AgriNovus Indiana

Discover the journey of Salena Scardina, from her start at McDonald's Corporation to becoming the Chief Marketing Officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, and her mission to redefine Indiana's global brand. In this episode of Agbioscience, Salena shares her insights on the customer experience, the power of understanding your audience and the innovative promise of Indiana's economy looking toward the future. Dive into the discussion on how Indiana is boldly claiming its place on the world stage, thanks to strategic branding and a deep commitment to innovation in agriculture, technology and touting what we do best – work together to achieve big outcomes.&nbsp;

Salena Scardina

CMO, Indiana Economic Development Corporation

Salena Scardina, CMO of Indiana Economic Development Corp, shares insights on Indiana's underestimated Agbioscience sector and her journey from McDonald's to the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) on Agbioscience with host Mitch Frazier.

319. IEDC’s Salena Scardina on For the Bold, the customer experience + knowing when to automate vs. innovate

It’s been a tough couple of years in agriculture. Net cash farm income is expected to decrease nearly $6 billion in 2024; that follows a decrease in 2023 of nearly $58 billion. It’s a tough sled for many farmers and there’s companies who are working to bring innovation to farmers to overcome the headwinds that exist. Alex Russomagno, Senior Manager of Strategic Engagement for AGCO Ventures, joins this week to talk:&nbsp;&nbsp; <ul><li>Where things stand for the agtech and ag equipment industry right now.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>How the acquisition of PTx Trimble and the launch of AGCO Ventures has launched a new wave of startup activity in agbioscience.&nbsp;</li><li>Matching supply and demand of innovation in the industry; Alex also talks initial investments from AGCO Ventures.&nbsp;</li><li>The AGCO Ventures Thesis and how agriculture’s downcycle impacts their strategy.&nbsp;</li><li>What challenges are emerging that will require innovation for the farmer, quickly.&nbsp;</li><li>Her experience with the power of partnership and investment between big companies and startups.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>The seismic shifts that will drive the next wave of innovation in agbioscience.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul>

Alex Russomagno

Senior Manager of Strategic Engagement, AGCO Ventures

It’s been a tough couple of years in agriculture. Net cash farm income is expected to decrease nearly $6 billion in 2024; that follows a decrease in 2023 of nearly $58 billion. It’s a tough sled for many farmers and there’s companies who are working to bring innovation to farmers to overcome the headwinds that exist. Alex Russomagno, Senior Manager of Strategic Engagement for AGCO Ventures, joins this week to talk:  

Where things stand for the agtech and ag equipment industry right now.  
How the acquisition of PTx Trimble and the launch of AGCO Ventures has launched a new wave of startup activity in agbioscience. 
Matching supply and demand of innovation in the industry; Alex also talks initial investments from AGCO Ventures. 
The AGCO Ventures Thesis and how agriculture’s downcycle impacts their strategy. 
What challenges are emerging that will require innovation for the farmer, quickly. 
Her experience with the power of partnership and investment between big companies and startups.  
The seismic shifts that will drive the next wave of innovation in agbioscience.  

338. AGCO Ventures’ Alex Russomagno on agtech + a new wave of innovation for farmers

Global market intelligence firm, IDC, estimates that artificial intelligence (AI) will contribute nearly $20 trillion to the global economy by 2030 and represent nearly 4% of global GDP. Today we are joined by an AI pioneer, tech diplomat and leader of Purdue University, President Mung Chiang. We discuss:&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>His journey as a three-time entrepreneur turned university president and how his experience has shaped his approach at Purdue&nbsp;</li><li>Being on the cusps of the AI revolution, bringing new jobs to market and its elimination of old ones – and its potential to transform the physical world&nbsp;</li><li>Balancing AI’s opportunity for productivity versus its potential to become an adversarial threat&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Connecting dots from the past to the future to develop job creation and prosperity in the state – and the critical role of agbioscience to make that happen&nbsp;</li><li>Purdue has a top 5 college of engineering and a top 5 college of agriculture – and President Chiang talks about the university’s differentiation to drive big outcomes using demand-driven education &nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;President Chiang’s eye on the future of Purdue and its continued service to Indiana&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul>

Dr. Mung Chiang

President, Purdue University

Global market intelligence firm, IDC, estimates that artificial intelligence (AI) will contribute nearly $20 trillion to the global economy by 2030 and represent nearly 4% of global GDP. Today we are joined by an AI pioneer, tech diplomat and leader of Purdue University, President Mung Chiang. We discuss:  

His journey as a three-time entrepreneur turned university president and how his experience has shaped his approach at Purdue 
Being on the cusps of the AI revolution, bringing new jobs to market and its elimination of old ones – and its potential to transform the physical world 
Balancing AI’s opportunity for productivity versus its potential to become an adversarial threat  
Connecting dots from the past to the future to develop job creation and prosperity in the state – and the critical role of agbioscience to make that happen 
Purdue has a top 5 college of engineering and a top 5 college of agriculture – and President Chiang talks about the university’s differentiation to drive big outcomes using demand-driven education  
President Chiang’s eye on the future of Purdue and its continued service to Indiana    

