Charles Baron is the Co-Founder of Farmers Business Network, an idea conceived by farmers for farmers. The company aims to gather unbiased and objective information with regards to agronomics and commodities. The idea is to pool available data from individual farmers, so every farmer in their network would benefit from them. The company started three years ago with just 3-4 farms, but through word of mouth and good service, they now have close to 4,700 farms within their network. Charles and his team plan on ultimately expanding his reach outside the U.S. and continue to improve their data interpretation and gathering services.

In this episode, Charles explains the idea behind Food Business Network, what drove him to become a farmer, and the problems farmers face in the U.S. that go unnoticed. He also shares how his company managed to grow their network to what it is now, and their outlook for the future of their company.

 
“Farmers Business Network exists to bring benefits back to our farmers using our technology and network.”  – Charles Baron

 
This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast: 

• What problems does Farmers Business Network solve for farmers?
• Why farmers have the worst economics.
• The uses of Farmers Business Network in terms of commodity prices.
• What does the side benefiting from the status quo think of their company's business strategy?
• How transparent is farmer's business network? Why did some hate their price transparency?
• What kinds of farms do they cover?
• How do they make sure the data is validated?
• How do they market their services to farmers?
• His thoughts on fluctuating commodity and input prices.
• Any plans on serving the animal agriculture side?
• What gets investors excited about Farmers Business Network?

Resources Mentioned:

• Farmer2Farmer

Connect with Charles Baron:

• Farmers Business Network

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! 

Thanks for joining us on the Future of Agriculture Podcast – your spot for valuable information, content, and interviews with industry leaders throughout the agricultural space! If you enjoyed this week’s episode, please subscribe on iTunes and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share it with your friends on your favorite social media spots! 

Learn more about AgGrad by visiting: 

Future of Agriculture Website

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Mike Neal is the Co-Founder and CEO of DecisionNext, a company that utilizes and analyzes data in a way that helps companies optimize their decision making. DecisionNext’s business relies on giving clients possible market forecasts in an event of a policy change. Regarded as a serial entrepreneur, Mike is fond of starting new businesses and has focused his entire career on mathematical models and its application to critical business decisions. He has founded plenty of SaaS companies, all of which provided highly focused analytics to business users.

In this episode, Mike shares what DecisionNext is all about and how it can help the agricultural industry. He also provides insight on the importance of recognizing patterns in today’s market as well as his thoughts on the future of agriculture.

 
“Having a rigorous view matters as long as it's monetized through optimizing the forward position on the buy side or the sell side.”  – Mike Neal

This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast: 

• His background on what got him to start analytics companies.
• What prompted him to leave a good career to go on his own?
• What is DecisionNext all about and what services does it offer?
• Is there an element of machine learning that aids in their tools?
• The two reasons why transparency matters.
• How big is pattern recognition for today's businesses?
• How is working with commodity firms different to retail merchandising firms?
• Why he says there's no such thing as a true commodity.
• What are the steps he takes in coming up with the next big idea?
• His marathon analogy when it comes to starting a company.
• His thoughts on the future of food and agriculture.
• Does he see the government using DecisionNext to do sensitivity analysis on the food supply?

Connect with Mike Neal:

• DecisionNext
• info@decisionnext.com

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! 

Thanks for joining us on the Future of Agriculture Podcast – your spot for valuable information, content, and interviews with industry leaders throughout the agricultural space! If you enjoyed this week’s episode, please subscribe on iTunes and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share it with your friends on your favorite social media spots! 

Learn more about AgGrad by visiting: 

Future of Agriculture Website

AgGrad Website

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

David Norman is the Senior Vice President of Investments Programs at Heifer International, a company that promotes a “pay it forward” approach to sustainable agriculture. Their mission is to end world hunger and poverty while also taking care of the planet by working with communities. This approach seems to be a great answer to the issue of food security and sustainability, as Heifer is driven by the “teach a man to fish” philosophy which ensures the families they help are all able to contribute to eradicating world hunger.

In this episode, David explains what Heifer International is all about, it’s humble beginnings, and its mission. He also shares the different challenges they face with every program as well as some of the successes that made it all worthwhile.

 
“You basically want markets to compete for your products.”  – David Norman

 
This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast: 

• An example of a market that is not dependable or fair.
• How they structure their business and programs.
• How the company selects which communities to target.
• Will the communities know Heifer International is involved or do they operate behind the scenes?
• Is there a difference between social capital and trust?
• Challenges that prevent or delay communities prospering as a result of Heifer's work.
• What is the value chain?
• How do they know if their programs are working?
• What are the logistics behind their programs?
• What are their considerations when it comes to where they invest their money?
• The big challenges we as a society need to overcome for their company to realize their mission.

Connect with David Norman:

• Heifer International

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! 

Thanks for joining us on the Future of Agriculture Podcast – your spot for valuable information, content, and interviews with industry leaders throughout the agricultural space! If you enjoyed this week’s episode, please subscribe on iTunes and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share it with your friends on your favorite social media spots! 

Learn more about AgGrad by visiting: 

Future of Agriculture Website

AgGrad Website

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