AgriNovus Indiana

Indiana is now home to a commercially available renewable diesel fuel production facility after CountryMark cut the ribbon on its $100 million plus refinery upgrade in Mount Vernon. With new production capabilities and a new market for Indiana soybean farmers, we are joined by CountryMark CEO Matt Smorch to talk about the expansion and what lies ahead. We get into it:&nbsp;&nbsp; <ul><li>The company’s innovation portfolio and what they bring to the energy market&nbsp;</li><li>How biofuels have evolved in recent years – from policy driving change to sustainable aviation fuel&nbsp;</li><li>Ag and oil coming together to drive outcomes on policy&nbsp;</li><li>The $100 million investment in the Mount Vernon facility and how it positions them for the future&nbsp;</li><li>The benefits of co-processed renewable diesel&nbsp;</li><li>Why they chose to make this investment right now&nbsp;</li><li>What’s ahead for CountryMark&nbsp;</li></ul>

Matt Smorch

CEO, CountryMark

Indiana is now home to a commercially available renewable diesel fuel production facility after CountryMark cut the ribbon on its $100 million plus refinery upgrade in Mount Vernon. With new production capabilities and a new market for Indiana soybean farmers, we are joined by CountryMark CEO Matt Smorch to talk about the expansion and what lies ahead.

385. CountryMark’s Matt Smorch on their $100M expansion + Indiana’s 1st commercially available renewable diesel fuel production facility

CountryMark’s Matt Smorch on their $100M expansion + Indiana’s 1st commercially available renewable diesel fuel production facility

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.

387. BiomEdit’s Aaron Schacht on innovation pipeline, approaching scientific discovery + developing “and” solutions in animal health

The global GMO testing market was valued at $3.9 billion in 2021, and is projected to reach $6.2 billion by 2031.&nbsp; With current processes costing time and money, there is a massive opportunity for innovation in genetic detection that benefits grain distributors, seed suppliers and ultimately – the farmer and consumer. Today we are joined by Ryan Skaar, COO of NanoBio Designs, to talk their platform technology and winning AgriNovus’ Velocity accelerator. We get into:&nbsp;&nbsp; <ul><li>What NanoBio Designs does and who they exist to serve through their technology&nbsp;</li><li>How the company has evolved since locating their headquarters to Indianapolis in 2022&nbsp;</li><li>Why they chose Indiana, its entrepreneurial resources and connections, as home base&nbsp;</li><li>Their technology, IndyStix, and its differentiation from other genetic testing technologies on the market&nbsp;</li><li>What winning the AgriNovus Velocity accelerator did for NanoBio Designs as a company and what they’ve done post-win to build momentum&nbsp;</li><li>How IndyStix creates confidence for the entire value chain&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>What Ryan sees as NanoBio Designs’ biggest opportunities for the future&nbsp;</li><li>The company’s pilot that’s currently running and its end goal&nbsp;</li><li>What’s ahead for the company&nbsp;</li></ul>

Ryan Skaar

COO, NanoBio Designs

The global GMO testing market was valued at $3.9 billion in 2021, and is projected to reach $6.2 billion by 2031.  With current processes costing time and money, there is a massive opportunity for innovation in genetic detection that benefits grain distributors, seed suppliers and ultimately – the farmer and consumer. Today we are joined by Ryan Skaar, COO of NanoBio Designs, to talk their platform technology and winning AgriNovus’ Velocity accelertor.

386. NanoBio Designs’ Ryan Skaar on IndyStix, innovating for confidence in the value chain + winning AgriNovus Velocity

Young leaders are born in the show rings of 4-H fairs and Cora Rodibaugh knows that story well. This week, the 10-year 4-H'er sits down with Indiana Farm Bureau’s Annie Romine to recap her career, talk about her love of pigs and the skills she’s acquired along the way that have her equipped her for the future. She also shares what’s ahead for her as she takes off for Purdue University to start the fall semester.&nbsp; Indiana Farm Bureau is dedicated to supporting youth in agriculture. There are several opportunities for youth to be involved in INFB, with scholarships for graduating seniors and college students; Collegiate Farm Bureau chapters at Purdue, Huntington and Vincennes universities; FFA advocacy days and trainings; grants for FFA chapters and 4-H clubs; and leadership development events, competitions, awards and conferences. INFB also serves as presenting sponsor of the Exhibitor Experience for livestock exhibitors and all showmanship contests at the Indiana State Fair.&nbsp; You can learn more at <a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.infarmbureau.org%2fYFAP&amp;c=E,1,pET7Oe5aYlOBS-HZ9ad1GTfo66A7Edt6vu5jOGsgJb5xUYH_em9IIHVjyE4hFpP4piq-aX8ADyBO-LLHso9kpbWO4ElCvxPK1Gg0ij2-yZk37MCYKp7OmDx1&amp;typo=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">infb.org/YFAP</a>.&nbsp;

Cora Rodibaugh

Ten Year 4-H Participant, Tipton County

Young leaders are born in the show rings of 4-H fairs and Cora Rodibaugh knows that story well. This week, the 10-year 4-H'er sits down with Indiana Farm Bureau’s Annie Romine to recap her career, talk about her love of pigs and the skills she’s acquired along the way that have her equipped her for the future. She also shares what’s ahead for her as she takes off for Purdue University to start the fall semester.  

