Vertical Farming Podcast By cover art

Vertical Farming Podcast

By: Harry Duran
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  • Summary

  • Vertical farming is a revolutionary approach to produce production leveraging controlled environment agriculture (CEA) technology and systems in innovative ways. It facilitates production of huge quantities of nutritious and quality fresh food without relying on favorable weather, high water usage, skilled labor, and high soil fertility. This ensures reliable yield and consistency in crop production year-round with climate control, and no effects of external environment factors such as diseases, pests, or predator attacks. Join Harry Duran, Host of the Apple-recommended Podcast Junkies and Founder of FullCast, as he explores the world of controlled-environment agriculture (CEA). Tune in every week for fascinating conversations with CEOs, Founders and luminaries from the exciting and fast-growing world of Vertical Farming. If you've been interested in the world of Indoor AgTech and want to hear inspiring stories from the innovators on the frontlines of this fast-moving industry, then this most definitely the show for you! Subscribe and learn more by visiting http://verticalfarmingpodcast.com/ This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
    2022 FullCast
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Episodes
  • S10E131 Kaylee South / Virginia Tech - Sharing a Passion for CEA and Inspiring the Next Generation of Plant Scientists

    S10E131 Kaylee South / Virginia Tech - Sharing a Passion for CEA and Inspiring the Next Generation of Plant Scientists
    Apr 19 2024

    In this episode, I speak with Kaylee South, an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist for Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) at Virginia Tech. Kaylee shares her journey from a rural upbringing, where her passion for horticulture was nurtured by family and educators, to her current role where she combines research with teaching the next generation of horticulturists. We dive into how her work not only involves growing plants but also exploring innovative agricultural methods and improving plant resilience through scientific research. Kaylee’s story is a testament to the impact of early exposure to agriculture and the profound influence of mentors.

    Our conversation also explores the broader implications of CEA in revitalizing urban spaces and enhancing educational programs. Kaylee highlights the potential of vertical farming to transform underutilized buildings into productive agricultural sites, offering fresh perspectives on sustainable urban development. She emphasizes the importance of industry-academia collaboration in advancing CEA technologies and practices. This episode is packed with insights not just about plant science but also about the evolving role of agriculture in addressing contemporary challenges. Whether you're an industry professional or simply curious about the future of farming, Kaylee’s experiences and insights underscore the dynamic nature of agricultural science and its critical role in shaping sustainable futures.

    Thanks to Our Sponsors

    Bio520

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    Key Takeaways

    00:06:27 - Application of Research in Real-world Settings

    00:13:34 - Involvement in CEA Summit and Indoor Ag-Con

    00:14:08 - Differences Between CEA Summit East and Other Conferences

    00:29:10 - Interest and Opportunities in Vertical Farming

    00:35:23 - Future Research Directions and Challenges

    00:39:15 - Increasing Interest in CEA Among Students

    Tweetable Quotes"I grew up helping my parents and grandparents in their gardens, which sparked my passion for horticulture. My high school agriculture teacher, Mr. Minyard, particularly encouraged me by involving me in greenhouse work, which solidified my love for working with plants.""My dissertation research involved using beneficial bacteria to improve plant defense against pathogens, specifically targeting botrytis cinerea, a common issue in greenhouse production. This research aimed to explore biocontrol agents and biostimulants to enhance plant growth and disease resistance.""Vertical farming offers unique opportunities, especially in urban settings where traditional farming isn't feasible. It's exciting to see interest from various sectors, including education, where vertical farms are used as tools for teaching and engaging students in agriculture and science."Resources Mentioned

    Twitter - https://twitter.com/south_kaylee

    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaylee-south/

    Connect With Us

    VFP - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/verticalfarmingpodcast

    VFP Twitter - https://twitter.com/VerticalFarmPod

    VFP Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/direct/inbox/

    VFP Facebook -...
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    53 mins
  • S10E130 David Flynn / AmplifiedAg - Pioneering Vertical Farming and Tackling Food Deserts

    S10E130 David Flynn / AmplifiedAg - Pioneering Vertical Farming and Tackling Food Deserts
    Apr 12 2024

    In this episode, I speak with David Flynn, Vice President of Business Development at AmplifiedAg, and what a journey it's been! David shares his transition from military service to the world of vertical farming, and it's a testament to the power of mission-driven work. His experiences in Afghanistan, witnessing firsthand the struggles and triumphs of local agriculture, have fueled his passion for bringing fresh food to those in need. It's not every day you meet someone who's as dedicated to making a difference as David is.

