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

Struggling with the complexities of indoor farming and looking for innovative solutions to streamline your operations? Join me as I explore groundbreaking ideas with Marcus Comaschi, R&D engineer at Gyroplant, who is revolutionizing the way we think about plant substrates in controlled environment agriculture.

Marcus Comaschi, an R&D engineer at Gyroplant, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in design and engineering...

Ever wondered why some vertical farms thrive while others struggle? The answer might lie in combining traditional horticultural wisdom with cutting-edge technology.

I sat down with Wessel van Paassen, Managing Director at Green Simplicity, to explore the intersection of greenhouse expertise and vertical farming innovation. Born into a family of flower growers, Wessel brings a unique perspective to the vertical farming industry. His ...

Have you ever wondered how to combine sustainable farming, education, and entertainment into a single innovative concept? I sat down with Mike Smart, founder of Smart Farms, to discuss his unique approach to revolutionizing the food industry and educating the next generation.

Mike's journey is a fascinating blend of technology, entrepreneurship, and agriculture. From his early days in crypto and digital payments to his current focus...

Have you ever wondered how the vertical farming industry is evolving and what it takes to organize successful events in this space? I had the pleasure of speaking with Tahir Abdul Bari, founder and CEO of TAB Group, about his journey from traditional agriculture to organizing one of the largest vertical farming events in the Middle East.

Tahir's story is fascinating, starting from his childhood experiences in Kashmir's apple orchard...

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 ...

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...

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 developmen...

Ever wondered why so many indoor farming ventures fail despite the hype? I've got the inside scoop from a true industry veteran.

Glenn Behrman, founder and president of CEA Advisors, brings over 50 years of experience in horticulture and indoor farming to our conversation. From his early days in the foliage industry to pioneering container farming, Glenn's journey is a testament to resilience and adaptability in a rapidly evolving f...

Ever wondered how a seasoned executive from the oil and gas industry ends up leading a vertical farming startup? I sat down with Michael Oster, CEO of Saffron Tech, to explore this fascinating journey.

Michael's transition from the corporate world to the innovative field of vertical farming is a testament to adaptability in business. With decades of experience in oil and gas, real estate, and M&A, he brings a unique perspective ...

Ever wondered how indoor farming is revolutionizing the way we connect with our food? I sat down with Marc Oshima, CEO of Babylon Microfarms, to explore the cutting edge of sustainable agriculture.

Marc Oshima brings over 30 years of experience in driving large-scale commercial businesses, including co-founding AeroFarms. Now at the helm of Babylon Microfarms, he's spearheading innovative solutions in B2B indoor farming across healt...

Ever wondered how a mushroom farm could revolutionize the food industry? I sat down with John James Staniszewski, the creator of the fungitarian lifestyle and a pioneer in the vertical farming space, to uncover the secrets of his success.

John's journey from nightclub manager to mushroom mogul is as fascinating as it is inspiring. He shares how he built a thriving mushroom farm from scratch, producing up to 35,000 pounds of mushroom...

Ever wondered how automation is shaping the future of indoor farming? In this episode, I speak with Renko Schuil, Sales Manager of Indoor Farming at TTA ISO, a leading company in horticultural automation. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Renko offers invaluable insights into the evolving world of vertical farming and controlled environment agriculture.

We dive deep into the challenges and opportunities facing the in...

Ever wondered how to navigate the challenges of indoor farming and create successful products in this evolving industry? Oliver Rotko, CEO of Plant TUI and Arctic Farming, shares his journey and insights into the world of vertical farming.

I sat down with Oliver to discuss his unique path from business student to indoor farming innovator. He revealed how his experiences in B2B sales, marketing, and even watchmaking contributed to hi...

Have you ever wondered how to grow fresh produce year-round, even in the harshest climates? I sat down with Conner Tidd, co-founder and CEO of Just Vertical, to discuss the innovative world of indoor farming and how it's changing the way we think about food production. Conner's journey into vertical farming began with a desire to make a tangible impact on food security and sustainability. With a background in environmental law and ...

Ever wondered how to revitalize struggling communities while promoting sustainable practices? I had the pleasure of speaking with Kirk Taylor, co-founder of Land Betterment Corporation, about their innovative approach to community development and sustainable agriculture. Kirk's background in accounting and finance, combined with his entrepreneurial spirit, led him to tackle the challenges faced by transitioning communities in areas...

Ever wondered how beer brewing could revolutionize vertical farming? Mat Halter, founder of TerraFerm, is turning brewery waste into a game-changing resource for indoor agriculture.

Mat Halter, a plant scientist turned entrepreneur, shares his journey from researching biofuels to developing an innovative system that captures CO2 from brewery fermentation for use in vertical farms. His patented technology promises to significantly b...

Ever wondered how vertical farming could revolutionize food production and make fresh, flavorful produce more accessible? In this enlightening conversation with Rick Langille, CEO of Harvest Today, we explore the cutting-edge developments in vertical farming technology and their potential impact on the future of agriculture.

Rick shares exciting updates on Harvest Today's progress, including the launch of their Shopify site and upco...

In this special tribute episode of The Vertical Farming Podcast, I honor the life and legacy of Dr. Dickson Despommier, the visionary who laid the foundation for vertical farming as we know it today.

His book, The Vertical Farm: Feeding the World in the 21st Century, completely changed the way I thought about food production, sustainability, and the future of agricultureReading it in 2019 was a turning point for me—it was the spark ...

Ever wondered how to start a vertical farm in a city with limited space and resources? Jessica Naomi Fong's journey with Common Farms in Hong Kong is a masterclass in resilience, innovation, and customer-focused growth.

Jessica Naomi Fong, Founder and CEO of Common Farms, shares her inspiring story of launching a vertical farming business in Hong Kong just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. With a background in the restaurant indust...