Vertical Farming Podcast

Harry Duran

1 Creator

Vertical farming is a revolutionary approach to produce production leveraging controlled environment agriculture (CEA) technology and systems in innovative ways. It facilitates production of huge quantities of nutritious and quality fresh food without relying on favorable weather, high water usage, skilled labor, and high soil fertility. This ensures reliable yield and consistency in crop production year-round with climate control, and no effects of external environment factors such as diseases, pests, or predator attacks. Join Harry Duran, Host of the Apple-recommended Podcast Junkies and Founder of FullCast, as he explores the world of controlled-environment agriculture (CEA). Tune in every week for fascinating conversations with CEOs, Founders and luminaries from the exciting and fast-growing world of Vertical Farming. If you've been interested in the world of Indoor AgTech and want to hear inspiring stories from the innovators on the frontlines of this fast-moving industry, then this most definitely the show for you! Subscribe and learn more by visiting http://verticalfarmingpodcast.com/

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Top 10 Vertical Farming Podcast Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Vertical Farming Podcast episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Vertical Farming Podcast for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Vertical Farming Podcast episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

S3E38: Marc Oshima - Business as a Force for Good: Indoor Farming

Vertical Farming Podcast

07/10/21 • 53 min

Episode Summary

Join Harry Duran, host of Vertical Farming Podcast, as he welcomes to the show, co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer at AeroFarms, Marc Oshima. AeroFarms is an award-winning indoor farming company that is on a bold mission to grow the best plants possible for the betterment of humanity. Today, Harry and Marc talk about Marc’s background in marketing and how it has impacted his work at AeroFarms. Marc provides his thoughts on the concept of ‘speed breeding,’ speaks to his passion for food and expounds on the concept of utilizing business as a force for good

Episode Sponsor

CULTIVATD

Key Takeaways

02:37 – Harry welcomes to the show Marc Oshima, who discusses the impact COVID-19 has had on his business, his background in marketing and the power of telling the story behind the food
08:23 – Marc talks about the value of AeroFarms being a Certified B Corporation
11:51 – Marc explains the concept of ‘speed breeding’ and how he got involved in marketing and food
17:22 – Marc reflects on the work he did at Toys R’ Us
20:54 – Marc expounds on the vision and mission of AeroFarms and the importance of food literacy
27:30 – Marc talks about the journey of AeroFarms and potential future expansions
29:06 – Marc speaks to the experience of AeroFarms going public
32:23 – Marketing trends Marc has noticed throughout his career and the impact of social media marketing
35:43 – Where Marc sees companies get it wrong in their approach to customer relations
37:48 – Marc speaks to some of the initiatives AeroFarms prioritizes
43:49 – A tough question Marc has had to ask himself recently
46:22 – Harry thanks Marc for joining the show and let’s listeners know where they can learn more about AeroFarms and connect with Marc

Tweetable Quotes

“This idea that business can be a force for good expands beyond just the world of agriculture. This is about other verticals and we’re hoping that we can be an inspiration and a catalyst for other companies as well.” (09:04) (Marc)

“Thinking about key genetic traits plus the rapid growing process, that’s really leading to this rapid cultivation, this speed breeding. This is what we think about as the next generation of the indoor farming opportunities that we continue to unlock.” (12:15) (Marc)

“For us, what we’re doing and have been doing in the category of leafy greens is we’re creating different flavor experiences.” (20:54) (Marc)

“We’ve been very specific about how to build our brand. And I think that’s a very important part of the equation today without question. And part of that is the journey with the consumer hand-in-hand and how do we collectively get them to be our brand advocates and brand ambassadors.” (33:30) (Marc)

Links Mentioned

Sponsor Info:

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S4E52: The Deal and PR Blueprint for Launching Successful Vertical Farm Projects with Michael Sichenzia

Vertical Farming Podcast

02/12/22 • 54 min

Episode Summary

Join Harry Duran, host of Vertical Farming Podcast, as he welcomes to the show Michael Sichenzia. Michael is the Managing Director at Go Global Advisors and today, he shares his passion for bringing food to communities and what led him to pursue work in the vertical farming industry.

