The Modern Acre

On this edition of Acre Insights, Tim and Tyler share their latest thoughts on regenerative vs. organic, including Tim's recap of attending the Organic Produce Summit. They also provide an update on The Modern Acre Co-op and what to expect as part of the membership. Co-op Links Co-op Details | Buy a Pass | Twitter

Mike Hemman is a veteran of the global agriculture and manufacturing industries, previously working at Corteva Agriscience (including DuPont and Dow) and Pioneer Seeds. In addition, he has extensive lobbying experience in the irrigation industry and holds a bachelor's degree from California State University in Fresno in Plant Science. Mike heads the U.S. division of Netafim, the pioneering company that invented drip irrigation more than 50 years ago. Netafim USA's entry into the U.S. marketplace 40 years ago transformed the face of U.S. agriculture by increasing farmers' adoption of sustainable practices, especially in California's Central Valley. Under Mike's leadership, Netafim continues to be at the forefront of transforming U.S. agriculture by increasing farmers' ability to optimize their water use, increase their crop yield, and reduce lower labor costs by adopting precision irrigation technology. Specifically, Netafim is helping farms transition into the new era of digital farming by offering modernizing irrigation solutions such as NetBeat which monitors, analyzes, and automates irrigation systems from practically anywhere. Connect with Netafim Website | LinkedIn Join the Co-op! Co-op Details | Buy an Pass | Resources | Follow us on Twitter

Kristy Lewis is the founder and CEO of Quinn Snacks, a CPG company reimagining classic snacks by bringing real ingredients and transparency back to the snacks you love. Kristy joins the podcast to tell us about the founding story, Quinn's focus on their farmer-partners, their approach to regenerative ag, how they have scaled, and much, much more. Tune in! Connect with Quinn Snacks Website | Instagram Connect with The Modern Acre Website | Instagram | Twitter  Sign up for Acre Insights HERE

Han Chen is the Co-Founder and CEO of ZeaKal, a plant traits innovator that helps crops capture more carbon and sunlight, leading to healthier, nutrient-rich food and feed. ZeaKal is committed to building a more equitable and resilient agricultural system on a smaller environmental footprint. Their plant traits dramatically improve the yield and composition of staple crops, resulting in carbon capture for better nutrition, as well as higher incomes, lower costs, and efficiencies along the ag supply chain. Han brings with him over fifteen years of management and venture experience. He has been a pioneer in changing how agricultural trait technologies are commercialized, focusing on innovative public-private partnerships between industry, venture, and research. To date, Han has started and successfully raised financing for three startups, totaling over twenty million in capital. Han is also the co-founder and Managing Director of Kapyon Ventures, a technology incubation firm behind the pre-venture development of ZeaKal. Prior to founding ZeaKal and Kapyon, Han was the Investment Manager for Finistere Partners, a San Diego based life science venture capital firm. He was responsible for seeding the deal flow of a nine million dollar strategic investment fund that resulted in the formation of several startups, generation of millions in research funding and also several technology licensing opportunities. Han graduated magna cum laude from Amherst College and has a master’s degree in international business from the University of California, San Diego. He is also a CFA Charterholder. Connect with ZeaKal Website | LinkedIn Join the Co-op! Co-op Details | Buy an Pass | Resources | Follow us on Twitter

Pete Oberle is a Managing Partner at Trailhead Capital, a mission-driven investment firm creating outstanding financial, societal, and ecological returns by backing entrepreneurs who are building the regenerative future of food and agriculture. Pete has 23 years of finance and investing experience. Since 2014, he has been an angel investor in the agricultural, food, renewable energy, environmental and human health spaces. Pete joins us to share more about his background and starting Trailhead Capital. We go deep on his approach to investing in regenerative ag in the current economic climate. Connect with Trailhead Capital Website | LinkedIn Join the Co-op! Co-op Details | Buy an Pass | Resources | Follow us on Twitter

