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Vertical Farming Podcast - Conversations with CEOs, Founders & Leaders in AgTech & CEA

Vertical Farming Podcast - Conversations with CEOs, Founders & Leaders in AgTech & CEA

Auteur(s): Harry Duran
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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/2022 FullCast Science Sciences biologiques
Épisodes
  • 168: Microbial Magic: Revolutionizing Agriculture from Inside Plants with LPC Naturals’ Jessica Staha
    Jul 4 2025

    Are you struggling to find sustainable solutions for your crops in an ever-changing agricultural landscape?

    I sat down with Jessica Staha, CEO of LPC Naturals, to discuss the fascinating world of microbials in agriculture. With a background in molecular biology and genetics, Jessica brings a wealth of knowledge to the table, having worked in various industries before finding her passion in agricultural technology.

    We delved into the unique challenges faced by both indoor and outdoor farming, and how microbials can provide innovative solutions. Jessica explained how their proprietary isolate of Beauveria bassiana works as a plant stimulant, helping crops withstand various stresses. She emphasized the importance of educating farmers and growers about the benefits of microbials, as they offer a more holistic approach to plant health compared to traditional chemical solutions.

    Throughout our conversation, we touched on the evolving landscape of controlled environment agriculture, the impact of extreme weather on farming, and the potential for collaboration within the industry. Jessica shared insights on leadership in a startup environment and the importance of maintaining work-life balance in the fast-paced world of agricultural innovation.

    If you're curious about the future of farming and how microbials could revolutionize crop management, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to gain valuable insights from an industry expert and discover how these tiny organisms could make a big difference in agriculture.

    Thanks to Our Sponsors

    CEA Summit East - https://indoor.ag/cea-summit-east-2025/

    Indoor AgCon - https://indoor.ag/

    Key Takeaways

    5:57 From corporate to entrepreneurship challenges

    11:47 LPC Naturals origin and microbial solutions

    17:57 Educating farmers on microbial benefits

    24:59 Preparing environments for microbial use

    30:20 Balancing entrepreneurship and personal well-being

    35:17 Collaboration opportunities in microbial research

    Tweetable Quotes"DNA is DNA is DNA. It doesn't matter the organism. And so again, it's this universal language that you can communicate with.""In a controlled sector, you're really pushing those plants to an extreme. Really fast cycle times, beautiful, consistent responses are needed. And then on top of it, packaging, handling, long shelf lives are needed.""As more chemicals are being pulled and aren't being allowed to be used, it's clear that more people are doing a better job at communicating the efficacy of microbials in agriculture and vertical spaces."Resources Mentioned

    Website - https://lpcnaturals.com/

    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-staha

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

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

    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@primesuperiorgrow

    Connect With Us

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

    VFP Twitter -

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    49 min
  • 167: Supercharging Seeds: Zayndu’s Revolutionary Cold Plasma Solution - Alberto Campanaro
    Jun 27 2025

    Have you ever wondered how plants adapt to extreme conditions without the ability to move? I've always been fascinated by the resilience of plants, and in this conversation with Alberto Campanaro, we explore the intricate world of plant science and its applications in modern agriculture.

    Alberto Campanaro, Head of Science at Zayndu, brings a wealth of experience from his background in industrial biotechnology and plant research. His journey from traditional open-field agriculture to innovative seed treatment technology offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of controlled environment agriculture. Alberto's passion for understanding plant behavior and his transition from academia to a startup environment provides a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities in this field.

    The heart of our discussion revolves around Zayndu's cold plasma technology for seed treatment. Alberto explains how this innovative approach can enhance seed germination, improve plant growth rates, and potentially increase crop yields. We delve into the intricacies of developing "recipes" for different plant species and varieties, highlighting the precision required in this cutting-edge technology.

    We also touch on the broader implications of this technology for sustainable agriculture, the importance of maintaining a connection with plants in scientific work, and the challenges of transitioning from hands-on research to a management role in a growing company. Alberto's insights offer a glimpse into the future of agriculture and the potential for technology to address global food production challenges.

