Tag: agtech

#16 Ben Gordon (ARNG) – Corteva

Vets In Ag Podcast
Vets In Ag Podcast
#16 Ben Gordon (ARNG) - Corteva
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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!

#12 – Steven Valencsin (USN) – Growers

Vets In Ag Podcast
Vets In Ag Podcast
#12 - Steven Valencsin (USN) - Growers
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You don’t make an excuse, you make a way.

This from today’s guest – Steven Valencsin – as he talks about the last 10+ years starting and scaling a new business in a competitive environment today like agtech. Steven is the CEO for Growers – a software data analytics company designed for the farmers trusted advisors – agronomist, ag retailers, and crop consultants. Growers offers an all-in-one dashboard that allows users to organize all their data into one place, quickly adjust variables, and facilitate recommendations directly to their customer’s farms.

Steven shares one of the most articulated and executable examples of how veterans can translate a certain soft skill into an industry where they have no precedent experiences. It doesn’t take any special equipment, circumstance, or software; merely a strong initiative and a drive to improve. 

I want you to listen in this episode to the approach Steven has taken with Growers in partnering with the farmer’s trusted advisor rather than creating a tool that attempts to disintermediate them. There are a lot of companies out there today that have chosen this business model, but Steven has made the intentional decision to chose a model of collaboration instead.

Have a listen to his rational and see if you agree with his arguments. Also, be listening for the skill Steven says all veterans have and how it can be practically translated to any industry, including ag.

Episode 7 – Craig Ganssle – FARMWAVE

Vets In Ag Podcast
Vets In Ag Podcast
Episode 7 - Craig Ganssle - FARMWAVE
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“I wanted to be a lifer in the Marines…but I was medically discharged with a heart problem…automatic disqualifier…what the hell am I going to do now given these skillsets?”

This was an emotional episode for me as Craig Ganssle – Co-Founder and CEO for FARMWAVE – and I talked about his time in the Marine Corps coming to an expected end, his search for purpose in the private sector, and how his faith guided him throughout. Along that journey, Google Glass makes it’s first appearance within ag and starts Craig down the creation path for FARMWAVE – an artificial intelligence company using proprietary and curated data sets to train algorithms to provide predictive analysis around key agricultural considerations, including harvest loss, pest/disease pressure, and application coverage.

The way he describes his early interaction with producers and how he approached solving their problems is, I believe, the ideal way agtech companies should begin to identify and solve problems with tech in agriculture.

It’s a story which truly highlights the transferability of skill sets from the military to agriculture and in depth review of the incredible advances we’ve made within artificial intelligence and agriculture.

Episode 4: Chris Narayanan (USMC)

Vets In Ag Podcast
Vets In Ag Podcast
Episode 4: Chris Narayanan (USMC)
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From ag consulting firms and brokerages to Wall Street investment banks and agribusiness power houses like John Deere and INTL FCSTone, Chris brings such a broad perspective that I think this episode has a little bit of everything for everyone.

We sat down with Chris Narayanan – currently an Extension Farm Management Specialist at the University of Tennessee Institute for Agriculture. After earning his bachelors degree from Texas A&M in Ag Economics, Chris then spent the next ten years as a Marine Corps infantry officer. Following his time in the service, Chris then went back to school to earn Masters in Rangeland Ecology and Management as well as an MBA from the University of Texas. This then ultimately launched Chris into the private ag sector where he has been working in a wide variety of sub-sectors within the ag industry for the past 15+ years.

One of my favorite parts of this episode was listening to Chris describe what he called “kitchen table” moments with farmers. I think this is something many transitioning vets seek but struggle to find after they leave active duty service; a way to connect with their profession in a way that is meaningful and service-based.

Have a listen to find out how Chris finally found this balance.

Episode 3: John “Glad” Castellaw (USMC)

Vets In Ag Podcast
Vets In Ag Podcast
Episode 3: John "Glad" Castellaw (USMC)
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From driving mules to mechanization, from stuffing fresh-picked cotton in his shirt to keep him warm at night to enclosed, climate-controlled tractor cabins, it was impressive to see how far agriculture had come over the years through John’s stories.

My guest for this episode was John Castellaw – Co-Founder and CEO for Farm Space Systems and retired Marine Corps 3-Star General. For 36 years, John led Marines around the world from a unit of 40 young men and women to a Marine Aircraft Wing of over 7,000. He flew over two dozen different aircraft during his tenure, served on the UN staff during the Siege of Sarajevo, executed humanitarian operations in Asia, Africa, and Europe, and commanded the American forces in stability and security operations in East Timor. John also served as the Chief of Staff for the U.S. Central Command during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Even more impressive than reliving the evolution of agtech through the stories of a single man was to see John’s realization that we can’t keep beating the dirt into submission. He fundamentally understands that we need to adopt more regenerative and sustainable practices, a sentiment not always shared by multi-generational farmers.

John takes me through his upbringing on the same cotton farm in W. Tenn where we reside now and how these experiences drove him into service and ultimately led him back to the farm after nearly 40 years. This interview is filled with words of wisdom about life and business tied up in stories such as ag as a component of national security, the importance of servant leadership, and the military’s advances in technology which are being more widely adopted within ag.

My favorite story involved a well drilling unit and a veterinarian in East Africa.

Have a listen to find out how it ends!

Episode 2: Jason Burley (USMC, USAF, USANG)

Vets In Ag Podcast
Vets In Ag Podcast
Episode 2: Jason Burley (USMC, USAF, USANG)
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Jason Burley is the Vice President and Director of Cargill Food Ingredient Sales for North America. Jason’s background is incredibly unique, one that spans three different branches (US Marine Corps, Air Force, and Army National Guard) as well as both the officer and enlisted communities.

In this episode, we dive into Jason’s story and how it’s shaped the approach he’s taken today in driving veteran employment within Cargill. Jason shares a similar sentiment facing many veterans today after they transition; a disconnect from the type of bonds formed in a service and in a profession that serves a greater purpose. Jason explains how he found that purpose in agriculture. We also tackle some of the mistakes vets make when applying their leadership skills in the private sector.