Vertical Farming Podcast - Conversations with CEOs, Founders & Leaders in AgTech & CEA

Ever wondered how beer brewing could revolutionize vertical farming? Mat Halter, founder of TerraFerm , is turning brewery waste into a game-changing resource for indoor agriculture. Mat Halter, a plant scientist turned entrepreneur, shares his journey from researching biofuels to developing an innovative system that captures CO2 from brewery fermentation for use in vertical farms. His patented te...

Ever wondered how vertical farming could revolutionize food production and make fresh, flavorful produce more accessible? In this enlightening conversation with Rick Langille, CEO of Harvest Today , we explore the cutting-edge developments in vertical farming technology and their potential impact on the future of agriculture. Rick shares exciting updates on Harvest Today's progress, including the...

In this special tribute episode of The Vertical Farming Podcast , I honor the life and legacy of Dr. Dickson Despommier, the visionary who laid the foundation for vertical farming as we know it today. His book, The Vertical Farm: Feeding the World in the 21st Century , completely changed the way I thought about food production, sustainability, and the future of agricultureReading it in 2019 was a...

Ever wondered how to start a vertical farm in a city with limited space and resources? Jessica Naomi Fong's journey with Common Farms in Hong Kong is a masterclass in resilience, innovation, and customer-focused growth. Jessica Naomi Fong, Founder and CEO of Common Farms, shares her inspiring story of launching a vertical farming business in Hong Kong just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. With a...

Ever wondered how cutting-edge technology is revolutionizing indoor farming? I've got the inside scoop on the latest innovations that are changing the game. In this episode of the Vertical Farming Podcast, host Harry Duran sits down with Per Lysaa, CTO and co-founder of Elevate Farms and founder of Intravision Group AS. With over two decades of experience in photobiology and LED technology, Per br...

Ever wondered how vertical farming could revolutionize the cotton industry? I sat down with Simon Wardle, CEO of Gooddrop, to explore this groundbreaking concept. Simon Wardle brings a unique perspective to vertical farming, combining his background in design with a vision for sustainable cotton production. As the leader of Good Drop, he's spearheading an initiative to grow cotton in controlled en...

Are you tired of the rat race and dreaming of a self-sufficient lifestyle? In this episode, I chat with Daryl Urbanski, a seasoned entrepreneur and advocate for personal sovereignty. Daryl's journey from a challenging upbringing to becoming a successful business strategist is nothing short of inspiring. With over 17 years of experience in helping businesses thrive, Daryl has now turned his focus t...

Are you curious about how vertical farming could revolutionize agriculture and address global food challenges? Join me as I explore this fascinating topic with Alexander Jaworski, co-founder of GreenHub , who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in sustainable agriculture and innovative farming solutions. Alexander Jaworski, a passionate advocate for vertical farming, shares his journey fro...

Are you still manually turning your greenhouse lights on and off? Discover how integrated control systems can revolutionize your vertical farming operations. Join me as I sit down with Gretchen Schimelpfenig, a leading expert in the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) industry. With a background in high-performance buildings and sustainable design, Gretchen has carved out a niche in energy ef...

Are you ready to explore the intersection of technology and agriculture with insights from a seasoned expert? Join me as I sit down with Floris Berghout, CEO of Viemose DGS, a leader in the horticulture industry. Floris brings a wealth of experience from his journey through various roles in horticulture, culminating in his current position where he bridges traditional and modern agricultural pract...

Are you tired of bland supermarket produce that lacks flavor and nutrition? Join me as I dive into a conversation with Daniel Bosman, the innovative founder of Our Greenery, who is revolutionizing the way we think about food production and consumption. With a background in entrepreneurship and sustainable product development, Daniel brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the table, aiming to...

Are you curious about the challenges and triumphs of building a business in the vertical farming industry? Join me as I sit down with Jacob, the Co-founder of FarmBox Foods, who shares his journey from firefighting to entrepreneurship. With a background in building companies and a passion for mission-driven work, Jake offers a unique perspective on the indoor farming space. In our conversation, Ja...

In this episode, I speak with Mattias Karls, a seasoned entrepreneur hailing from Stockholm, Sweden. Mattias shares his journey from the heartland of Sweden to becoming a serial entrepreneur, starting right after his university days during the IT boom of the late '90s. We dive into his experiences with his first company, which grew rapidly and hooked him on the thrill of entrepreneurship. Mattias...

