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AgEmerge Podcast

Soil health, regenerative practices, emerging technology, grower insights, and research — The AgEmerge Podcast. Join our host, Monte Bottens and producer Kim Sheese, as they engage with guests from diverse agriculture interests to discuss experiences, practices and scalable applications for any operation. Tune in to new episodes every other Tuesday to regenerate your ideas, soil, crops, livestock and livelihood.

Latest Video

Revitalizing Iowa's Rural Economy | Chris Jones and Monte Bottens

Chris Jones says rural Iowa cannot be prosperous if farmers aren't prosperous. What can we do to enhance farmer prosperity? Restore economic vitality to our towns and our rural areas. And we know when we have a diversity of crops, and we know when we have a diversity in our livestock production systems, that this is what drives economic activity in these small towns. Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/y4DXOM5ZObI Iowa’s fight over water quality is no longer academic. Monte Bottens sits down with Chris Jones—a research scientist, author, water-quality expert, and candidate for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture—to examine how nitrate pollution, agricultural policy, public health, and rural decline are shaping the future of farming. Chris has spent more than 40 years advocating for clean water and sustainable agricultural practices. He managed the water-quality testing laboratory at Des Moines Water Works for eight years, helping oversee operations at one of the world’s largest nitrate-removal facilities. He later worked as an environmental scientist at the Iowa Soybean Association, where he helped establish some of the state’s first independent water-quality monitoring systems. At the University of Iowa, Chris worked as a research engineer and helped develop Iowa’s first real-time public water-quality sensor network, giving the public unprecedented access to information about the condition of the state’s rivers and streams. He is also the author of The Swine Republic: Struggles With the Truth About Agriculture and Water Quality, selected by the Library of Congress to represent Iowa at the 2024 National Book Festival. In 2024, he helped found Driftless Water Defenders, a grassroots organization protecting the waters of northeast Iowa’s Driftless Area. During their conversation, Monte and Chris explore the forces behind polluted rivers and stressed water systems—from tile drainage across the Des Moines Lobe to the timing and rate of nitrogen and manure applications. Chris explains how fall fertilizer applications, concentrated livestock production, CAFO placement, and wet soils influence what appears in rivers months later. He also discusses why cover crops may provide their greatest water-quality benefits during the spring. Chris Jones Online: https://www.facebook.com/chrisjones4ia https://www.instagram.com/chrisjones4ia https://www.youtube.com/@chrisjones4IA Purchase The Swine Republic book: https://icecubepress.com/2026/06/06/the-swine-republic-2/ In this episode, you’ll learn: Why nitrate pollution in Des Moines matters to nearly one in five Iowans How tile drainage, wet soils, and decades of corn-soybean production contribute to nitrate loss Why changing fertilizer timing could reduce field-level nitrate loss by 20% to 50% How cover crops, pasture, oats, and diversified livestock systems can support cleaner water and stronger farm income Why incentives alone may not be enough—and why some regulation may be unavoidable How local food systems could create opportunities for young farmers and strengthen rural communities Chris makes the case for agricultural policy focused on measurable outcomes rather than prescribed inputs—healthier soil, safer water, stronger rural communities, and better opportunities for farmers building a future beyond a two-crop system shaped by large companies and shrinking margins.

Videos

Revitalizing Iowa's Rural Economy | Chris Jones and Monte Bottens

Can Incentives Reduce Farm Runoff Better Than Regulation? | Chris Jones and Monte Bottens

How can farmers reduce nutrient runoff without sacrificing the nitrogen their crops need to succeed? In this extended clip from AgEmerge Podcast Episode 197, Monte Bottens and water-quality expert Chris Jones examine the tension between agricultural productivity and cleaner waterways. They discuss nitrogen timing, fertilizer efficiency and practical changes that could reduce nutrient loss while still supporting strong crop performance. The conversation also tackles a larger policy question: Do farmers need more regulation, or would well-designed incentives create better results? Explore how financial incentives, diversified cropping systems and more flexible nutrient-management strategies could help farmers apply nitrogen when crops can use it—rather than when weather, labor and logistics make it convenient. Watch the full Episode 197 conversation for a deeper look at agriculture, water quality and the systems shaping Iowa’s landscape. https://youtu.be/y4DXOM5ZObI Chris Jones Online: https://www.facebook.com/chrisjones4ia https://www.instagram.com/chrisjones4ia https://www.youtube.com/@chrisjones4IA Purchase The Swine Republic book: https://icecubepress.com/2026/06/06/the-swine-republic-2/ In this episode, you’ll learn: Why nitrate pollution in Des Moines matters to nearly one in five Iowans How tile drainage, wet soils, and decades of corn-soybean production contribute to nitrate loss Why changing fertilizer timing could reduce field-level nitrate loss by 20% to 50% How cover crops, pasture, oats, and diversified livestock systems can support cleaner water and stronger farm income Why incentives alone may not be enough—and why some regulation may be unavoidable How local food systems could create opportunities for young farmers and strengthen rural communities Chris makes the case for agricultural policy focused on measurable outcomes rather than prescribed inputs—healthier soil, safer water, stronger rural communities, and better opportunities for farmers building a future beyond a two-crop system shaped by large companies and shrinking margins.

Iowa's Corn-Centric Economy | Monte Bottens and Chris Jones Challenge How Corn Exports Rule Markets

Why did northwest Iowa become so dependent on ethanol and livestock? Monte Bottens and Chris Jones explain how the region’s distance from major river export routes created a need to consume cheap corn locally—helping fuel Iowa’s ethanol and livestock booms. Full episode: https://youtu.be/y4DXOM5ZObI You’ll discover: Why Des Moines has been forced to ration water because of nitrate How tile drainage moves nitrogen from field to river Why timing matters as much as rate when it comes to fertilizer and manure What cover crops can realistically do, and where their biggest benefits show up Why changing the system may require both incentives and meaningful regulation Chris also lays out a different vision for Iowa agriculture - one built on diversity, not just more corn and soy. He makes the case for oats, pasture-based livestock, local food systems, school food procurement, and policies that reward better outcomes instead of bigger inputs. Along the way, he explains why water quality, soil health, farmer prosperity, and rural dignity are all tied together. This conversation is essential listening for farmers, ag leaders, policymakers, and anyone who cares about clean water, rural communities, and the future of Midwestern agriculture. If you want to understand why Iowa’s water debate has become impossible to ignore, this episode will change how you think about farming.

Time for Change with Iowa's Water Crisis | Chris Jones and Monte Bottens Discuss Farmers' Roles

Chris Jones argues that meaningful action on water quality could rebuild public trust in Iowa agriculture—while helping people better understand the realities farmers face in creating sustainable systems. Full episode: https://youtu.be/y4DXOM5ZObI You’ll discover: Why Des Moines has been forced to ration water because of nitrate How tile drainage moves nitrogen from field to river Why timing matters as much as rate when it comes to fertilizer and manure What cover crops can realistically do, and where their biggest benefits show up Why changing the system may require both incentives and meaningful regulation Chris also lays out a different vision for Iowa agriculture - one built on diversity, not just more corn and soy. He makes the case for oats, pasture-based livestock, local food systems, school food procurement, and policies that reward better outcomes instead of bigger inputs. Along the way, he explains why water quality, soil health, farmer prosperity, and rural dignity are all tied together. This conversation is essential listening for farmers, ag leaders, policymakers, and anyone who cares about clean water, rural communities, and the future of Midwestern agriculture. If you want to understand why Iowa’s water debate has become impossible to ignore, this episode will change how you think about farming.

Can clean water result in better farms? | Chris Jones and Monte Bottens Talk Water Quality

Iowa’s water problem is no longer a background issue - it’s the political fight reshaping agriculture, public health, and the future of rural communities. Chris Jones, former Des Moines Water Works scientist and candidate for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, explains why the old playbook is failing and what has to change now. Chris breaks down the real drivers behind nitrate pollution in Iowa’s rivers and drinking water, from tiled soils and drainage ditches to hog manure, fall-applied nitrogen, and the limits of the current corn-soy system. He also connects the dots between water quality, Iowa’s rising cancer rate, brain drain, and the economic hollowing out of small towns. Full episode: https://youtu.be/y4DXOM5ZObI You’ll discover: Why Des Moines has been forced to ration water because of nitrate How tile drainage moves nitrogen from field to river Why timing matters as much as rate when it comes to fertilizer and manure What cover crops can realistically do, and where their biggest benefits show up Why changing the system may require both incentives and meaningful regulation Chris also lays out a different vision for Iowa agriculture - one built on diversity, not just more corn and soy. He makes the case for oats, pasture-based livestock, local food systems, school food procurement, and policies that reward better outcomes instead of bigger inputs. Along the way, he explains why water quality, soil health, farmer prosperity, and rural dignity are all tied together. This conversation is essential listening for farmers, ag leaders, policymakers, and anyone who cares about clean water, rural communities, and the future of Midwestern agriculture. If you want to understand why Iowa’s water debate has become impossible to ignore, this episode will change how you think about farming.

A New Playbook for Iowa Farming: Diversity, Dignity, & Water | AgEmerge Podcast 197 with Chris Jones

Iowa’s fight over water quality is no longer academic. Monte Bottens sits down with Chris Jones—a research scientist, author, water-quality expert, and candidate for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture—to examine how nitrate pollution, agricultural policy, public health, and rural decline are shaping the future of farming. Chris has spent more than 40 years advocating for clean water and sustainable agricultural practices. He managed the water-quality testing laboratory at Des Moines Water Works for eight years, helping oversee operations at one of the world’s largest nitrate-removal facilities. He later worked as an environmental scientist at the Iowa Soybean Association, where he helped establish some of the state’s first independent water-quality monitoring systems. At the University of Iowa, Chris worked as a research engineer and helped develop Iowa’s first real-time public water-quality sensor network, giving the public unprecedented access to information about the condition of the state’s rivers and streams. He is also the author of The Swine Republic: Struggles With the Truth About Agriculture and Water Quality, selected by the Library of Congress to represent Iowa at the 2024 National Book Festival. In 2024, he helped found Driftless Water Defenders, a grassroots organization protecting the waters of northeast Iowa’s Driftless Area. During their conversation, Monte and Chris explore the forces behind polluted rivers and stressed water systems—from tile drainage across the Des Moines Lobe to the timing and rate of nitrogen and manure applications. Chris explains how fall fertilizer applications, concentrated livestock production, CAFO placement, and wet soils influence what appears in rivers months later. He also discusses why cover crops may provide their greatest water-quality benefits during the spring. Chris Jones Online: https://www.facebook.com/chrisjones4ia https://www.instagram.com/chrisjones4ia https://www.youtube.com/@chrisjones4IA Purchase The Swine Republic book: https://icecubepress.com/2026/06/06/the-swine-republic-2/ In this episode, you’ll learn: Why nitrate pollution in Des Moines matters to nearly one in five Iowans How tile drainage, wet soils, and decades of corn-soybean production contribute to nitrate loss Why changing fertilizer timing could reduce field-level nitrate loss by 20% to 50% How cover crops, pasture, oats, and diversified livestock systems can support cleaner water and stronger farm income Why incentives alone may not be enough—and why some regulation may be unavoidable How local food systems could create opportunities for young farmers and strengthen rural communities Chris makes the case for agricultural policy focused on measurable outcomes rather than prescribed inputs—healthier soil, safer water, stronger rural communities, and better opportunities for farmers building a future beyond a two-crop system shaped by large companies and shrinking margins. Timestamps: 02:15 - Chris Jones explains his run for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture 06:20 - Why water quality is suddenly a major Iowa issue 09:17 - How the Des Moines water system faces nitrate pressure 13:07 - How tile drainage carries nitrate from fields to streams 16:20 - Why nitrate loss is driven by weather, soils, and mineralization 18:48 - Fertilizer timing, spring application, and on-farm logistics 20:55 - Manure timing, full pits, and why fall application happens 23:53 - Rate, timing, and distribution as the real nutrient challenge 28:04 - What cover crops can and cannot do for nitrate reduction 31:13 - Spring versus fall manure timing and nitrate loss reduction 34:28 - Why fall anhydrous often means more total nitrogen applied 36:58 - Changing the decision framework with carrots and sticks 39:16 - Why diversification, not just regulation, may be the long-term fix 42:23 - Rural population loss, town decline, and the need for better outcomes 43:30 - Meat processors, livestock diversity, and rebuilding local economies 44:56 - Oats, food hubs, and creating a third crop for Iowa 49:27 - Soil health as the underlying system behind better water quality 53:03 - Why the burden should not fall only on farmers 54:35 - Getting 50% of Iowa school food from Iowa farms 59:09 - Food hubs, small-acre farming, and opportunities for young growers 61:12 - Dignity, consolidation, and what agriculture has taken away 63:12 - Five policy changes Jones says Iowa should pursue 69:22 - What consumers and city residents can do to help 73:32 - Help for beginning farmers and access to land 75:57 - What Jones is hearing from people around Iowa 77:51 - Why the timing is right for change in Iowa agriculture

Why LLM Breakthroughs Are About to Transform Farming | AgEmerge Podcast 196 with Colin Hurd

AI is about to change farming in a way most people are not ready for. Colin Hurd explains how LLM-powered agents could become the “brain” behind a tractor—learning, remembering, adapting, and even fixing issues as they go. Colin breaks down why the last 12 months of model progress matter so much for agriculture, and why this shift is already starting. The big idea is bigger than automation: it’s about building machines that can think through problems in real time, understand their environment, and improve without constant human intervention. Watch the full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGh_xGNAclA The next breakthrough in ag tech is a physical AI layer that can learn, adapt, and make farms dramatically more efficient without forcing every grower to become a robotics expert. Colin Hurd returns to the AgEmerge Podcast with a behind-the-scenes look at where ag autonomy really stands now, why retrofit solutions are only part of the story, and what has to change before self-driving machines become truly useful in the field. From dusty harvest conditions that break today’s sensors to the opportunity for AI systems to preserve hard-earned farming knowledge, this conversation gets into the real bottlenecks - and the real upside - of the next five years. Colin has devoted his career to leading innovative companies in the machinery industry. In 2016, Colin founded his second company, Smart Ag, which developed the first retrofit driverless system to automate tractors. After funding and growing the company, he led Smart Ag successfully through an exit to Raven Industries (NYSE:RAVN) in 2019. Raven was then acquired by CNH Industrial in 2021 (NYSE:CNHI). Colin stayed with Raven and managed business development until forming Mach in 2022. Learn about Mach: https://mach.io/about-us/

The Hidden AI Advantage: Instant Knowledge Transfer | AgEmerge Podcast 196 with Colin Hurd

