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Verility CEO Liane Hart shares how their innovative AI-powered mobile diagnostic platform is increasing efficiency + accuracy, revolutionizing livestock reproduction. She dives into her entrepreneurial journey, innovation at the intersection of human + animal health and how the Verility team is uniquely positioned to advance this bioinnovation.

Picture a kitchen arena where 1,500 cooks from more than 40 countries have all won their way in — no open registrations, no fast track, just Golden Tickets earned at hundreds of qualifiers across the year. They cook in rounds, plate blind, and wait on the score. That's the World Food Championships, and it lands at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis October 15–18 for year two of a three-year run.  It's also the event Mike McCloud founded in 2012, and the term he coined for it — Food Sport — has spent fourteen years becoming its own category. This week on Agbioscience, Mike joins us to talk about what happens when a live culinary tournament turns into something brands can test against, and what that means for agriculture on the other end of the plate.  Highlights include:  What "Food Sport" actually is — and how a live, multi-round tournament differs from a cooking show or a traditional culinary competition How WFC has evolved since 2012, and what has surprised Mike most across fourteen years Why you can't just sign up: inside the qualifying process, the 800+ sanctioned events, and the Golden Tickets that set the level of the field WFC as a product innovation lab — putting a brand's ingredient into the hands of hundreds of accomplished competitors, including required-ingredient final rounds like the Chef Category What a brand actually has to bring to an ingredient integration — and what "we tried it at WFC" gives a product team that a focus group or a test kitchen can't Stories of competitors using an ingredient in ways that changed how a brand thought about its own product Building a faster, more effective feedback loop between producers, manufacturers and innovators and the people who cook for a living What happens after the four days — the chef-brand relationships that outlast the event Indianapolis as home for three years, with 2026 as year two: why this market works and what the first two years have proven How a live culinary event intersects with Indiana's $70B+ agbioscience sector — production agriculture, food processing, animal health, plant science, agtech, food-is-health and bioinnovation — in ways people wouldn't expect Whether WFC can be a catalyst for moving Indiana corn, soy, pork, poultry, dairy and tomatoes downstream into value-added food and nutrition — and what that would take Mike's vision for WFC's next decade

ClearLeaf CSO and Co-Founder Agustin Buchert shares the company's journey from medical products to agricultural innovation focusing on plant health solutions. He also discusses expansion into US markets and the exciting opportunity to join Indiana's thriving agbioscience ecosystem

Rachael Spiegel, Partner at Faegre Drinker, sits at the intersection of food, agriculture and law — a place where regulatory complexity, supply chain risk and the realities of feeding people all collide. She joins Agbioscience to unpack how companies are navigating an era of rising recalls, what drives the decisions made in the first hours of a crisis and how leaders can build resilience across the value chain.  Highlights include:   The path into food and ag law — how Rachael's background shaped her read on the food system and the challenges it faces  The view from Faegre Drinker — the hurdles food and ag companies are hitting right now, and how those issues have evolved Prevention, crisis and regulation — how her time actually splits between helping companies head off problems, responding when they hit, and steering through a complex regulatory system, plus what that work reveals about where the food system is strongest and most vulnerable How risk moves through the value chain — what she sees from working across the chain that others may miss The recall trend — whether the upward swing reflects growing risk, better detection, stronger oversight, or all of the above What's actually driving recalls — supply chain complexity, improved testing, traceability, regulatory pressure, litigation risk, consumer expectations, or something else entirely Inside the decision-making — what companies and the public often misunderstand about how recall calls get made in the moment The real cost of a recall — beyond the immediate financial hit, where companies feel it most, and how short-term damage differs from long-term fallout • Partners across the value chain — how recalls are changing the way companies engage with suppliers, customers and everyone in between Looking ahead — how food and ag leaders should be working now to reduce risk and build resilience

September marked the end of a new era and the beginning of new chapters for Indiana's agbioscience ecosystem. Christy Wright, president and CEO of AgriNovus, joins VP Libby Fritz in studio to highlight the big news of the month:  Corteva launches new era of innovation as standalone company -- alongside VylorIBI Ag chooses Indiana for its North American HQGivaudan adds Indiana facility that will generate 250 new jobsFallow Ag launches out of The Pantheon in Vincennes -- a big win for AgriNovus' VelocityThe Pantheon gets a new leaderAgriNovus announces its 2026-27 class of Field Atlas AmbassadorsApplications are open for mentors and mentees to participate in Field Atlas AMP (Agbioscience Mentorship Program)

Welcome to Directionally Speaking, a narrative series that highlights the innovators bringing solutions to market through AgriNovus' Velocity accelerator. This week, AgriNovus Senior Director of Innovation Tim Dixon sits down with Raha Saremi, founder and CEO of Ecoatex, and gets into how her company transforms agriculture byproducts into sustainable, bio-based materials for packaging, fibers and more. She discusses the innovative process, her journey from scientist to entrepreneur and her experience in the Velocity bioinnovation cohort. Learn more about Raha and Ecoatex at agrinovusindiana.com/velocity

