Future of Agriculture

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Now displaying: September, 2017

Future of Agriculture 072: How Biotechnology Can Make Us Healthier with Andry Andriankaja and Carl Andre of BASF 0

Sep 27, 2017

Andry Andriankaja is an agronomist that specializes in the field of plant biotechnology. Carl Andre is the research manager for the EPA-DHA Canola project at the BASF Plant Science Department who studied how plants convert simple sugars to oil as well as plant lipid metabolism. They are working together on a big project in biotechnology that will innovate the way we eat and provide our body with nutrients: making the typical canola plant naturally produce EPA and DHA, two types of Omega 3 fatty acids.

We all know what Omega 3 fatty acids are and what they can do for the body, but we’re often forced to either eat their food sources or buy fish oil supplements. What if we can consume omega 3 fatty acids in products we're already eating? Andry and Carl are now working on that answer and have been working on it for the past 10 years.

In this episode, Andry and Carl discuss their big project, why they chose the canola plant as their host, and what it took for them to get this far. They also discuss their vision with regards to the importance of plant biotechnology in the near future.

“We pride ourselves to create chemistry for a sustainable future.” – Andry Andriankaja

This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast:

What's the project all about the issues it will address.
What does getting more EPA and DHA have to do with canola?
Where does this technology currently stand?
When do they expect the product to hit the market?
Why did they partner with Cargill?
What made this project possible to start coming together now?
Why did they choose EPA and DHA?
How farmers can benefit from this project.
How will this product influence how people view biotechnology and genetic engineering?
Where do they see the future of biotechnology?
Countries that are big canola producers.

Connect with Andry and Carl:

BASF

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The Future of Agriculture Podcast is now part of the Farm and Rural Ag Network. Listen to more ag-related podcasts by subscribing on iTunes or on the Farm and Rural Ag Network Website today.

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Future of Agriculture 071: Hydroponics and Controlled Environment Ag with Joe Swartz of American Hydroponics 0

Sep 20, 2017

Joe Swartz is the Vice President of Commercial Sales and Technical Support at American Hydroponic, a.k.a AmHydro. AmHydro is a small company in the United States that designs and builds innovative hydroponic systems, a soil-free way to grow plants, and have been doing so for the last 30 years. Joe Swartz himself came from a family of farmers and started researching the science of hydroponics when he saw the traditional methods of farming were no longer paying the bills during the real estate boom of the late 80s.

After purchasing the family farm from his father, Joe put his formal education and passion in agriculture to good use and invested time and money into researching and experimenting with different hydroponics system operations. Some said he was a genius, some called him otherwise. Regardless, with hydroponics AmHydro has slowly and steadily made a huge and growing impact towards preserving the environment.

In this episode, Joe tells us all about hydroponics, its advantages and disadvantages, why hydroponics farming is still farming, and how to turn it into a profitable business.

“The real issue is that we have a need to be able to put agricultural production in areas not necessarily suitable for agricultural production.” – Joe Swartz

This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast:

What is Nutrient Film Technology?
How his old-school family reacted to him telling them it's time to find a new path in agriculture.
How has controlled environment ag changed from the 80's to now?
What factors cause people to think controlled environment agriculture is too hyped? Is that a good thing?
How would he advise new farmers who want to proceed in getting started as a grower of indoor farming?
What is the correct approach at building a hydroponics business?
How big does a greenhouse need to be to make indoor farming profitable?
The ballpark price for indoor farming packages.
What is Aquaponics?
Why some controlled environment agriculture growers fail?
His prediction for the future of hydroponic agriculture.

Connect with Joe Swartz:

We Are a Part of a Bigger Family!

The Future of Agriculture Podcast is now part of the Farm and Rural Ag Network. Listen to more ag-related podcasts by subscribing on iTunes or on the Farm and Rural Ag Network Website today.

Share the Ag-Love!

Learn more about AgGrad by visiting:

Future of Agriculture Website

AgGrad Website

AgGrad on Twitter
AgGrad on Facebook
AgGrad on LinkedIn
AgGrad on Instagram

Download this Episode

Future of Agriculture 069: The Logistics of a Farm to Table Restaurant with Jack Gilmore of Jack Allens Kitchen 0

Sep 6, 2017

Jack Gilmore is the owner and head chef of the famous Jack Allen’s Kitchen in Austin, Texas. More than good food and service, Jack Allen’s Kitchen is known for being a pioneer in what we call the “Farm to Table.” According to Jack, at least 80% of every food on his menu is locally sourced. He first got into cooking when he was 15 and taught himself how to cook when he was working part time in a restaurant. By the time he was 18, he realized school wasn’t his thing so he decided to get married and start a family.

Jack knew how to cook, so he figured he could make a living out of it. He worked for other people and was able to work with incredible chefs, until he grew tired of working for someone else and decided to start his own restaurant. From cooking for a decent wage to actually owning his own restaurant chain, he has come a long way.

On today’s episode, Jack talks about how he started his restaurant business, what made him choose to buy from local farmers as much as possible, and the logistics involved in running a locally-sourced restaurant. He also his thoughts on the future generation of farmers.

“I don't tell anybody we're a 100% local, I tell them we're as local as we can be.” – Jack Gilmore

This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast:

How he partnered with local farmers
How much of his menu is influenced by the ingredients available?
How he manages the many farmers he partners with as well as the logistics behind.
How he plans his ingredient supply forecast with the farmers.
How he determines which farmers to work with
How he shows his appreciation to the farmers.
Why he's not worried about the next generation of farmers as much as he is about next generation of chefs.
The biggest and smallest farms he buys from.
Is the farm to table concept still a growing concept nationwide?
The future of the local food movement.
How does he manage the food waste in his restaurant?

Check Out Jack Gilmore Across the Net:

Jack Allen’s Kitchen

We Are a Part of a Bigger Family!

The Future of Agriculture Podcast is now part of the Farm and Rural Ag Network. Listen to more ag-related podcasts by subscribing on iTunes or on the Farm and Rural Ag Network Website today.