What if the best farming knowledge could be copied instantly and deployed anywhere in the world? Colin Hurd and Monte break down why AI may be agriculture’s biggest scaling advantage - and why the real breakthrough isn’t just automation, it’s transferable intelligence. They explore one of AI’s most powerful properties: once a system learns, that knowledge can be moved from one machine to another without starting over. That means a sustainable cover crop planting tractor can be trained on years of best practices, then that same model can be distributed globally in an instant. You’ll hear how this changes the economics of farming, what it means for precision agriculture, and why AI systems can do what humans can’t - learn without ego, fear, or social pressure. It’s a sharp look at the future of farm equipment, where the value isn’t just in the hardware, but in the intelligence behind it. Colin Hurd brings the perspective of a builder thinking about scalable AI systems in the real world, while Monte adds the practical lens of sustainable agriculture and cover crop planting. Together, they connect the promise of machine learning to a use case that could reshape how farming expertise gets shared. Essential listening if you care about AI in the physical world, the future of agriculture, or how specialized knowledge becomes infinitely replicable. Watch the full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGh_xGNAclA The next breakthrough in ag tech is a physical AI layer that can learn, adapt, and make farms dramatically more efficient without forcing every grower to become a robotics expert. Colin Hurd returns to the AgEmerge Podcast with a behind-the-scenes look at where ag autonomy really stands now, why retrofit solutions are only part of the story, and what has to change before self-driving machines become truly useful in the field. From dusty harvest conditions that break today’s sensors to the opportunity for AI systems to preserve hard-earned farming knowledge, this conversation gets into the real bottlenecks - and the real upside - of the next five years. Colin has devoted his career to leading innovative companies in the machinery industry. In 2016, Colin founded his second company, Smart Ag, which developed the first retrofit driverless system to automate tractors. After funding and growing the company, he led Smart Ag successfully through an exit to Raven Industries (NYSE:RAVN) in 2019. Raven was then acquired by CNH Industrial in 2021 (NYSE:CNHI). Colin stayed with Raven and managed business development until forming Mach in 2022. Learn about Mach: https://mach.io/about-us/

The Physical AI Shift That Will Change Farming in Five Years | AgEmerge Podcast 196 with Colin Hurd

Physical AI is about to change farming faster than most people realize, but the Midwest crop cycle puts a hard limit on how fast that change can happen. If you want to understand what the next 5 to 10 years could look like on an average farm, this conversation is the place to start. Colin Hurd and Monte dig into the real-world implications of physical AI for agriculture, from what’s actually possible on the farm to what adoption looks like when you cannot simply “update” a field overnight. The conversation starts with a big question: what changes first, and what takes much longer than the tech headlines suggest? If you work in agriculture, robotics, AI, or any industry where technology has to meet the real world, this episode will sharpen how you think about adoption, timing, and what transformation actually looks like in practice. The future of farming is coming—the question is whether you understand the timeline well enough to prepare for it. Watch the full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGh_xGNAclA The next breakthrough in ag tech is a physical AI layer that can learn, adapt, and make farms dramatically more efficient without forcing every grower to become a robotics expert. Colin Hurd returns to the AgEmerge Podcast with a behind-the-scenes look at where ag autonomy really stands now, why retrofit solutions are only part of the story, and what has to change before self-driving machines become truly useful in the field. From dusty harvest conditions that break today’s sensors to the opportunity for AI systems to preserve hard-earned farming knowledge, this conversation gets into the real bottlenecks - and the real upside - of the next five years. Colin has devoted his career to leading innovative companies in the machinery industry. In 2016, Colin founded his second company, Smart Ag, which developed the first retrofit driverless system to automate tractors. After funding and growing the company, he led Smart Ag successfully through an exit to Raven Industries (NYSE:RAVN) in 2019. Raven was then acquired by CNH Industrial in 2021 (NYSE:CNHI). Colin stayed with Raven and managed business development until forming Mach in 2022. Learn about Mach: https://mach.io/about-us/

How AI Is Saving Meat Plants from Costly Cutting Mistakes | AgEmerge Podcast 196 with Colin Hurd

More than tractors, AI and autonomy are moving into all sectors of agriculture, including the meat industry. AI is already saving meat processors real money—not by replacing workers, but by helping them make the right cut every time. Colin Hurd breaks down how FloVision uses laser-guided computer vision to reduce waste, improve consistency, and make packing plants more profitable fast. This episode gets into the practical side of industrial AI, where even small trimming mistakes add up to big losses. Instead of a futuristic full automation pitch, the system today acts like a precision assistant, showing workers exactly where to cut while sizing the meat and reducing errors caused by fatigue or inexperience. Watch the full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGh_xGNAclA The next breakthrough in ag tech is a physical AI layer that can learn, adapt, and make farms dramatically more efficient without forcing every grower to become a robotics expert. Colin Hurd returns to the AgEmerge Podcast with a behind-the-scenes look at where ag autonomy really stands now, why retrofit solutions are only part of the story, and what has to change before self-driving machines become truly useful in the field. From dusty harvest conditions that break today’s sensors to the opportunity for AI systems to preserve hard-earned farming knowledge, this conversation gets into the real bottlenecks - and the real upside - of the next five years. Colin has devoted his career to leading innovative companies in the machinery industry. In 2016, Colin founded his second company, Smart Ag, which developed the first retrofit driverless system to automate tractors. After funding and growing the company, he led Smart Ag successfully through an exit to Raven Industries (NYSE:RAVN) in 2019. Raven was then acquired by CNH Industrial in 2021 (NYSE:CNHI). Colin stayed with Raven and managed business development until forming Mach in 2022. Learn about Mach: https://mach.io/about-us/

Why OEMs Don’t Need to Build Autonomy In-House Anymore | AgEmerge Podcast 196 with Colin Hurd & MACH

OEMs do not have to choose between building autonomy from scratch or betting a billion dollars on an acquisition. Colin Hurd lays out the third option that is changing how manufacturers think about autonomy—sourcing the full stack from providers like Mach and factory integrating it instead. If you're an OEM leader, product builder, or anyone tracking the race to autonomous systems, this episode gets to the heart of a major strategic shift: you can buy the physical and digital components, integrate them in-house, and skip the slowest, most expensive path to market. Colin explains why the traditional build-it-yourself route can take far too long, why acquisitions often come with too much risk, and how Mach is positioning itself as the alternative. Watch the full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGh_xGNAclA Autonomous tractors are only the beginning. The next breakthrough in ag tech is a physical AI layer that can learn, adapt, and make farms dramatically more efficient without forcing every grower to become a robotics expert. Colin Hurd returns to the AgEmerge Podcast with a behind-the-scenes look at where ag autonomy really stands now, why retrofit solutions are only part of the story, and what has to change before self-driving machines become truly useful in the field. From dusty harvest conditions that break today’s sensors to the opportunity for AI systems to preserve hard-earned farming knowledge, this conversation gets into the real bottlenecks - and the real upside - of the next five years. Colin has devoted his career to leading innovative companies in the machinery industry. In 2016, Colin founded his second company, Smart Ag, which developed the first retrofit driverless system to automate tractors. After funding and growing the company, he led Smart Ag successfully through an exit to Raven Industries (NYSE:RAVN) in 2019. Raven was then acquired by CNH Industrial in 2021 (NYSE:CNHI). Colin stayed with Raven and managed business development until forming Mach in 2022. Learn about Mach: https://mach.io/about-us/

Where does agriculture autonomy really stand today? | AgEmerge Podcast 196 with Colin Hurd of MACH

Autonomous tractors are only the beginning. The next breakthrough in ag tech is a physical AI layer that can learn, adapt, and make farms dramatically more efficient without forcing every grower to become a robotics expert. Colin Hurd returns to the AgEmerge Podcast with a behind-the-scenes look at where ag autonomy really stands now, why retrofit solutions are only part of the story, and what has to change before self-driving machines become truly useful in the field. From dusty harvest conditions that break today’s sensors to the opportunity for AI systems to preserve hard-earned farming knowledge, this conversation gets into the real bottlenecks - and the real upside - of the next five years. Colin has devoted his career to leading innovative companies in the machinery industry. In 2016, Colin founded his second company, Smart Ag, which developed the first retrofit driverless system to automate tractors. After funding and growing the company, he led Smart Ag successfully through an exit to Raven Industries (NYSE:RAVN) in 2019. Raven was then acquired by CNH Industrial in 2021 (NYSE:CNHI). Colin stayed with Raven and managed business development until forming Mach in 2022. Learn about Mach: https://mach.io/about-us/ Timestamps 07:08 - Why physical AI could transform the next 5 to 10 years on the farm 10:39 - Colin’s first startup and the soil compaction problem behind Track Till 12:06 - Why preventing compaction led him into autonomy 13:05 - Smart Ag, autonomous grain carts, and the Raven acquisition 14:34 - Building Mock by acquiring autonomy companies with complementary strengths 16:56 - Mach's thesis: OEMs can source autonomy instead of building or buying it all 18:18 - Why off-road engineering talent is hard to recruit and even harder to localize 20:05 - Why lidar struggles in dusty ag environments 21:04 - Radar-based sensing as Mock’s bet for off-road autonomy 22:53 - Why OEM size creates different autonomy needs across large, mid-sized, and shortline brands 24:21 - Mach's modular stack and why it stays OEM-only 26:20 - Why large enterprise users can help accelerate OEM go-to-market timing 27:29 - Retrofit autonomy and why Mach is avoiding that business model 29:14 - Why smaller, autonomy-first machine designs may be the real future 31:20 - Redesigning machines for autonomy instead of bolting it on 34:15 - One operator supervising eight machines in orchard autonomy 35:08 - Where humanoids fit into agriculture and what they would actually do 37:28 - From rigid path planning to non-deterministic physical AI 39:05 - Machines that understand objectives instead of only following pre-programmed routes 40:44 - The three core autonomy buckets: connectivity, situational awareness, and navigation 42:03 - Physical AI as a supervisory intelligence layer on top of the stack 43:03 - Agentic systems, self-repair, and the right-to-repair conversation 45:46 - Transferring farm knowledge, field history, and terrain awareness into machine behavior 47:16 - Using autonomy to support sustainable practices and reduce cost per acre 48:14 - Why cover crop adoption could accelerate if machines could learn from broader experience 50:37 - Physical AI as a way to reduce fear of failure in new practices 53:00 - Training, compute, and the challenge of learning at the edge 55:23 - Why recursive learning on-device is difficult, but data collection and fleet learning are realistic 58:32 - How farmers can connect with autonomy companies and stay current on emerging tech 60:38 - Why the ag startup ecosystem formed around practical capital and real farm pain points 63:07 - How Ag Startup Engine was built as an investor-managed fund with farmer input 65:39 - PlowVision and AI-guided cutting in meat processing 67:18 - Terra Blaster and real-time nutrient application for soil health 68:47 - Why founder feedback and customer validation matter more than hype 71:29 - How funds are increasingly sharing diligence and following one another’s leads 73:18 - The tradeoffs between angel investing and participating in a fund 74:13 - How farmers can get involved as accredited investors and pilot early autonomy tech 75:39 - Why Mach's technology aims to make agriculture more efficient and more regenerative

Are we creating picky eaters? Dr. Fred Provenza Challenges Grocery Shoppers | AgEmerge Podcast 069

How are our palettes shaped from childhood? Learn what Dr. Fred Provenza discovered by watching goats and cattle select and consumer different diets. Turns out, our own human diets can be impacted early on based on what foods are brought into our homes and bodies. Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/6eOh-R90P0M Dr. Fred Provenza, is a Professor Emeritus of Behavioral Ecology in the Department of Wildland Resources at Utah State University where he directed an award-winning research group that pioneered an understanding of how learning influences foraging behavior and how behavior links soil, plants, herbivores, and humans. Today, he and Monte explore some of that research and the connections between animal and human nutrition. Fred Provenza grew up in Salida, Colorado. He later worked on a ranch while attending school in Wildlife Biology at Colorado State University. He obtained a Master’s and a Ph.D. degree in Range Science from Utah State University where he then worked for 35 years. He is professor emeritus of Behavioral Ecology in the Department of Wildland Resources at Utah State University where he directed an award-winning research group that pioneered an understanding of how learning influences foraging behavior and how behavior links soil, plants, herbivores, and humans. That work culminated in a program called BEHAVE, which was active from 2000-2010. BEHAVE was an international network of scientists, ranchers, farmers, and land managers committed to integrating behavioral principles with local knowledge to enhance environmental, economic, and cultural values of rural and urban communities. Though BEHAVE is no longer active, the principles and practices continue to influence researchers and managers worldwide. He authored three books, including Nourishment: What Animals Can Teach Us About Rediscovering Our Nutritional Wisdom; Foraging Behavior: Managing to Survive in a World of Change; and The Art & Science of Shepherding: Tapping the Wisdom of French Herders (co-author with Michel Meuret). He published more than 300 research papers in a wide variety of scientific journals. He has been an invited speaker at more than 500 conferences. The many awards he received for research, teaching, and mentoring are the creativity that flowed from warm professional and personal relationships with over 75 graduate students, post-doctoral students, visiting scientists, and colleagues during the past 45 years. BEHAVE website link: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/behave/ Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we’ll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm We’d love to hear from you!

Do animals learn nutrition from their mothers? Dr. Fred Provenza Explains | AgEmerge Podcast 069

Can we train animals and even ourselves, to select nutrient dense foods? Dr. Fred Provenza, is a Professor Emeritus of Behavioral Ecology in the Department of Wildland Resources at Utah State University where he directed an award-winning research group that pioneered an understanding of how learning influences foraging behavior and how behavior links soil, plants, herbivores, and humans. Today, he and Monte explore some of that research and the connections between animal and human nutrition. Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/6eOh-R90P0M Fred Provenza grew up in Salida, Colorado. He later worked on a ranch while attending school in Wildlife Biology at Colorado State University. He obtained a Master’s and a Ph.D. degree in Range Science from Utah State University where he then worked for 35 years. He is professor emeritus of Behavioral Ecology in the Department of Wildland Resources at Utah State University where he directed an award-winning research group that pioneered an understanding of how learning influences foraging behavior and how behavior links soil, plants, herbivores, and humans. That work culminated in a program called BEHAVE, which was active from 2000-2010. BEHAVE was an international network of scientists, ranchers, farmers, and land managers committed to integrating behavioral principles with local knowledge to enhance environmental, economic, and cultural values of rural and urban communities. Though BEHAVE is no longer active, the principles and practices continue to influence researchers and managers worldwide. He authored three books, including Nourishment: What Animals Can Teach Us About Rediscovering Our Nutritional Wisdom; Foraging Behavior: Managing to Survive in a World of Change; and The Art & Science of Shepherding: Tapping the Wisdom of French Herders (co-author with Michel Meuret). He published more than 300 research papers in a wide variety of scientific journals. He has been an invited speaker at more than 500 conferences. The many awards he received for research, teaching, and mentoring are the creativity that flowed from warm professional and personal relationships with over 75 graduate students, post-doctoral students, visiting scientists, and colleagues during the past 45 years. BEHAVE website link: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/behave/ Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we’ll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm We’d love to hear from you!

