Ideas, energized.: Recent Episodes
Larta Institute
Our biweekly podcast features provocative discussions and thoughtful exploration of innovations in science, technology, the environment, and everything in between. Our guests include thought-leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, activists, and experts in the global innovation economy.
In this podcast, you will hear from Dr. Paul Goering, former VP of Allina Health’s Mental Health and Addictions Services; Kelechi Ubozoh, a mental health consultant, author and advocate; and Dr. Kelly Koerner, CEO of Jaspr Health and Larta Institute alumni company.
The following podcast contains sensitive topics that some listeners may find disturbing. Listener discretion is advised.
In Part 2, Dr. Brouwer examines hydrogen and fuel cell global markets/trends, discusses whether existing infrastructure could be used for hydrogen storage and provides policy recommendations for how hydrogen and fuel cell solutions can achieve widespread adoption.
Ideas, Energized Podcast Series
Presented by Larta Institute
Hosted by David Berokoff, Director, Energy Practice, Larta Institute
In Episode 1, Part 1 Dr. Jack Brouwer, Professor at UC Irvine & Energy System Dynamics Expert joins David Berokoff to discuss existing net-zero carbon technologies, the history of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, the transition from reliance on fossil fuel-derived hydrogen to more sustainable hydrogen production targets.
Themes: energy, carbon technologies, fuel cell technologies, fossil fuels, climate change
Ideas, Energized: Deeper Dive Series
Presented by Larta Institute and OCP North America
Hosted by Rodger Wasson of Farm to Table Talk
Episode 8 of the Deeper Dive features Nicola Kerslake, Founder, Contain, Inc.
Nicola Kerslake, Founder of Contain Inc., joins Rodger to discuss the innovations and solutions that indoor ag can provide for our food supply chain and farming footprint. She will dive into how Contain was founded and its mission, how indoor ag can support traditional farming, and share the variety of unique spaces that be utilized for indoor farming. Themes: indoor agtech, investment trends, supply chain & farming footprint solutions, robotics,
Subthemes: AI, opportunities and insight for innovators
Ideas, Energized: Deeper Dive Series
Presented by Larta Institute and OCP North America
Hosted by Rodger Wasson of Farm to Table Talk
Episode 7 of the Deeper Dive features Anastasia Volkova, CEO, Regrow
In this episode, Anastasia Volkova, CEO of Regrow, joins Rodger to discuss scaling data collection -- remote sensing, modeling, and soil sampling - and how collaboratively harnessing these tools could increase scale, quality, and accuracy, helping to create resilient and sustainable agriculture across the supply chain. Learn more about how these tools are used to impact climate change through increasing input efficiency.
Themes: Harnessing the power of data. How new technologies are helping combat climate change
Ideas, Energized: Deeper Dive Series
Presented by Larta Institute and OCP North AmericaHosted by Rodger Wasson of Farm to Table Talk
Episode 6 of Deeper Dive features Kari Hernandez, VP of Carbon Operations at Indigo Ag
In this episode Kari Hernandez, VP of Carbon Operations at Indigo Ag joins Rodger to discuss the challenges and opportunities for farmers looking to get into carbon credits. They discuss the role of innovation and how data collection and digital solutions can help.
Themes: carbon sequestration, farmer engagement
Sub Themes: ag-tech adoption
Deeper Dive is a monthly limited series that will focus on the innovators and issues that are redefining global agriculture. Larta Institute has assisted and transformed over 6,000 early-stage innovations, working with entrepreneurs to help them achieve measurable goals and access specialized expertise through a unique network of industry experts and award-winning commercialization programs. Larta also hosts the annual Ag Innovation Showcase, bringing together innovators, investors, and industry leaders to address today’s most pressing agriculture issues, and to develop tomorrow’s solutions. Learn more by visiting Larta.org or Agshowcase.com, and don’t forget to subscribe to Ideas, Energized for updates and new episodes.
Ideas, Energized: Deeper Dive Series
Presented by Larta Institute and OCP North AmericaHosted by Rodger Wasson of Farm to Table Talk
Episode 5 of Deeper Dive features Danny Royer, CSO of Grower's Insight.
In this episode Rodger speaks with Danny Royer of Grower’s Insight to discuss how we can better bridge the gap between farmers and innovators.