    If you're curious about the intersection of plant science, technology, and sustainable agriculture, this episode offers a fascinating look into the future of food production. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of how innovative approaches like cold plasma treatment are shaping the way we grow our food.

    Thanks to Our Sponsors

    CEA Summit East - https://indoor.ag/cea-summit-east-2025/

    Indoor AgCon - https://indoor.ag/

    Key Takeaways

    0:00 Intro: Plants' resilience without movement

    5:43 Growing up in Italy and family memories

    11:48 Journey to plant science and UK studies

    17:40 Transition to controlled environment agriculture

    22:47 Discovering Zayndu and startup excitement

    34:42 Crop-specific responses to cold plasma treatment

    38:38 A day in the life of a plant scientist

    42:40 Evolving from scientist to team leader

    47:27 Closing thoughts and contact information

    Tweetable Quotes"One thing I always find fascinating is that actually plants cannot move. Throughout the year these organisms have to resist heat waves, floods, different temperatures... And mammals or animals can move around, right? There's no water. Okay, let's go find it. But for plants, they're not allowed to.""I always remember I was coming from a kind of a rich subgroup with flashy equipment and stuff. And I was there, I thought, you know, this is quite interesting, I can do this. It was also, you know, the technology was sound and at that time, and still I was looking for do something of impact.""We have arrived to certain level of detail. For example, take spinach that we study quite a lot because there's a lot of request in the market for us for spinach to improve it. And we can see this variation response at the level of varieties. So we are at the moment, in terms of plasma protocol, we have three of them and these three, depending on which variety you're growing, you need to go 1, 2 or 3."Resources Mentioned

    Website -

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    56 min
  • 166: AI Revolution in Greenhouses: Dima Chernobilsky & GrowDirector’s Game-Changing Tech
    Jun 13 2025

    Are you struggling to optimize your greenhouse operations and maximize crop yields? I recently spoke with Dima Chernobilsky, co-founder and CEO of GrowDirector, who shared groundbreaking insights on greenhouse automation and the future of controlled environment agriculture.

    Dima's journey from finance to agriculture is a testament to the power of curiosity and perseverance. With a background spanning real estate, business development, and agriculture in various parts of the world, Dima brings a unique perspective to the field of greenhouse automation. His company, GrowDirector, has evolved through four generations of technology, each iteration addressing specific challenges in the industry.

    The conversation centered on GrowDirector's innovative approach to greenhouse automation. Dima explained how their wireless, modular, and scalable system provides growers with unprecedented control and flexibility. The latest generation of their technology offers future-proof scalability, allowing growers to expand their capabilities without significant additional investment.

    We also explored the role of AI in agriculture, discussing GrowDirector's AI-powered features such as predictive analytics and agronomic advice. Dima shared insights on the challenges of vertical farming, the importance of crop selection, and the need for patience as technology continues to evolve. His advice for the industry emphasized the importance of careful planning and adaptability in the face of rapid technological change.

    If you're interested in the cutting edge of greenhouse technology and want to learn how AI is revolutionizing agriculture, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to hear Dima's fascinating journey and gain valuable insights that could transform your approach to controlled environment agriculture.

    Thanks to Our Sponsors

    CEA Summit East - https://indoor.ag/cea-summit-east-2025/

    Indoor AgCon - https://indoor.ag/

    Key Takeaways

    5:18 Evolution of GrowDirector's product generations

    10:03 Challenges faced by greenhouses and indoor farms

    14:36 AI integration in greenhouse management

    29:57 Lessons learned in hiring and leadership

    35:38 Future goals for GrowDirector's growth

    Tweetable Quotes"We are the god in the greenhouse. We control all of your equipment automatically. Our AI can even predict problems which are coming into the greenhouse and change the rules with your permission.""Hire slow, fire fast. I do think this is the thing because every time I gave a second chance it didn't work for me.""Be very picky about what you do. Not everything you can grow, you can sell, and not everything you can sell you can make money from. Finally you need to make money because you need to feed yourself, your family, and sometimes also get money to your investors."Resources Mentioned

    Website - www.growdirector.com

    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dimacher/

    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@growdirector8723

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

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

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    49 min

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