Specifically, Michael speaks to the intricacies of developing container farms, everything from getting zoning approval from the local or city government to what he looks for when building a team. Michael is highly mission-focused and wants to leave a legacy of making the world a better place, or at the very least trying to. Michael touches on his involvement in the From Mary With Love project, his relationship with Freight Farms and his belief that education about the vertical farming industry comes through empowerment.

Thanks to Our Sponsors

Cultivatd

Indoor Ag-Con

Key Takeaways

03:41 – Harry welcomes to the show Michael Sichenzia who talks about his background in real estate and how he made the connection between public storage facilities and modular hydroponic space

08:46 – What Michael looks for when developing farms and when building a team

12:01 – From Mary With Love

15:09 – A budding relationship with Freight Farms

16:38 – Zoning and effectively communicating with your local government and community

19:39 – Empowerment through education

26:34 – Michael speaks to an exciting new project he’s working on in Buffalo

31:16 – Identifying the ideal investor

34:36 – Why Michael is so passionate about bringing food to the community

37:44 – Speculating on the future of vertical farming and why Marketing and PR are key

44:52 – Harry thanks Michael for joining the show and lets listeners know where they can connect with Michael

Tweetable Quotes

“Having owned and operated restaurants in my past, I saw that that was an area that I wanted to get back to. And I saw that my real estate experience would play into that because I knew how to put together deal structures. And I felt that farming, and urban farming in particular, had a tremendous opportunity with the right deal structure. And that’s how I got into it.” (05:51) (Michael)

“I looked at the hydroponics space and saw it’s really a play on storage. Public storage facilities and the way those deals are structured are ideally suited for modular, containerized, hydroponic space in an urban setting. And that was the connection for me.” (07:32) (Michael)

“Passion, sticktoitiveness, the idea that we’re gonna make this work no matter what the obstacle is, that’s very important in any entrepreneurial venture.” (13:32) (Michael)

“Attacking that and making sure that the city has a variance process, whatever that process is, get it started sooner rather than later. That issue will affect everything. The last thing that you want to do is take delivery of your farm and deploy it and not be able to grow. To me, you need to understand the zoning, communicate with the city, and really work that process effectively.” (17:45) (Michael)

“I’m a big believer in good PR and I’m a believer that you make things happen with good PR and good communications.” (22:28) (Michael)

“We have to remember that social enterprise is still an enterprise. The key word there is ‘enterprise.’ We tend to forget that. These [containers] need to be self-sustaining otherwise they will fail.” (33:37) (Michael)

“I’m not in this for the deal. I’m in this because I want to bring food to the community. And I think that there’s probably never been a better time to marry good deal structure with delivery and production of food. We need it now more than ever. It really is the time to own our own food again. I really believe that.” (34:36) (Michael)

“I’ve always tried to be a year ahead of The New York Times. My whole career has been focused on if I can be a year ahead of The New York Times, I’m gonna be doing something.” (40:51) (Michael)

“You have to self-promote. If you’re not gonna promote yourself, who is? So, you gotta get out there. You gotta talk about your things. You gotta fail. I fail all the time. There’s that saying, ‘If you want to succeed then double your failure rate.’ Well, I’ve probably quadrupled my failure rate, but that’s part of the process.” (44:20) (Michael)

Resources Mentioned

1 Listener

S5E62: Building A Future Together: From The Air Force to Pioneering Technology with Jamie Burrows

Vertical Farming Podcast

07/15/22 • 55 min

Episode Summary

Founder and CEO of Vertical Future, Jamie Burrows is a passionate leader with extensive knowledge of the indoor AgTech space. Vertical Future is the world’s leading vertical farming technology and research company, providing revolutionary products and services that enable people and nature to thrive. Today, Harry and Jamie talk about Jamie’s passion for health, life sciences, and addressing critical issues like climate change, food inequalities and population health. Jamie expounds on his leadership style, the focus and mission of Vertical Future, and key milestones he’s reached along the journey.

