S3E33: Dave Dinesen - Localized Growing: If Not Now, When

Episode Summary

Join Harry Duran, host of Vertical Farming Podcast, as he welcomes to the show serial entrepreneur, Dave Dinesen. Dave is the CEO of CubicFarm Systems, a local chain agtech company that provides unique automated onsite commercial-scale food and livestock feed technologies. Dave is committed to applying technology to address global challenges like food security and climate change. In this episode, Harry and Dave discuss the impact the pandemic has had on the vertical farming industry, why Dave places such a high value on equity in the workplace and the critical tipping point we’ve arrived at for the future of our food supply.

Episode Sponsor

CULTIVATD

Key Takeaways

• 02:37 – Harry welcomes to the show Dave Dinesen, CEO of CubicFarm Systems Netled, who talks about the effects of the global pandemic and how the vertical farming industry has evolved throughout the years
• 06:33 – What inspired Dave to launch CubicFarms Systems and early stages of the company
• 09:53 – Dave talks about why he believes so many are leaving their fields to work in AgTech
• 13:31 – Dave discusses his strong belief in equity, treating his employees the best he possibly can and where this vision originated from
• 21:40 – Dave speaks to the evolution of CubicFarms Systems’ offerings, current offerings and the markets they serve
• 29:53 – Dave talks about CubicFarms Systems winning the Dairy Farmers for Nexus Innovation Award
• 31:22 – What excites Dave the most about the future of vertical farming
• 33:33 – Positive trends Dave hopes to continue post-pandemic world
• 35:46 – Challenges and opportunities that CubicFarms faces in the near future
• 36:48 – A tough question Dave has had to ask himself recently
• 37:54 – Dave provides best practices for leadership and who he looks to for inspiration
• 41:08 – What Dave does to unwind at the end of the workday and what’s something Dave has changed his mind about recently
• 43:22 – What has Dave excited about the future of CubicFarms Systems
• 45:25 – Harry thanks Dave for joining the show and let’s listeners know where they can learn more about CubicFarms Systems and connect with Dave

Tweetable Quotes

“We are looking for people that get really, really jazzed by what we are doing. So, literally the mission and vision of our company that share our values that know that something has to change. And it’s going to take a collection of entrepreneurial, visionary, courageous people to come into work every day and create this industry.” (10:29)

“Yes you want to invest in a company that’s helping to feed the planet, localize food production, save water and reduce greenhouse gases. And at the same time, treat the people doing the work as well as you possibly can.” (15:38)

“If our company succeeds, all of our employees succeed. If our company fails, it’s gonna be partly everybody’s fault. And I think when you’ve got skin in the game, you’re just gonna make sure it doesn’t fail.” (20:16)

“If you just talked about the greenhouse gas issue, HydroGreen significantly decreases greenhouse gases.” (30:45)

“I’m hoping that when the pandemic sort of ends that a lot of this doesn’t change. We still need to meet people and share a meal, but there’s a lot that’s good about this as tragic as it’s been.” (33:07)

“You’ve gotta have great people who are better at what they do than you are and you’ve gotta have that great, trusting relationship. And know that you’re not gonna have a blind spot. There’s that saying, ‘Nobody’s perfect, but a team can be.’ And I just so subscribe to that.” (39:39)

Links Mentioned

Dave’s LinkedIn

CubicFarm Systems Website

Dave’s Band

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