Nicole Atchison is the CEO of PURIS Foods, a family-owned company founded in 1985 in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Built with intention over 30 years, PURIS’ plant-based food system benefits every link in the chain of production: flavorful and nutritious choices for people, profitable opportunities for growers, flexible ingredients for food makers, and practices that nourish soil, the environment, and life on earth. Nicole is the daughter of the founders of the company. Nicole Atchison is responsible for leading innovation and business development across PURIS’ portfolio of companies including ingredient technologies, processing technologies, seed genetic strategies, product development and go-to-market strategies, insights, and support for plant-based brands. PURIS develops and supports continued innovation in a spectrum of pure, plant-based foods and ingredients from U.S.-based organic and non-GMO sources. She is the CEO of PURIS Holdings and the CEO of AcreMade, a consumer facing plant-based egg company and latest innovation from the broader PURIS team. Connect with PURIS Foods Website | LinkedIn Co-op Links Co-op Details | Buy an NFT | Resources | Follow us on Twitter for memes

Adrián Ferrero is the Co-Founder and CEO of Biome Makers, one of the foremost global AgTech leaders setting the standard in soil health with BeCrop® technology. Built on industry-leading AgTech expertise and driven by data and science, Biome Makers connectsoil biology to agricultural decision-making to optimize farming practices and reverse the degradation of arable soils. With labs across the globe, customers on 4 continents, and 1M+ acres of land impacted, Biome Makers revitalizes soil functionality and agricultural sustainability worldwide. With recognition from the Spanish Government, Illumina Accelerator, and MIT Technology Review —Adrián is a self-described entrepreneur on a mission to improve the world. He holds a Master of Science in Economics from the University of Salamanca and a Master of Environmental Management from the Turku School of Economics and Business Administration. Growing up in an agricultural region of Spain inspired Adrián to co-found, together with Alberto Acedo, Biome Makers Inc., and create its patented BeCrop® technology. From there, Biome Makers has received many awards worldwide (AgSum in Japan, agripreneur 2019 in Greece, WINnovation in US, or Best innovative startup by AgFunder) and attracted over $24M from investors. Prior to Biome Makers, Adrián has founded three start-ups and worked as an innovation consultant for more than nine years. Connect with Biome Makers Website | Twitter Co-op Links Co-op Details | Buy an NFT | Resources | Follow us on Twitter for memes

Pablo Borquez is the founder and CEO of ProducePay, an AgTech startup committed to building a better supply chain for fresh produce, one that places trust at the center of every transaction. It is the fastest-growing provider of capital, market insights, and trade protection for the fresh produce industry. Through its products Marketplace, Pre-Season Financing, Quick-Pay+ and Daily Market Report, ProducePay has the mission of strengthening relationships between growers, shippers, retailers, and consumers of fresh produce in the United States and Latin America. With over 20 years' experience in the Ag Industry, Pablo Borquez founded ProducePay to make fresh produce accessible to all. Born into a 4th generation farming family from Mexico, Pablo grew up around the family farm “Campos Borquez”. Pablo’s experience throughout his life helped him launch ProducePay in 2014; with the mission to build a better supply chain for fresh produce, one that places trust at the center of every transaction and strengthens relationships between growers, shippers, retailers, and consumers of fresh produce. Connect with ProducePay Website | LinkedIn Co-op Links Co-op Details | Buy an NFT | Resources | Follow us on Twitter for memes

David Nothmann is the COO of Unfold. Unfold is accelerating the “seed to table” capabilities of vertical farming with an integrated offering of superior seeds, digital services, and agronomic insight. Based in Davis, California, Unfold’s mission is to create a world where the freshest, most nutritious, and most delicious produce is available to every person on the planet. David is a visionary leader and team builder with more than two decades of executive-level B2B and B2C experience in agriculture and food production, with a passion for sustainability and bringing products to market. Prior to his role at Unfold, David served in C-Suite and leadership roles at Terramera, Valent LLC (a Sumitomo Chemical subsidiary), Battelle and ArborGen. David started his career at Monsanto and currently serves as Chairman of Board for startup 3Bar Biologics as well as on the Advisory Board of AgroSpheres. Connect with Unfold Website | LinkedIn Co-op Links Co-op Details | Buy an NFT | Resources | Follow us on Twitter for memes

Matthieu Kohlmeyer is the Founder and CEO of La Tourangelle, a family owned & operated producer of artisan oils & other natural food. Steeped in the oil making tradition of France’s Loire Valley, and with production facilities both in France & California, La Tourangelle is on a mission to make good food. Good for the table, community & planet. Connect with La Tourangelle Website | LinkedIn Co-op Links Co-op Details | Buy an NFT | Resources | Follow us on Twitter for memes