    We dive into the nitty-gritty of AmplifiedAg's technology, from their propagation containers to their high-yield production units. David's insights into the challenges of energy costs and the need for industry-wide collaboration are eye-opening. It's clear that this isn't just about growing lettuce; it's about community, sustainability, and tackling food insecurity head-on. If you're curious about the future of controlled environment agriculture and the people who are pushing its boundaries, you won't want to miss this conversation. David's story is a reminder that with the right technology and a lot of heart, we can make a real impact, one container farm at a time.

    Thanks to Our Sponsors

    Bio520

    AgTech Weekly Review

    Key Takeaways

    00:03:55: Transition from Military to Agriculture Technology

    00:06:02: The Evolution of AmplifiedAg and Vertical Roots

    00:10:53: Impact of COVID-19 on Business Operations

    00:16:23: Observations on the Growth of the C EA Industry

    00:21:20: AmplifiedAg's Current Size and Product Offerings

    00:34:51: The Importance of Industry Transparency and Collaboration

    Tweetable Quotes"I don't believe in coincidences, per se. When I moved to Charleston, I met Don Taylor, who's the founder of our company, AmplifiedAg. He painted a vision of marrying technology with agriculture, trying to do good things with technology and agriculture, promoting businesses, job development, and providing fresh food to people in need.""The biggest conversion we made was from an Aeroponics system to a Nutrient Film Technique system using crop king gutters in a stacked formation inside of our containers. That really was a game changer for us.""The core mission of the company was to provide safe access to fresh food globally. We're working with foundations across the country, non-governmental organizations trying to solve food insecurity. We're driven right now to look for opportunities to be a system integrator, to bring food security, help leverage food security for people in need."Resources Mentioned

    Website - https://amplifiedaginc.com/

    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/amplifiedaginc/

    Twitter - https://twitter.com/amplifiedaginc

    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/amplifiedag

    Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@amplifiedag

    Connect With Us

    VFP - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/verticalfarmingpodcast

    VFP Twitter -

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    46 mins
  • S10E129 Whit Allen / SpectraGrow - From Turntables to Vertical Farms: The Rhythms of Innovation and Sustainability in Agriculture

    S10E129 Whit Allen / SpectraGrow - From Turntables to Vertical Farms: The Rhythms of Innovation and Sustainability in Agriculture
    Apr 2 2024

    In this episode, I speak with Whit Allen, the charismatic CEO of SpectraGrow, as we dive into a world where the rhythm of music intertwines with the innovation of agriculture. It's a conversation that takes us from energy of DJing to the vibrant greenery of vertical farms. We reminisce about our days behind the decks and reveal how those experiences have given us a unique tempo for tackling the professional challenges we face today. Whit brings a refreshing perspective on the journey from spinning records to advocating for clean technology in Washington D.C., and how every step has influenced the birth and growth of SpectraGrow.

    The power of collaboration shines through in our chat, from the influence of mastermind groups to the shared problem-solving that’s steering the industry towards sustainable success. You'll hear firsthand about the nitty-gritty of lighting innovation, the significance of strategic planning for farm setups, and the camaraderie that's sprouting among agri-tech leaders in Colorado and beyond. Join me for an episode that celebrates the progress and growth at the heart of urban farming.

    Thanks to Our Sponsors

    Bio520

    AgTech Weekly Review

    Key Takeaways

    00:00 Connecting Music and Agriculture

    09:38 Career Evolution and Clean Tech Lobbying

    16:19 Origin and Ideal Clients of SpectraGrow

    27:53 LED Innovation and Energy Efficiency

    31:34 Collaboration and Growth in Vertical Farming

    44:18 Power of Mastermind Groups

    Tweetable Quotes"When I took a course called Truth, Love, and Marketing here in Boulder, one of the exercises was to describe your creative process. It was so easy to describe my creative process with DJing and music, and then I saw the parallels in how I bring that creative energy to launching an entrepreneurial company. How we market, how we sell, how we talk about what we do—it all has roots in that creative process from music.""We often make recommendations to relay out a farm based on lighting, and we show that if we reorganize the farm in a certain way, we could get much better performance out of the lighting strategy. My advice is always to bring us in as early as possible in the planning process because our ability to add value decreases the later we're brought into the project.""The intuition is a huge part of decision-making in business, and it's a weird word to use because people in business like spreadsheets, they like numbers, they like analysis. But at the end of the day, you have to interpret the data, and there's a point where you've got to trust other sensors that might not be so obvious that you could put on a spreadsheet, but are important things to consider."Resources Mentioned

    Website - https://www.spectragrow.com

    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/spectragrow_inc

    Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/spectragrow

    Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/spectragrow

    Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@spectragrow

    Connect With Us

    VFP - LinkedIn -

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    55 mins
Biological Sciences
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Inspiration through conversation

Not one minute has been wasted, it's both educational and inspirational, you are amazing and a human magnet for great people to come together on your podcast!!!
This might be the lifestyle/business I've been looking for, vertical farming.

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