AgriNovus Indiana

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick speaks with Zack James, Rabbit Tractors, Founder

41. Developing Swarm Robotics and Autonomous Farm Equipment

Happy Thanksgiving! AgriNovus was proud to present the One Health Summit in partnership with BioCrossroads and Elanco this month at the company's newly opened global headquarters in Indianapolis. Please enjoy audio from this power panel including Elanco CEO Jeff Simmons, Corteva Agriscience CEO Chuck Magro, Eli Lilly CEO Dave Ricks, Purdue University President Mung Chiang and Indiana University President Pam Whitten. The panel was moderated by the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) CEO Melina Kennedy to talk about the One Health opportunity and how best we can advance that here in the state.

Happy Thanksgiving! AgriNovus was proud to present the One Health Summit in partnership with BioCrossroads and Elanco this month at the company's newly opened global headquarters in Indianapolis. Please enjoy audio from this power panel including Elanco CEO Jeff Simmons, Corteva Agriscience CEO Chuck Magro, Eli Lilly CEO Dave Ricks, Purdue University President Mung Chiang and Indiana University President Pam Whitten. The panel was moderated by the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) CEO Melina Kennedy to talk about the One Health opportunity and how best we can advance that here in the state.

399. November recap from the One Health Summit + panel discussion with Elanco, Corteva, Eli Lilly, Purdue and IU

From food is health to biologicals, what innovations and emerging trends took over the agbiosciences in 2025 and where are we headed in 2026? Perhaps no one better a source than Jennifer Marston, Global AgTech Editor at AgFunder News, to join us as we talk through the state of venture capital, its down market and the good news about where it’s headed in the future. She gets into:&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>A high-level overview of the venture capital market in 2025&nbsp;</li><li>The categories of agbioscience that are securing deals – and the areas of the globe that seem to be doing better than others with venture capital deals&nbsp;</li><li>The shifts in the last 18-24 months across dealmaking and what feedback Jenn has heard while talking with both VCs and startups while writing stories&nbsp;</li><li>What the startups and entrepreneurs who are winning are doing differently&nbsp;</li><li>With longer sales cycles, regulatory pressures, etc., does Jenn think we are due for a reset in how innovation is funded in agbioscience?&nbsp;</li><li>Indiana’s unique models unfolding with Corteva Catalyst, the launch of Elanco’s One Health Innovation District and how those might create a new ecosystem in the Midwest for entrepreneurs to grow and thrive&nbsp;</li><li>New startups and innovation partnerships out of the Midwest that have Jenn most excited right now&nbsp;</li><li>Upcoming stories and things coming from AgFunder News that she wants people to know about&nbsp;</li></ul>

Jennifer Marston

Global AgTech Editor, AgFunder News

From food is health to biologicals, what innovations and emerging trends took over the agbiosciences in 2025 and where are we headed in 2026? Perhaps no one better a source than Jennifer Marston, Global AgTech Editor at AgFunder News, to join us as we talk through the state of venture capital, its down market and the good news about where it’s headed in the future. 

398. AgFunder News’ Jennifer Marston on the good news for VC, rethinking how to fund startups + Indiana as a unique pocket for innovation

As an entrepreneur, sometimes the boldest move you can make is to pivot. This week, we are joined by Rian Mc Donnell, CEO of FloVision Solutions, to talk about AI-driven solutions to help the food industry become more financially and environmentally sustainable by reducing waste and maximizing yield. We get into:&nbsp;&nbsp; <ul><li>The work Rian leads with his team to optimize the food chain starting with protein – and how that vision varies from when he started the company&nbsp;</li><li>Insights that FloVision drives downstream to food processors and the capabilities they have because of these technology&nbsp;</li><li>FloVision’s market differentiation&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>How Rian sees the company playing a role in this massive food evolution&nbsp;</li><li>Feedback he gets from working with customers – especially food processors who are very traditional in their operations&nbsp;</li><li>FloVision’s recent $8.7 million Series A fundraise and what it will enable the company to do&nbsp;</li><li>The company’s tech stack and how the data drives different decisions and solutions based on their position around the globe, their food priorities and regulatory frameworks&nbsp;</li><li>Areas ripe for collaboration and what’s ahead in 2026&nbsp;</li></ul>

Rian Mc Donnell

CEO, FloVision Solutions

As an entrepreneur, sometimes the boldest move you can make is to pivot. This week, we are joined by Rian Mc Donnell, CEO of FloVision Solutions, to talk about AI-driven solutions to help the food industry become more financially and environmentally sustainable by reducing waste and maximizing yield.