Indiana Farm Bureau is dedicated to supporting youth in agriculture. There are several opportunities for youth to be involved in INFB, with scholarships for graduating seniors and college students; Collegiate Farm Bureau chapters at Purdue, Huntington and Vincennes universities; FFA advocacy days and trainings; grants for FFA chapters and 4-H clubs; and leadership development events, competitions, awards and conferences. INFB also serves as presenting sponsor of the Exhibitor Experience for livestock exhibitors and all showmanship contests at the Indiana State Fair.  You can learn more at infb.org/YFAP. 

384. Cora Rodibaugh on 10 years of 4-H leadership, next generation agbioscience talent + being a peer influence for the industry

Young leaders are born in the show rings of 4-H fairs and Cora Rodibaugh knows that story well. This week, the 10-year 4-H'er sits down with Indiana Farm Bureau’s Annie Romine to recap her career, talk about her love of pigs and the skills she’s acquired along the way that have her equipped her for the future. She also shares what’s ahead for her as she takes off for Purdue University to start the fall semester. 

Indiana Farm Bureau is dedicated to supporting youth in agriculture. There are several opportunities for youth to be involved in INFB, with scholarships for graduating seniors and college students; Collegiate Farm Bureau chapters at Purdue, Huntington and Vincennes universities; FFA advocacy days and trainings; grants for FFA chapters and 4-H clubs; and leadership development events, competitions, awards and conferences. INFB also serves as presenting sponsor of the Exhibitor Experience for livestock exhibitors and all showmanship contests at the Indiana State Fair.  You can learn more at infb.org/YFAP. 

For the first time on Agbioscience (<a href="For the first time on Agbioscience (except that one time when she was a guest), we are joined by our new President and CEO, Christy Wright! " rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">except that one time when she was a guest)</a>, we are joined by our new President and CEO, Christy Wright! She talks her first week on the job, connecting with industry leaders and stakeholders and hosting her first Quadrant on day three at AgriNovus. You can also read her feature with Elaine Watson in <a href="https://agfundernews.com/navigating-a-perfect-storm-in-ag-new-agrinovus-indiana-chief-sees-disruption-as-catalyst-for-innovation" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">AgFunder News</a> and on <a href="https://www.hoosieragtoday.com/2025/08/25/agrinovus-indiana-christy-wright-2/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hoosier Ag Today</a>. Christy, Libby and Cayla get into: <ul><li>The announcement of a <a href="https://www.hoosieragtoday.com/2025/08/19/premier-companies-superior-ag/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">potential merge</a>r between Premier Companies and Superior Ag</li><li>A recap of the Indiana Farm Bureau Critical Issues Summit -- including bonus audio from President Randy Kron and a look at the <a href="https://www.idealystinnovation.com/post/executive-summary-the-future-state-of-agriculture" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Future State of Ag Report of Idealyst Innovation</a></li><li>Intelinair's 2nd Consecutive Win at the <a href="https://agrinovusindiana.com/2025/08/13/intelinair-wins-2025-iot-agtech-advancement-award-for-agmri-platform/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">AgTech Breakthrough Awards</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insideindianabusiness.com/articles/flovision-raises-8-7m-to-expand-ai-tools-for-food-processing-industry#new_tab" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">FloVision Raising $8.7M</a> to Expand AI Tools for Food Processing</li><li>Field Atlas Company Tours recap -- we are recruiting companies for 2026! If you're interested in hosting students, contact fieldatlas@agrinovusindiana.com.</li></ul>

For the first time on Agbioscience (except that one time when she was a guest), we are joined by our new President and CEO, Christy Wright! She talks her first week on the job, connecting with industry leaders and stakeholders and hosting her first Quadrant on day three at AgriNovus. You can also read her feature with Elaine Watson in AgFunder News and on Hoosier Ag Today. Christy, Libby and Cayla get into: 

The announcement of a potential merger between Premier Companies and Superior Ag
A recap of the Indiana Farm Bureau Critical Issues Summit -- including bonus audio from President Randy Kron and a look at the Future State of Ag Report of Idealyst Innovation
Intelinair's 2nd Consecutive Win at the AgTech Breakthrough Awards
FloVision Raising $8.7M to Expand AI Tools for Food Processing
Field Atlas Company Tours recap -- we are recruiting companies for 2026! If you're interested in hosting students, contact fieldatlas@agrinovusindiana.com.

