Ever wondered how vertical farming could revolutionize the cotton industry? I sat down with Simon Wardle, CEO of Gooddrop, to explore this groundbreaking concept. Simon Wardle brings a unique perspective to vertical farming, combining his background in design with a vision for sustainable cotton production. As the leader of Good Drop, he's spearheading an initiative to grow cotton in controlled environments, potentially transforming the textile industry. In this episode, we delve into Good Drop'...
Dec 29, 2024•47 min•Season 11Ep. 152
Are you tired of the rat race and dreaming of a self-sufficient lifestyle? In this episode, I chat with Daryl Urbanski, a seasoned entrepreneur and advocate for personal sovereignty. Daryl's journey from a challenging upbringing to becoming a successful business strategist is nothing short of inspiring. With over 17 years of experience in helping businesses thrive, Daryl has now turned his focus to innovative housing solutions. We dive into the concept of the Oasis Biohome, a revolutionary appro...
Dec 16, 2024•46 min•Season 11Ep. 151
Are you curious about how vertical farming could revolutionize agriculture and address global food challenges? Join me as I explore this fascinating topic with Alexander Jaworski, co-founder of GreenHub , who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in sustainable agriculture and innovative farming solutions. Alexander Jaworski, a passionate advocate for vertical farming, shares his journey from growing up in a small German town to becoming a leader in the field of sustainable agriculture. Wi...
Dec 06, 2024•49 min•Season 11Ep. 150
Are you still manually turning your greenhouse lights on and off? Discover how integrated control systems can revolutionize your vertical farming operations. Join me as I sit down with Gretchen Schimelpfenig, a leading expert in the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) industry. With a background in high-performance buildings and sustainable design, Gretchen has carved out a niche in energy efficiency for greenhouses and indoor farms. Her journey from aspiring sustainable designer to a key p...
Nov 28, 2024•50 min•Season 11Ep. 149
Are you ready to explore the intersection of technology and agriculture with insights from a seasoned expert? Join me as I sit down with Floris Berghout, CEO of Viemose DGS, a leader in the horticulture industry. Floris brings a wealth of experience from his journey through various roles in horticulture, culminating in his current position where he bridges traditional and modern agricultural practices. In our conversation, Floris shares his unexpected entry into the world of horticulture and how...
Nov 08, 2024•39 min•Season 11Ep. 148
Are you tired of bland supermarket produce that lacks flavor and nutrition? Join me as I dive into a conversation with Daniel Bosman, the innovative founder of Our Greenery, who is revolutionizing the way we think about food production and consumption. With a background in entrepreneurship and sustainable product development, Daniel brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the table, aiming to reconnect people with the food they eat. In this episode, Daniel shares his journey from a young ent...
Nov 01, 2024•57 min•Season 11Ep. 147
Are you curious about the challenges and triumphs of building a business in the vertical farming industry? Join me as I sit down with Jacob, the Co-founder of FarmBox Foods, who shares his journey from firefighting to entrepreneurship. With a background in building companies and a passion for mission-driven work, Jake offers a unique perspective on the indoor farming space. In our conversation, Jacob delves into the origins of FarmBox Foods, highlighting the company's evolution from an idea for ...
Oct 25, 2024•47 min•Season 11Ep. 146
In this episode, I speak with Mattias Karls, a seasoned entrepreneur hailing from Stockholm, Sweden. Mattias shares his journey from the heartland of Sweden to becoming a serial entrepreneur, starting right after his university days during the IT boom of the late '90s. We dive into his experiences with his first company, which grew rapidly and hooked him on the thrill of entrepreneurship. Mattias also opens up about his time at Disruptive Materials, where he helped launch a groundbreaking new ma...
Oct 18, 2024•48 min•Season 11Ep. 145
In this episode, I speak with Juan Gabriel Succar, the Co-founder of Verde Compacto , as he returns to share the latest developments in the world of vertical farming. Since our last conversation in 2022, Juan and his team have been busy refining their approach, focusing on standardizing their product offerings and expanding their reach. We dive into the lessons learned over the past two years, including the importance of selecting the right opportunities and aligning them with their core busines...
Sep 27, 2024•50 min•Season 11Ep. 144
In this episode, I speak with Elmar Mair, the CEO and founder of Neatleaf . Elmar shares his fascinating journey from growing up in the Italian countryside to becoming a leader in the vertical farming industry. We dive into his early passion for AI and robotics, which led him to work on groundbreaking projects like Google's Everyday Robot. Elmar's story is a testament to how diverse experiences can converge to create innovative solutions in agriculture. His insights into the fourth agricultural ...