Thanks to Our Sponsors

Indoor AgCon - https://indoor.ag

Indoor AgTech NYC

Key Takeaways

07:14 – Harry welcomes Founder and CEO of Vertical Future, Jamie Burrows, to discuss culture shock, his eclectic background, and his experience serving in the Air Force

14:17 – Jamie’s passion for health and life sciences and how he got involved in vertical farming

16:57 – Leadership styles and building an effective team as a first time CEO

24:45 – Key milestones of Jamie’s vertical farming journey

30:57 – The importance of developing in-house tech stack

37:31 – Jamie’s specific focus on the UK

47:19 – A tough question Jamie has had to ask himself recently and

50:53 – What keeps Jamie motivated and excited about the future

53:31 – Harry thanks Jamie for joining the show and let’s listeners know where they can follow Jamie and Vertical Future

Tweetable Quotes

“Looking back seven to ten years, I’d had a tremendous amount of exposure to what a good leader is and what a bad leader is at the Air Force Academy. I saw many examples and was mentored personally by Colonels.” (17:31) (Jamie)

“The unit economics of vertical farming demand that it’s all about space and scale. And, if you want to compete then you need big farms and you need a lot of capital.” (20:37) (Jamie)

“I think that on our side of the equation, you’ve got the growers over here and the tech providers over here. You have a lot of companies that are building street components. So it might just be lights and great lighting companies. But then you’ve got what I would call systems integrators, where they’ll piecemeal tech from different people, position it as a system of their own, and sell it.” (31:12) (Jamie)

“I think people underappreciate that, even in the UK, we still need to spend a helluva lot of money on building out vertical farming.” (40:06) (Jamie)

“From a personal standpoint, I do really believe in the fact that what we are doing is addressing very important topics and will continue to.” (51:16) (Jamie)

Resources Mentioned

Vertical Future – https://verticalfuture.com/

Jamie’s Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-burrows-12890817/?originalSubdomain=uk

Vertical Future Email – [email protected]

Sponsor Info

Cultivatd’s Website – https://cultivatd.com/

Cultivatd’s Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/cultivatdco/

Cultivatd’s Twitter – https://twitter.com/cultivatd

Cultivatd’s Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/cultivatd/

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Podcast Production and Marketing by FullCast

Mentioned in this episode:

AgTech Companies

https://agtechcompanies.com

2025 US Indoor Farm Report

http://verticalfarmingpodcast.com/report

1 Listener

S12E162 John James Staniszewski/Fungitarian - From Nightclubs to Mushrooms: One Man’s Fungitarian Revolution

Vertical Farming Podcast

04/18/25 • 65 min

Ever wondered how a mushroom farm could revolutionize the food industry? I sat down with John James Staniszewski, the creator of the fungitarian lifestyle and a pioneer in the vertical farming space, to uncover the secrets of his success.

John's journey from nightclub manager to mushroom mogul is as fascinating as it is inspiring. He shares how he built a thriving mushroom farm from scratch, producing up to 35,000 pounds of mushrooms per month and supplying over 350 grocery stores.

In this episode, we dive deep into the challenges of starting a vertical farm, the importance of hands-on leadership, and John's vision for creating 10 million fungitarians by 2027. John reveals how his past experiences in bodybuilding and personal training shaped his approach to the mushroom industry.

We also explore the parallels between vertical farming and bodybuilding, the potential of mushrooms in addressing childhood health issues, and John's upcoming launch of bioavailable mushroom tinctures and gummies.

If you're curious about the future of food, the potential of mushrooms, or how to build a successful vertical farming business, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to gain insights from a true innovator in the field.

Thanks to Our Sponsors

Indoor AgCon - https://indoor.ag

Key Takeaways

5:42 Transition from nightclub scene to bodybuilding

11:15 Spiritual journey and discovery of magic mushrooms

16:59 Building a mushroom farm

22:31 Challenges of vertical farming and industry insights

28:15 Developing fungitarian food products and business growth

39:33 Current business operations and partnerships

45:46 Defining success: Goal of 10 million fungitarians by 2027

50:57 Leadership growth and employee management strategies

Tweetable Quotes

"I've always been a weirdo, so in all reality it was for me I've been on this like universal timeline where all the things that I want to embody and do have just been ahead of time.""I believe that I have the opportunity, which you don't get in another lifetime, to be able to gear people towards a new food.""I'd rather have somebody that knows nothing and wants to learn everything than somebody who thinks they know everything."

Resources Mentioned

Website - https://windycitymushroom.com/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-james-staniszewski-0728312ab/

Connect With Us

VFP LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/verticalfarmingpodcast

VFP Twitter - https://twitter.com/VerticalFarmPod

VFP Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/direct/inbox/

VFP Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VerticalFarmPod

Subscribe to our newsletters!