In this episode, I speak with Juan Gabriel Succar, the Co-founder of Verde Compacto , as he returns to share the latest developments in the world of vertical farming. Since our last conversation in 2022, Juan and his team have been busy refining their approach, focusing on standardizing their product offerings and expanding their reach. We dive into the lessons learned over the past two years, inc...

In this episode, I speak with Elmar Mair, the CEO and founder of Neatleaf . Elmar shares his fascinating journey from growing up in the Italian countryside to becoming a leader in the vertical farming industry. We dive into his early passion for AI and robotics, which led him to work on groundbreaking projects like Google's Everyday Robot. Elmar's story is a testament to how diverse experiences ca...

In this episode, I speak with Junell Abdi, the Founder and CTO of GEIA.AI. We first met at the Indoor Agtech Summit in Chicago, and I was immediately impressed by his innovative approach to indoor farming. Junell shares his journey from being a city boy in Israel to moving to Hungary and starting GEIA.AI. He talks about the challenges and triumphs of pitching his startup on a big stage and the imp...

 In this episode, I speak with Scott Massey, the CEO and co-founder of Anu , who returns to share his journey and the exciting developments since our last conversation. Scott dives into the evolution of Anu, formerly known as GrowPod, and how their mission to empower individuals and communities to produce pure, self-sufficient produce has sharpened over time. We discuss the challenges and rewards...

Welcome, listeners! Join me in this bonus episode as I share some exciting updates and a sneak peek into what's coming up for Season 11 of the Vertical Farming Podcast. As we wrap up Season 10, I want to take a moment to recap some of the incredible conversations we've had with industry leaders like Felipe Hernandez of Hexagrow, Victor Kolkatar of Velis Farming, and many more. Each guest brought u...

In this episode, I speak with Chris Corkery, the founder and CEO of Hundred Acre, who shares his journey from being a chef in New York City to starting a vertical farm in Milwaukee. Chris talks about the early mornings at farmers' markets, the respect he developed for fresh produce, and the realization that led him to bring farming into urban areas. His passion for food and community shines throug...

In this episode, I speak with Stefan Hey, Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer at vGreens. We reminisce about our initial meeting at Vertifarm in Dortmund and the fascinating dinner conversations that led to a deeper connection. Stefan shares his journey from a childhood dream of becoming a gardener to his current role, where he combines his passion for plants with cutting-edge technology to revol...

 In this episode, I speak with Kendra Armstrong, the Co-Founder and CEO of Crop Convergence. Kendra shares her journey from growing up on a family farm in Indiana to becoming a startup founder in the agtech industry. We dive into her early experiences on the farm, her decision to pursue plant breeding, and how she eventually found her passion in creating decision-making tools for farmers. Kendra'...

In this episode, I speak with Max Knight and Eric Roth, the Co-founders of Rooted Robotics . We dive into their journey from meeting at a large-scale vertical farm to starting their own company focused on affordable automation solutions for small and medium-sized farms. Max shares how his passion for robotics and engineering led to the creation of Rooted Robotics, while Eric discusses his extensiv...

In this episode, I speak with Jesper Hansen, the Chief Commercial Officer at YesHealth. Jesper shares his unique journey from studying history in Denmark to becoming a key player in the vertical farming industry in Taiwan. We discuss his transition into agriculture, driven by a desire to explore the world and a chance encounter with his now-wife's family business. Jesper's story is a testament to...

In this episode, I speak with Edwin McClure, CEO of Bio520, who shares his journey from finance to the world of indoor agriculture. Edwin's story is one of passion and perseverance, moving from Miami to San Diego, and eventually diving into the agtech space. We discuss his background in finance and how it shaped his approach to business, emphasizing the importance of efficiency and profitabil...

In this episode, I speak with Rick Langille, the Founder and CEO of Harvest Today . Rick's journey from growing up on a farm in Manitoba to becoming a serial entrepreneur in the manufacturing and electronics industries is nothing short of inspiring. We dive deep into his passion for vertical farming and how his diverse background has uniquely positioned him to innovate in this space. Rick shares c...