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In this episode, Mark Jewell sits down with Martha Schlicher, CEO of Impetus Ag, to talk about intentional leadership, innovation, and the reality of building agricultural startups in today’s rapidly evolving landscape. From her groundbreaking work at Monsanto to leading a new venture tackling crop pest resistance, Martha shares hard-earned wisdom on stewardship, startup grit, and the responsibility of developing sustainable solutions for growers.

This is a conversation about courage, clarity, and conviction in leadership—how to make every day and every dollar count when you’re stewarding people, purpose, and innovation that impacts global food systems.

Key Takeaways:

• Intentional Leadership Means Stewarding Time and Resources Wisely: Martha defines intentionality as treating every day and every dollar like it matters—because it does. Whether in startups or large corporations, clarity of purpose drives impact and innovation.
• Innovation Is Born from Necessity: As pests evolve and resistance grows, new agricultural solutions are essential. Impetus Ag is pioneering technology that restores the effectiveness of BT traits, helping growers protect crops sustainably without dependency on “Big Ag.
• Startup Culture Mirrors the Farm: Martha likens leading a startup to running a farm—no room for ego, wasted time, or bureaucracy. Every team member must contribute and take ownership, from taking out the trash to innovating at the bench.
• Transparency Builds Trust: Intentional leaders walk a fine line between honesty and stability. Martha shares how leaders can be transparent about challenges without creating panic—fostering an environment of candor, collaboration, and accountability.
• The Power of Mentorship and Values: From her parents’ lessons on work ethic to guidance from mentors like Rob Fraley, Martha credits much of her success to learning from others and holding firm to moral lines in the sand—values that guide every decision.

Notable Quotes:

• “Every day and every dollar matters. That’s what it means to be intentional.” – Martha Schlicher
• “If you can’t find a way through the mountain, go around it, over it, or under it—but don’t stop moving.” – Martha Schlicher
• “Intentional leaders are innovative. We see problems and create solutions that move the whole industry forward.” – Mark Jewell
• “Draw your line in the sand—your values, your morals—and never cross it. That’s your anchor.” – Martha Schlicher
• “Transparency isn’t weakness. It’s how we build trust and accelerate growth.” – Martha Schlicher

Action Steps:

• Reflect on where you might be operating on autopilot. How can you treat your time and resources more intentionally this week?
• Revisit your company culture: Are you fostering ownership, honesty, and innovation across your team?
• Seek mentorship—learn from leaders who’ve been where you want to go.
• Explore the mission and technology behind Impetus Ag at ImpetusAg.com.

Listen If You Are:

• A leader or entrepreneur in agriculture or agritech
• Building a startup or small business with limited resources
• Seeking to integrate innovation, stewardship, and integrity in leadership
• Curious about the future of sustainable ag and biotech innovation