Themes: Ag-tech adoption, market fit, farmer engagement, bridging the gap between farmers and innovators
Deeper Dive is a monthly limited series that will focus on the innovators and issues that are redefining global agriculture. Larta Institute has assisted and transformed over 6,000 early-stage innovations, working with entrepreneurs to help them achieve measurable goals and access specialized expertise through a unique network of industry experts and award-winning commercialization programs. Larta also hosts the annual Ag Innovation Showcase, bringing together innovators, investors, and industry leaders to address today’s most pressing agriculture issues, and to develop tomorrow’s solutions. Learn more by visiting Larta.org or Agshowcase.com, and don’t forget to subscribe to Ideas, Energized for updates and new episodes.
Ideas, Energized: Deeper Dive Series
Presented by Larta Institute and OCP North AmericaHosted by Rodger Wasson of Farm to Table Talk
Episode 4 of Deeper Dive features Mitchell Hora, Farmer, Founder/CEO Continuum Ag, Co-Host of Field Work Podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @Continuum_Ag
Climate change can be a sensitive and polarizing topic for farmers. In this episode Rodger talks with Mitchell Hora founder of Continuum Ag who has first-hand experience working with farmers on adapting to more sustainable agricultural practices. Through his work Mitchell understands the benefits and challenge that sustainable agriculture presents to farmers.
Themes: Climate change, disruptive farming practices, farmer engagement, environmental impact, role of innovation, social impact
Deeper Dive is a monthly limited series that will focus on the innovators and issues that are redefining global agriculture. Larta Institute has assisted and transformed over 6,000 early-stage innovations, working with entrepreneurs to help them achieve measurable goals and access specialized expertise through a unique network of industry experts and award-winning commercialization programs. Larta also hosts the annual Ag Innovation Showcase, bringing together innovators, investors, and industry leaders to address today’s most pressing agriculture issues, and to develop tomorrow’s solutions. Learn more by visiting Larta.org or Agshowcase.com, and don’t forget to subscribe to Ideas, Energized for updates and new episodes.
Ideas, Energized: Deeper Dive Series Presented by Larta and OCP North AmericaHosted by Rodger Wasson of Farm to Table Talk
Episode 3 of Deeper Dive features Dan Poston, Director of Agronomy, Pivot Bio and Jim Elser, Director, Sustainable Phosphorus Alliance
Nutrient management is a challenge in agriculture; when handled correctly, it can provide great benefit, but when mismanaged, it can result in serious consequences. Jim Elser, Director of the Sustainable Phosphorus Alliance and Dan Poston, Director of Agronomy at Pivot Bio join host Rodger Wasson to discuss how innovation can play a key role in improved nutrient optimization and how nutrient efficiency and management can reduce the nutrient runoff.
Themes: Sustainable agriculture, nutrient density, carbon capture, supply chain, social impact, rural development
***Deeper Dive is a monthly limited series that will focus on the innovators and issues that are redefining global agriculture. Larta Institute has assisted and transformed over 10,000 early-stage innovations, working with entrepreneurs to help them achieve measurable goals and access specialized expertise through a unique network of industry experts and award-winning commercialization programs. Larta also hosts the annual Ag Innovation Showcase, bringing together innovators, investors, and industry leaders to address today’s most pressing agriculture issues, and to develop tomorrow’s solutions. Learn more by visiting Larta.org or Agshowcase.com, and don’t forget to subscribe to Ideas, Energized for updates and new episodes.
Ideas, Energized: Deeper Dive Series Presented by Larta and OCP North AmericaHosted by Rodger Wasson of Farm to Table Talk
Episode 2 of Deeper Dive features Han Chen, CEO of ZeaKal (www.zeakal.com), a plant traits innovator developing technologies that have been proven to increase carbon capture, improve nutrient use efficiency, elevate protein, and promote higher levels of healthier oils across several crops. To make agriculture more responsive to the needs of the future, we must produce more affordable, nutritious food in a sustainable way. Han Chen will discuss how agriculture can sustain productivity while enhancing nutrient density and nutrient use efficiency through improved photosynthesis.
Themes: Sustainable agriculture, nutrient density, carbon capture, supply chain, social impact, rural development
Deeper Dive is a monthly limited series that will focus on the innovators and issues that are redefining global agriculture. Larta Institute has assisted and transformed over 10,000 early-stage innovations, working with entrepreneurs to help them achieve measurable goals and access specialized expertise through a unique network of industry experts and award-winning commercialization programs. Larta also hosts the annual Ag Innovation Showcase, bringing together innovators, investors, and industry leaders to address today’s most pressing agriculture issues, and to develop tomorrow’s solutions. Learn more by visiting Larta.org or Agshowcase.com, and don’t forget to subscribe to Ideas, Energized for updates and new episodes.