AgTech Digest - https://agtechdigest.com

The Indoor Farmer - https://www.indoorverticalfarm.com/

Horti-Gen Insights - https://www.hortigeninsights.com/

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Podcast Production and Marketing by FullCast

Mentioned in this episode:

AgTech Companies

https://agtechcompanies.com

2025 US Indoor Farm Report

http://verticalfarmingpodcast.com/report

S7E87: Emiliano Gutiérrez / Raiz Farms - Creating a Decentralized Food System & Exploring Blockchain Technology

Vertical Farming Podcast

03/03/23 • 53 min

Episode Summary

In this podcast, Emiliano Gutierrez shares his entrepreneurial journey of creating a sustainable food system through vertical farming. He discusses his vision for using technology, such as solar energy, LEDs, blockchain, and NFTs, to transform the way we think about growing food. Gutierrez shares his personal experiences of building a business from the ground up and the challenges and opportunities that come with it. He also talks about his plans for leveraging blockchain and other technologies to power a decentralized food system. This podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in startups, agriculture, or global solutions and who wants to become an agent of change for a better planet.

Thanks to Our Sponsors

Indoor AgCon - https://indoor.ag

Key Takeaways

Learn how Emiliano’s diverse background and experience inspired him to innovate and create an impact in the food industry
Find out how his entrepreneurial journey led him to create a vertical farming business with a hybrid energy model using LED lights and natural lights
Discover how Raiz Farms is leveraging technology, including blockchain and NFTs, to create a decentralized and traceable food system
Hear about their innovative modular 3D printed farm wall made of biomaterials, intended for local communities, co-working spaces, and regenerative villages
Learn about Raiz’s mission to provide sustainable bamboo housing in Myanmar and a co-working space in Lisbon that grows crops for communities
Find out how Emiliano is constantly challenging himself and his team to ask tough questions about their purpose and impact, and how you can connect with him and his team to learn more.

Tweetable Quotes

“I felt I had the right expertise or at least the right perspective to be able to tackle it in a different manner and actually make something worthwhile that could be made different and take it to market effectively.”

“I think people are constantly looking to give to solid causes and to have animpact. So it's been, I would say, not easy, but easier to bring on boardtalented people to join the mission, because it's something that peoplebelieve in.”

“We went on the hunt, researching for lights that were able to be dimmableand that could be dynamically adapted and adjusted to the intensity of thesolar light on any given day. And then also installed our own little microgrid. So we have ten solar panels installed that can feed almost all of ourenergy needs.”

Resources Mentioned

Emiliano's Website - www.raiz.farm & https://igrownews.com/agtech-companies/raiz-farms/

Emiliano's Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emgtzj18/

Emiliano's Twitter - https://twitter.com/RaizFarms

Emiliano's Email - [email protected]

Raiz Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/raizverticalfarm/

Raiz Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/raizverticalfarms

Raiz Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/raiz-vertical-farms/

Raiz Twitter - https://twitter.com/RaizFarms

Connect With Us

VFP LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/verticalfarmingpodcast

VFP Twitter - https://twitter.com/VerticalFarmPod

VFP Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/direct/inbox/

VFP Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VerticalFarmPod

Subscribe to our newsletters!

AgTech Digest -

S8E92: Sonia Lo / Unfold - Understanding the Role of Genetics in Improving Taste & Yield and Leading with Integrity and Focus

Vertical Farming Podcast

04/14/23 • 56 min

Episode Summary

We kick off Season 8 of the podcast, with Sonia Lo, the CEO of Unfold AG and a prominent figure in the vertical farming industry. She shares her insights on the latest developments in indoor farming, including the role of genetics in improving crop yield and taste. We also discuss the importance of profitability for the industry's scalability and the potential of next-generation agriculture. Sonia’s background in law, management consulting, investment banking provides a unique perspective on entrepreneurship and investment in the agriculture industry. Listeners will be inspired by her passion for delicious food and diversity in the investment process. Tune in for a fascinating discussion about the future of agriculture and entrepreneurship in the 21st century.

