AgriNovus Indiana

In a time of pivotal discussion on equality, leaders across different industries are examining diversity and inclusion in their cultures. Zachary Brown is the National Graduate Student President of MANRRS and a doctoral student at Purdue University. He joins Gerry Dick from Inside INdiana Business on this week’s episode of the podcast to talk diversity, the agbioscience industry and a nationwide organization with a mission to connect minorities to careers in the sector.

 MANRRS: Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences is a national organization that promotes academic and professional advancement by empowering minorities in agriculture, natural resources and related sciences. Visit manrrs.org for more information.

90. Connecting minority students to agbiosciences

New data from USDA shares that net cash farm income decreased roughly 3.5% from 2023 into 2024 and we’re looking at inflation adjusted numbers. But here’s the piece of the silver lining that may be untold: that number – net cash farm income – is still above average when we look at the last 20 years from USDA data. This week, Natasha Cox, Senior Vice President of Farm Credit Mid-America, joins us to help make sense of the numbers, what it means to producers and to the broader agbioscience economy. We get into:&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>The macro perspective on the health of farm balance sheets across the Midwest&nbsp;</li><li>Big trends that she’s looking at from a financial health standpoint of farms and agribusinesses&nbsp;</li><li>Consolidation – from both the farmer and innovator perspective – as a factor in the economic system of agriculture in the US&nbsp;</li><li>New investments being made on farm or within agribusinesses to better connect to the end market of food is health&nbsp;</li><li>Natasha’s perspective as a farmer and how she prioritizes where to place her bets for her operations&nbsp;</li><li>The criticality of surrounding yourself with good partners, knowing your options when it comes to strategic planning and investments and asking the right questions for your operations or business&nbsp;</li><li>The innovation she’s most excited about in 2025&nbsp;</li></ul>

Natasha Cox

Senior Vice President, Farm Credit Mid-America

New data from USDA shares that net cash farm income decreased roughly 3.5% from 2023 into 2024 and we’re looking at inflation adjusted numbers. But here’s the piece of the silver lining that may be untold: that number – net cash farm income – is still above average when we look at the last 20 years from USDA data. This week, Natasha Cox, Senior Vice President of Farm Credit Mid-America, joins us to help make sense of the numbers, what it means to producers and to the broader agbioscience economy.

347. Farm Credit Mid-America's Natasha Cox on the speed of change + prioritizing smart bets for innovators and farmers alike

The year 2025 is poised to be an interesting one for agbioscience. Venture capital inflows from 2023 to 2024 are roughly flat according to Crop Life, the production cost of corn and soybeans remains roughly in line or slightly below market price and the turbulence around global trade and what tariffs could mean leave an uncertain operating market for what could be ahead. Joining us today is Hoosier Ag Today president, Eric Pfeiffer, to make sense of what’s ahead. We get into:&nbsp;&nbsp; <ul><li>The current perspective of the farmer, their natural optimism and knowing the challenges that lie ahead for 2025.&nbsp;</li><li>Trends he’s noticing that are operational changes to drive net farm income – particularly biologicals – and why that’s challenging.&nbsp;</li><li>Property tax reform as a major topic in the Indiana General Assembly and making this issue relatable to the general public – because it does impact them at the end of the day.&nbsp;</li><li>The biofuels tax credit bill in the Indiana General Assembly and its potential economic impact and jobs to the state of Indiana (not to mention better burning, more sustainable fuel).&nbsp;</li><li>On a federal level – trade wars – and tariffs potential impact, good or bad, on farmers.&nbsp;</li><li>Farmers needing certainty on The Farm Bill to make plans for the future – it does not appear to be a priority at the moment.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Reason for optimism from farmers moving forward.&nbsp;</li></ul>

Eric Pfeiffer

President, Hoosier Ag Today & Michigan Ag Today

The year 2025 is poised to be an interesting one for agbioscience. Venture capital inflows from 2023 to 2024 are roughly flat according to Crop Life, the production cost of corn and soybeans remains roughly in line or slightly below market price and the turbulence around global trade and what tariffs could mean leave an uncertain operating market for what could be ahead. Joining us today is Hoosier Ag Today president, Eric Pfeiffer, to make sense of what’s ahead. 

346. Hoosier Ag Today’s Eric Pfeiffer on market turbulence, trade wars + the need for a Farm Bill to make plans for the future

Making a difference in the world – it’s nearly a universal desire for all of us. But where do you fit in? And how best to you make an impact? One college student is making that impact and blazing their trail. Cameron Weber, a biology major at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and a Field Atlas Ambassador, joins us today to talk their path to agbioscience, including:&nbsp;&nbsp; <ul><li>Talking to two kinds of people – those that grew up on the farm and those who stumbled into it and are happy they did. Cameron is in the latter&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Wanting to originally be a doctor until getting connected with Field Atlas at a career fair and learning more about agbioscience.&nbsp;</li><li>Finding a new path and forging your way forward as a college student&nbsp;</li><li>Their six-month internship with Corteva Agriscience as a greenhouse assistant in Puerto Rico&nbsp;</li><li>Field Atlas Ambassadors – what do they do? And what has Cameron’s experience been like in their five semesters with the team?&nbsp;</li><li>Cameron’s advice for companies searching for young talent (hint: it’s not ping pong tables in the breakroom and pizza on Fridays)&nbsp;</li><li>Working on their thesis as they wrap up their time at Rose-Hulman&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Cameron’s plans headed into graduation this spring – pssssss – they're currently looking for a job....&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul>

Cameron Weber

Field Atlas Ambassador, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Making a difference in the world – it’s nearly a universal desire for all of us. But where do you fit in? And how best to you make an impact? One college student is making that impact and blazing their trail. Cameron Weber, a biology major at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and a Field Atlas Ambassador, joins us today to talk their path to agbioscience.

345. Stumbling into agbioscience, forging your path in college + what young talent wants with Field Atlas’ Cameron Weber  

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

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.

New data from USDA shares that net cash farm income decreased roughly 3.5% from 2023 into 2024 and we’re looking at inflation adjusted numbers. But here’s the piece of the silver lining that may be untold: that number – net cash farm income – is still above average when we look at the last 20 years from USDA data. This week, Natasha Cox, Senior Vice President of Farm Credit Mid-America, joins us to help make sense of the numbers, what it means to producers and to the broader agbioscience economy. We get into: <ul><li>The macro perspective on the health of farm balance sheets across the Midwest&nbsp;</li><li>Big trends that she’s looking at from a financial health standpoint of farms and agribusinesses&nbsp;</li><li>Consolidation – from both the farmer and innovator perspective – as a factor in the economic system of agriculture in the US&nbsp;</li><li>New investments being made on farm or within agribusinesses to better connect to the end market of food is health&nbsp;</li><li>Natasha’s perspective as a farmer and how she prioritizes where to place her bets for her operations&nbsp;</li><li>The criticality of surrounding yourself with good partners, knowing your options when it comes to strategic planning and investments and asking the right questions for your operations or business&nbsp;</li><li>The innovation she’s most excited about in 2025&nbsp;</li></ul>

90. Connecting minority students to agbiosciences

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Today's Host

Mitch Frazier

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