The Soil Health Shift | AgEmerge Podcast 195 with Chuck Schembre

Regenerative agriculture is not a slogan - it is a system, and Chuck Schembre knows exactly where it breaks, where it works, and how to make the transition without throwing yields out the window. If you care about specialty crops, produce, vineyards, apples, almonds, or the real-world economics of farming differently, this conversation is for you. Chuck brings a rare perspective shaped by both the field and the science. From working restaurant lines with peak-season tomatoes and onions that changed everything he thought he knew about food, to farming his way through California, Sonoma, Napa, and now the high desert of Nevada, he shares the path that pulled him into soil health, ecological farming, and regenerative consulting. About Our Guest: Chuck Schembre is owner of High Desert Harvest Farm, a small diversified regenerative farm in Washoe Valley of Northern Nevada, and owner and founder of EcoSoil Solutions a soil health and regenerative agronomy consulting company. He's also a Certified Professional Soil Scientist and agronomist with two decades of experience farming organically and regeneratively, while interpreting soil and plant health metrics and linking them directly to practical farm management. His expertise bridges advanced soil and crop science with practical hands-on farming – from managing small-scale organic vegetable systems to large orchard and vineyard operations. He holds a B.S. degree in Earth and Soil Science from Cal Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo. Find Chuck online: https://ecosoilsolutions.com Video presentations: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxWQsab9hWKETLaaxF796E6aBILPZTr0U&si=yxWB3cwNwjeGhEh_ Timestamps: 03:28 - Choosing Cal Poly for soil science, organic farm access, and surfing 04:28 - Working on diverse farms before getting pulled into vineyard production 06:14 - Napa demo farm and the move to northern Nevada 07:11 - Early influences from ecological farming leaders and Acres USA 08:40 - Why Cal Poly was the right mix of soils, organic farming, and surf 10:31 - Why fresh tomatoes and onions changed his understanding of food 13:22 - Building High Desert Harvest for restaurants and small retail 14:17 - Why local produce is often priced against commodity distribution 16:47 - Seasonality as a parallel to regenerative management 17:35 - The complexity of regenerative transitions and finding committed buyers 21:23 - Soil tests, SAP testing, and bridging consulting with grower experience 23:47 - What motivates growers: altruism, ESG, cost, programs, and cleaner food 27:38 - Corporate goals, cleaner food, and the marketing of regenerative work 31:23 - Why full chemical removal often starts with weed management under trees and vines 33:47 - Why communication with tractor operators and applicators is critical 35:11 - Avoiding prescriptive dogma and using a staged transition plan 36:38 - Moving from herbicide dependence to a middle-ground management system 37:07 - System thinking: changing spray strategy changes everything else 40:49 - Why execution fails when planning does not reach the ground crew 42:20 - Cover crop termination is the key decision, not just planting the seed 43:14 - Myth busting regenerative agriculture in specialty crops 46:33 - Why a small amount of conventional fertility may still be appropriate 47:55 - Phosphorus overapplication in organic systems and nutrient imbalance 48:49 - The tool chest analogy: conventional, organic, and regenerative constraints 50:20 - Restoring orchards before replanting and using livestock or cover crop bridges 51:08 - Food safety rules and soil health in produce production 53:02 - Why large-scale produce is hard to transition 56:14 - Using break crops and 60 to 80 days of cover to move the needle 57:39 - Buyer specs and rejection risk in apples, lettuce, strawberries, and potatoes 58:34 - Why small growers can profit from creative sizing and packing 61:20 - How Chuck defines success later in life 63:32 - Building High Desert Harvest and creating farm ownership pathways 64:49 - Why being a farmer first makes consulting more effective 66:36 - Why agriculture requires humility, patience, and constant learning 68:46 - Closing thoughts on leadership and appreciation for the work

The Truth About Farming Nobody Says Out Loud | Chuck Schembre Talks on AgEmerge 195

Farmers are paddling their butts off, and the ones who last know how to embrace the grind. Chuck Schembre shares the hard truth behind life in agriculture: whether you're regenerative or conventional, farming is relentless, rewarding, and not for people waiting for an easier path. If you've ever wondered what it really takes to stay in the business long term, this conversation cuts straight to the mindset that separates burnout from staying power. Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/bnXj2VR9Cnc You'll hear how buyer relationships shape adoption, why the first one or two meetings are usually the hardest, and what has made certain growers - especially apple growers in Michigan using a heavy fungicide program - more open to change than many people assume. If you're interested in regenerative farming, grower adoption, or how real supply chain change actually happens, this conversation gets to the heart of the challenge: not just what to change, but how to get people willing to change in the first place. Chuck Schembre is owner of High Desert Harvest Farm, a small diversified regenerative farm in Washoe Valley of Northern Nevada, and owner and founder of EcoSoil Solutions a soil health and regenerative agronomy consulting company. He's also a Certified Professional Soil Scientist and agronomist with two decades of experience farming organically and regeneratively, while interpreting soil and plant health metrics and linking them directly to practical farm management. His expertise bridges advanced soil and crop science with practical hands-on farming – from managing small-scale organic vegetable systems to large orchard and vineyard operations. He holds a B.S degree in Earth and Soil Science from Cal Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo. Find Chuck online: https://ecosoilsolutions.com

Nutrient Density and Harvest Timing Decides Food Taste? | Chuck Schembre Talks About Food Quality

Why do so many tomatoes taste disappointing, even when they look perfect? Chuck Schembre breaks down the overlooked farm-to-table timing, ripeness, and storage choices that can make the difference between a bland tomato and the kind you eat straight off the vine. Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/bnXj2VR9Cnc You'll hear how buyer relationships shape adoption, why the first one or two meetings are usually the hardest, and what has made certain growers - especially apple growers in Michigan using a heavy fungicide program - more open to change than many people assume. If you're interested in regenerative farming, grower adoption, or how real supply chain change actually happens, this conversation gets to the heart of the challenge: not just what to change, but how to get people willing to change in the first place. Chuck Schembre is owner of High Desert Harvest Farm, a small diversified regenerative farm in Washoe Valley of Northern Nevada, and owner and founder of EcoSoil Solutions a soil health and regenerative agronomy consulting company. He's also a Certified Professional Soil Scientist and agronomist with two decades of experience farming organically and regeneratively, while interpreting soil and plant health metrics and linking them directly to practical farm management. His expertise bridges advanced soil and crop science with practical hands-on farming – from managing small-scale organic vegetable systems to large orchard and vineyard operations. He holds a B.S degree in Earth and Soil Science from Cal Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo. Find Chuck online: https://ecosoilsolutions.com

Myth Busting Regen Farming | Monte and Chuck Challenge the Norm

The biggest myth about regenerative agriculture? That it automatically tanks yields. Chuck Schembre breaks down why that assumption falls apart - especially in specialty crops - and what actually has to happen if you want soil health practices to work in the real world. Chuck pushes past the buzzwords and gets into the messy truth: context matters, agronomy matters, and "regenerative" is not a magic switch. If you've heard the promise that healthier soil will instantly fix nutrient cycling, disease pressure, and insects, this conversation will challenge that oversimplified story. You'll hear: -Why the yield-loss fear keeps coming up in regenerative transitions -Where the argument is different for specialty crops versus row crops like corn, wheat, and soy. -Why getting the agronomy right is the real unlock -The dangerous assumption that soil health alone will solve every pest and nutrient problem -How to think about regenerative farming without falling for the hype -Monte guides the conversation by pressing on the myths that keep growers, advisors, and consumers talking past each other. Chuck answers with a practical lens shaped by on-the-ground experience, making this especially valuable if you're a farmer, agronomist, ag advisor, or anyone trying to separate regenerative reality from regenerative marketing. If you want a clearer, less romanticized view of what regenerative organic can and can't do, this episode delivers the nuance most conversations skip. Essential listening if you're trying to make better decisions in the transition, not just better claims about it. Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/bnXj2VR9Cnc You'll hear how buyer relationships shape adoption, why the first one or two meetings are usually the hardest, and what has made certain growers - especially apple growers in Michigan using a heavy fungicide program - more open to change than many people assume. If you're interested in regenerative farming, grower adoption, or how real supply chain change actually happens, this conversation gets to the heart of the challenge: not just what to change, but how to get people willing to change in the first place. Chuck Schembre is owner of High Desert Harvest Farm, a small diversified regenerative farm in Washoe Valley of Northern Nevada, and owner and founder of EcoSoil Solutions a soil health and regenerative agronomy consulting company. He's also a Certified Professional Soil Scientist and agronomist with two decades of experience farming organically and regeneratively, while interpreting soil and plant health metrics and linking them directly to practical farm management. His expertise bridges advanced soil and crop science with practical hands-on farming – from managing small-scale organic vegetable systems to large orchard and vineyard operations. He holds a B.S degree in Earth and Soil Science from Cal Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo. Find Chuck online: https://ecosoilsolutions.com

Ask, Don't Tell Farmers What to Do| AgEmerge Podcast 194 with Dr. Jessica Chiartas

The best way to work with farmers - or anyone - is simpler than we make it. Ask first. Listen longer. "I keep coming back to one sales lesson that stuck with me: Ask, don’t tell. Educate, don’t sell. Understand the system before you suggest a fix. That changes everything," says Dr. Jessica Chiartas. Watch the full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k21LoDLroYA&t In this episode, Jessica breaks down the complexities of regenerative agriculture, from soil’s vital role in climate resilience, water quality, and human health, to the challenges of creating scalable scoring systems that respect local context. You'll uncover the innovative process behind developing region-specific metrics, the importance of community and farmer-centric approaches, and how technology and storytelling are shaping a new era of transparency and impact. We dive into the intersection of soil science, market mechanisms, and consumer choices, revealing why understanding soil health is essential not just for farmers but for everyone invested in a sustainable future. Jessica shares why regenerative farming isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution but a nuanced, evolving journey—one that requires collaboration across sectors and disciplines. She emphasizes the psychological and social shifts needed to inspire widespread adoption, highlighting the power of education, trust, and tangible health outcomes. Learn how soil health ties directly to climate resilience, biodiversity, and human wellbeing—and why immediate action is critical to avoid slow, irreversible damage. This episode is perfect for farmers needing practical pathways to adopt regenerative practices, investors and brands seeking credible impact metrics, educators passionate about soil awareness, and anyone curious about how farming can heal the planet while supporting healthy communities. Jessica’s optimistic outlook reminds us that rapid, positive change is possible—if we leverage science, technology, and storytelling to fuel systemic shifts. Tune in to feel empowered to connect with the ground beneath your feet and imagine a healthier, more resilient future for all. Resources Regen Score Framework - https://regenscore.org Soil Life Project - https://soil.life Jessica Chartis - UBC Profile - https://ubc.ca/jessica-chartis

Are You Farming for Health Benefits? | AgEmerge Podcast 194 with Dr. Jessica Chiartas

Transitioning farmer habits to include soil health practices doesn't come easily to everyone. Can a desire for their own health help farmers and consumers benefit from soil health? Regenerative agriculture is not a one-size-fits-all formula - and that’s exactly why it works. Jessica makes the case that the real power of regenerative starts with context: your soil, climate, microclimate, crops, and production system determine what actually matters. If you’ve ever felt frustrated by vague definitions or conflicting advice, this episode cuts through the noise. Jessica breaks down why regenerative practices can look totally different from one farm to the next, and why that flexibility is the point, not the flaw. You’ll hear how decisions in tillage management, nutrient management, integrated pest management, and irrigation management all have to work together inside a specific system. Jessica also explains why the benefits of regenerative agriculture may vary widely depending on location, soil type, and production method. This conversation is especially useful for growers, ag professionals, and anyone trying to move beyond buzzwords into practical, field-level decision-making. It’s a sharp reminder that the future of regenerative agriculture depends less on a perfect definition and more on knowing how to apply the principles where you are. If you want a clearer, more grounded way to think about regenerative agriculture, this is the episode to hear first. Watch the full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k21LoDLroYA&t In this episode, Jessica breaks down the complexities of regenerative agriculture, from soil’s vital role in climate resilience, water quality, and human health, to the challenges of creating scalable scoring systems that respect local context. You'll uncover the innovative process behind developing region-specific metrics, the importance of community and farmer-centric approaches, and how technology and storytelling are shaping a new era of transparency and impact. We dive into the intersection of soil science, market mechanisms, and consumer choices, revealing why understanding soil health is essential not just for farmers but for everyone invested in a sustainable future. Jessica shares why regenerative farming isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution but a nuanced, evolving journey—one that requires collaboration across sectors and disciplines. She emphasizes the psychological and social shifts needed to inspire widespread adoption, highlighting the power of education, trust, and tangible health outcomes. Learn how soil health ties directly to climate resilience, biodiversity, and human wellbeing—and why immediate action is critical to avoid slow, irreversible damage. This episode is perfect for farmers needing practical pathways to adopt regenerative practices, investors and brands seeking credible impact metrics, educators passionate about soil awareness, and anyone curious about how farming can heal the planet while supporting healthy communities. Jessica’s optimistic outlook reminds us that rapid, positive change is possible—if we leverage science, technology, and storytelling to fuel systemic shifts. Tune in to feel empowered to connect with the ground beneath your feet and imagine a healthier, more resilient future for all. Resources Regen Score Framework - https://regenscore.org Soil Life Project - https://soil.life Jessica Chartis - UBC Profile - https://ubc.ca/jessica-chartis

Bean Counters Can't Save a Business But Soil Health Can | AgEmerge Podcast 194 Monte Bottens

Monte Bottens visits with Dr. Jessica Chiartas about the impact of soil health on a farming business. Are we bean counting or is there a greater measurement? Watch the full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k21LoDLroYA&t In this episode, Jessica breaks down the complexities of regenerative agriculture, from soil’s vital role in climate resilience, water quality, and human health, to the challenges of creating scalable scoring systems that respect local context. You'll uncover the innovative process behind developing region-specific metrics, the importance of community and farmer-centric approaches, and how technology and storytelling are shaping a new era of transparency and impact. We dive into the intersection of soil science, market mechanisms, and consumer choices, revealing why understanding soil health is essential not just for farmers but for everyone invested in a sustainable future. Jessica shares why regenerative farming isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution but a nuanced, evolving journey—one that requires collaboration across sectors and disciplines. She emphasizes the psychological and social shifts needed to inspire widespread adoption, highlighting the power of education, trust, and tangible health outcomes. Learn how soil health ties directly to climate resilience, biodiversity, and human wellbeing—and why immediate action is critical to avoid slow, irreversible damage. This episode is perfect for farmers needing practical pathways to adopt regenerative practices, investors and brands seeking credible impact metrics, educators passionate about soil awareness, and anyone curious about how farming can heal the planet while supporting healthy communities. Jessica’s optimistic outlook reminds us that rapid, positive change is possible—if we leverage science, technology, and storytelling to fuel systemic shifts. Tune in to feel empowered to connect with the ground beneath your feet and imagine a healthier, more resilient future for all. Resources Regen Score Framework - https://regenscore.org Soil Life Project - https://soil.life Jessica Chartis - UBC Profile - https://ubc.ca/jessica-chartis

Is it possible to define regen farming? | AgEmerge Podcast 194 with Dr. Jessica Chiartas Talks

Regenerative agriculture is not a one-size-fits-all formula - and that’s exactly why it works. Jessica makes the case that the real power of regenerative starts with context: your soil, climate, microclimate, crops, and production system determine what actually matters. If you’ve ever felt frustrated by vague definitions or conflicting advice, this episode cuts through the noise. Jessica breaks down why regenerative practices can look totally different from one farm to the next, and why that flexibility is the point, not the flaw. You’ll hear how decisions in tillage management, nutrient management, integrated pest management, and irrigation management all have to work together inside a specific system. Jessica also explains why the benefits of regenerative agriculture may vary widely depending on location, soil type, and production method. This conversation is especially useful for growers, ag professionals, and anyone trying to move beyond buzzwords into practical, field-level decision-making. It’s a sharp reminder that the future of regenerative agriculture depends less on a perfect definition and more on knowing how to apply the principles where you are. If you want a clearer, more grounded way to think about regenerative agriculture, this is the episode to hear first. Watch the full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k21LoDLroYA&t In this episode, Jessica breaks down the complexities of regenerative agriculture, from soil’s vital role in climate resilience, water quality, and human health, to the challenges of creating scalable scoring systems that respect local context. You'll uncover the innovative process behind developing region-specific metrics, the importance of community and farmer-centric approaches, and how technology and storytelling are shaping a new era of transparency and impact. We dive into the intersection of soil science, market mechanisms, and consumer choices, revealing why understanding soil health is essential not just for farmers but for everyone invested in a sustainable future. Jessica shares why regenerative farming isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution but a nuanced, evolving journey—one that requires collaboration across sectors and disciplines. She emphasizes the psychological and social shifts needed to inspire widespread adoption, highlighting the power of education, trust, and tangible health outcomes. Learn how soil health ties directly to climate resilience, biodiversity, and human wellbeing—and why immediate action is critical to avoid slow, irreversible damage. This episode is perfect for farmers needing practical pathways to adopt regenerative practices, investors and brands seeking credible impact metrics, educators passionate about soil awareness, and anyone curious about how farming can heal the planet while supporting healthy communities. Jessica’s optimistic outlook reminds us that rapid, positive change is possible—if we leverage science, technology, and storytelling to fuel systemic shifts. Tune in to feel empowered to connect with the ground beneath your feet and imagine a healthier, more resilient future for all. Resources Regen Score Framework - https://regenscore.org Soil Life Project - https://soil.life Jessica Chartis - UBC Profile - https://ubc.ca/jessica-chartis