Ideas, Energized: Deeper Dive Series
Presented by Larta and OCP North America Hosted by Rodger Wasson of Farm to Table Talk
Featured Guests:
Kerry McNamara, CEO, OCP North America Sara Boettiger, Head of Global Public Affairs, Science & Sustainability, Bayer
Deeper Dive is a monthly limited series that will focus on the innovators and issues that are redefining global agriculture. Larta Institute has assisted and transformed over 10,000 early-stage innovations, working with entrepreneurs to help them achieve measurable goals and access specialized expertise through a unique network of industry experts and award-winning commercialization programs. Larta also hosts the annual Ag Innovation Showcase, bringing together innovators, investors, and industry leaders to address today’s most pressing agriculture issues, and to develop tomorrow’s solutions. Learn more by visiting Larta.org or Agshowcase.com, and don’t forget to subscribe to Ideas, Energized for updates and new episodes.
FINAL EPISODE of our special 10-part Ag Showcase Series:
Join our guests, Rohit Shukla and Naveen Sikka, as we revisit the 12th Annual Ag Innovation Showcase. We'll take a look back at some of the best moments our first fully-virtual event had to offer, particularly relating to the 3 major themes: developing climate-smart agriculture, building nutrient-dense food systems and addressing concerns on the health of farms and farmers.
About our guests: Rohit ShuklaRohit is chief executive officer and founder of Larta Institute, the creators of the Ag Innovation Showcase, and an internationally-recognized technology accelerator founded in 1993 with the mission to transform ideas into enterprises that feed, fuel and heal the world. To date, Larta has assisted more than 10,000 companies in commercializing innovations in science and technology, particularly in agriculture and the life sciences. Learn more at www.larta.org.
Naveen SikkaNaveen is the founder and CEO of TerViva, a Series-D agriculture technology company that is building the world’s most sustainable supply chain of plant protein and vegetable oil. Under his leadership, TerViva has unlocked pongamia’s potential as a climate-friendly, nutritional powerhouse for feeding the world’s rising population. TerViva is a Larta portfolio company and AIS alum. Formed in 2010, TerViva is an agricultural technology company that produces pongamia trees with abundant protein- and oil-rich seeds similar to soybeans. They provide patented high-yielding trees to growers and offer proprietary bean processing to create sustainable food ingredients. TerViva uses pongamia to restore degraded farmland to productive use. They are dedicated to helping growers feed people while taking care of the planet. https://www.terviva.com/
About our hosts: We're honored to have as special co-hosts Rodger Wasson of Farm to Table Talk and Michael Reid Dimock of Flipping the Table, veteran agriculture podcasters. The series will highlight conversations that will connect you to key innovators and thought leaders in food and agriculture.
This series was made possible through the sponsorship of OCP North America, the US subsidiary of the OCP Group, a global leader in plant nutrition and soil fertility solutions.
EPISODE 9 of our special 10-part Ag Showcase Series:
This episode features Kristine MacRae and Deborah Wilson from the Sustainable Beef: Exploring Solutions That Enhance Trust panel discussion that was featured at the 2020 Ag Innovation Showcase last month. This conversation takes a deeper dive into the discussion on the innovations and challenges associated with sustainable beef.
About our guests:
Kristine MacRae - CEO and Founder of WestSky Technology Kristine is CEO for Rae Foundry, a product design and bus dev consultancy in health care and AgTech focused on leveraging artificial intelligence, streamlined user experience, and secure data integration for precision solutions. She recently co-launched West Sky Technology to work with beef cattle ranchers to leverage technology to improve herd value, animal welfare, and land use, and to connect rural farms directly to consumers. Kristine brings more than 20 years’ experience launching new and innovative products for start-ups and Fortune 500 firms in highly regulated industries such as healthcare, agriculture, satellite TV, and state and local governments.
West Sky Technology focuses on making life easier for ranchers by improving animal welfare and ranch management to reduce losses, increase revenues, and improve herd value to enhance ranching as a way of life. Building the beneficial agriculture system of the future, direct to new markets, by engaging eco-minded beef consumers with sustainable cattle ranchers. https://westskytech.com/ Deborah Wilson - Chief Industry Engagement Officer at TrustBIX Deborah is a well-known advocate for both traceability and sustainability.