Thanks to Our Sponsors

Indoor AgCon - https://indoor.ag

Key Takeaways

Discover the latest developments in indoor farming and how it's becoming a viable part of agricultural infrastructure.
Find out why genetics are going to play an incredibly important role in indoor farming and how it will make it more attractive to consumers.
Explore how Unfold is using molecular information about plants to improve crop yields and taste through computational breeding.
Understand the importance of profitability for the vertical farming industry to scale and become a viable part of agricultural infrastructure.
Understand how venture funds are starting to embrace diversity and why emotion and bias still exist in the investment process.
Discover Sonia Lo's passion for food, including Korean cuisine and her love for pupusas.
Learn how Sonia martial arts background instilled discipline and physical and mental awareness that stayed with her for life.
Gain insight into how Sonia Lo's extensive background in law, management consulting, and investment banking has prepared her to lead Unfold and to help shape the future of the vertical farming industry.

Tweetable Quotes

“I’ve always believed that the genetics piece of indoor growing is going to be transformative. I think that not just for yield, which of course is the big target, but also for taste and texture.”

“Irrespective of what type of form factor you're growing in, irrespective of where you are in terms of your distance to urbanization, I think that genetics will play an incredibly important role.”

“I think we have a brilliant future as long as we act with integrity and focus on the delicious.”

Resources Mentioned

Sonia's Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonia-lo-27527a/

Sonia's Website - https://unfold.ag/

Sonia's Twitter - https://twitter.com/unfold_ag

Sonia's Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAiDfy7j9WFmsIT39zWQU6Q

Sonia's Email - [email protected]

Connect With Us

VFP LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/verticalfarmingpodcast

VFP Twitter - https://twitter.com/VerticalFarmPod

VFP Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/direct/inbox/

VFP Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VerticalFarmPod

Subscribe to our newsletters!

AgTech Digest - https://agtechdigest.com

The Indoor Farmer - https://www.indoorverticalfarm.com/

Horti-Gen Insights - https://www.hortigeninsights.com/

Sponsor Links

Cultivatd’s Website – https://cultivatd.com/

Cultivatd’s Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/cultivatdco/

Cultivatd’s Twitter –

S6E77: Nadun Hennayaka / GAIA Project Australia - Creating a More Symbiotic Relationship Between Mankind & Planet Earth

Vertical Farming Podcast

12/13/22 • 55 min

Episode Summary

Nadun Hennayaka is the Founder and CEO at GAIA Project Australia, an organization with a vision to combine the most developed technologies to produce sustainable food & electricity to every human on this planet. Nadun has over twenty years of experience in engineering and technology and is well-versed in the global technology arena. Today, he and Harry discuss the current offerings of GAIA Project Australia, their recent partnership with NASA, and the ways in which Nadun is shining a light on hydroponics and vertical farming.

Thanks to Our Sponsors

Indoor AgCon - https://indoor.ag

Key Takeaways

07:13 – Nadun Hennayaka joins the show to discuss his educational background, the unpredictable weather of Melbourne, and the origins of GAIA Project

15:32 – Nadun speaks to the eclectic projects he’s working on, from renewable energy to hydroponics

17:52 – The current offerings of GAIA Project Australia

20:26 – Partnering with NASA

25:25 – Shining a light on hydroponics and vertical farming

28:05 – The role that mentors played in Nadun’s career and how Nadun thinks about team building

33:21 – Nadun’s goal for GAIA Project Australia and Nadun’s ‘Why’

40:15 – What Nadun does to relax and unwind

41:43 – A tough question Nadun has had to ask himself recently, something he’s changed his mind about recently, and what he’s most looking forward to

48:36 – A specific ask Nadun has for his peers and colleagues in this space

49:29 – Harry thanks Nadun for joining the show and lets listeners know where they can go to connect with her and learn more about GAIA Project Australia

Tweetable Quotes

“Happiness is a byproduct of service. So, doing something for the betterment of mankind truly was something I wanted to do.” (12:15) (Nadun)

“As you know, hydroponics is not a fix for everything in the food sector. We can fix approximately fifteen to twenty percent of the food sector, maximum. But, if you can fix twenty percent, you only have eighty percent to fix. So the problem is lesser.” (25:10) (Nadun)

