War is local and agronomy is local. It’s about human terrain.
My guest today is Ben Gordon, US Army National Guard veteran and Corteva’s Carbon and Ecosystem Services Global Portfolio Leader. This program seeks to quantify sustainability outcomes for farmers and economically reward them for stewardship outcomes, supported by Corteva’s partnerships, digital tools, and leading agronomic science.
Throughout the conversation, Ben weaves together the lessons he’s learned from military service around humility, regionality, and the dynamics of local leadership into the work he’s doing with agriculture in a way, to me at least, that is beyond his years. He describes the role of the leader, in both the military and within ag, as someone who recognizes the experience of their team, his own shortcomings, and how sometimes, your role as the leader is simply to provide them the latitude to exercise that expertise.
The platform Corteva has created within the carbon space seems to be one borne with the farmer in mind – optionality, premium payment terms, short-term contract, separation of incentives, etc.
Be sure to listen all the way through as Ben alludes to which markets Corteva may be scaling into next.
He asked that we include his email in the show notes for any veteran interested in Corveta or in need of some guidance during transition to please reach out – benjamingordon@granular.ag –
Enjoy!