Nathan Pumplin, Norfolk Healthy Produce

This week’s Open Mic guest is Dr. Nathan Pumplin, president and CEO of Norfolk Healthy Produce. Improvements in mechanization, nutrient management and crop protection have helped farmers make tremendous strides in productivity and sustainability, but Pumplin believes the industry is on the cusp of a tremendous revolution of more and better food for consumers through genetic engineering. The company is working with Washington now to gain full commercial status for a purple tomato with improved health benefits for consumers. Pumplin responds to questions on the safety of the science behind the new variety and the regulatory obstacles to growth in the industry.