CropTalk

Anthony Younan is the vertical market head of Food & Beverage at Siemens. On this episode of CropTalk #KyleTalksAgtech, Anthony and I delve into the critical role of data collection and its pivotal role in fueling AI and the evolution of CEA. With a strong emphasis on grower precision and the immense potential AI holds for the advancement of growing excellence, tune in to gain a deeper understanding of why data collection is paramount today for shaping a transformative tomorrow.

Jim Pantaleo is the Industry Ambassador for the AI Institute for Next Gen Food Systems. With extensive experience in CEA through roles at Urban Produce, Oasis Biotech and Indoor Ag Con, Jim has a plethora of experience to share with the industry. In this episode of CropTalk #KyleTalksAgtech, Jim and I delve into the crux of industry dynamics, emphasizing the pivotal role of Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) and unveiling Jim's Triple P Approach for success in CEA.

In this episode of CropTalk #Kyletalksagtech, I chat with Daniel Plant, President of Plant Dynamics, an Economics-driven executive in Controlled Environment Agriculture. We explore his data-focused approach, discussing the importance of backing claims with clear data as Dan offers insights into the future of the industry, and the significance of 'following the puck' in agtech. Tune in as we dissect the nuances of CEA through a pragmatic lens, delving into the economic forces shaping its trajectory.

Curt Meltzer, founder of Curt Meltzer CEA Consulting, is a distinguished professional with a remarkable journey. With a wealth of experience as the former CEO of Kentucky Fresh Harvest and a background as an attorney, Curt brings a diverse and experienced perspective to controlled environment agriculture. In this episode of CropTalk #KyleTalksAgtech, Curt and I delve into the dynamic evolution of CEA. We explore the risks associated with unsubstantiated claims and share our hopeful outlook for the future as we transition from CEA 1.0 to the transformative CEA 2.0 era.

Gretchen Schimelpfenig is the Senior Energy Engineer at Energy Resources Integration, LLC and the Executive Director of GLASE. On this episode of CropTalk #KyleTalksAgTech Gretchen and I discuss the importance of energy optimization, utilizing the available resources to maximize your efficiencies and some of the key strategies to overcome the collective industry data siloing occurring.

Patrik Borenius is the CEO of Green Automation Americas. On this episode of CropTalk #KyleTaksAgTech I speak with Patrik about the future of leafy greens greenhouse production, some of the challenges vertical farms are facing, and how we can best evolve in an ever-changing industry.

With a wealth of industry experience ranging from Gotham Greens to Vertical Future, Erin Livesey-Becks is dedicated to the future of CEA through her newly launched consultancy, Gist. On this episode of CropTalk #KyleTalksAgtech Erin and I have an honest conversation about how we can collectively improve by staying true to our promises, setting realistic expectation, and leaning on proven experts to guide us while maintaing an open mind and patient attiude.

Matt Lingard is the Senior Vice President of Agriculture and Science at BrightFarms. On this episode of CropTalk #KyleTalksAgtech I speak with Matt about some of the key challenges CEA leafy green growers are experiencing, his strategies for overcoming obstacles, and how we are in the business of people as much as we are in the business of plants.

Craig Carlson is the CEO of Carlson Produce Consulting, where he is supporting the growth of high-performance products and services within the fresh produce supply chain. Craig has had extensive experience working with giants such as Walmart and US Foods, now with a consultative focus on large scale CEA endeavors. In this episode of CropTalk #KyleTalksAgtech Craig and I discuss the importance of mastering distribution in order for any CEA producer to win, the importance of having a unified message that transcends all growers and resonates with consumers, along with what the future landscape of CEA may look like.

Stephanie Cruz is the R&D Lead Crop Specialist at 80 Acres. From her initial aspirations of managing an independent organic farm to her newfound passion for data and technology, Stephanie is at the forefront of driving progress in maximizing value through her endeavors in experimenting with a diverse array of Cultivars. In this episode of CropTalk #KyleTalksAgtech Stephanie and I discuss the value of cultivar selection and trialing how her journey through horticulture exemplifies the continuous cycle of learning and personal growth the CEA industry provides.