“My original plan, two years ago, was truly to build a full turnkey supply, to go from everything from the channels, to the Hvac, to the automation. What I have learned is you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. There’s someone who’s already invented certain components and are really great at it. And, if you have something great, why don’t we just collaborate with each other’s companies and come up with a single solution?” (33:36) (Nadun)

“I’m glad I have chosen a path that I think there’s a potential for it [GAIA Project] to be something really great that can truly change or help mankind. For me, I want to make sure the world is a better place because I was here.” (39:38) (Nadun)

Resources Mentioned

Nadun’s LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadunhennayaka/?originalSubdomain=au

GAIA Project Australia – https://gaiaprojectaustralia.com.au/

GAIA Project Australia Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/gaiaprojectaustralia/

GAIA Project Australia Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077527422613

GAIA Project Australia LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/gaia-project-australia/

Connect With Us

VFP LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/verticalfarmingpodcast

VFP Twitter - https://twitter.com/VerticalFarmPod

VFP Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/direct/inbox/

VFP Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VerticalFarmPod

Subscribe to our newsletters!

AgTech Digest - https://agtechdigest.com

The Indoor Farmer - ht...

S9E118 Christopher Thomasen / Seasony - From Engineer to Entrepreneur: The Transformational Journey and The Vision for The Future of Vertical Farming

Vertical Farming Podcast

11/10/23 • 47 min

Can a journey encompassing exotic travels, engineering, and entrepreneurship shape the future of vertical farming? This episode unravels that mystery as we sit down with Christopher Weis Thomasen, CEO and Co-founder of Seasony. A vivid storyteller, Christopher shares his transformative experiences from Namibia to Japan, painting a vivid picture of how these encounters helped develop his entrepreneurial mindset.

Moving away from traditional farming, Christopher takes us through his pivot to automation and standardization in vertical farming. The intriguing conversation touches on the challenges and benefits of adopting new technology in farming, particularly mobile robotics. His insights on transitioning small farms to automation are enlightening, putting into perspective the critical role of automation in the future of farming.

As we explore the future of vertical farming, Christopher lays out his vision for localized food production, demonstrating how global trends are pushing this new norm. From the benefits of space efficiency to the practical advantages for retailers and end users, he paints a promising picture of large scale, near distribution food production. His candid advice on finding your place in the value chain and automating processes early is an invaluable takeaway. Tune in and connect with an episode that showcases the landscape of vertical farming through the lens of a savvy entrepreneur.

Thanks to Our SponsorsAgTech Marketing Team

Horti Agri Next MEA

Key Takeaways

00:00 Entrepreneurship and Travel

05:35 Robotics in Vertical Farming

16:47 Automation and Standardization in Vertical Farming

28:33 Engineers and Conferences in Vertical Farming

32:27 Vertical Farming's Importance and Future

36:50 The Future of Vertical Farming

Tweetable Quotes

"As an entrepreneur, I think you can get pretty caught up in working all the time, so it's nice to just plug out a little bit and basically see something else.""So if there's a lot of robotics engineers that are working on a super interesting problem that tends to attract other robotics engineers to go to that same place because here they can exchange ideas and spar with colleagues that are in the same fields.""The sooner the better. Typically. I mean we would love to get involved quite early in the process, also in the design process, to help the vertical farms actually figure out how do they design for automation in the best possible way."

Resources Mentioned

Chris' Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-weis-thomasen/

Chris' Email - [email protected]

Connect With Us

VFP LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/verticalfarmingpodcast

VFP Twitter - https://twitter.com/VerticalFarmPod

VFP Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/direct/inbox/

VFP Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VerticalFarmPod

Subscribe to our newsletters!

AgTech Digest - https://agtechdigest.com

The Indoor Farmer - https://www.indoorverticalfarm.com/

Horti-Gen Insights - https://www.hortigeninsights.com/

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Podcast Production and Marketing by FullCast

Mentioned in this episode:

AgTech Companies

https://agtechcompanies.com

2025 US Indoor Farm Report

http://verticalfarmingpodcast.com/report

S10E125 Daniel Plant / Plant Dynamics - The Unconventional Path From the Armed Forces to AgTech Strategist

Vertical Farming Podcast

02/16/24 • 61 min

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 professional endeavors. It's not every day you meet someone who can seamlessly merge military precision with the dynamic needs of an agtech consultancy, and Daniel's experiences offer invaluable lessons for anyone looking to make a meaningful impact.