Farm management today looks very different than it did a decade ago, with rising complexity, shifting client expectations and new technology reshaping how decisions get made. In this episode, Howard Halderman, president of Halderman Farm Management, shares how his team is thinking about AI, where it is already improving operations and why human judgment still matters in managing one of agriculture's most important assets.  How farm management is evolving: Howard explains the scope of Halderman Farm Management's work and how the role of a modern farm management company has changed over time. Why the job is getting more complex: The conversation explores where expectations have increased most in recent years, from operations and data to client service and strategic decision-making. How AI entered the business: Howard shares some of the earliest ways his team began using AI and AI-enabled tools to support operations and improve decision-making. Where AI adds real value: He discusses where these tools can genuinely improve outcomes and where experience, judgment and relationships remain irreplaceable. Why trust and governance matter: The episode examines the importance of data quality, accuracy and protecting client relationships as AI becomes more common in the business. How talent needs are shifting: Howard reflects on how technology is changing the skills farm management teams need and what that means for the future workforce. Where the biggest opportunity lies: He looks ahead to the most promising applications for AI in farm management, from agronomic insight to financial performance and long-term planning. What agriculture gets wrong about AI: Howard offers a grounded perspective on the difference between hype and practical value as the industry navigates rapid change. What the next five years could look like: The conversation closes with Howard's view on how the best farm management companies may operate differently as AI continues to mature.

Hoosier Ag Today's Eric Pfeiffer took the podcast on the road to the Wabash Heartland Innovation Network's (WHIN) Ag Summit to discuss farmer-led innovation, technology adoption and models for success with Jason Tennehouse and Josh Karshen.

Welcome to Directionally Speaking, a narrative series that highlights the innovators bringing solutions to market through AgriNovus' Velocity accelerator. This week, AgriNovus Senior Director of Innovation Tim Dixon sits down with Naveed Iqbal, CEO of Fallow Ag, to talk fintech, creating a data standard at the farm-level and what it's like to be a startup founder.  Learn more about Naveed and Fallow Ag at agrinovusindiana.com/velocity

Earlier this year, Etlas launched as a joint venture betrween Corteva and bp with the goal of helping strengthen the biofuels value chain. This week, CEO Nacho Conti shares how the company is working to connect growers, processors and biofuels producers around low-carbon feedstocks while creating new value opportunities across agbisocience and energy. Highlights include:   Defining Etlas' mission: Nacho explains how Etlas is positioning itself as a new bioenergy company focused on solving bottlenecks across the biofuels value chain. Why the Corteva-bp partnership matters: He discusses why this was the right moment for a joint venture and what each partner brings to scaling the opportunity faster than either could alone. What is driving biofuels growth: The conversation looks at the market forces increasing demand for biofuels and why the timing is especially important right now. Where the bottlenecks remain: Nacho unpacks the biggest barriers to scaling biofuels production, from feedstock supply and logistics to processing and market alignment. What it means for farmers: He outlines the farm-level value proposition and why stronger, more connected demand could matter for growers over the long term. Aligning the full ecosystem: The episode explores how producers, crushers and processors can benefit from a more coordinated low-carbon feedstock system. Balancing sustainability and economics: Nacho shares his perspective on building an ecosystem that meets sustainability goals while still working in the real economics of agriculture and energy markets. What success looks like next: Looking ahead, he paints a picture of what success could mean for Etlas, its partners and the broader biofuels market over the next three to five years.

What does the future of water and land restoration look like? Dr. Tyler Koschnick, CEO of SEPRO Scientific, joins us this week to share how the company is evolving through growth, innovation and a sharper scientific focus. The conversation highlights:  SEPRO's mission to create long-term solutions for environmental stewardship The market needs emerging around water quality, restoration and infrastructure The company's integrated model of science, diagnostics and field execution The strategic value of recent acquisitions, including Earth Science Laboratories, GreenEYES, Arrieta.ai and Resolve Hydro The growing role of AI and remote sensing in restoration Lessons from rapid growth and leading through transformation The thinking behind the SEPRO Scientific rebrand The customer experience behind a more unified platform Indiana's role in the company's continued momentum Talent, culture and building a differentiated science-led team The untapped opportunities still ahead What the next chapter looks like for SEPRO Scientific