383. A look back at August with AgriNovus CEO Christy Wright, a potential merger + big news for Intelinair + FloVision

For the first time on Agbioscience (except that one time when she was a guest), we are joined by our new President and CEO, Christy Wright! She talks her first week on the job, connecting with industry leaders and stakeholders and hosting her first Quadrant on day three at AgriNovus. You can also read her feature with Elaine Watson in AgFunder News and on Hoosier Ag Today. Christy, Libby and Cayla get into: 



The announcement of a potential merger between Premier Companies and Superior Ag
A recap of the Indiana Farm Bureau Critical Issues Summit -- including bonus audio from President Randy Kron and a look at the Future State of Ag Report of Idealyst Innovation
Intelinair's 2nd Consecutive Win at the AgTech Breakthrough Awards
FloVision Raising $8.7M to Expand AI Tools for Food Processing
Field Atlas Company Tours recap -- we are recruiting companies for 2026! If you're interested in hosting students, contact fieldatlas@agrinovusindiana.com.

Consumer education and connectivity to agbioscience innovation and their food’s origin story is a growing conversation. To see is to believe; but to experience the farm? That’s a whole different story. Purdue University’s Megan Kuhn guest hosts Hannah Vorsilak, Indiana Soybean Alliance’s Marketing and Communications Manager, this week to talk about the organization’s ultimate commitment to consumer experience in Indiana agriculture: The Glass Barn – located on the Indiana State Fairgrounds. We get into: &nbsp; <ul><li>What The Glass Barn is and what it is designed to do for someone who has never visited&nbsp;</li><li>Why that name?&nbsp;</li><li>Over ten years in, how has The Glass Barn evolved to meet consumer questions and the evolution of innovation in agbioscience&nbsp;</li><li>The use of the facility well beyond the 15 days of the Indiana State Fair – The Glass Barn welcomes 10,000 students each year + the integration of their virtual learning programs&nbsp;</li><li>How the experiential is positively affecting the perception &nbsp;</li><li>Commonly asked questions by consumers&nbsp;</li><li>Features inside of the barn, including live farmer chats, games and more&nbsp;</li><li>The growing need for experiences like this in a time where consumers have pressing questions about their food&nbsp;</li><li>What’s ahead for The Glass Barn&nbsp;</li></ul>

Hannah Vorsilak

Marketing + Communications Manager, Indiana Soybean Alliance

Consumer education and connectivity to agbioscience innovation and their food’s origin story is a growing conversation. To see is to believe; but to experience the farm? That’s a whole different story. Purdue University’s Megan Kuhn guest hosts Hannah Vorsilak, Indiana Soybean Alliance’s Marketing and Communications Manager, this week to talk about the organization’s ultimate commitment to consumer experience in Indiana agriculture: The Glass Barn – located on the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

382. Indiana Soybean Alliance’s Hannah Vorsilak on The Glass Barn, consumer education + connecting innovation to the farm

For the first time in Agbioscience video history, we have taken the show on the road; and not to just any venue...but to the iconic Indiana State Fair. Spanning 15 days that welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors, those consumers and small businesses help to generate millions for the regional economy in its two weeks run. Today our guest host Kenda Resler Friend from KRF Public Relations is joined by Indiana State Fair Executive Director, Cindy Hoye, to talk the impact of consumer experience, agbioscience innovation and the fairgrounds beyond these two weeks. We get into:&nbsp; <ul><li>Cindy’s perspective on the 2025 Indiana State Fair, its new attractions and consumer feedback&nbsp;</li><li>Marrying time-honored traditions with new themes&nbsp;</li><li>The underpinning of agbioscience innovation and education as the foundation for the Indiana State Fair and its 15 days&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Bringing veterinary science to&nbsp;the fair via a partnership with Purdue University that allows Q&amp;A opportunities between consumers and vet students on modern agriculture practices&nbsp;</li><li>How young leaders are developed through the spirit of 4-H, competition and hard work each year&nbsp;</li><li>Leveraging the other days of the year to invest in the Indiana State Fair property in order to give back to the state&nbsp;</li><li>What’s ahead for the Indiana State Fair&nbsp;</li></ul>

Cindy Hoye

Executive Director, Indiana State Fair

For the first time in Agbioscience video history, we have taken the show on the road; and not to just any venue...but to the iconic Indiana State Fair. Spanning 15 days that welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors, those consumers and small businesses help to generate millions for the regional economy in its two weeks run. Today our guest host Kenda Resler Friend from KRF Public Relations is joined by Indiana State Fair Executive Director, Cindy Hoye, to talk the impact of consumer experience, agbioscience innovation and the fairgrounds beyond these two weeks. 

381. Indiana State Fair’s Cindy Hoye on 15 days of agbioscience innovation + creating a meaningful consumer experience

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.

385. CountryMark’s Matt Smorch on their $100M expansion + Indiana’s 1st commercially available renewable diesel fuel production facility

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