Can Farmers Keep Score? | AgEmerge Podcast 194 with Dr. Jessica Chiartas Talks

Unlock the future of sustainable farming with Dr. Jessica Chiartas, currently serving at the University of British Columbia. Her research focuses on the long-term impacts of agriculture on soil carbon and overall soil health with a unique focus on carbon at depth. Jessica shares her inspiring journey from corporate pharma sales to pioneering soil health measurement frameworks that could transform global agriculture. Discover how her RegenScore provides a practical, evidence-based way for farmers, brands, and consumers to quantify and promote regenerative practices—beyond mere labels and checkboxes. In this episode, Jessica breaks down the complexities of regenerative agriculture, from soil’s vital role in climate resilience, water quality, and human health, to the challenges of creating scalable scoring systems that respect local context. You'll uncover the innovative process behind developing region-specific metrics, the importance of community and farmer-centric approaches, and how technology and storytelling are shaping a new era of transparency and impact. We dive into the intersection of soil science, market mechanisms, and consumer choices, revealing why understanding soil health is essential not just for farmers but for everyone invested in a sustainable future. Jessica shares why regenerative farming isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution but a nuanced, evolving journey—one that requires collaboration across sectors and disciplines. She emphasizes the psychological and social shifts needed to inspire widespread adoption, highlighting the power of education, trust, and tangible health outcomes. Learn how soil health ties directly to climate resilience, biodiversity, and human wellbeing—and why immediate action is critical to avoid slow, irreversible damage. This episode is perfect for farmers needing practical pathways to adopt regenerative practices, investors and brands seeking credible impact metrics, educators passionate about soil awareness, and anyone curious about how farming can heal the planet while supporting healthy communities. Jessica’s optimistic outlook reminds us that rapid, positive change is possible—if we leverage science, technology, and storytelling to fuel systemic shifts. Tune in to feel empowered to connect with the ground beneath your feet and imagine a healthier, more resilient future for all. Resources Regen Score Framework - https://regenscore.org Soil Life Project - https://soil.life Jessica Chartis - UBC Profile - https://ubc.ca/jessica-chartis Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Jessica's background 01:59 Jessica's journey from pharma to soil science 03:52 Soil health and its impact on human well-being 06:46 Development of Regen Score and its principles 10:14 Regional specificity and scaling of Regen Score 14:57 Challenges and opportunities in regenerative measurement 19:45 Market drivers and consumer engagement 25:07 Food as medicine and health impacts 30:14 Soil health, biodiversity, and environmental benefits 34:51 Policy, economics, and market pull for regenerative farming 40:08 Future outlook and hope for regenerative agriculture 45:00 Practical steps for farmers to adopt regenerative practices 49:58 Jessica's vision for education and soil awareness 55:04 Closing thoughts and optimism for the future

How GPS-Denied Navigation Is Shifting Precision Agriculture | Verdant Robotics & Relocalization

Most farms still rely on guesswork—until now. Discover how cutting-edge GPS-denied navigation technology transforms orchard management by tracking individual apples from blossom to basket, even in GPS-blocking environments like Faraday cages. Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/jDGtPuTFro0 In this eye-opening episode, Gabe reveals how a background in space navigation has unlocked solutions for agriculture’s toughest challenges—tracing a single apple through every stage of growth without GPS. You’ll uncover how precise localization enables farmers to revisit specific plants, assess treatment outcomes, and attribute results directly to their actions with unparalleled accuracy. We break down the innovative techniques behind GPS-denied positioning, explore real-world applications in almond orchards, and share unexpected insights into how this tech can redefine yield optimization. Monte and Curtis dig into the broader implications—how precise crop tracking leads to smarter farming, reduced waste, and higher profitability. If you’re a grower, agtech enthusiast, or simply curious about the future of farming, this episode exposes a game-changing approach that merges space tech with agriculture—offering a glimpse into farms of the future where every fruit's story is fully traceable, no matter the environment. Perfect for anyone interested in farming innovation, next-gen AgTech, or solutions that bridge space and soil—don’t miss this deep dive into a revolutionary way to grow smarter, not harder.

How Tiny Tractors and Autonomy Are Redefining Modern Agriculture | Verdant Robotics SharpShooter

Imagine tractors that don’t need a driver—machines that communicate, operate autonomously, and boost your farm’s productivity around the clock. In this episode, we unlock the future of farming by exploring cutting-edge autonomous tractor technology transforming the way large-scale farms operate today. Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/jDGtPuTFro0 Most farmers overlook the massive potential of autonomous solutions that work 24/7—until now. We dive into real-world developments where tiny tractors, equipped with multi-tank and multi-turret capabilities, can efficiently spray and weed fields without human intervention. Plus, discover how farms are now using autonomous tractors dragged behind rigs in sod farms, seamlessly communicating with each other to optimize every pass. You’ll discover: How autonomous tractors are already being put to work in sod farms and large-scale crop systems The breakthrough deployment of autonomous systems on Sabato rigs, working at five miles per hour—far faster than traditional methods The strategic decision to focus on autonomous back-of-machine solutions that deliver real, tangible value Insights from key innovators, including Beck’s team, who see a market-ready shift towards 24/7 autonomous operation in corn and soy farming The economic and environmental benefits of replacing manual labor with autonomous systems that run tirelessly around the clock Why does this matter? Because farmers who embrace autonomous technology now can drastically cut costs, increase yields, and stay ahead in a competitive market. Those who delay risk falling behind in a rapidly evolving agricultural landscape. Perfect for farmers, agtech enthusiasts, or anyone curious about the future of high-tech agriculture—this episode reveals how autonomous tractors are set to revolutionize farming as we know it. Get ready to see the field in a whole new way, where robots and human ingenuity come together for smarter, more efficient food production.

The Hidden Challenge in Silicon Valley’s Automation Race: Timing Everything | Verdant Robotics

Most of us won't realize just how radically automation will transform everyday life—and it's happening faster than we think. While industry giants like Deere, Kubota, and Toro pour into agricultural and construction tech, the real challenge is timing: How do we know when these innovations will hit mainstream? If you've ever wondered whether we're rushing into the future or dragging our feet, this episode unlocks the big picture of automation's unstoppable march. Watch full episode: https://youtu.be/jDGtPuTFro0 We dive into why automating work across agriculture, forestry, logistics, cooking, cleaning, and beyond is not a question of if, but when. Gabe and Curtis of Verdant Robotics share insights about the shifts shaping our economy and how companies are positioning themselves at the edge of a revolution waiting to happen. You'll discover why timing is the perennial obstacle in Silicon Valley—and what it means for you, whether you're a strategist, entrepreneur, or simply curious about the future of work. This episode explores: Why automation of everyday chores and industry tasks is inevitable—and how soon it could affect your life The tricky art of timing in technological breakthroughs, from early investments to market readiness How giants like Deere and Toro are strategizing for a future where work is fundamentally redefined The broader implications for society if we master the timing and scale of these innovations Why not knowing exactly when these shifts will occur is a strategic advantage—and a challenge Miss the boat on this wave of automation, and you risk falling behind in a future shaped by relentless technological progress. Stay ahead by understanding the timing game and how industry leaders are preparing for a world where work and chores are automated at an unprecedented scale. Perfect for entrepreneurs, industry professionals, and anyone intrigued by tech's role in reshaping the future—this episode will leave you pondering where automation is headed and how you can leverage these changes before the rest catch up.

The Hard Truth: AI's Future Depends on Managing Supply Chain Chaos | Verdant Robotics Approach

Imagine a future where AI and data centers are the most sought-after technology, driving a relentless scramble for essential hardware. As supply chain constraints tighten and demand skyrockets, how can farm industry leaders stay ahead? Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/jDGtPuTFro0 In this episode, top engineers reveal the behind-the-scenes strategies to secure vital chip supplies amid a global shortage. You'll discover why the semiconductor scarcity isn’t slowing down—and why it’s only going to get more intense. We break down how companies are navigating this challenge: from locking down supply chains early, leveraging scale markets like mobile devices, to optimizing engineering and value engineering practices. Discover the concrete tactics used to maintain a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving landscape. Missing out on these insights could mean falling behind in the AI race, as hardware scarcity begins shaping the future of technological innovation. This is your front-row seat to understanding the supply chain moves that could define the next decade. Perfect for chip designers, hardware engineers, product managers, and tech leaders ready to turn supply chain chaos into strategic advantage. Don’t let hardware shortages stall your ambitions—listen now and stay ahead of the curve.

Human vs Computer Detection: Who wins in farming? | Verdant Robotics Explains Machine Learning

Imagine being able to detect plant diseases a full week before the human eye can see them — with just your cell phone. In this episode, Curtis and Gabe of Verdant Robotics talk with Monte about how simple image labeling could revolutionize agriculture through computer vision. Despite current limitations, the potential for smarter, faster disease detection and pest management is enormous, promising healthier crops and higher yields. Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/jDGtPuTFro0 Discover how everyday photos can be trained to teach machines to identify plant health issues more reliably than humans. Curtis shares eye-opening insights from early experiments where AI detected Firebite disease a week ahead of traditional methods. We break down how RGB cameras and future multi-spectral tech could exponentially expand farming’s capabilities, by revealing invisible signals like temperature shifts, chlorophyll changes, and nutrient responses. Tune in for fascinating discussions on the game-changing applications of computer vision in agriculture. You'll learn about the current state of remote sensing, the challenges of widespread adoption, and the enormous opportunity for farmers to leverage AI for smarter crop management. If you're curious about the future of farming, or interested in how AI could transform industries beyond tech, this episode is your front-row seat. Perfect for growers, ag-tech entrepreneurs, or anyone intrigued by how simple smartphone images could unlock complex biological secrets. This isn’t just about technology — it’s about redefining how we care for the planet’s most vital resource: our food.

Can autonomous farm tools pay for themselves? | Verdant Robotics Talks ROI

Most farmers are waiting too long to adopt game-changing technology—missing out on immediate ROI and years of future gains. What if the best time to act is right now? Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/jDGtPuTFro0 In this episode, Gabe and Curtis of Verdant Robotics reveal why delaying investment in reliable, efficient equipment costs more in the long run, and how starting sooner accelerates your success. They discuss the current 12-week lead times and explain why early adoption can put you ahead of the curve, with benefits that compound over time. You’ll discover the counterintuitive secret to maximizing your farm’s productivity and profit, without sacrificing quality or speed. We break down the real advantages farmers gain from early testing and engagement, including community field days—perfect opportunities to see the equipment in action and plan your year's crops more strategically. Curtis shares how open farm demonstrations can help you make informed decisions in your own fields, ensuring you're not left behind as technology advances. Failing to act now means missing out on the lucrative returns and peace of mind that come from being an early adopter. As the machinery and processes continue to improve, early movers will dominate the future landscape of farming—making this the critical moment to step in. Whether you're planning next year’s crops or just want to stay competitive, this episode delivers the insights you need to make smarter, faster decisions in a rapidly evolving industry. Don’t let delays hold your farm back—unlock the full potential of innovation today. Tune in now and discover how acting sooner will reshape your farming future—because in today’s world, opportunity waits for no one.

The Story of Verdant Robotics & Farmer Design | AgEmerge Podcast 193 Gabe Sibley & Curtis Garner

The future of ag tech is here—aimable, precise, and radically more efficient. Gabe Sibley and Curtis Garner reveal how they’ve built the Verdant Robotics platform to target weeds and pests with pinpoint accuracy but also transforms how farms scout, analyze, and act on data in real time. Discover how Verdant Robotics is pioneering an autonomous spraying system that’s faster, smarter, and more sustainable than traditional methods. Gabe shares how deep learning, high-resolution imaging, and patented aiming technology are redefining crop management—dissecting individual plants, detecting diseases earlier, and reducing input use dramatically. Curtis chimes in with stories from scaling operations across North America and beyond, explaining how agility, innovation, and a focus on real farmer pain points propel their mission. We break down the critical role of digitization in unlocking exactly the right amount of herbicide or fertilizer at the right spot, the challenges of supply chain constraints—and more importantly—how the industry can leap forward despite long timelines and slow tech adoption. Why wait years to see ROI? This tech promises a rapid payback—sometimes in mere months—that could revolutionize productivity for growers of all sizes and crop types, especially those underserved by existing solutions. If you’re a forward-thinking farmer or agtech enthusiast tired of incremental improvements that don’t deliver, this is your shot at catching the next big wave. Learn how sophisticated AI, machine vision, and precision application tools are converging into a new era of farming—one where autonomous, versatile robots adapt seamlessly to complex crop environments, saving money, inputs, and water, while boosting yields. Whether you’re in leafy greens, orchards, or row crops, these insights are essential to understanding how automation will shape the future landscape of agriculture. Are you ready to ditch the old and embrace the cutting edge of farm technology? This episode is your front-row seat to the innovations that are not years away—they’re happening right now. Gabe Sibley is CEO and Co-Founder of Verdant Robotics, known for cutting-edge autonomous sprayers that combine high-resolution vision with precise chemical delivery. Curtis Garner, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer, is a seasoned farm operations expert, brings practical insights on deploying automation at scale across diverse crops and regions. Timestamps 01:20 - Origins of the team and their experience in space, military, and ag tech 02:49 - The importance of listening to growers and focusing on tangible value 05:53 - Geographic scope of their road trip and farmer interactions in the U. S. and Chile 07:02 - How farmer conversations reveal unmet needs and unspoken problems 09:59 - Case study: Using AI to identify individual apples and improve profitability 11:17 - Digitizing crops at scale for better decision-making and control loops 14:02 - Unique aimable fluid delivery technology for targeted chemical application 15:45 - advances in liquid application, size, speed, and multi-product handling 16:27 - Overcoming physics limitations of laser and laser-like weed control 18:11 - 3D space navigation, camera systems, and occlusion strategies in orchards 19:01 - Achieving millimeter-level accuracy and scaling to various crop sizes 20:46 - Expanding from leafy greens to grass seed and international markets 26:09 - Challenges of scaling tech amidst supply chain shortages and global chip scarcity 29:30 - The cultural challenges of integrating Silicon Valley innovation, manufacturing, and farming 31:52 - How the industry is moving from hype to real impact with sustained investment 36:52 - ROI and operational efficiency of their autonomous spraying units 37:45 - The hardware specs, form factor, and integration options with existing machinery 39:11 - Opportunities in disease detection, multi-spectral imaging, and remote sensing 44:49 - Autonomous operation advancements, teaming with VEX and other partners 45:29 - High-res imaging for enhanced agronomy insights and crop management 48:40 - Tracking individual plants over the season for better yield and health outcomes 58:13 - Final thoughts: the future of agricultural automation and innovations