What does the future of seed innovation look like - and how is Indiana helping shape it?  On this episode of the Agbioscience Podcast, host Eric Pfeiffer sits down with Craig Anderson, CEO of Ag Alumni Seed, for a conversation on seed development, Purdue-connected research, emerging technologies, and the global opportunities rooted right here in Indiana.  Episode highlights:  Craig’s path to CEO and what drew him to lead Ag Alumni Seed after a long career in the seed industry The Ag Alumni Seed and Purdue connection - and how that relationship supports research, agriculture, and broader industry impact Balancing business and mission as Ag Alumni Seed grows its commercial work while supporting Purdue’s College of Agriculture How customer expectations are changing in popcorn and specialty seed markets The future of seed innovation and which traits will matter most in the years ahead How imaging and 3D plant modeling are accelerating research through the Ag Alumni Seed Phenotyping Facility Where data, automation, and AI can create the biggest real-world gains in seed development Untapped opportunities in seed development and where the industry is only beginning to scratch the surface Indiana’s competitive advantage in supporting innovation that can scale to global markets What’s ahead for Ag Alumni Seed and the partnerships that could shape the next chapter

August was a wet one! We kick this episode off by recapping Indiana's heavy rains and its impact on the state's agbioscience ecosystem. Highlights include:  Velocity's 12 startups, an accelerator update and AgriNovus' Senior Director of Innovation Tim Dixon's required reading list for innovators (plus one band recommendation). Books include: Watch Tim's episode of Agbioscience and his preview of Velocity here: https://youtu.be/loP_NAz6X7IKeystone Cooperative joining as a collaborator on Alloy Partners' One Health Studio (check out Ben Lewis, One Health Studio Director at Alloy Ventures', episode of Agbioscience here: https://youtu.be/JQxFCkmEB1E)Anu + Hancock Health working together to bring precision nutrition to their healthcare system (check out Scott Massey, CEO of Anu, on Agbioscience here: https://youtu.be/B6eAcp7E4c4)Purdue DIAL Ventures' announcement of their four innovation fellows (check out DIAL's Allan Gray on Agbioscience here: https://youtu.be/SO4oHbJBOuo)All of this news as proof points for BioHeartland and the region's momentum (check out BioHeartland here: https://inbioheartland.com/)AgriNovus' Field Atlas program, its 13 student Ambassadors, where we'll be on campus this fall and how employers can connect to agbioscience talent through this platform and its programs (visit https://myfieldatlas.com/)MOST IMPORTANT: we discuss food is health and State Fair food -- yes, in one sentence.

Alayne Johnson, Director of the National Pork Board, joins us this week to explore the priorities shaping pork demand, producer insights and research across the U.S. pork industry. Alayne shares her journey through agriculture, what led her to serve another term on the National Pork Board and how the organization approaches its role in research, promotion and consumer education on behalf of pork producers.  The conversation also examines the shifts defining the industry today, from changing consumer preferences and global demand opportunities to sustainability, nutrition and the research priorities expected to shape the sector’s next chapter.  Highlights include:  Alayne’s journey through agriculture, what led her to the National Pork Board and why she chose to serve another term. How her appointment to the board came together, what motivated her to serve and what she has learned through the experience. What surprised her most about how decisions are made at the national level and how those decisions connect back to producers. The biggest changes shaping agriculture today and how those shifts are influencing the National Pork Board’s priorities. Where Alayne sees the greatest opportunity to grow pork demand globally and the trends she believes matter most. An overview of the National Pork Board’s current research agenda, including areas such as animal health, human nutrition, environmental sustainability and consumer behavior. What recent consumer research is revealing about how shoppers make decisions and how those insights flow back to producers. Where pork fits into today’s evolving protein conversation as consumers place more value on nutrition, transparency and the story behind their food. Where Alayne sees the next wave of research delivering the greatest return across production, consumer trends and sustainability. What has her most excited about this next term and the future of the pork industry.

Henry Markarian, Co-Founder and CEO of Integrated Dynamics, joins us this week to explore a technology platform aimed at unlocking new value from existing ethanol infrastructure. Henry shares the founding story behind the company, the problem Integrated Dynamics set out to solve and why its approach to repurposing operating, underused and idle assets could matter in the next phase of the bioeconomy’s growth.  Highlights include:   The origin story behind Integrated Dynamics, the market problem it was built to solve and the opportunity the team saw from the beginning. A practical model built on reusing existing ethanol and industrial infrastructure, and why that approach could be especially compelling from both a speed-to-market and cost perspective. How the technology works, including why high temperature matters and how that affects performance, economics and operational design. Henry dives into whether the Integrated Dynamics model introduces additional capital or operating costs and how those factors fit into commercial viability. Strategic rationale for pursuing cellulosic ethanol, including why ethanol remains an important platform within the evolving bioeconomy. How Integrated Dynamics expects to compete, along with the risks and tailwinds he sees shaping the broader market. Winning AgriNovus’ Velocity in 2025 elevated the company’s visibility and credibility and recognition unlocked in subsequent conversations. How the company’s technology could affect farm economics, ecological outcomes, input costs and potential revenue streams if it succeeds at scale. Economics of deploying the model through Greenfield, Brownfield and idle plant strategies, as well as through licensing or joint ventures. Integrated Dynamics' next phase of growth, including how the team may evolve over the next 12 to 24 months.