AgriNovus Indiana

Melissa Proffitt’s career in law spans many industries, but agbioscience stands out to her. This week, the Partner-in-Charge of Client Relations at Ice Miller joins the podcast to talk about her path to becoming a lawyer, feeding the world and what sets Indiana apart.&nbsp;

Melissa Proffitt’s career in law spans many industries, but agbioscience stands out to her. This week, the Partner-in-Charge of Client Relations at Ice Miller joins the podcast to talk about her path to becoming a lawyer, feeding the world and what sets Indiana apart. 

184. A front-row seat to Indiana’s agbiosciences

As the first month of 2025 comes to a close, Mitch Frazier and Cayla Chiddister recap a few of the biggest stories in agbioscience, reasons for optimism on net cash farm income and tease a few upcoming episodes of Agbioscience.

As the first month of 2025 comes to a close, Mitch Frazier and Cayla Chiddister recap a few of the biggest stories in agbioscience, reasons for optimism on net cash farm income and tease a few upcoming episodes of Agbioscience.

344. AgriNovus' Mitch Frazier recaps January, big wins for Gripp + Croft, Velocity's launch + reasons for optimism in 2025

Much has changed in agbioscience over the last three decades. We’ve seen the introduction of gene editing technologies, new digital capabilities, even autonomy. One leader has had a front-row seat to these innovations. He’ll soon retire, but joins us today to share perspective on where we’ve been and where we’re headed. Dan Dawes, Senior Director of Strategy and Growth at AgriNovus joins us to talk about his career and the highlight reel of groundbreaking innovations in agbioscience. We get into:&nbsp;&nbsp; <ul><li>What has kept Dan in agbioscience all these years, his connectivity to the farm and wanting others to feel the same sense of reward that he did.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>The macro perspective and many cycles of the agbioscience economy – it's down for now, but it’s never forever.&nbsp;</li><li>What innovations excited Dan the most throughout his decades long career; but also, which ones did he not see coming?&nbsp;</li><li>Indiana’s unfair advantage – its people.&nbsp;</li><li>Dan’s biggest lessons in leadership, giving those you’re leading a map to success and the criticality in finding joy in the work that you do.&nbsp;</li><li>Finding a mentor as a guide to growing in your career – and beyond – and an update on what’s ahead for Dan.&nbsp;</li></ul>

Dan Dawes

Senior Director of Growth + Strategy, AgriNovus

Much has changed in agbioscience over the last three decades. We’ve seen the introduction of gene editing technologies, new digital capabilities, even autonomy. One leader has had a front-row seat to these innovations. He’ll soon retire, but joins us today to share perspective on where we’ve been and where we’re headed. Dan Dawes, Senior Director of Strategy and Growth at AgriNovus joins us to talk about his career and the highlight reel of groundbreaking innovations in agbioscience. 

343. AgriNovus’ Dan Dawes on Indiana’s unfair advantage, biggest lessons in leadership + reflections on agbioscience innovation

Keeping the heart of the heartland requires two key things when we think about growing small towns, cities and rural economies: big vision and lots of hard work. Today’s guest is no stranger to either and shares a great perspective on how one small community in the Midwest is reimagining itself into an epicenter of innovation. Nichole Like, CEO of The Pantheon, an innovation engine in Vincennes, Indiana joins us to talk:&nbsp;<ul><li>Investing in small communities while also honoring their heritage to make them a destination for newcomers to move to and hometown kids to return to for their careers.&nbsp;</li><li>The steady decline of entrepreneurial activity in rural America and The Pantheon’s vision to create the economy they want – not the way they’re given.&nbsp;</li><li>Vincennes as Indiana’s first city has big stats to tout – including Knox County leading in ag receipts, being the #1 producer of fruit and vegetable production in Indiana and #2 in the United States for melon production.&nbsp;</li><li>The simple, but effective, equation to building an agtech ecosystem: bring really smart, progressive farmers to the table with innovators to solve critical problems facing their operations.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Creating community buy-in and the importance of local support to drive local economies.&nbsp;</li><li>What’s ahead for The Pantheon and Indiana’s first city.&nbsp;</li></ul>

Nichole Like

CEO, The Pantheon

Keeping the heart of the heartland requires two key things when we think about growing small towns, cities and rural economies: big vision and lots of hard work. Today’s guest is no stranger to either and shares a great perspective on how one small community in the Midwest is reimagining itself into an epicenter of innovation. Nichole Like, CEO of The Pantheon, an innovation engine in Vincennes, Indiana gets into creating an agtech hub in Vincennes, Indiana and the importance of leaving a place better than you found it.

