a pet. That’s almost 87 million houses, up 58% from 1988. Staggering growth drives dramatic need for innovation in pet health...and pet food. Dr. Mahsa Vazin, CEO and founder of PawCo Foods, joins us fresh off a venture capital raise to talk innovation and what’s ahead

With 2.4 million U.S. agriculture jobs to fill each year and an unemployment rate that still remains below 5%, leaders in agbioscience and farmers are facing a challenge. Like the rest of the economy, they’re in a battle for talent. One unique ally in agriculture is the cooperative system, a collective buying group and service provider network that’s serving American farmers. Phil Brewer, Vice President of Strategy at Keystone Cooperative, joins us to talk about the evolution of the cooperative from what it was – to what it is. We get into:&nbsp;&nbsp; <ul><li>Keystone Cooperative’s footprint across Indiana, Kentucky and Michigan and the health of farmers heading into planting season&nbsp;</li><li>The evolution of the cooperative system over the last two decades – from service provider to business partner&nbsp;</li><li>How the farmer-led model of a cooperative ultimately drives adoption of new innovation and fills gaps for its members on their operations&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Areas where Keystone needs to move quicker and capture market opportunities to deliver value to farmers&nbsp;</li><li>How they approach working with small companies and early-stage, venture-backed innovators&nbsp;</li></ul>

Phil Brewer

Vice President of Strategy, Keystone Cooperative

With 2.4 million U.S. agriculture jobs to fill each year and an unemployment rate that still remains below 5%, leaders in agbioscience and farmers are facing a challenge. Like the rest of the economy, they’re in a battle for talent. One unique ally in agriculture is the cooperative system, a collective buying group and service provider network that’s serving American farmers. Phil Brewer, Vice President of Strategy at Keystone Cooperative, joins us to talk about the evolution of the cooperative from what it was – to what it is. 

358. Keystone Cooperative’s Phil Brewer on farmer-led innovation + the evolution of service provider to on-farm business partner

The power of experience is undeniable. The context it creates, the insight that it develops is far more than could be accomplished than by simply reading. Benjamin Franklin, one of our nation’s founding fathers, I think, said it best. “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I’ll remember. Involve me and I’ll learn.”&nbsp; Dr. Ronda Hamm, Director of Food, Farm and Energy Experience and Conner Prairie, joins this week to talk experiential learning and what lies ahead for the National Register of Historic Places in the coming years. We get into:&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>Ronda’s scientific background and how she’s seen biology accelerate innovation over the last two decades&nbsp;</li><li>Her love for entomology – that’s it – she loves bugs&nbsp;</li><li>The exciting idea that science is continuing to educate itself, always evolving – and the endless career possibilities that it can present&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>The Food, Farm and Energy Experience at Conner Prairie – what it is, what it’s designed to bring to consumers and industry alike – from grower to grocer&nbsp;</li><li>How she hopes this new addition to Conner Prairie engages a new generation of agbioscience workforce – and to understand that it expands well beyond farmers to supply chain, food scientists, data analysts and more&nbsp;</li><li>Her ambition for this site to become The Smithsonian of the Midwest focused on food and agriculture&nbsp;</li><li>A call to action for industry wanting to be involved in this project and timelines for when to expect this to be rolled out at Conner Prairie&nbsp;</li></ul>

Ronda Hamm

Director - Food, Farm + Energy Experience, Conner Prairie

The power of experience is undeniable. The context it creates, the insight that it develops is far more than could be accomplished than by simply reading. Benjamin Franklin, one of our nation’s founding fathers, I think, said it best. “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I’ll remember. Involve me and I’ll learn.”  Dr. Ronda Hamm, Director of Food, Farm and Energy Experience and Conner Prairie, joins this week to talk experiential learning and what lies ahead for the National Register of Historic Places in the coming years.

Recent Episodes

SEASON 8

363. Oaken’s Shashi Raghunandan talks the landowner + farmer relationship, agtech that saves time + money

362. Mitch Frazier recaps April, talks Midwest resilience + looks ahead to Quadrant + Velocity's first Demo Day

361. IBOAH’s Dr. Kelli Werling on animal disease pressure, biosecurity risks + farmers innovating to combat the spread

360. BONUS: The FBI’s Herb Stapleton on the complexity of threats affecting agbioscience + calls to action for defense

359. Dr. Mahsa Vazin on PawCo Foods leveraging AI to optimize pet nutrition + disruption in pet health innovation

358. Keystone Cooperative’s Phil Brewer on farmer-led innovation + the evolution of service provider to on-farm business partner

357. Conner Prairie’s Ronda Hamm on becoming The Smithsonian of the Midwest focused on food and agriculture

About The Show

Agbioscience

Mitch Frazier

CEO, AgriNovus Indiana