Dr. David Zetland is a university lecturer, blogger, and economy researcher. He currently teaches at Leiden University College - The Hague as a lecturer in political-economy. He is the creator of the Aguanomics blog, a site that focuses on topics on the different ways people manage, use, and abuse water. David obtained his Ph.D. in Agricultural and Resource Economics from UC Davis and has earned extensive experience regarding water economy and water policy.

David joins me today to discuss the water economy and where we are right now as a civilization. He shares why we should be in a global state of panic and why we’re no longer in a world where water is sustainable. He explains the need for water to be priced and how it can positively affect the ag industry. David also discusses water rights, “free water,” the water market, and possible solutions to water scarcity.

Stay tuned for our Five-Minute Farmer segment with Will Scholze, owner of Scholze Family Beef.

“If there is a price on water, supply and demand will balance.” - Dr. David Zetland

This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast:

• Why we should be panicking about climate change and its effects on water scarcity.
• Water shortages and the problems it would impose on the ag industry.
• The two major sources of water for agriculture and the water market.
• Why water is essentially not free in agriculture.
• The logic applied on who really consumes the most water.
• Buying and selling water rights and how farmers conduct their water business.
• The political struggles involving water and how it is in other countries.
• Why desalination plants aren't the solution to water scarcity.

Connect with Dr. David Zetland:

• Aguanomics
• KYSQ
• LinkedIn
• Free ebook: Living with Water Scarcity

This episode is sponsored by: Agri-Pulse - For the Latest in Ag Information

Regulation and policy have just as much impact on the agriculture industry and ag-business as Mother Nature. For 15 years, Agri-Pulse has been the leading resource for ag information, reporting on agricultural issues and policies occurring in Washington, D.C., Sacramento, and across the U.S. Agri-Pulse helps keep farmers and ag professionals up-to-date on the latest changes in rules and regulations impacting their businesses - before these policies become law.

Stay up-to-date on the latest ag issues and policies impacting your business by giving Agri-Pulse a test drive. Visit Agri-Pulse.com to start your 1-Month Free Trail today.

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. 

Join the Conversation!

To get your most pressing ag questions answered and share your perspective on various topics we’ve discussed on the Future of Agriculture podcast, head over to SpeakPipe.com/FutureofAg and leave a recorded message!

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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

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Stu Bradbury is a Strategy Adviser at Sprout Agritech Accelerator, New Zealand’s top-rated ag startup accelerator. They back startups that offer bold and innovative solutions to some of agriculture’s biggest problems. Stu’s role is to identify their country’s most promising startup companies as well as mentor and help them grow to success. He has extensive experience in product commercialization and services in the agricultural sector.

Stu joins me today to discuss the ag startup economy in New Zealand as well as how their company’s accelerator programs work. He shares his career background, his experience starting an irrigation company, and his experience working with Sprout. He describes what they look for in a startup as well as what those startups can expect from their programs. Stu also shares how Sprout initially conducted their marketing strategies.

Stay tuned for our Five-Minute Farmer segment with Jana Hocken, author of The Lean Dairy Farm.

You need to understand how your product or service affects your customer's life; how they're going to live with it.” - Stu Bradbury

This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast:

• Stu's academic and career background and his entrepreneurial journey.
• Why agriculture is the backbone of New Zealand.
• New Zealand's drive for the numerous agricultural inventions and innovations.
• Why he focused on irrigation tech more than other systems.
• What he would have done differently if he knew the resources available when he was starting out.
• What it's like to work with Sprout AgriTech and what they look for in startups.

Resources Mentioned:

• Episode 63 - Travel The World Learning About Agriculture with Nuffield Scholar Matt Hocken

Connect with Stu Bradbury:

• Sprout Agritech Accelerator
• LinkedIn

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. 

Join the Conversation!

To get your most pressing ag questions answered and share your perspective on various topics we’ve discussed on the Future of Agriculture podcast, head over to SpeakPipe.com/FutureofAg and leave a recorded message!

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 

Renee Vassilos is an Agricultural Economist and Regenerative Catalyst. She is the Founder of Banyan Innovation Group, an agribusiness consulting company that support startups in the agriculture sector through market sizing, business model and development, and strategy. Renee has over 15 years of experience working with multinational and government companies such as John Deere and the USDA.

Renee joins me to discuss the current startup climate in the agricultural industry. She shares her story and experience while working with big companies like John Deere and where she got her passion for helping startups. She explains why the ag industry hasn’t had any real disruptions in the last few decades and discuss the kind of innovations the industry should look forward to. Renee also describes how the current trade wars are affecting emerging startups.

Stay tuned for our Five-Minute Farmer segment with Hannah Esch of Oak Barn Beef.

“I don't think we've been seeing enough technologies that have been hitting the mark.” - Renee Vassilos

This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast:

• Renee’s career with John Deere and the US Government abroad.
• John Deere's technology pricing and how smallholder farmers can avail them.
• Her thoughts on the need for traction for widespread customer adoption.
• The notable disruptions in the industry within the last decade.
• How the trade war is affecting innovations and technologies in agriculture.
• Examples of markets that are spearheading innovation and unique products.
• Why the ag sector hasn't really been innovative in the past few decades.
• What nutrient-dense foods are and some examples.
• Disruptions we can expect to see in agriculture.

Connect with Renee Vassilos:

• LinkedIn

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. 

Join the Conversation!

To get your most pressing ag questions answered and share your perspective on various topics we’ve discussed on the Future of Agriculture podcast, head over to SpeakPipe.com/FutureofAg and leave a recorded message!

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 

Dan Cosgrove is the Chief Strategy Officer at Growers Edge. Growers Edge is a FinTech company that provides financial programs and solutions for the service of the agricultural sector. He is also a Venture Partner at Radicle Growth, an acceleration fund financed by top agtech investors. Dan has extensive experience in business development in the ag industry and is skilled in negotiation, entrepreneurship, international business licensing as well as Mergers, Acquisitions, and Venture Capital.

Dan joins me today to discuss the details involved in deciding what startup to accelerate and what company qualifies for an acquisition. He shares the story of how he got started in the industry and shares the highlights of his extensive career. He explains how he became an entrepreneur while working within another company, describes some of the challenges farmers face today, and the kind of technology startups need to focus on for the future. Dan also shares his best tips for startups looking for investment.

Stay tuned for our first segment of Five-Minute Farmer with Gavin Spoor of Spoor Farms.

“You should take feedback from everybody you talk to and learn a bit of something.” - Dan Cosgrove

This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast:

• How Dan got started in the agricultural industry.
• The opportunities and roles he had with Corteva.
• How he managed to become entrepreneurial while working within another company.
• His current role at Growers Edge and what Growers Edge is about.
• The two challenges that farmers have today that aren't being addressed properly.
• The role he played in the Granular acquisition.
• The difference between corporate venture capital than traditional venture capital.
• Quantifying the value of strategic benefits in the venture level.
• His advice to startups seeking investment.

Resources Mentioned:

• FoA136 Scaling an AgTech Company with Sid Gorham of Granular
• Radicle Growth
• Corteva

Connect with Dan Cosgrove:

• Growers Edge
• LinkedIn
• Email: dan.cosgrove@growersedge.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