Sep 20, 2024•55 min•Season 11Ep. 143
In this episode, I speak with Junell Abdi, the Founder and CTO of GEIA.AI. We first met at the Indoor Agtech Summit in Chicago, and I was immediately impressed by his innovative approach to indoor farming. Junell shares his journey from being a city boy in Israel to moving to Hungary and starting GEIA.AI. He talks about the challenges and triumphs of pitching his startup on a big stage and the importance of small startups in the Agtech space. His passion for automating and improving farming effi...
Sep 06, 2024•51 min•Season 11Ep. 142
In this episode, I speak with Scott Massey, the CEO and co-founder of Anu , who returns to share his journey and the exciting developments since our last conversation. Scott dives into the evolution of Anu, formerly known as GrowPod, and how their mission to empower individuals and communities to produce pure, self-sufficient produce has sharpened over time. We discuss the challenges and rewards of attending industry events, the importance of making strategic decisions, and the impact of their i...
Aug 31, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 11Ep. 141
Welcome, listeners! Join me in this bonus episode as I share some exciting updates and a sneak peek into what's coming up for Season 11 of the Vertical Farming Podcast. As we wrap up Season 10, I want to take a moment to recap some of the incredible conversations we've had with industry leaders like Felipe Hernandez of Hexagrow, Victor Kolkatar of Velis Farming, and many more. Each guest brought unique insights into the world of vertical farming, from urban aeroponics to the innovative use of mi...
Aug 23, 2024•13 min
In this episode, I speak with Chris Corkery, the founder and CEO of Hundred Acre, who shares his journey from being a chef in New York City to starting a vertical farm in Milwaukee. Chris talks about the early mornings at farmers' markets, the respect he developed for fresh produce, and the realization that led him to bring farming into urban areas. His passion for food and community shines through as he discusses the challenges and rewards of creating a year-round urban farm that not only provi...
Aug 18, 2024•51 min•Season 11Ep. 140
In this episode, I speak with Stefan Hey, Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer at vGreens. We reminisce about our initial meeting at Vertifarm in Dortmund and the fascinating dinner conversations that led to a deeper connection. Stefan shares his journey from a childhood dream of becoming a gardener to his current role, where he combines his passion for plants with cutting-edge technology to revolutionize indoor farming. We delve into the specifics of vGreens’ focus on strawberries, exploring th...
Aug 09, 2024•52 min•Season 11Ep. 139
In this episode, I speak with Kendra Armstrong, the Co-Founder and CEO of Crop Convergence. Kendra shares her journey from growing up on a family farm in Indiana to becoming a startup founder in the agtech industry. We dive into her early experiences on the farm, her decision to pursue plant breeding, and how she eventually found her passion in creating decision-making tools for farmers.Kendra's story is filled with relatable moments, like shoveling hog manure as her first job and the humorous f...
Aug 02, 2024•51 min•Season 11Ep. 138
In this episode, I speak with Max Knight and Eric Roth, the Co-founders of Rooted Robotics . We dive into their journey from meeting at a large-scale vertical farm to starting their own company focused on affordable automation solutions for small and medium-sized farms. Max shares how his passion for robotics and engineering led to the creation of Rooted Robotics, while Eric discusses his extensive experience in the Agtech space and how it has shaped their approach to solving labor challenges in...
Jul 28, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 10Ep. 137
In this episode, I speak with Jesper Hansen, the Chief Commercial Officer at YesHealth. Jesper shares his unique journey from studying history in Denmark to becoming a key player in the vertical farming industry in Taiwan. We discuss his transition into agriculture, driven by a desire to explore the world and a chance encounter with his now-wife's family business. Jesper's story is a testament to the unexpected paths life can take and the opportunities that arise from them. Jesper also delves in...
Jul 12, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 10Ep. 136
In this episode, I speak with Edwin McClure, CEO of Bio520, who shares his journey from finance to the world of indoor agriculture. Edwin's story is one of passion and perseverance, moving from Miami to San Diego, and eventually diving into the agtech space. We discuss his background in finance and how it shaped his approach to business, emphasizing the importance of efficiency and profitability. Edward's love for entrepreneurship shines through as he talks about his early ventures and the lesso...
Jun 21, 2024•56 min•Season 10Ep. 135
In this episode, I speak with Rick Langille, the Founder and CEO of Harvest Today . Rick's journey from growing up on a farm in Manitoba to becoming a serial entrepreneur in the manufacturing and electronics industries is nothing short of inspiring. We dive deep into his passion for vertical farming and how his diverse background has uniquely positioned him to innovate in this space. Rick shares candidly about the challenges and triumphs of building Harvest Today, emphasizing the importance of n...