337. Purdue University President Mung Chiang on the AI revolution + demand-driven education driving  impact

Tough commodity markets and a challenging ag economy is putting pressure on all elements of the agbiosciences. One of those is equipment. New data from the Equipment Manufacturers Association shows that tractor sales in the U.S. were down nearly 20% in the most recent month reporting. That's year over year. One entrepreneur is bringing to market a new technology to help those farmers maybe keep their tractors a little longer and better manage their fleet. Tracey Wiedmeyer, CEO of Gripp, joins us this week. We discuss:&nbsp;&nbsp; <ul><li>The current state of the ag equipment market (not such a spoiler: it’s tough on everyone).&nbsp;</li><li>Challenges facing farmers when it comes to the maintenance of existing equipment – from depreciation to staff coordination on-farm.&nbsp;</li><li>The greatest opportunity for innovation in the ag equipment market right now and how Gripp was born.&nbsp;</li><li>What it’s like for producers to interact with Gripp + their feedback.&nbsp;</li><li>How their partnership with Purdue DIAL has accelerated growth on the farm.&nbsp;</li><li>Bringing tech talent back to their roots.&nbsp;</li><li>What’s ahead for Gripp.&nbsp;</li></ul>

Tracey Wiedmeyer

CEO, Gripp

Tough commodity markets and a challenging ag economy is putting pressure on all elements of the agbiosciences. One of those is equipment. New data from the Equipment Manufacturers Association shows that tractor sales in the U.S. were down nearly 20% in the most recent month reporting. That's year over year. One entrepreneur is bringing to market a new technology to help those farmers maybe keep their tractors a little longer and better manage their fleet. Tracey Wiedmeyer, CEO of Gripp, joins us this week. We discuss:  

The current state of the ag equipment market (not such a spoiler: it’s tough on everyone). 
Challenges facing farmers when it comes to the maintenance of existing equipment – from depreciation to staff coordination on-farm. 
The greatest opportunity for innovation in the ag equipment market right now and how Gripp was born. 
What it’s like for producers to interact with Gripp + their feedback. 
How their partnership with Purdue DIAL has accelerated growth on the farm. 
Bringing tech talent back to their roots. 
What’s ahead for Gripp. 
 

336. Doing something with your data + the ag equipment market with Gripp’s Tracey Wiedmeyer

Food is the only economy in the world that touches every person on the planet. We are all connected to food, and one of the world's top marketers turned entrepreneur is now making the connection between farms, food, and people. Scott Nelson, CEO of Make Hay, joins us to talk all things consumers and connecting to the meaningful world of agriculture. We get into:&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>The existing gap between farms, food and people – and the opportunity to leverage today’s media landscape to connect all three.&nbsp;</li><li>His time at Panera and how it shaped his viewpoint on storytelling for brands.&nbsp;</li><li>How Scott’s background brought him to Make Hay + what the company aims to do.&nbsp;</li><li>Make Hay’s relationship with Purdue’s DIAL Ventures and High Alpha, and how it’s accelerating their business.&nbsp;</li><li>Scott’s vision for Make Hay – creating content for food transparency at scale, consumer awareness and farmers at the center of it all.&nbsp;</li><li>Where Make Hay is at today and what’s ahead.&nbsp;</li></ul>

Scott Nelson

CEO, Make Hay

Food is the only economy in the world that touches every person on the planet. We are all connected to food, and one of the world's top marketers turned entrepreneur is now making the connection between farms, food, and people. Scott Nelson, CEO of Make Hay, joins us to talk all things consumers and connecting to the meaningful world of agriculture. We get into:  

The existing gap between farms, food and people – and the opportunity to leverage today’s media landscape to connect all three. 
His time at Panera and how it shaped his viewpoint on storytelling for brands. 
How Scott’s background brought him to Make Hay + what the company aims to do. 
Make Hay’s relationship with Purdue’s DIAL Ventures and High Alpha, and how it’s accelerating their business. 
Scott’s vision for Make Hay – creating content for food transparency at scale, consumer awareness and farmers at the center of it all. 
Where Make Hay is at today and what’s ahead. 

335. Make Hay’s Scott Nelson on the power of storytelling + closing the gaps between farms, food and people

Discover how Scott Nelson, CEO of Make Hay, bridges the gap between farms, food, and consumers on the Agbioscience Podcast with host Mitch Frazier. 🌾📱 #AgTech #FoodTransparency #Innovation

It's almost Thanksgiving! Mitch Frazier and Cayla Chiddister sit down to recap November and get into: - The election's impact on farmers and agbioscience innovation.- Creating certainty for farmers in this new environment to plan for their operations.- Bain Capital investment into a merger of Biodyne USA, BW Fusion and Agronomy 365.- Entrepreneurship Week in Indiana.- Quadrant coming up on December 4!- Announcing a winner of the 2024 Producer-Led Innovation Challenge.