397. FloVision Solutions’ Rian Mc Donnell on leveraging AI to reduce waste + optimize yield for food processors

Indiana Farm Bureau has outlined its legislative priorities for 2026 and this week. Katie Nelson, the organization’s Executive Director of Public Policy, joins this week to talk about the three buckets of prioritization heading into session, why they’re focused on broad issues and the call to action for agbioscience innovators. We get into:&nbsp;&nbsp; <ul><li>A legislative recap of 2025 and lingering challenges that persist for the industry&nbsp;</li><li>The broad policy scope that Indiana Farm Bureau has casted heading into 2026 and the “why” behind that&nbsp;</li><li>Investment in agriculture, the challenges farmers are facing and how Katie hopes some measures move forward to enable operational success&nbsp;</li><li>Helping rural communities thrive, the uphill battles being faced – from education to healthcare – and where Indiana Farm Bureau plans to be most active&nbsp;</li><li>Supporting Indiana farmers through helping them to have the resources they need (water, land, etc.)&nbsp;</li><li>How Indiana Farm Bureau is navigating federal challenges, the shutdown and conversations on behalf of farmers&nbsp;</li><li>Trade agreements they’re eyeing heading into 2026 that may impact Indiana farmers most critically&nbsp;</li><li>The call to action for the agbioscience community to drive these priorities forward&nbsp;</li></ul>

Katie Nelson

Executive Director, Public Policy, Indiana Farm Bureau

Indiana Farm Bureau has outlined its legislative priorities for 2026 and this week. Katie Nelson, the organization’s Executive Director of Public Policy, joins this week to talk about the three buckets of prioritization heading into session, why they’re focused on broad issues and the call to action for agbioscience innovators.

396. Indiana Farm Bureau’s Katie Nelson on legislative priorities, trade agreements + navigating uncertainty

Everyone has a story of how they’ve come into their career and many times on this podcast we hear the phrase “I got here by accident.” This week, we are joined by Angel Vazquez, a Field Atlas Ambassador and Ball State University student, who is exploring his interest in agbioscience careers, sharing the industry story with his peers and what he hopes to accomplish after graduation. We get into: &nbsp; <ul><li>How he is thinking about his career journey as college winds down &nbsp;</li><li>Angel’s personal story, why medicine is the path he chose and how he hopes to make a difference in the lives of others&nbsp;</li><li>The curiosity of agbioscience and wanting to be a Field Atlas Ambassador&nbsp;</li><li>Agbioscience conversations on Ball State’s campus and how his peers engage when discussing career opportunities in the industry&nbsp;</li><li>Learning from his peer Ambassadors on other college and university campuses&nbsp;</li><li>What he thinks students are seeking in a career&nbsp;</li><li>What employers should know about connecting with students&nbsp;</li><li>His favorite Field Atlas experience and what it taught him&nbsp;</li></ul>

Angel Vazquez

Field Atlas Ambassador, Ball State University

Everyone has a story of how they’ve come into their career and many times on this podcast we hear the phrase “I got here by accident.” This week, we are joined by Angel Vazquez, a Field Atlas Ambassador and Ball State University student, who is exploring his interest in agbioscience careers, sharing the industry story with his peers and what he hopes to accomplish after graduation.

395. Turning curiosity into career exploration, peer connection with Field Atlas’ Angel Vazquez

October was a busy month and we spare none on today's update with AgriNovus CEO, Christy Wright, and VP Libby Fritz. Updates include: <ul><li>A new global HQ for Elanco and our upcoming One Health Summit co-hosted with BioCrossroads (<a href="https://biocrossroads.com/annual-indiana-life-sciences-summit/2025-biocrossroads-life-sciences-summit/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">register here</a>)</li><li>Corteva's restructure into two companies and what comes next</li><li>BiomEdit's $2M Bezos Earth Fund Grant (<a href="https://youtu.be/vxmXiK4xda4?si=KLgEl5poU6vCiWJ9" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">listen to CEO Aaron Schacht here</a>)</li><li>BioBond launches two new adhesives -- one for fake fingernails and school adhesives</li><li>ARI's new HQ at the 16 Tech Innovation District to secure Indiana's bioinnovation future</li><li>Quadrant is coming on 12/3! Register <a href="https://agrinovusindiana.com/quadrant/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here.</a></li></ul>

October was a busy month and we spare none on today's update with AgriNovus CEO, Christy Wright, and VP Libby Fritz. 

394. Christy Wright recaps a busy October, talks new HQs for Elanco + ARI, a Corteva restructure, BiomEdit's Bezos Grant + more

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.

41. Developing Swarm Robotics and Autonomous Farm Equipment

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