Jun 15, 2024•59 min•Season 10Ep. 134
In this episode, I speak with Matt Lohr, Virginia's Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, who brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep passion for agriculture. Matt shares his journey as a fifth-generation farmer from the Shenandoah Valley and how his early experiences on the farm with his grandfather shaped his love for the land and conservation. We dive into his varied career, from local public service roles to leading the Natural Resources Conservation Service at the USDA, and how these exper...
May 24, 2024•37 min•Season 10Ep. 133
In this episode, I speak with Shlomy Raziel, the visionary behind Grow-Tec, joining us all the way from Israel. Shlomy shares his deeply rooted connection to agriculture, tracing back to his childhood in a Kibbutz and his family’s pioneering spirit in farming. His journey from managing large-scale agricultural projects to founding Grow-Tec is not just a career path but a continuation of a legacy. We dive into how his company is innovating in the vertical farming space, particularly focusing on f...
May 08, 2024•45 min•Season 10Ep. 132
In this episode, I speak with Kaylee South, an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist for Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) at Virginia Tech. Kaylee shares her journey from a rural upbringing, where her passion for horticulture was nurtured by family and educators, to her current role where she combines research with teaching the next generation of horticulturists. We dive into how her work not only involves growing plants but also exploring innovative agricultural methods and impro...
Apr 19, 2024•51 min•Season 10Ep. 131
In this episode, I speak with David Flynn, Vice President of Business Development at AmplifiedAg , and what a journey it's been! David shares his transition from military service to the world of vertical farming, and it's a testament to the power of mission-driven work. His experiences in Afghanistan, witnessing firsthand the struggles and triumphs of local agriculture, have fueled his passion for bringing fresh food to those in need. It's not every day you meet someone who's as dedicated to mak...
Apr 12, 2024•44 min•Season 10Ep. 130
In this episode, I speak with Whit Allen, the charismatic CEO of SpectraGrow , as we dive into a world where the rhythm of music intertwines with the innovation of agriculture. It's a conversation that takes us from energy of DJing to the vibrant greenery of vertical farms. We reminisce about our days behind the decks and reveal how those experiences have given us a unique tempo for tackling the professional challenges we face today. Whit brings a refreshing perspective on the journey from spinn...
Apr 02, 2024•54 min•Season 10Ep. 129
In this episode, I speak with Katherine Soll , a powerhouse of knowledge and change in the realm of urban agriculture. She takes us through her inspiring journey from her New York City upbringing to her influential role as the founder and CEO of Teens for Food Justice. With a nod to Agritechture’s Henry Gordon- Smith for his support and insight, Katherine and I delve into the transformative world of hydroponic farms, the importance of food equity, and the incredible shift from food deserts to th...
Mar 21, 2024•53 min•Season 10Ep. 128
In this episode, I speak with Rick Vanzura, CEO of Freight Farms , who takes us on a captivating journey from his days in the retail trenches to becoming a trailblazer in the vertical farming industry. Rick’s transformation from working with household names like Borders Group and Panera Bread to redefining local food systems with Freight Farms is nothing short of inspiring. He generously shares his Bostonian roots and the pivotal encounters that shaped his business acumen, particularly a chance ...
Mar 08, 2024•51 min•Season 10Ep. 127
In this episode, I speak with Alex Babich, who's pioneering the agricultural tech revolution with his startup, Nuravine . We dive into Alex's childhood, his journey through self-education and college, and the formative experiences that led him to combine technology with sustainable farming. Alex's vision of AI-driven vertical farms is a game-changer for the future of agriculture, and it was an absolute pleasure to get an insider's look at how he's bringing this vision to life. Hearing Alex detai...
Feb 21, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 10Ep. 126
In this episode, I speak with Daniel Plant, the inspiring mind behind Plant Dynamics, as we delve into his remarkable transition from the disciplined life of the Canadian Armed Forces to becoming a consultant in the agtech space. Daniel's unique journey has not only shaped a resilient work ethic but has also carved out an innovative path in the world of modern farming. Through his stories, we uncover how embracing a global perspective can significantly influence both personal growth and professi...
Feb 16, 2024•59 min•Season 10Ep. 125
In this eye-opening episode, I had the incredible opportunity to sit down with the hydroponic maestro himself, Joe Swartz. Joe brings a wealth of knowledge to the table, drawing from nearly four decades of experience in the realm of Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA). With Joe's guidance, we journey through the evolution of farming, bursting myths like bubbles and paving a clear path through the oft-misunderstood landscape of hydroponic agriculture. He shares his rich history, from traditi...
Feb 07, 2024•59 min•Season 10Ep. 124