TrustBIX has helped Canada become the first country in the world to deliver Certified Sustainable Beef through the supply chain and is recognized as a leader in Blockchain technology in the Canadian Cattle industry. Working with different parts of the supply chain, as a value-added traceability provider and a trusted third party for data management, TrustBIX is becoming the information backbone of Canada’s beef industry. The company has built a system that unlocks the value of data for everyone – from producers to processors to retailers. TrustBIX is building trust in the entire supply chain, which is vital in Canada and to the rest of the world. BIXS is recognized as the Canadian Beef Advantage. https://www.trustbix.com/ We're honored to have as special co-hosts Rodger Wasson of Farm to Table Talk and Michael Reid Dimock of Flipping the Table, veteran agriculture podcasters. The series will highlight conversations that will connect you to key innovators and thought leaders in food and agriculture.
Join our guest host Ben Dickow (Executive Director of the Columbia Memorial Space Center and City of STEM Festival director) in conversation with Karmin Noar (Executive Director of Biocom Institute) and Rohit Shukla (Founder and CEO of Larta Institute) as they discuss how the Greater LA Region has contributed to the empowerment of STEM education, what diversity means to them, and how we can raise the next generation of STEM leaders as part of the legacy of Los Angeles.
City of STEM officially kicks off with a virtual event streaming LIVE on Youtube on Saturday, October 10. Dozens of STEM partners across Southern California - from science rock bands, museums, universities to special guest engineers - have come together to produce over 18 hours of streaming content across multiple channels from 10am – 5pm. This includes exciting live and recorded demonstrations, compelling updates from real scientists and engineers, along with special guests including Jason Latimer, the talent behind the recently released YouTube series “Impossible Science. “
City of STEM, LA’s largest science program, usually runs the entire month of April with over 150 events occurring across Greater LA. Due to the pandemic, the live events, which usually see tens of thousands of attendees, had to be postponed. Now, we are going online! If you’re a fan of STEM, this is the ultimate event for you. Get updates on the new space race with real rocket scientists and NASA engineers! Learn how to grow a STEM kid! See the latest local science being leveraged to combat COVID!
Learn more at cityofstem.org
Biocom Institute is a 501(c)(3) organization established in 2008 by Biocom, the largest and most experienced advocate for California’s life science sector. Their mission is to develop and promote a skilled and diverse pipeline of talent to accelerate the growth of the California’s life science ecosystem. They collaborate with the life science industry, government, non-profits, the K-12 and community college systems, institutions of higher education, and other stakeholders to meet and anticipate the workforce needs of the life science community, and to promote the advancement of life science talent throughout the world.
Learn more at biocominstitute.org
Ideas, Energized™ is a powered by Larta Institute, a Los Angeles based non-profit organization whose mission is to help entrepreneurs bring their early-stage science and technology innovations to global markets.
Learn more at larta.org
EPISODE 8 of our special 10-part Ag Showcase Series:
Renée Vassilos is The Nature Conservancy’s Director of Agriculture Innovation. She manages TNC’s investments in innovative companies that will help scale regenerative agriculture production practices.
Join our discussion on the critical components of regenerative agriculture: farm profitability and practices that support soil regeneration, including cover crops, no-till, increased rotations, and reintroduction of agroforestry.
We're honored to have as special co-hosts Rodger Wasson of Farm to Table Talk and Michael Reid Dimock of Flipping the Table, veteran agriculture podcasters. The series will highlight conversations that will connect you to key innovators and thought leaders in food and agriculture who you'll be hearing more from at this year's Showcase.
This is episode 7 of a special series that will preview the topics and people that will drive the important discussions at this year's Ag Innovation Showcase, which will be held virtually for the first time, this August 27th and 28th.
Join us next week for more exciting discussions and introductions to the industry’s most exciting new ag technologies!
ABOUT OUR GUESTS from the CONSULATE GENERAL OF CANADA
In this episode, join Rodger and Michael as they talk with Christina Connelly and Evan Cohen, Trade Commissioners from Consulate General of Canada. They will talk about the 2020 Canadian Technology Accelerator program and its focus on agtech. They'll also be joined by Bill Greuel, CEO of Protein Industries Canada Supercluster . All episodes of Ideas, Energized can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, and Stitcher. You can also listen by clicking the link above.
Our hosts for this special series are Michael Reid Dimock and Rodger Wasson. Michael is the host of the podcast Flipping the Table, featuring honest conversations about food, farming, and the future. Rodger is the Host of Farm to Table Talk, which brings listeners ideas, insights, and journeys from farm to table.
This series was made possible through the sponsorship of OCP North America, the US subsidiary of the OCP Group, a global leader in plant nutrition and soil fertility solutions.
This is episode 6 of a special series that will preview the topics and people that will drive the important discussions at this year's AG INNOVATION SHOWCASE, which will be held virtually for the first time, this August 27th and 28th.