342. The Pantheon’s Nichole Like on growing a rural economy, creating an agtech hub in Vincennes + leaving things better than you found them

According to AgFunder News, gene editing startups have raised $2.7 billion since 2012 in pursuit of technologies that advance everything from crop performance to yield. Today we are joined by a pioneer in science at the largest pure play agriculture company in the world. Dr. Wendy Srnic, VP of Biotechnology at Corteva Agriscience, to talk gene editing and its future. We get into:&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>What is gene editing and how does it differ from genetically modified crops?&nbsp;</li><li>How gene editing affects that broader value chain and food system at large.&nbsp;</li><li>Corteva’s partnership with Pairwise via their investment vehicle, Corteva Catalyst, and how they plan to leverage gene editing to make fruits and vegetables more accessible and nutritious.&nbsp;</li><li>The objective of Corteva Catalyst to advance external technologies that align with the company’s internal R&amp;D strategy – and the importance of staying nimble to seize opportunities and drive outcomes whether they are joint ventures, acquisitions, investments or traditional collaborations.&nbsp;</li><li>Wendy’s perspective on where we’re at in the evolution of biotechnology, what’s emerging and how artificial intelligence (AI) is speeding up – and de-risking – the scientific discovery process.&nbsp;</li><li>What does AI bring to the future of a partnership like that of Corteva and Pairwise?&nbsp;</li></ul>

Dr. Wendy Srnic

VP of Biotechnology, Corteva Agriscience

According to AgFunder News, gene editing startups have raised $2.7 billion since 2012 in pursuit of technologies that advance everything from crop performance to yield. Today we are joined by a pioneer in science at the largest pure play agriculture company in the world. Dr. Wendy Srnic, VP of Biotechnology at Corteva Agriscience, to talk gene editing and its future. 

341.  Corteva’s Wendy Srnic on gene editing, the Pairwise partnership and artificial intelligence adding speed to biotechnology

According to Zion Market Research, the ag biological products market is expected to grow to $320 billion over the next decade. With a huge connection to agbioscience, what does it mean for farmers? What does it mean for agbioscience innovators? Kicking off season 8 of Agbioscience is BioBond CEO Marc McConnaughey. We get into:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>What exactly is the bioproducts market and how is demand growing?&nbsp;</li><li>How BioBond’s sustainable adhesives and protective coatings created a eureka moment for Marc as a serial entrepreneur.&nbsp;</li><li>The Generation Food Rural Partners Fund and its partnership to help BioBond grow its business in rural Indiana.&nbsp;</li><li>BioBond’s strategy as a technology execution platform that licenses from universities and how its position near Purdue has created opportunities for innovation + talent.&nbsp;</li><li>Indiana farmers as a critical piece to BioBond’s future and how the state is a perfect storm of location, logistics and people to aid in their success.&nbsp;</li><li>What’s ahead for BioBond? Hint: continued focus on the customer and of course, revenue.&nbsp;</li></ul>

Marc McConnaughey

CEO, BioBond

According to Zion Market Research, the ag biological products market is expected to grow to $320 billion over the next decade. BioBond CEO, Marc McConnaughey, joins us to talk about its connection to agbioscience and what it means for innovators and farmers.

340. BioBond’s Marc McConnaughey on bioproducts, university partnerships and Indiana as a perfect storm of location, logistics + people