AgEmerge Podcast 192 Monte Bottens | Regen Farming Commodity Crops #farmer #podcast #livestock

Is it possible for corn and soy growers to dedicate 2% of the acres to livestock? A tech entrepreneur turned regenerative farmer is rewriting the farming story. Chris Baggott, a serial entrepreneur behind Salesforce’s groundbreaking marketing platform and innovative food ventures, reveals how his journey from Silicon Valley to soil can unlock new opportunities for farmers eager to thrive beyond commodities. Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/wxffwwsEsOg Chris shares how his tech background taught him the importance of democratizing marketing and why farmers need to embrace the digital revolution to connect directly with consumers. You'll discover how precision algorithms optimize delivery routes, how transparency and storytelling "de-commodify" food, and why small farmers can compete against global giants by leveraging online tools and local community bonds. Monte and Chris break down the seismic shift toward local, nutrient-dense food—why consumers crave authenticity and how farmers can meet that demand with fewer middlemen. Chris explains the friction points in regenerative agriculture—such as marketing, scale, and the last mile—and offers practical strategies to overcome them without sacrificing profitability. Gain insights into how branding, transparency, and consumer education can transform farm businesses into community-centric food brands. Join us if you're ready to rethink what it means to grow, market, and sell food in a connected, consumer-driven world. This is your blueprint for turning farm passion into profitable, resilient food systems that honor place, people, and purpose. Main Topics Covered: - Chris Baggott’s transition from Silicon Valley success to regenerative farming - The impact of democratizing marketing in agriculture - How technology, AI, and online platforms empower small farmers and food entrepreneurs - The role of soil health, grazing, and holistic management in sustainable farming - Challenges and opportunities in local food systems and supply chains About our guest: Chris Baggott is the founder of Tyner Pond Farm in central Indiana, a regenerative farm his family started more than 16 years ago with the goal of restoring health to the land and to people through better food and better farming. Before farming, Chris built a career in software and other businesses. That background still shapes how he thinks about food systems, but his work at Tyner Pond Farm is rooted in something more basic: animals on pasture, healthy soil, local accountability, and a direct relationship between farmers and the families they serve. Tyner Pond Farm raises 100% grassfed and grass-finished beef, pasture-raised chicken, and eggs using managed grazing and pasture rotation. Over the years, the farm has grown into one of the larger grassfed cattle operations in the Midwest while staying focused on direct-to-customer sales and transparent sourcing. Chris is also working on FarmersMarket.com, a national food platform built around identifiable producers, not anonymous commodities. His view is that food should not just be labeled as beef, pork, chicken, or salmon. Customers should know whose beef, whose pork, whose chicken, and whose salmon they are buying. His work sits at the intersection of regenerative agriculture, local food, software, and the question of how to build better markets without losing the personal relationships that make good food systems trustworthy. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction & episode overview 01:11 - Chris Baggott’s background in tech and founding ExactTarget 04:13 - Transition from high-speed technology to regenerative farming 05:29 - The evolution of data-driven marketing and democratization 09:06 - Impact of Salesforce acquisition and marketing for small businesses 10:53 - The shift towards local, direct-to-consumer food models 17:26 - Inspiration for moving into regenerative agriculture from environmental and historical insights 20:12 - The analogy between music streaming and food supply democratization 25:02 - Practical insights on grazing management and soil health 30:41 - Collaborations, partnerships, and scaling farm operations 45:50 - Addressing friction points in farming and marketing strategies 55:58 - The importance of local story-telling and consumer trust 64:37 - The future of food distribution, last mile delivery, and market differentiation 66:05 - Connecting with Chris and embracing technology for small farms

AgEmerge Podcast 192 Chris Baggott | The Spotify of Agriculture #farmer #marketing #localfood

What can agriculture learn from Apple and Spotify? A tech entrepreneur turned regenerative farmer is rewriting the farming story. Chris Baggott, a serial entrepreneur behind Salesforce’s groundbreaking marketing platform and innovative food ventures, reveals how his journey from Silicon Valley to soil can unlock new opportunities for farmers eager to thrive beyond commodities. Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/wxffwwsEsOg Chris shares how his tech background taught him the importance of democratizing marketing and why farmers need to embrace the digital revolution to connect directly with consumers. You'll discover how precision algorithms optimize delivery routes, how transparency and storytelling "de-commodify" food, and why small farmers can compete against global giants by leveraging online tools and local community bonds. Monte and Chris break down the seismic shift toward local, nutrient-dense food—why consumers crave authenticity and how farmers can meet that demand with fewer middlemen. Chris explains the friction points in regenerative agriculture—such as marketing, scale, and the last mile—and offers practical strategies to overcome them without sacrificing profitability. Gain insights into how branding, transparency, and consumer education can transform farm businesses into community-centric food brands. Join us if you're ready to rethink what it means to grow, market, and sell food in a connected, consumer-driven world. This is your blueprint for turning farm passion into profitable, resilient food systems that honor place, people, and purpose. Main Topics Covered: - Chris Baggott’s transition from Silicon Valley success to regenerative farming - The impact of democratizing marketing in agriculture - How technology, AI, and online platforms empower small farmers and food entrepreneurs - The role of soil health, grazing, and holistic management in sustainable farming - Challenges and opportunities in local food systems and supply chains About our guest: Chris Baggott is the founder of Tyner Pond Farm in central Indiana, a regenerative farm his family started more than 16 years ago with the goal of restoring health to the land and to people through better food and better farming. Before farming, Chris built a career in software and other businesses. That background still shapes how he thinks about food systems, but his work at Tyner Pond Farm is rooted in something more basic: animals on pasture, healthy soil, local accountability, and a direct relationship between farmers and the families they serve. Tyner Pond Farm raises 100% grassfed and grass-finished beef, pasture-raised chicken, and eggs using managed grazing and pasture rotation. Over the years, the farm has grown into one of the larger grassfed cattle operations in the Midwest while staying focused on direct-to-customer sales and transparent sourcing. Chris is also working on FarmersMarket.com, a national food platform built around identifiable producers, not anonymous commodities. His view is that food should not just be labeled as beef, pork, chicken, or salmon. Customers should know whose beef, whose pork, whose chicken, and whose salmon they are buying. His work sits at the intersection of regenerative agriculture, local food, software, and the question of how to build better markets without losing the personal relationships that make good food systems trustworthy. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction & episode overview 01:11 - Chris Baggott’s background in tech and founding ExactTarget 04:13 - Transition from high-speed technology to regenerative farming 05:29 - The evolution of data-driven marketing and democratization 09:06 - Impact of Salesforce acquisition and marketing for small businesses 10:53 - The shift towards local, direct-to-consumer food models 17:26 - Inspiration for moving into regenerative agriculture from environmental and historical insights 20:12 - The analogy between music streaming and food supply democratization 25:02 - Practical insights on grazing management and soil health 30:41 - Collaborations, partnerships, and scaling farm operations 45:50 - Addressing friction points in farming and marketing strategies 55:58 - The importance of local story-telling and consumer trust 64:37 - The future of food distribution, last mile delivery, and market differentiation 66:05 - Connecting with Chris and embracing technology for small farms

AgEmerge Podcast 192 Chris Baggott | The Power of Community #farmer #livestock #local #food

What if farmers fed their surrounding community? A tech entrepreneur turned regenerative farmer is rewriting the farming story. Chris Baggott, a serial entrepreneur behind Salesforce’s groundbreaking marketing platform and innovative food ventures, reveals how his journey from Silicon Valley to soil can unlock new opportunities for farmers eager to thrive beyond commodities. Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/wxffwwsEsOg Chris shares how his tech background taught him the importance of democratizing marketing and why farmers need to embrace the digital revolution to connect directly with consumers. You'll discover how precision algorithms optimize delivery routes, how transparency and storytelling "de-commodify" food, and why small farmers can compete against global giants by leveraging online tools and local community bonds. Monte and Chris break down the seismic shift toward local, nutrient-dense food—why consumers crave authenticity and how farmers can meet that demand with fewer middlemen. Chris explains the friction points in regenerative agriculture—such as marketing, scale, and the last mile—and offers practical strategies to overcome them without sacrificing profitability. Gain insights into how branding, transparency, and consumer education can transform farm businesses into community-centric food brands. Join us if you're ready to rethink what it means to grow, market, and sell food in a connected, consumer-driven world. This is your blueprint for turning farm passion into profitable, resilient food systems that honor place, people, and purpose. Main Topics Covered: - Chris Baggott’s transition from Silicon Valley success to regenerative farming - The impact of democratizing marketing in agriculture - How technology, AI, and online platforms empower small farmers and food entrepreneurs - The role of soil health, grazing, and holistic management in sustainable farming - Challenges and opportunities in local food systems and supply chains About our guest: Chris Baggott is the founder of Tyner Pond Farm in central Indiana, a regenerative farm his family started more than 16 years ago with the goal of restoring health to the land and to people through better food and better farming. Before farming, Chris built a career in software and other businesses. That background still shapes how he thinks about food systems, but his work at Tyner Pond Farm is rooted in something more basic: animals on pasture, healthy soil, local accountability, and a direct relationship between farmers and the families they serve. Tyner Pond Farm raises 100% grassfed and grass-finished beef, pasture-raised chicken, and eggs using managed grazing and pasture rotation. Over the years, the farm has grown into one of the larger grassfed cattle operations in the Midwest while staying focused on direct-to-customer sales and transparent sourcing. Chris is also working on FarmersMarket.com, a national food platform built around identifiable producers, not anonymous commodities. His view is that food should not just be labeled as beef, pork, chicken, or salmon. Customers should know whose beef, whose pork, whose chicken, and whose salmon they are buying. His work sits at the intersection of regenerative agriculture, local food, software, and the question of how to build better markets without losing the personal relationships that make good food systems trustworthy. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction & episode overview 01:11 - Chris Baggott’s background in tech and founding ExactTarget 04:13 - Transition from high-speed technology to regenerative farming 05:29 - The evolution of data-driven marketing and democratization 09:06 - Impact of Salesforce acquisition and marketing for small businesses 10:53 - The shift towards local, direct-to-consumer food models 17:26 - Inspiration for moving into regenerative agriculture from environmental and historical insights 20:12 - The analogy between music streaming and food supply democratization 25:02 - Practical insights on grazing management and soil health 30:41 - Collaborations, partnerships, and scaling farm operations 45:50 - Addressing friction points in farming and marketing strategies 55:58 - The importance of local story-telling and consumer trust 64:37 - The future of food distribution, last mile delivery, and market differentiation 66:05 - Connecting with Chris and embracing technology for small farms

AgEmerge Podcast 192 Chris Baggott | Google Near Me Farm and Recipe Search Strategy #farmer

Finding customers has never been easier. Farmers can direct market to local communities with simple search tools. A tech entrepreneur turned regenerative farmer is rewriting the farming story. Chris Baggott, a serial entrepreneur behind Salesforce’s groundbreaking marketing platform and innovative food ventures, reveals how his journey from Silicon Valley to soil can unlock new opportunities for farmers eager to thrive beyond commodities. Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/wxffwwsEsOg Chris shares how his tech background taught him the importance of democratizing marketing and why farmers need to embrace the digital revolution to connect directly with consumers. You'll discover how precision algorithms optimize delivery routes, how transparency and storytelling "de-commodify" food, and why small farmers can compete against global giants by leveraging online tools and local community bonds. Monte and Chris break down the seismic shift toward local, nutrient-dense food—why consumers crave authenticity and how farmers can meet that demand with fewer middlemen. Chris explains the friction points in regenerative agriculture—such as marketing, scale, and the last mile—and offers practical strategies to overcome them without sacrificing profitability. Gain insights into how branding, transparency, and consumer education can transform farm businesses into community-centric food brands. Join us if you're ready to rethink what it means to grow, market, and sell food in a connected, consumer-driven world. This is your blueprint for turning farm passion into profitable, resilient food systems that honor place, people, and purpose. Main Topics Covered: - Chris Baggott’s transition from Silicon Valley success to regenerative farming - The impact of democratizing marketing in agriculture - How technology, AI, and online platforms empower small farmers and food entrepreneurs - The role of soil health, grazing, and holistic management in sustainable farming - Challenges and opportunities in local food systems and supply chains About our guest: Chris Baggott is the founder of Tyner Pond Farm in central Indiana, a regenerative farm his family started more than 16 years ago with the goal of restoring health to the land and to people through better food and better farming. Before farming, Chris built a career in software and other businesses. That background still shapes how he thinks about food systems, but his work at Tyner Pond Farm is rooted in something more basic: animals on pasture, healthy soil, local accountability, and a direct relationship between farmers and the families they serve. Tyner Pond Farm raises 100% grassfed and grass-finished beef, pasture-raised chicken, and eggs using managed grazing and pasture rotation. Over the years, the farm has grown into one of the larger grassfed cattle operations in the Midwest while staying focused on direct-to-customer sales and transparent sourcing. Chris is also working on FarmersMarket.com, a national food platform built around identifiable producers, not anonymous commodities. His view is that food should not just be labeled as beef, pork, chicken, or salmon. Customers should know whose beef, whose pork, whose chicken, and whose salmon they are buying. His work sits at the intersection of regenerative agriculture, local food, software, and the question of how to build better markets without losing the personal relationships that make good food systems trustworthy. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction & episode overview 01:11 - Chris Baggott’s background in tech and founding ExactTarget 04:13 - Transition from high-speed technology to regenerative farming 05:29 - The evolution of data-driven marketing and democratization 09:06 - Impact of Salesforce acquisition and marketing for small businesses 10:53 - The shift towards local, direct-to-consumer food models 17:26 - Inspiration for moving into regenerative agriculture from environmental and historical insights 20:12 - The analogy between music streaming and food supply democratization 25:02 - Practical insights on grazing management and soil health 30:41 - Collaborations, partnerships, and scaling farm operations 45:50 - Addressing friction points in farming and marketing strategies 55:58 - The importance of local story-telling and consumer trust 64:37 - The future of food distribution, last mile delivery, and market differentiation 66:05 - Connecting with Chris and embracing technology for small farms

AgEmerge Podcast 192 Chris Baggott | Dry Cleaning to Email Marketing #farmer #podcast #grassfed