ABOUT OCP North America
OCP North America is a subsidiary of the OCP Group, a global leader in plant nutrition and soil fertility solutions. With over a century of expertise in the market of phosphate and derivatives, the Group offers an extensive range of products to enrich soils and increase agricultural yields across five continents. Leveraging its presence in the US and Canada, OCP North America engages with growers and the complex web of companies that serve their needs, to assure that we are providing farmers with the right products, at the right time, and at the right price so they can be productive, innovative and profitable while contributing to more sustainable and environmentally responsible food systems.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ocpna/about/
Our hosts for this special series are Michael Reid Dimock and Rodger Wasson. Michael is the host of the podcast Flipping the Table, featuring honest conversations about food, farming, and the future. Rodger is the Host of Farm to Table Talk, which brings listeners ideas, insights, and journeys from farm to table.
This series was made possible through the sponsorship of OCP North America, the US subsidiary of the OCP Group, a global leader in plant nutrition and soil fertility solutions.
This is episode 5 of a special series that will preview the topics and people that will drive the important discussions at this year's AG INNOVATION SHOWCASE, which will be held virtually for the first time, this August 27th and 28th.
ABOUT ASPIRING UNIVERSE
Aspiring Universe won the 2020 OCP Innovation Challenge powered by Larta Institute, which included a custom-built commercialization program and a $25,000 cash prize.
Aspiring Universe provides 360° in-depth intelligence for every farmland across the globe. A spin-off of a world-class research lab from the University of Illinois, Aspiring Universe generates unprecedented field-scale intelligence for businesses in the broader agricultural industry. Aspiring Universe carries an ambitious mission to de-risk and sustain modern agriculture for humanity.
Our hosts for this special series are Michael Reid Dimock and Rodger Wasson. Michael is the host of the podcast Flipping the Table, featuring honest conversations about food, farming, and the future. Rodger is the Host of Farm to Table Talk, which brings listeners ideas, insights, and journeys from farm to table.
This series was made possible through the sponsorship of OCP North America, the US subsidiary of the OCP Group, a global leader in plant nutrition and soil fertility solutions.
This is episode 4 of a special series that will preview the topics and people that will drive the important discussions at this year's AG INNOVATION SHOWCASE, which will be held virtually for the first time, this August 27th and 28th.
ABOUT HARGOL
Hargol FoodTech is the world’s first commercial grasshopper farm. Hargol is the first company in the world to commercially develop and raise edible locusts through unique and innovative methods and technologies. Grasshoppers are nature’s most efficient protein source – Healthier for humans and more sustainable to grow. The company offer a line of foods, beverages and supplement under its Biblical Protein brand.
Website: http://www.hargol.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HargolFoodTech
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYSi6kNjr2Q
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HargolFoodTech/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/steak-tzartzar
Our hosts for this special series are Michael Reid Dimock and Rodger Wasson. Michael is the host of the podcast Flipping the Table, featuring honest conversations about food, farming, and the future. Rodger is the Host of Farm to Table Talk, which brings listeners ideas, insights, and journeys from farm to table.
This series was made possible through the sponsorship of OCP North America, the US subsidiary of the OCP Group, a global leader in plant nutrition and soil fertility solutions.
This is episode 3 of a special series that will preview the topics and people that will drive the important discussions at this year's Ag Innovation Showcase, which will be held virtually for the first time, this August 27th and 28th.
ABOUT MI TERROMi Terro is the world's only biotechnology company that rescues food waste and re-engineers it into sustainable fibers and biopolymers to replace plastic in the fashion, medical, and packaging industries.
Food waste creates 3.3 billion tons of greenhouse gases, which equals 37 million cars driving on the road at the same time. 128 million tons of milk are thrown away every year globally. At the same time, fashion and packaging companies are searching for high-quality, affordable, and sustainable alternatives to replace plastic. Through our patent-pending technology, we created the world's first sustainable apparel line made from excess milk. We are also inventing the world's first biodegradable, non-toxic, durable, and edible food packaging film made from cheese whey waste.
www.miterro.com@mi_terro1
***Our hosts for this special series are Michael Reid Dimock and Rodger Wasson. Michael is the host of the podcast Flipping the Table, featuring honest conversations about food, farming, and the future. Rodger is the Host of Farm to Table Talk, which brings listeners ideas, insights, and journeys from farm to table.
This series was made possible through the sponsorship of OCP North America, the US subsidiary of the OCP Group, a global leader in plant nutrition and soil fertility solutions.