It’s the end of 2024 and it was a giant year across food, animal health, plant science, agtech and agriculture. This week, we recap big stories of the year based on Accelerate 2050 – AgriNovus’ study that showed that Indiana’s agbioscience economy grew by $6 billion in 36 months. The study also launched three forces of change and opportunities for industry growth. We are laying out the top stories of 2024 based on these forces of change starting with:&nbsp;&nbsp; Farmer Focused Innovation&nbsp; <ol><li>AGCO and Trimble come together via a joint venture acquisition – listen to Andrew Sunderman from AGCO <a href="https://podcast.agrinovusindiana.com/public/215/Agbioscience-8a9a4381/263cfa56" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>;&nbsp;</li><li>Corteva Catalyst launches as a new investment and partnership platform designed to accelerate the development of early-stage, disruptive technologies for farmers – listen to Corteva’s Tom Green <a href="https://podcast.agrinovusindiana.com/public/215/Agbioscience-8a9a4381/cb298c66" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Gripp wins the Producer-Led Innovation Challenge to reduce administrative burden faced by farmers – listen to Tracey Wiedmeyer from Gripp <a href="https://podcast.agrinovusindiana.com/public/215/Agbioscience-8a9a4381/f0137c47" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.&nbsp;</li></ol>&nbsp; BioInnovation&nbsp; <ol><li>Primient and Sustainea announce $125 million investment to establish Lafayette, Indiana as the world’s largest Bio-MEG facility for bio-based plastics;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>AgroRenew breaks ground on an $83 million Indiana-based production facility to leverage the power of the region’s melon crop to produce bio-based plastics – listen to Brian and Katie Southern from AgroRenew <a href="https://podcast.agrinovusindiana.com/public/215/Agbioscience-8a9a4381/a23e2a92" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>BioMADE announces Indiana as one of six finalists to compete for the next chapter of bioinnovation infrastructure – listen to BioMADE’s Melanie Tomczak <a href="https://podcast.agrinovusindiana.com/public/215/Agbioscience-8a9a4381/ed0a9a50" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.&nbsp;</li></ol>&nbsp;Food is Health&nbsp; <ol><li>Anu wins the HungerTech Innovation to better connect food supply with food demand using technology – listen to Anu’s Scott Massey <a href="https://podcast.agrinovusindiana.com/public/215/Agbioscience-8a9a4381/31dbff2b" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Purdue and Elanco announce the OneHealth Innovation District to establish a globally recognized research innovation district dedicated to optimizing the health of people, animals, plants and the planet – listen to Jeff Simmons from Elanco <a href="https://podcast.agrinovusindiana.com/public/215/Agbioscience-8a9a4381/9a111fe4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Corteva’s $25 million equity stake in Pairwise to accelerate gene editing solutions, providing growers with another critical tool to keep pace with challenges facing food production.&nbsp;</li></ol>

It’s the end of 2024 and it was a giant year across food, animal health, plant science, agtech and agriculture. This week, we recap big stories of the year based on Accelerate 2050 – AgriNovus’ study that showed that Indiana’s agbioscience economy grew by $6 billion in 36 months. The study also launched three forces of change and opportunities for industry growth. We are laying out the top stories of 2024 based on these forces of change starting with:  

Farmer Focused Innovation 

AGCO and Trimble come together via a joint venture acquisition – listen to Andrew Sunderman from AGCO here; 

Corteva Catalyst launches as a new investment and partnership platform designed to accelerate the development of early-stage, disruptive technologies for farmers – listen to Corteva’s Tom Green here;  

Gripp wins the Producer-Led Innovation Challenge to reduce administrative burden faced by farmers – listen to Tracey Wiedmeyer from Gripp here. 

 

BioInnovation 

Primient and Sustainea announce $125 million investment to establish Lafayette, Indiana as the world’s largest Bio-MEG facility for bio-based plastics;  

AgroRenew breaks ground on an $83 million Indiana-based production facility to leverage the power of the region’s melon crop to produce bio-based plastics – listen to Brian and Katie Southern from AgroRenew here;  

BioMADE announces Indiana as one of six finalists to compete for the next chapter of bioinnovation infrastructure – listen to BioMADE’s Melanie Tomczak here. 

 

Food is Health 

Anu wins the HungerTech Innovation to better connect food supply with food demand using technology – listen to Anu’s Scott Massey here;  

Purdue and Elanco announce the OneHealth Innovation District to establish a globally recognized research innovation district dedicated to optimizing the health of people, animals, plants and the planet – listen to Jeff Simmons from Elanco here;  

Corteva’s $25 million equity stake in Pairwise to accelerate gene editing solutions, providing growers with another critical tool to keep pace with challenges facing food production. 

339. Mitch Frazier recaps 2024 + looks ahead to three big forces of change in agbioscience

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.

Much has changed in agbioscience over the last three decades. We’ve seen the introduction of gene editing technologies, new digital capabilities, even autonomy. One leader has had a front-row seat to these innovations. He’ll soon retire, but joins us today to share perspective on where we’ve been and where we’re headed. Dan Dawes, Senior Director of Strategy and Growth at AgriNovus joins us to talk about his career and the highlight reel of groundbreaking innovations in agbioscience. We get into:&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>What has kept Dan in agbioscience all these years, his connectivity to the farm and wanting others to feel the same sense of reward that he did.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>The macro perspective and many cycles of the agbioscience economy – it's down for now, but it’s never forever.&nbsp;</li><li>What innovations excited Dan the most throughout his decades long career; but also, which ones did he not see coming?&nbsp;</li><li>Indiana’s unfair advantage – its people.&nbsp;</li><li>Dan’s biggest lessons in leadership, giving those you’re leading a map to success and the criticality in finding joy in the work that you do.&nbsp;</li><li>Finding a mentor as a guide to growing in your career – and beyond – and an update on what’s ahead for Dan.&nbsp;</li></ul>

184. A front-row seat to Indiana’s agbiosciences

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Mitch Frazier

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