How did a dry cleaning business turn into a grass-fed beef farm? A tech entrepreneur turned regenerative farmer is rewriting the farming story. Chris Baggott, a serial entrepreneur behind Salesforce’s groundbreaking marketing platform and innovative food ventures, reveals how his journey from Silicon Valley to soil can unlock new opportunities for farmers eager to thrive beyond commodities. Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/wxffwwsEsOg Chris shares how his tech background taught him the importance of democratizing marketing and why farmers need to embrace the digital revolution to connect directly with consumers. You'll discover how precision algorithms optimize delivery routes, how transparency and storytelling "de-commodify" food, and why small farmers can compete against global giants by leveraging online tools and local community bonds. Monte and Chris break down the seismic shift toward local, nutrient-dense food—why consumers crave authenticity and how farmers can meet that demand with fewer middlemen. Chris explains the friction points in regenerative agriculture—such as marketing, scale, and the last mile—and offers practical strategies to overcome them without sacrificing profitability. Gain insights into how branding, transparency, and consumer education can transform farm businesses into community-centric food brands. Join us if you're ready to rethink what it means to grow, market, and sell food in a connected, consumer-driven world. This is your blueprint for turning farm passion into profitable, resilient food systems that honor place, people, and purpose. Main Topics Covered: - Chris Baggott’s transition from Silicon Valley success to regenerative farming - The impact of democratizing marketing in agriculture - How technology, AI, and online platforms empower small farmers and food entrepreneurs - The role of soil health, grazing, and holistic management in sustainable farming - Challenges and opportunities in local food systems and supply chains About our guest: Chris Baggott is the founder of Tyner Pond Farm in central Indiana, a regenerative farm his family started more than 16 years ago with the goal of restoring health to the land and to people through better food and better farming. Before farming, Chris built a career in software and other businesses. That background still shapes how he thinks about food systems, but his work at Tyner Pond Farm is rooted in something more basic: animals on pasture, healthy soil, local accountability, and a direct relationship between farmers and the families they serve. Tyner Pond Farm raises 100% grassfed and grass-finished beef, pasture-raised chicken, and eggs using managed grazing and pasture rotation. Over the years, the farm has grown into one of the larger grassfed cattle operations in the Midwest while staying focused on direct-to-customer sales and transparent sourcing. Chris is also working on FarmersMarket.com, a national food platform built around identifiable producers, not anonymous commodities. His view is that food should not just be labeled as beef, pork, chicken, or salmon. Customers should know whose beef, whose pork, whose chicken, and whose salmon they are buying. His work sits at the intersection of regenerative agriculture, local food, software, and the question of how to build better markets without losing the personal relationships that make good food systems trustworthy. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction & episode overview 01:11 - Chris Baggott’s background in tech and founding ExactTarget 04:13 - Transition from high-speed technology to regenerative farming 05:29 - The evolution of data-driven marketing and democratization 09:06 - Impact of Salesforce acquisition and marketing for small businesses 10:53 - The shift towards local, direct-to-consumer food models 17:26 - Inspiration for moving into regenerative agriculture from environmental and historical insights 20:12 - The analogy between music streaming and food supply democratization 25:02 - Practical insights on grazing management and soil health 30:41 - Collaborations, partnerships, and scaling farm operations 45:50 - Addressing friction points in farming and marketing strategies 55:58 - The importance of local story-telling and consumer trust 64:37 - The future of food distribution, last mile delivery, and market differentiation 66:05 - Connecting with Chris and embracing technology for small farms

AgEmerge Podcast 192 Chris Baggott | Fresh Perspectives on Farming and Direct Marketing #farmer

Fresh perspective for regenerative farming with direct marketing and local consumer purchases. A tech entrepreneur turned regenerative farmer is rewriting the farming story. Chris Baggott, a serial entrepreneur behind Salesforce’s groundbreaking marketing platform and innovative food ventures, reveals how his journey from Silicon Valley to soil can unlock new opportunities for farmers eager to thrive beyond commodities. Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/wxffwwsEsOg Chris shares how his tech background taught him the importance of democratizing marketing and why farmers need to embrace the digital revolution to connect directly with consumers. You'll discover how precision algorithms optimize delivery routes, how transparency and storytelling "de-commodify" food, and why small farmers can compete against global giants by leveraging online tools and local community bonds. Monte and Chris break down the seismic shift toward local, nutrient-dense food—why consumers crave authenticity and how farmers can meet that demand with fewer middlemen. Chris explains the friction points in regenerative agriculture—such as marketing, scale, and the last mile—and offers practical strategies to overcome them without sacrificing profitability. Gain insights into how branding, transparency, and consumer education can transform farm businesses into community-centric food brands. Join us if you're ready to rethink what it means to grow, market, and sell food in a connected, consumer-driven world. This is your blueprint for turning farm passion into profitable, resilient food systems that honor place, people, and purpose. Main Topics Covered: - Chris Baggott’s transition from Silicon Valley success to regenerative farming - The impact of democratizing marketing in agriculture - How technology, AI, and online platforms empower small farmers and food entrepreneurs - The role of soil health, grazing, and holistic management in sustainable farming - Challenges and opportunities in local food systems and supply chains About our guest: Chris Baggott is the founder of Tyner Pond Farm in central Indiana, a regenerative farm his family started more than 16 years ago with the goal of restoring health to the land and to people through better food and better farming. Before farming, Chris built a career in software and other businesses. That background still shapes how he thinks about food systems, but his work at Tyner Pond Farm is rooted in something more basic: animals on pasture, healthy soil, local accountability, and a direct relationship between farmers and the families they serve. Tyner Pond Farm raises 100% grassfed and grass-finished beef, pasture-raised chicken, and eggs using managed grazing and pasture rotation. Over the years, the farm has grown into one of the larger grassfed cattle operations in the Midwest while staying focused on direct-to-customer sales and transparent sourcing. Chris is also working on FarmersMarket.com, a national food platform built around identifiable producers, not anonymous commodities. His view is that food should not just be labeled as beef, pork, chicken, or salmon. Customers should know whose beef, whose pork, whose chicken, and whose salmon they are buying. His work sits at the intersection of regenerative agriculture, local food, software, and the question of how to build better markets without losing the personal relationships that make good food systems trustworthy. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction & episode overview 01:11 - Chris Baggott’s background in tech and founding ExactTarget 04:13 - Transition from high-speed technology to regenerative farming 05:29 - The evolution of data-driven marketing and democratization 09:06 - Impact of Salesforce acquisition and marketing for small businesses 10:53 - The shift towards local, direct-to-consumer food models 17:26 - Inspiration for moving into regenerative agriculture from environmental and historical insights 20:12 - The analogy between music streaming and food supply democratization 25:02 - Practical insights on grazing management and soil health 30:41 - Collaborations, partnerships, and scaling farm operations 45:50 - Addressing friction points in farming and marketing strategies 55:58 - The importance of local story-telling and consumer trust 64:37 - The future of food distribution, last mile delivery, and market differentiation 66:05 - Connecting with Chris and embracing technology for small farms

AgEmerge Podcast 192 with Chris Baggott | Decommodify Grassfed Beef #grassfed #directmarketing

The challenge of affordability and community impact strikes a chord with consumer choices. A tech entrepreneur turned regenerative farmer is rewriting the farming story. Chris Baggott, a serial entrepreneur behind Salesforce’s groundbreaking marketing platform and innovative food ventures, reveals how his journey from Silicon Valley to soil can unlock new opportunities for farmers eager to thrive beyond commodities. Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/wxffwwsEsOg Chris shares how his tech background taught him the importance of democratizing marketing and why farmers need to embrace the digital revolution to connect directly with consumers. You'll discover how precision algorithms optimize delivery routes, how transparency and storytelling "de-commodify" food, and why small farmers can compete against global giants by leveraging online tools and local community bonds. Monte and Chris break down the seismic shift toward local, nutrient-dense food—why consumers crave authenticity and how farmers can meet that demand with fewer middlemen. Chris explains the friction points in regenerative agriculture—such as marketing, scale, and the last mile—and offers practical strategies to overcome them without sacrificing profitability. Gain insights into how branding, transparency, and consumer education can transform farm businesses into community-centric food brands. Join us if you're ready to rethink what it means to grow, market, and sell food in a connected, consumer-driven world. This is your blueprint for turning farm passion into profitable, resilient food systems that honor place, people, and purpose. Main Topics Covered: - Chris Baggott’s transition from Silicon Valley success to regenerative farming - The impact of democratizing marketing in agriculture - How technology, AI, and online platforms empower small farmers and food entrepreneurs - The role of soil health, grazing, and holistic management in sustainable farming - Challenges and opportunities in local food systems and supply chains About our guest: Chris Baggott is the founder of Tyner Pond Farm in central Indiana, a regenerative farm his family started more than 16 years ago with the goal of restoring health to the land and to people through better food and better farming. Before farming, Chris built a career in software and other businesses. That background still shapes how he thinks about food systems, but his work at Tyner Pond Farm is rooted in something more basic: animals on pasture, healthy soil, local accountability, and a direct relationship between farmers and the families they serve. Tyner Pond Farm raises 100% grassfed and grass-finished beef, pasture-raised chicken, and eggs using managed grazing and pasture rotation. Over the years, the farm has grown into one of the larger grassfed cattle operations in the Midwest while staying focused on direct-to-customer sales and transparent sourcing. Chris is also working on FarmersMarket.com, a national food platform built around identifiable producers, not anonymous commodities. His view is that food should not just be labeled as beef, pork, chicken, or salmon. Customers should know whose beef, whose pork, whose chicken, and whose salmon they are buying. His work sits at the intersection of regenerative agriculture, local food, software, and the question of how to build better markets without losing the personal relationships that make good food systems trustworthy. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction & episode overview 01:11 - Chris Baggott’s background in tech and founding ExactTarget 04:13 - Transition from high-speed technology to regenerative farming 05:29 - The evolution of data-driven marketing and democratization 09:06 - Impact of Salesforce acquisition and marketing for small businesses 10:53 - The shift towards local, direct-to-consumer food models 17:26 - Inspiration for moving into regenerative agriculture from environmental and historical insights 20:12 - The analogy between music streaming and food supply democratization 25:02 - Practical insights on grazing management and soil health 30:41 - Collaborations, partnerships, and scaling farm operations 45:50 - Addressing friction points in farming and marketing strategies 55:58 - The importance of local story-telling and consumer trust 64:37 - The future of food distribution, last mile delivery, and market differentiation 66:05 - Connecting with Chris and embracing technology for small farms

AgEmerge Podcast 192 with Chris Baggott | The Beginning of Cluster Truck

What if a family could order each person's favorite takeout in one order? That was the beginning of Cluster Truck. A tech entrepreneur turned regenerative farmer is rewriting the farming story. Chris Baggott, a serial entrepreneur behind Salesforce’s groundbreaking marketing platform and innovative food ventures, reveals how his journey from Silicon Valley to soil can unlock new opportunities for farmers eager to thrive beyond commodities. Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/wxffwwsEsOg Chris shares how his tech background taught him the importance of democratizing marketing and why farmers need to embrace the digital revolution to connect directly with consumers. You'll discover how precision algorithms optimize delivery routes, how transparency and storytelling "de-commodify" food, and why small farmers can compete against global giants by leveraging online tools and local community bonds. Monte and Chris break down the seismic shift toward local, nutrient-dense food—why consumers crave authenticity and how farmers can meet that demand with fewer middlemen. Chris explains the friction points in regenerative agriculture—such as marketing, scale, and the last mile—and offers practical strategies to overcome them without sacrificing profitability. Gain insights into how branding, transparency, and consumer education can transform farm businesses into community-centric food brands. Join us if you're ready to rethink what it means to grow, market, and sell food in a connected, consumer-driven world. This is your blueprint for turning farm passion into profitable, resilient food systems that honor place, people, and purpose. Main Topics Covered: - Chris Baggott’s transition from Silicon Valley success to regenerative farming - The impact of democratizing marketing in agriculture - How technology, AI, and online platforms empower small farmers and food entrepreneurs - The role of soil health, grazing, and holistic management in sustainable farming - Challenges and opportunities in local food systems and supply chains About our guest: Chris Baggott is the founder of Tyner Pond Farm in central Indiana, a regenerative farm his family started more than 16 years ago with the goal of restoring health to the land and to people through better food and better farming. Before farming, Chris built a career in software and other businesses. That background still shapes how he thinks about food systems, but his work at Tyner Pond Farm is rooted in something more basic: animals on pasture, healthy soil, local accountability, and a direct relationship between farmers and the families they serve. Tyner Pond Farm raises 100% grassfed and grass-finished beef, pasture-raised chicken, and eggs using managed grazing and pasture rotation. Over the years, the farm has grown into one of the larger grassfed cattle operations in the Midwest while staying focused on direct-to-customer sales and transparent sourcing. Chris is also working on FarmersMarket.com, a national food platform built around identifiable producers, not anonymous commodities. His view is that food should not just be labeled as beef, pork, chicken, or salmon. Customers should know whose beef, whose pork, whose chicken, and whose salmon they are buying. His work sits at the intersection of regenerative agriculture, local food, software, and the question of how to build better markets without losing the personal relationships that make good food systems trustworthy. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction & episode overview 01:11 - Chris Baggott’s background in tech and founding ExactTarget 04:13 - Transition from high-speed technology to regenerative farming 05:29 - The evolution of data-driven marketing and democratization 09:06 - Impact of Salesforce acquisition and marketing for small businesses 10:53 - The shift towards local, direct-to-consumer food models 17:26 - Inspiration for moving into regenerative agriculture from environmental and historical insights 20:12 - The analogy between music streaming and food supply democratization 25:02 - Practical insights on grazing management and soil health 30:41 - Collaborations, partnerships, and scaling farm operations 45:50 - Addressing friction points in farming and marketing strategies 55:58 - The importance of local story-telling and consumer trust 64:37 - The future of food distribution, last mile delivery, and market differentiation 66:05 - Connecting with Chris and embracing technology for small farms

AgEmerge Podcast 192 with Chris Baggott | AI Leverages Small Business Marketing #farmer #podcast

What used to take a marketing department hours and spreadsheets, can be done by anyone with a file upload. A tech entrepreneur turned regenerative farmer is rewriting the farming story. Chris Baggott, a serial entrepreneur behind Salesforce’s groundbreaking marketing platform and innovative food ventures, reveals how his journey from Silicon Valley to soil can unlock new opportunities for farmers eager to thrive beyond commodities. Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/wxffwwsEsOg Chris shares how his tech background taught him the importance of democratizing marketing and why farmers need to embrace the digital revolution to connect directly with consumers. You'll discover how precision algorithms optimize delivery routes, how transparency and storytelling "de-commodify" food, and why small farmers can compete against global giants by leveraging online tools and local community bonds. Monte and Chris break down the seismic shift toward local, nutrient-dense food—why consumers crave authenticity and how farmers can meet that demand with fewer middlemen. Chris explains the friction points in regenerative agriculture—such as marketing, scale, and the last mile—and offers practical strategies to overcome them without sacrificing profitability. Gain insights into how branding, transparency, and consumer education can transform farm businesses into community-centric food brands. Join us if you're ready to rethink what it means to grow, market, and sell food in a connected, consumer-driven world. This is your blueprint for turning farm passion into profitable, resilient food systems that honor place, people, and purpose. Main Topics Covered: - Chris Baggott’s transition from Silicon Valley success to regenerative farming - The impact of democratizing marketing in agriculture - How technology, AI, and online platforms empower small farmers and food entrepreneurs - The role of soil health, grazing, and holistic management in sustainable farming - Challenges and opportunities in local food systems and supply chains About our guest: Chris Baggott is the founder of Tyner Pond Farm in central Indiana, a regenerative farm his family started more than 16 years ago with the goal of restoring health to the land and to people through better food and better farming. Before farming, Chris built a career in software and other businesses. That background still shapes how he thinks about food systems, but his work at Tyner Pond Farm is rooted in something more basic: animals on pasture, healthy soil, local accountability, and a direct relationship between farmers and the families they serve. Tyner Pond Farm raises 100% grassfed and grass-finished beef, pasture-raised chicken, and eggs using managed grazing and pasture rotation. Over the years, the farm has grown into one of the larger grassfed cattle operations in the Midwest while staying focused on direct-to-customer sales and transparent sourcing. Chris is also working on FarmersMarket.com, a national food platform built around identifiable producers, not anonymous commodities. His view is that food should not just be labeled as beef, pork, chicken, or salmon. Customers should know whose beef, whose pork, whose chicken, and whose salmon they are buying. His work sits at the intersection of regenerative agriculture, local food, software, and the question of how to build better markets without losing the personal relationships that make good food systems trustworthy. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction & episode overview 01:11 - Chris Baggott’s background in tech and founding ExactTarget 04:13 - Transition from high-speed technology to regenerative farming 05:29 - The evolution of data-driven marketing and democratization 09:06 - Impact of Salesforce acquisition and marketing for small businesses 10:53 - The shift towards local, direct-to-consumer food models 17:26 - Inspiration for moving into regenerative agriculture from environmental and historical insights 20:12 - The analogy between music streaming and food supply democratization 25:02 - Practical insights on grazing management and soil health 30:41 - Collaborations, partnerships, and scaling farm operations 45:50 - Addressing friction points in farming and marketing strategies 55:58 - The importance of local story-telling and consumer trust 64:37 - The future of food distribution, last mile delivery, and market differentiation 66:05 - Connecting with Chris and embracing technology for small farms