We'll navigate the intricate transformation of Plant Dynamics from its early days to its current role as a guiding light in agtech strategy. Daniel generously shares the hurdles and triumphs encountered along the way, including adapting to the startup culture and confronting challenges like the global pandemic and shifting supply chains. As we explore the future of CEA, Daniel's insights into the critical importance of data and clear business communication illuminate the path forward for the industry. This conversation is a must-listen for those curious about the intersection of agriculture, technology, and business strategy, as we connect the dots between resilience, innovation, and the drive to revolutionize farming practices.

Thanks to Our Sponsors

Indoor AgCon - https://indoor.ag

Key Takeaways

00:00 Exploring Worldview and Career Choices

16:13 The Evolution of Plant Dynamics

25:10 Shift Towards Detailed Microeconomics in AgTech

36:13 Challenges and Opportunities in CEA Development

44:56 Communication Challenges in the CEA Industry

52:14 Advancing CEA Infrastructure for Fresh Produce

Tweetable Quotes

"What pays for the nation's bills is the earnings of the people. And if you do all kinds of analysis on this question different places, different points of time what determines GDP per capita you will find that the most powerful explanatory variable is the cost of extracting energy."

"Now I am seeing a big shift from scale to super detailed microeconomics and unit economics... there's now, I think, full appreciation that you need to come in and have some kind of a corporate structure around your production facility, which includes sales and marketing and should include offtake agreements, such that you have a business plan that is more than just a design of a facility before you begin."

"I want to make economics more actionable because it is very helpful. It can clarify strategy. But how you bridge that gap, to take something that feels so esoteric and far-flung from the immediate problems people are trying to address, and communicate it in a simple way that it can be adopted that's always a challenge."

Resources Mentioned

Website - https://www.plantdynamics.co/

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/danplant/

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S9E110: Robin Vincent / CanobiTech - Journey of Canobi Technologies: A Glimpse into Tech Leadership and Sustainable Agriculture

Vertical Farming Podcast

09/08/23 • 49 min

Have you ever wondered how the world of technology collides with the world of agriculture? Prepare to be spellbound as we sit down with Robin Vincent, the tech-savvy CEO and CINNO of Canobi Technologies. Robin takes us through his fascinating journey, from his early fascination with technology and his evolution from infrastructure architect to CEO. He paints a vivid picture of his personal project to reduce the mortality rate of stingrays and seahorses, a venture that guided him towards the creation of Canobi.

The conversation takes a deep dive as we explore the company’s growth, challenges, and its unique product offerings. Robin enlightens us about their Agri-agent network, and the relentless testing that takes place in their in-house lab. From the plains of Kenya to the valleys of South Africa, we traverse the rising interest in agriculture, the impact of Canobi Academy's online education, and the exhilaration of being part of a nascent industry. We also touch on the upcoming Green Tech and Innovation Summit conferences and the ripple effects they will have on the industry.

As our conversation winds down, we delve into the innovative world of vertical farming, looking at energy efficiency and the potential of integrating different technologies. Robin talks about the importance of collaboration, the richness of experiential learning, and how Canobi Technologies is empowering farmers with technology. Robin's optimism and excitement for what lies ahead in the vertical farming industry are infectious. So join us on this insightful journey with Robin Vincent!

Thanks to Our SponsorsAgTech Marketing Team

Vertifarm - Use code VFPODCAST23

CEA Summit East

Key Takeaways

0:00:20 - Navigating the CEO Journey

0:03:44 - Love for Tech and Electronics Origins

0:21:50 - Ubuntu Wellness and Growing Nutritious Food

0:26:36 - Conference Travel and Networking Discussion

0:33:43 - Energy Efficiency in Farming Innovations

0:39:26 - Loneliness and Challenges of Entrepreneurship

0:43:04 - Importance of Social Component in Organizations

Tweetable Quotes

"I see the world as vastly unfinished... I see solutions, I don't really see problems."

"We learned an awful lot more from our failures than our successes. While we're busy trying to break everything and figure out how not to grow strawberries, we're also trying to figure out how to keep them going."

"Every single human being on this planet could have access to food. We now have the technical ability to grow food anywhere on this planet."