It's almost Thanksgiving! Mitch Frazier and Cayla Chiddister sit down to recap November and get into: 
- The election's impact on farmers and agbioscience innovation.
- Creating certainty for farmers in this new environment to plan for their operations.
- Bain Capital investment into a merger of Biodyne USA, BW Fusion and Agronomy 365.
- Entrepreneurship Week in Indiana.
- Quadrant coming up on December 4!
- Announcing a winner of the 2024 Producer-Led Innovation Challenge.

334. Mitch Frazier recaps November, the election's impact on agbioscience innovation + big investment announcement from Bain Capital

New data from AgFunder News shows that ag biologics are used by just under half of U.S. farmers. Dr. Alex Cochran, CTO of DPH Biologicals, joins today to share his unique perspective on this growing market. &nbsp; We discuss:&nbsp; <ul><li>What are ag biologicals and their role in modern production agriculture.&nbsp;</li><li>Biologicals as an important piece for growers as they manage a tough farm economy.&nbsp;</li><li>The challenge of change when it comes to farming practices and the criticality of clearly describing ROI for growers.&nbsp;</li><li>Movement in the biologicals market from big players like Corteva’s acquisition of Symborg and Stoller.&nbsp;</li><li>DPH’s focus on differentiation and value to its growers + a deep dive into the conversations they’re having at the farmgate right now.&nbsp;</li></ul> The biologicals market has come a long way, but is it still early innings? Alex talks how the technology has evolved what’s on the horizon for DPH Biologicals.&nbsp;

Dr. Alex Cochran

CTO, DPH Biologicals

New data from AgFunder News shows that ag biologics are used by just under half of U.S. farmers. Dr. Alex Cochran, CTO of DPH Biologicals, joins today to share his unique perspective on this growing market.  

We discuss: 

What are ag biologicals and their role in modern production agriculture. 
Biologicals as an important piece for growers as they manage a tough farm economy. 
The challenge of change when it comes to farming practices and the criticality of clearly describing ROI for growers. 
Movement in the biologicals market from big players like Corteva’s acquisition of Symborg and Stoller. 
DPH’s focus on differentiation and value to its growers + a deep dive into the conversations they’re having at the farmgate right now. 
T
he biologicals market has come a long way, but is it still early innings? Alex talks how the technology has evolved what’s on the horizon for DPH Biologicals. 

333. DPH Biologicals’ Alex Cochran on a maturing ag biologics market + the importance of clearly stated ROI for growers

New data from AgFunder News shows that ag biologics are used by just under half of U.S. farmers. Dr. Alex Cochran, CTO of DPH Biologicals, joins today to share his unique perspective on this growing market.  

We discuss: 

What are ag biologicals and their role in modern production agriculture. 
Biologicals as an important piece for growers as they manage a tough farm economy. 
The challenge of change when it comes to farming practices and the criticality of clearly describing ROI for growers. 
Movement in the biologicals market from big players like Corteva’s acquisition of Symborg and Stoller. 
DPH’s focus on differentiation and value to its growers + a deep dive into the conversations they’re having at the farmgate right now. 

The biologicals market has come a long way, but is it still early innings? Alex talks how the technology has evolved what’s on the horizon for DPH Biologicals. 

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.

It’s been a tough couple of years in agriculture. Net cash farm income is expected to decrease nearly $6 billion in 2024; that follows a decrease in 2023 of nearly $58 billion. It’s a tough sled for many farmers and there’s companies who are working to bring innovation to farmers to overcome the headwinds that exist. Alex Russomagno, Senior Manager of Strategic Engagement for AGCO Ventures, joins this week to talk:&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>Where things stand for the agtech and ag equipment industry right now.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>How the acquisition of PTx Trimble and the launch of AGCO Ventures has launched a new wave of startup activity in agbioscience.&nbsp;</li><li>Matching supply and demand of innovation in the industry; Alex also talks initial investments from AGCO Ventures.&nbsp;</li><li>The AGCO Ventures Thesis and how agriculture’s downcycle impacts their strategy.&nbsp;</li><li>What challenges are emerging that will require innovation for the farmer, quickly.&nbsp;</li><li>Her experience with the power of partnership and investment between big companies and startups.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>The seismic shifts that will drive the next wave of innovation in agbioscience.</li></ul>

319. IEDC’s Salena Scardina on For the Bold, the customer experience + knowing when to automate vs. innovate

DESCRIPTION

Today's Host

Mitch Frazier

Today's Guests

Salena Scardina

Recent Episodes