AgEmerge Podcast 192 | Chris Baggott Shares Why Farmers Need Better Marketing Than Better Yields

A tech entrepreneur turned regenerative farmer is rewriting the farming story. Chris Baggott, a serial entrepreneur behind Salesforce’s groundbreaking marketing platform and innovative food ventures, reveals how his journey from Silicon Valley to soil can unlock new opportunities for farmers eager to thrive beyond commodities. Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/wxffwwsEsOg Chris shares how his tech background taught him the importance of democratizing marketing and why farmers need to embrace the digital revolution to connect directly with consumers. You'll discover how precision algorithms optimize delivery routes, how transparency and storytelling "de-commodify" food, and why small farmers can compete against global giants by leveraging online tools and local community bonds. Monte and Chris break down the seismic shift toward local, nutrient-dense food—why consumers crave authenticity and how farmers can meet that demand with fewer middlemen. Chris explains the friction points in regenerative agriculture—such as marketing, scale, and the last mile—and offers practical strategies to overcome them without sacrificing profitability. Gain insights into how branding, transparency, and consumer education can transform farm businesses into community-centric food brands. Join us if you're ready to rethink what it means to grow, market, and sell food in a connected, consumer-driven world. This is your blueprint for turning farm passion into profitable, resilient food systems that honor place, people, and purpose. Main Topics Covered: - Chris Baggott’s transition from Silicon Valley success to regenerative farming - The impact of democratizing marketing in agriculture - How technology, AI, and online platforms empower small farmers and food entrepreneurs - The role of soil health, grazing, and holistic management in sustainable farming - Challenges and opportunities in local food systems and supply chains About our guest: Chris Baggott is the founder of Tyner Pond Farm in central Indiana, a regenerative farm his family started more than 16 years ago with the goal of restoring health to the land and to people through better food and better farming. Before farming, Chris built a career in software and other businesses. That background still shapes how he thinks about food systems, but his work at Tyner Pond Farm is rooted in something more basic: animals on pasture, healthy soil, local accountability, and a direct relationship between farmers and the families they serve. Tyner Pond Farm raises 100% grassfed and grass-finished beef, pasture-raised chicken, and eggs using managed grazing and pasture rotation. Over the years, the farm has grown into one of the larger grassfed cattle operations in the Midwest while staying focused on direct-to-customer sales and transparent sourcing. Chris is also working on FarmersMarket.com, a national food platform built around identifiable producers, not anonymous commodities. His view is that food should not just be labeled as beef, pork, chicken, or salmon. Customers should know whose beef, whose pork, whose chicken, and whose salmon they are buying. His work sits at the intersection of regenerative agriculture, local food, software, and the question of how to build better markets without losing the personal relationships that make good food systems trustworthy. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction & episode overview 01:11 - Chris Baggott’s background in tech and founding ExactTarget 04:13 - Transition from high-speed technology to regenerative farming 05:29 - The evolution of data-driven marketing and democratization 09:06 - Impact of Salesforce acquisition and marketing for small businesses 10:53 - The shift towards local, direct-to-consumer food models 17:26 - Inspiration for moving into regenerative agriculture from environmental and historical insights 20:12 - The analogy between music streaming and food supply democratization 25:02 - Practical insights on grazing management and soil health 30:41 - Collaborations, partnerships, and scaling farm operations 45:50 - Addressing friction points in farming and marketing strategies 55:58 - The importance of local story-telling and consumer trust 64:37 - The future of food distribution, last mile delivery, and market differentiation 66:05 - Connecting with Chris and embracing technology for small farms

Rethinking Tillage: What Healthy Soil Actually Needs | Steve Groff AgEmerge Podcast 191

Steve Groff continues to provide agricultural thought leadership. Sure, he's an author, speaker, farmer and recently claimed himself as a bird nerd. But one of Steve's hallmark accomplishments, is developing and promoting the tillage radish. Hailing from Holtwood, Pennsylvania, Steve's Cedar Meadow farm became Regenified certified in 2023. From initial conservation efforts, through integrating cover crop diversity, to projects like biochar and nutrient-dense crop testing, Steve shares the real-world impact of these practices on the Chesapeake Bay watershed, illustrating how strategic land management can clean polluted estuaries while increasing farm profitability. Monte and Steve discuss the importance of farmer education, public engagement, and bipartisan collaboration to promote sustainable agriculture that benefits us all. Plus, hear about his recent adventures in fiber crop innovation, including custom flax planters and processing opportunities that could revolutionize U.S. fiber industries and reduce reliance on imports. Enjoy a great catch up conversation with Steve Groff by clicking below. Steve's Website: https://www.stevegroff.com/ Regenified and Cedar Meadow Farm: https://regenified.com/farm/cedar-meadows/ Steve's Book: The Future-Proof Farm: https://www.stevegroff.com/book Timestamps: 02:55 - Market shifts: variety packaging and customer preferences 03:37 - Steve's personal farm story and history of no-till since 1982 07:32 - Regenerative agriculture: growing food for health and future generations 08:11 - Challenges of farming on steep, rocky terrain in Lancaster County 09:44 - Land costs, succession, and land transfer strategies 13:43 - Water quality concerns in Chesapeake Bay and conservation efforts 16:37 - Nutrient management, manure regulations, and local innovations 19:33 - Progress in Chesapeake Bay restoration and the role of cover crops 20:58 - Biochar research and its potential benefits and challenges 22:04 - Nutrient runoff issues in the Mississippi Delta and alternative management strategies 23:58 - The potential of Maryland’s cover crop payment programs 25:38 - Lessons from regulatory and incentive approaches across states 30:41 - The role of government, incentives, and public awareness in environmental stewardship 32:36 - The personal impact of water clean-up on community life and future opportunities 33:47 - Linking soil health to human health: the food as medicine movement 36:17 - Innovative tools like cover crop roller development and their origin stories 43:39 - Extending cover crop benefits to pumpkins and specialty crops 45:23 - Moving toward nutrient-dense foods and the role of regenerative practices for health 47:26 - Opportunities in fiber crops: hemp, flax, and market potential 50:17 - The influence of high-profile advocacy and policy in advancing regenerative agriculture 54:45 - The importance of diverse viewpoints and bipartisan support for farm sustainability 56:06 - Linking soil health improvements to health costs and chronic disease prevention 58:28 - Hemp industry challenges: regulation, infrastructure, and market development 61:04 - Innovations in fiber crop equipment, including planting systems for hemp and flax 64:08 - Long-term biochar research plans and soil health impacts 65:22 - Future directions: high tunnels, specialty crops, and nutrient density testing 67:22 - Upcoming events and Steve’s focus on hands-on farm work and family 70:25 - The divine story behind the farm’s historical crops and future crop opportunities 72:43 - Final thoughts: observing nature, curiosity, and the farmer’s role in ecosystem health

AgEmerge Podcast 191 with Steve Groff | Tillage Radish Sparks Cover Crop Frenzy

Steve Groff championed the tillage radish. So what is it? Steve Groff continues to provide agricultural thought leadership. Sure, he's an author, speaker, farmer and recently claimed himself as a bird nerd. But one of Steve's hallmark accomplishments, is developing and promoting the tillage radish. Full Episode: https://youtu.be/5vfPAxVZ41M Hailing from Holtwood, Pennsylvania, Steve's Cedar Meadow farm became Regenified certified in 2023. From initial conservation efforts, through integrating cover crop diversity, to projects like biochar and nutrient-dense crop testing, Steve shares the real-world impact of these practices on the Chesapeake Bay watershed, illustrating how strategic land management can clean polluted estuaries while increasing farm profitability. Monte and Steve discuss the importance of farmer education, public engagement, and bipartisan collaboration to promote sustainable agriculture that benefits us all. Plus, hear about his recent adventures in fiber crop innovation, including custom flax planters and processing opportunities that could revolutionize U.S. fiber industries and reduce reliance on imports. Enjoy a great catch up conversation with Steve Groff by clicking below. Steve's Website: https://www.stevegroff.com/ Regenified and Cedar Meadow Farm: https://regenified.com/farm/cedar-meadows/ Steve's Book: The Future-Proof Farm: https://www.stevegroff.com/book Timestamps: 02:55 - Market shifts: variety packaging and customer preferences 03:37 - Steve's personal farm story and history of no-till since 1982 07:32 - Regenerative agriculture: growing food for health and future generations 08:11 - Challenges of farming on steep, rocky terrain in Lancaster County 09:44 - Land costs, succession, and land transfer strategies 13:43 - Water quality concerns in Chesapeake Bay and conservation efforts 16:37 - Nutrient management, manure regulations, and local innovations 19:33 - Progress in Chesapeake Bay restoration and the role of cover crops 20:58 - Biochar research and its potential benefits and challenges 22:04 - Nutrient runoff issues in the Mississippi Delta and alternative management strategies 23:58 - The potential of Maryland’s cover crop payment programs 25:38 - Lessons from regulatory and incentive approaches across states 30:41 - The role of government, incentives, and public awareness in environmental stewardship 32:36 - The personal impact of water clean-up on community life and future opportunities 33:47 - Linking soil health to human health: the food as medicine movement 36:17 - Innovative tools like cover crop roller development and their origin stories 43:39 - Extending cover crop benefits to pumpkins and specialty crops 45:23 - Moving toward nutrient-dense foods and the role of regenerative practices for health 47:26 - Opportunities in fiber crops: hemp, flax, and market potential 50:17 - The influence of high-profile advocacy and policy in advancing regenerative agriculture 54:45 - The importance of diverse viewpoints and bipartisan support for farm sustainability 56:06 - Linking soil health improvements to health costs and chronic disease prevention 58:28 - Hemp industry challenges: regulation, infrastructure, and market development 61:04 - Innovations in fiber crop equipment, including planting systems for hemp and flax 64:08 - Long-term biochar research plans and soil health impacts 65:22 - Future directions: high tunnels, specialty crops, and nutrient density testing 67:22 - Upcoming events and Steve’s focus on hands-on farm work and family 70:25 - The divine story behind the farm’s historical crops and future crop opportunities 72:43 - Final thoughts: observing nature, curiosity, and the farmer’s role in ecosystem health

AgEmerge Podcast 191 with Steve Groff | Cover Crop Skeptic to Advocate

Steve Groff didn't start out as a cover crop promoter. Here how and why he agreed to research trials. Full episode: https://youtu.be/5vfPAxVZ41M Steve Groff continues to provide agricultural thought leadership. Sure, he's an author, speaker, farmer and recently claimed himself as a bird nerd. But one of Steve's hallmark accomplishments, is developing and promoting the tillage radish. Hailing from Holtwood, Pennsylvania, Steve's Cedar Meadow farm became Regenified certified in 2023. From initial conservation efforts, through integrating cover crop diversity, to projects like biochar and nutrient-dense crop testing, Steve shares the real-world impact of these practices on the Chesapeake Bay watershed, illustrating how strategic land management can clean polluted estuaries while increasing farm profitability. Monte and Steve discuss the importance of farmer education, public engagement, and bipartisan collaboration to promote sustainable agriculture that benefits us all. Plus, hear about his recent adventures in fiber crop innovation, including custom flax planters and processing opportunities that could revolutionize U.S. fiber industries and reduce reliance on imports. Enjoy a great catch up conversation with Steve Groff by clicking below. Steve's Website: https://www.stevegroff.com/ Regenified and Cedar Meadow Farm: https://regenified.com/farm/cedar-meadows/ Steve's Book: The Future-Proof Farm: https://www.stevegroff.com/book Timestamps: 02:55 - Market shifts: variety packaging and customer preferences 03:37 - Steve's personal farm story and history of no-till since 1982 07:32 - Regenerative agriculture: growing food for health and future generations 08:11 - Challenges of farming on steep, rocky terrain in Lancaster County 09:44 - Land costs, succession, and land transfer strategies 13:43 - Water quality concerns in Chesapeake Bay and conservation efforts 16:37 - Nutrient management, manure regulations, and local innovations 19:33 - Progress in Chesapeake Bay restoration and the role of cover crops 20:58 - Biochar research and its potential benefits and challenges 22:04 - Nutrient runoff issues in the Mississippi Delta and alternative management strategies 23:58 - The potential of Maryland’s cover crop payment programs 25:38 - Lessons from regulatory and incentive approaches across states 30:41 - The role of government, incentives, and public awareness in environmental stewardship 32:36 - The personal impact of water clean-up on community life and future opportunities 33:47 - Linking soil health to human health: the food as medicine movement 36:17 - Innovative tools like cover crop roller development and their origin stories 43:39 - Extending cover crop benefits to pumpkins and specialty crops 45:23 - Moving toward nutrient-dense foods and the role of regenerative practices for health 47:26 - Opportunities in fiber crops: hemp, flax, and market potential 50:17 - The influence of high-profile advocacy and policy in advancing regenerative agriculture 54:45 - The importance of diverse viewpoints and bipartisan support for farm sustainability 56:06 - Linking soil health improvements to health costs and chronic disease prevention 58:28 - Hemp industry challenges: regulation, infrastructure, and market development 61:04 - Innovations in fiber crop equipment, including planting systems for hemp and flax 64:08 - Long-term biochar research plans and soil health impacts 65:22 - Future directions: high tunnels, specialty crops, and nutrient density testing 67:22 - Upcoming events and Steve’s focus on hands-on farm work and family 70:25 - The divine story behind the farm’s historical crops and future crop opportunities 72:43 - Final thoughts: observing nature, curiosity, and the farmer’s role in ecosystem health

AgEmerge Podcast 191 with Steve Groff | Caring for the Chesapeake Bay with Cover Crops

Chesapeake Bay restoration and cover crops. A cascading effort. Steve Groff continues to provide agricultural thought leadership. Sure, he's an author, speaker, farmer and recently claimed himself as a bird nerd. But one of Steve's hallmark accomplishments, is developing and promoting the tillage radish. Full Episode: https://youtu.be/5vfPAxVZ41M Hailing from Holtwood, Pennsylvania, Steve's Cedar Meadow farm became Regenified certified in 2023. From initial conservation efforts, through integrating cover crop diversity, to projects like biochar and nutrient-dense crop testing, Steve shares the real-world impact of these practices on the Chesapeake Bay watershed, illustrating how strategic land management can clean polluted estuaries while increasing farm profitability. Monte and Steve discuss the importance of farmer education, public engagement, and bipartisan collaboration to promote sustainable agriculture that benefits us all. Plus, hear about his recent adventures in fiber crop innovation, including custom flax planters and processing opportunities that could revolutionize U.S. fiber industries and reduce reliance on imports. Enjoy a great catch up conversation with Steve Groff by clicking below. Steve's Website: https://www.stevegroff.com/ Regenified and Cedar Meadow Farm: https://regenified.com/farm/cedar-meadows/ Steve's Book: The Future-Proof Farm: https://www.stevegroff.com/book Timestamps: 02:55 - Market shifts: variety packaging and customer preferences 03:37 - Steve's personal farm story and history of no-till since 1982 07:32 - Regenerative agriculture: growing food for health and future generations 08:11 - Challenges of farming on steep, rocky terrain in Lancaster County 09:44 - Land costs, succession, and land transfer strategies 13:43 - Water quality concerns in Chesapeake Bay and conservation efforts 16:37 - Nutrient management, manure regulations, and local innovations 19:33 - Progress in Chesapeake Bay restoration and the role of cover crops 20:58 - Biochar research and its potential benefits and challenges 22:04 - Nutrient runoff issues in the Mississippi Delta and alternative management strategies 23:58 - The potential of Maryland’s cover crop payment programs 25:38 - Lessons from regulatory and incentive approaches across states 30:41 - The role of government, incentives, and public awareness in environmental stewardship 32:36 - The personal impact of water clean-up on community life and future opportunities 33:47 - Linking soil health to human health: the food as medicine movement 36:17 - Innovative tools like cover crop roller development and their origin stories 43:39 - Extending cover crop benefits to pumpkins and specialty crops 45:23 - Moving toward nutrient-dense foods and the role of regenerative practices for health 47:26 - Opportunities in fiber crops: hemp, flax, and market potential 50:17 - The influence of high-profile advocacy and policy in advancing regenerative agriculture 54:45 - The importance of diverse viewpoints and bipartisan support for farm sustainability 56:06 - Linking soil health improvements to health costs and chronic disease prevention 58:28 - Hemp industry challenges: regulation, infrastructure, and market development 61:04 - Innovations in fiber crop equipment, including planting systems for hemp and flax 64:08 - Long-term biochar research plans and soil health impacts 65:22 - Future directions: high tunnels, specialty crops, and nutrient density testing 67:22 - Upcoming events and Steve’s focus on hands-on farm work and family 70:25 - The divine story behind the farm’s historical crops and future crop opportunities 72:43 - Final thoughts: observing nature, curiosity, and the farmer’s role in ecosystem health

AgEmerge Podcast 191 with Steve Groff | Chesapeake Bay Recovery

What can a decade of cover crops possibly do for water quality? Steve Groff continues to provide agricultural thought leadership. Sure, he's an author, speaker, farmer and recently claimed himself as a bird nerd. But one of Steve's hallmark accomplishments, is developing and promoting the tillage radish. Full Episode: https://youtu.be/5vfPAxVZ41M Hailing from Holtwood, Pennsylvania, Steve's Cedar Meadow farm became Regenified certified in 2023. From initial conservation efforts, through integrating cover crop diversity, to projects like biochar and nutrient-dense crop testing, Steve shares the real-world impact of these practices on the Chesapeake Bay watershed, illustrating how strategic land management can clean polluted estuaries while increasing farm profitability. Monte and Steve discuss the importance of farmer education, public engagement, and bipartisan collaboration to promote sustainable agriculture that benefits us all. Plus, hear about his recent adventures in fiber crop innovation, including custom flax planters and processing opportunities that could revolutionize U.S. fiber industries and reduce reliance on imports. Enjoy a great catch up conversation with Steve Groff by clicking below. Steve's Website: https://www.stevegroff.com/ Regenified and Cedar Meadow Farm: https://regenified.com/farm/cedar-meadows/ Steve's Book: The Future-Proof Farm: https://www.stevegroff.com/book Timestamps: 02:55 - Market shifts: variety packaging and customer preferences 03:37 - Steve's personal farm story and history of no-till since 1982 07:32 - Regenerative agriculture: growing food for health and future generations 08:11 - Challenges of farming on steep, rocky terrain in Lancaster County 09:44 - Land costs, succession, and land transfer strategies 13:43 - Water quality concerns in Chesapeake Bay and conservation efforts 16:37 - Nutrient management, manure regulations, and local innovations 19:33 - Progress in Chesapeake Bay restoration and the role of cover crops 20:58 - Biochar research and its potential benefits and challenges 22:04 - Nutrient runoff issues in the Mississippi Delta and alternative management strategies 23:58 - The potential of Maryland’s cover crop payment programs 25:38 - Lessons from regulatory and incentive approaches across states 30:41 - The role of government, incentives, and public awareness in environmental stewardship 32:36 - The personal impact of water clean-up on community life and future opportunities 33:47 - Linking soil health to human health: the food as medicine movement 36:17 - Innovative tools like cover crop roller development and their origin stories 43:39 - Extending cover crop benefits to pumpkins and specialty crops 45:23 - Moving toward nutrient-dense foods and the role of regenerative practices for health 47:26 - Opportunities in fiber crops: hemp, flax, and market potential 50:17 - The influence of high-profile advocacy and policy in advancing regenerative agriculture 54:45 - The importance of diverse viewpoints and bipartisan support for farm sustainability 56:06 - Linking soil health improvements to health costs and chronic disease prevention 58:28 - Hemp industry challenges: regulation, infrastructure, and market development 61:04 - Innovations in fiber crop equipment, including planting systems for hemp and flax 64:08 - Long-term biochar research plans and soil health impacts 65:22 - Future directions: high tunnels, specialty crops, and nutrient density testing 67:22 - Upcoming events and Steve’s focus on hands-on farm work and family 70:25 - The divine story behind the farm’s historical crops and future crop opportunities 72:43 - Final thoughts: observing nature, curiosity, and the farmer’s role in ecosystem health

AgEmerge Podcast 191 with Steve Groff | No-Till Pumpkin Revolution

What do the Amish, no-till and pumpkin labels have in common? Steve Groff continues to provide agricultural thought leadership. Sure, he's an author, speaker, farmer and recently claimed himself as a bird nerd. But one of Steve's hallmark accomplishments, is developing and promoting the tillage radish. Full Episode: https://youtu.be/5vfPAxVZ41M Hailing from Holtwood, Pennsylvania, Steve's Cedar Meadow farm became Regenified certified in 2023. From initial conservation efforts, through integrating cover crop diversity, to projects like biochar and nutrient-dense crop testing, Steve shares the real-world impact of these practices on the Chesapeake Bay watershed, illustrating how strategic land management can clean polluted estuaries while increasing farm profitability. Monte and Steve discuss the importance of farmer education, public engagement, and bipartisan collaboration to promote sustainable agriculture that benefits us all. Plus, hear about his recent adventures in fiber crop innovation, including custom flax planters and processing opportunities that could revolutionize U.S. fiber industries and reduce reliance on imports. Enjoy a great catch up conversation with Steve Groff by clicking below. Steve's Website: https://www.stevegroff.com/ Regenified and Cedar Meadow Farm: https://regenified.com/farm/cedar-meadows/ Steve's Book: The Future-Proof Farm: https://www.stevegroff.com/book Timestamps: 02:55 - Market shifts: variety packaging and customer preferences 03:37 - Steve's personal farm story and history of no-till since 1982 07:32 - Regenerative agriculture: growing food for health and future generations 08:11 - Challenges of farming on steep, rocky terrain in Lancaster County 09:44 - Land costs, succession, and land transfer strategies 13:43 - Water quality concerns in Chesapeake Bay and conservation efforts 16:37 - Nutrient management, manure regulations, and local innovations 19:33 - Progress in Chesapeake Bay restoration and the role of cover crops 20:58 - Biochar research and its potential benefits and challenges 22:04 - Nutrient runoff issues in the Mississippi Delta and alternative management strategies 23:58 - The potential of Maryland’s cover crop payment programs 25:38 - Lessons from regulatory and incentive approaches across states 30:41 - The role of government, incentives, and public awareness in environmental stewardship 32:36 - The personal impact of water clean-up on community life and future opportunities 33:47 - Linking soil health to human health: the food as medicine movement 36:17 - Innovative tools like cover crop roller development and their origin stories 43:39 - Extending cover crop benefits to pumpkins and specialty crops 45:23 - Moving toward nutrient-dense foods and the role of regenerative practices for health 47:26 - Opportunities in fiber crops: hemp, flax, and market potential 50:17 - The influence of high-profile advocacy and policy in advancing regenerative agriculture 54:45 - The importance of diverse viewpoints and bipartisan support for farm sustainability 56:06 - Linking soil health improvements to health costs and chronic disease prevention 58:28 - Hemp industry challenges: regulation, infrastructure, and market development 61:04 - Innovations in fiber crop equipment, including planting systems for hemp and flax 64:08 - Long-term biochar research plans and soil health impacts 65:22 - Future directions: high tunnels, specialty crops, and nutrient density testing 67:22 - Upcoming events and Steve’s focus on hands-on farm work and family 70:25 - The divine story behind the farm’s historical crops and future crop opportunities 72:43 - Final thoughts: observing nature, curiosity, and the farmer’s role in ecosystem health

AgEmerge Podcast 190 with Tyler Niday Future | Bonsai Robotics and the Future of Farming

Tyler Niday of Bonsai Robotics shares his vision for the future of farming. Most farms struggle with dust, inefficiency, and labor shortages—but Tyler Niday of Bonsai Robotics reveals how AI-driven machinery is changing the game by transforming existing equipment into autonomous workhorses. Inspired by biology, Bonsai Robotics is making some of agriculture's toughest environments manageable. Tyler shares how autonomous orchard shakers are improving nut harvest efficiency by up to 40%, while converting shuttle trucks into multi-functional farm platforms can save growers hundreds of thousands of dollars in equipment costs. Monte and Tyler explore the industry's evolution from retrofitting machines with autonomous capabilities to developing full-platform solutions, including Bonsai's Amiga series. These adaptable systems support precision spraying, harvesting, and crop scouting. Before co-founding Bonsai Robotics, Tyler began in mechanical engineering and helped develop vision systems at Blue River Technology and gained hands-on learning at Orchard Machinery Corporation. If you've wondered what the future of practical farm automation really looks like, this episode offers a firsthand look at innovations in the field today. Main Topics: - The evolution of AI and robotics in agriculture, from Blue River to Bonsai Robotics - Managing perception challenges in dusty orchard environments using vision and AI models - The design and versatility of the Amiga autonomous platform for multiple crop applications - Practical case studies: autonomous nut harvesting, orchard spraying, and equipment modularity - Connectivity solutions in remote environments, including Starlink utilization - Future opportunities: precision variances mapping, crop-specific scouting, and ecosystem integration Visit Bonsai Robotics: https://bonsairobotics.ai/ Watch additional farm autonomy solutions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7MDT2NlNAs&t=1s Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and podcast purpose 00:10 - Tyler’s background and journey into ag tech 01:23 - Transition from conventional to regenerative agriculture 02:23 - The role of AI and perception challenges in dust environments 07:48 - Vision-only AI vs LiDAR debate and dust interference 08:41 - Handling environment-specific solutions like lens cleaning in dust 12:04 - Scalability of perception models across crops 12:58 - Training AI models on dusty environments and data fusion 14:22 - Equipment adaptations for dusty environments (air systems, cleaning) 16:16 - Focus on specialty crops as a starting point for autonomy 16:45 - Collaborations with OEMs like Floria and OMC 17:30 - Managing connectivity in remote farm locations 19:07 - Starlink and cellular solutions for remote operations 20:31 - Developing new equipment and platform ecosystem 21:30 - The Amiga platform's different configurations and applications 24:39 - From first principles equipment modification to autonomy 25:44 - Strategic move into precision spraying and harvest-related automation 28:28 - Future autonomous applications for open-field crops 29:42 - Case study: Autonomous orchard shaker and efficiency gains 34:47 - Vision system improvements for equipment safety and speed 37:44 - Autonomous nut shaker and harvesting efficiency 41:46 - Future of crop variability mapping and individual plant management 45:37 - The evolving role of vision-based AI in complex farming tasks 47:13 - Returning value through data management and software ecosystems 49:21 - Industry collaboration, standards, and evolving equipment 52:25 - Closing remarks and future outlook Note: The episode is packed with insights into the latest in ag robotics. Whether you're a farmer, engineer, or researcher, you'll find takeaways that can inform your practices and strategic planning in an increasingly autonomous future.

AgEmerge Podcast 190 with Tyler Niday | Bonsai Robotics and Practical Autonomous Farm Solutions

Most farms struggle with dust, inefficiency, and labor shortages—but Tyler Niday of Bonsai Robotics reveals how AI-driven machinery is changing the game by transforming existing equipment into autonomous workhorses. Inspired by biology, Bonsai Robotics is making some of agriculture's toughest environments manageable. Tyler shares how autonomous orchard shakers are improving nut harvest efficiency by up to 40%, while converting shuttle trucks into multi-functional farm platforms can save growers hundreds of thousands of dollars in equipment costs. Monte and Tyler explore the industry's evolution from retrofitting machines with autonomous capabilities to developing full-platform solutions, including Bonsai's Amiga series. These adaptable systems support precision spraying, harvesting, and crop scouting. Before co-founding Bonsai Robotics, Tyler began in mechanical engineering and helped develop vision systems at Blue River Technology and gained hands-on learning at Orchard Machinery Corporation. If you've wondered what the future of practical farm automation really looks like, this episode offers a firsthand look at innovations in the field today. Main Topics: - The evolution of AI and robotics in agriculture, from Blue River to Bonsai Robotics - Managing perception challenges in dusty orchard environments using vision and AI models - The design and versatility of the Amiga autonomous platform for multiple crop applications - Practical case studies: autonomous nut harvesting, orchard spraying, and equipment modularity - Connectivity solutions in remote environments, including Starlink utilization - Future opportunities: precision variances mapping, crop-specific scouting, and ecosystem integration Visit Bonsai Robotics: https://bonsairobotics.ai/ Watch additional farm autonomy solutions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7MDT2NlNAs&t=1s Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and podcast purpose 00:10 - Tyler’s background and journey into ag tech 01:23 - Transition from conventional to regenerative agriculture 02:23 - The role of AI and perception challenges in dust environments 07:48 - Vision-only AI vs LiDAR debate and dust interference 08:41 - Handling environment-specific solutions like lens cleaning in dust 12:04 - Scalability of perception models across crops 12:58 - Training AI models on dusty environments and data fusion 14:22 - Equipment adaptations for dusty environments (air systems, cleaning) 16:16 - Focus on specialty crops as a starting point for autonomy 16:45 - Collaborations with OEMs like Floria and OMC 17:30 - Managing connectivity in remote farm locations 19:07 - Starlink and cellular solutions for remote operations 20:31 - Developing new equipment and platform ecosystem 21:30 - The Amiga platform's different configurations and applications 24:39 - From first principles equipment modification to autonomy 25:44 - Strategic move into precision spraying and harvest-related automation 28:28 - Future autonomous applications for open-field crops 29:42 - Case study: Autonomous orchard shaker and efficiency gains 34:47 - Vision system improvements for equipment safety and speed 37:44 - Autonomous nut shaker and harvesting efficiency 41:46 - Future of crop variability mapping and individual plant management 45:37 - The evolving role of vision-based AI in complex farming tasks 47:13 - Returning value through data management and software ecosystems 49:21 - Industry collaboration, standards, and evolving equipment 52:25 - Closing remarks and future outlook Note: The episode is packed with insights into the latest in ag robotics. Whether you're a farmer, engineer, or researcher, you'll find takeaways that can inform your practices and strategic planning in an increasingly autonomous future.