WHIN received a $1M Build to Scale Grant from The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) this month! There were more than 260 applicants with only 60 organizations selected for the Build to Scale program, WHIN being one of them!
The grants, part of the “Build to Scale” program administered annually by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), aim to accelerate technology entrepreneurship by increasing inclusive access to entrepreneurial assistance and startup capital. These EDA investments support innovation industries, such as agriculture technology (agtech), bioscience, advanced manufacturing, blue economy, and health technology, among others.
The funding will enable WHIN to scale our Innovation as a Service (IaaS) program and help many manufacturers in the region to utilize IoT technology to address needs such as preventative maintenance, reduced downtime, safety, reduced waste, asset tracking, and energy and other input management.
WHIN’s IaaS initiative gives companies a manpower and expertise boost. Working side-by-side with plant personnel, WHIN’s team helps to identify pain points and implement IoT solutions from a portfolio of technologies that WHIN has vetted for quality and effectiveness. IaaS flattens the technology learning curve with real results so that manufacturers gain the vision, skill and experience to continue to the next level of digitalization.
Indiana-based farmer-owned cooperatives Co-Alliance Cooperative, Inc. and Ceres Solutions Cooperative, Inc. announced on Wednesday an agreement to pursue a merger. The cooperatives spent the past three months in a due diligence period to better understand the potential synergies of a combined organization. Upon reviewing the final due diligence report, the Boards of Directors of both cooperatives have unanimously approved a member vote for the merger.
“After considerable analysis, we believe this merger will provide a tremendous opportunity for our 20,000 farmer-owners. This will allow our team to provide more robust service offerings, greater investments in our assets and an unmatched customer experience,” said Jeff Troike, CEO of Ceres Solutions. “Together we know there will be great synergies from this historic merger with the Co-Alliance team.”
If the membership approves the merger, the new cooperative will have 1,800 full-time employees who will serve hundreds of rural communities in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio. The cooperative system plays a vital role in our rural districts, investing in facilities, sustainable agriculture, and the next generation of farmers. The employee team will be focused on collaborating to drive efficiencies, share expertise and deliver a diverse portfolio of services to customers.
“This merger drives our mission of serving our farmer-owners and the communities where we live and work,” added Kevin Still, CEO of Co-Alliance Cooperative. “The combined strength and legacy of success of Ceres and Co-Alliance creates a powerful partner for our farmer-owners and customers, helping them grow future generations. We are excited about this dynamic combination and what it means for the strength and future of the cooperative system.”
Ceres and Co-Alliance have tested their partnership approach with their joint venture, Endeavor Ag & Energy. Endeavor has successfully provided agronomy, propane, and feed services in north central Michigan. Membership voting will take place in the coming weeks with the hope of completing the merger in early 2024.
Platform to Streamline Hybrid Seed Corn Production In-Season Decision Making, Workflow
Intelinair and Hubner Industries, LLC announced a strategic multi-year collaboration agreement to create a new innovative digital platform specifically to manage hybrid seed corn production. Under the terms of the agreement, Intelinair will use its high-resolution imagery and data analytics to help growers more efficiently identify issues in the field throughout the season and inform real-time seed production management decisions to protect yield potential.
“We are excited to partner with Doug Hubner and his team at Hubner Industries, a family-owned business that has been in the seed production, treatment, packaging, and distribution industry for more than 50 years,” said Tim Hassinger, CEO & President at Intelinair. “Through this new platform, we will be able to address the specific needs of seed production using our technology.”
The platform will simplify or automate some of the seed production practices used today, as well as help streamline decisions and dispatch field scouts to identify issues in the field throughout the season.
“Production managers need a way to closely and efficiently manage every acre of their seed crop, giving confidence to their seed partners they will have the highest quality seed,” said Douglas J. Hubner, President at Hubner Industries, LLC. “What we are doing with Intelinair is going to be a game-changer for our production team as it will give us the best of both worlds. Real-time information through the combination of high-resolution imagery and data analytics, along with scouting tools for the boots on the ground in the fields, will help us manage our workflow and decisions throughout the growing season. We expect this combination will increase our yield by 2-3 percent and will deliver higher quality seed across every acre.”
Other terms of the collaboration agreement were not disclosed.
Discussion around the energy transition often focuses on electrification, but one Indiana company and thousands of Indiana farmers are working together to create new options in that transition – specifically around biofuels. Today’s guest is a long-time energy leader and the chief executive of one of Indiana’s largest privately held companies. Matt Smorch, CEO of CountryMark, joins us to talk the continued emergence of biofuels, diversifying for the farmer and answers a question that most won’t know: where exactly does our fuel come from?
How will farmers play a role in the new innovative energy sources coming to market? Matt talks about lessons learned from E-85 and how changing the gasoline standard could open up a wide array of new options for fuel (and agriculture). He also looks ahead and how CountryMark will continue to innovate to stay reliable and serve the farmer.
An estimated 88% of Americans will consume turkey this Thanksgiving – that equates to more than 46 million turkeys! It’s big business for farmers across the country, including here in Indiana where the state has become the fourth largest producer of turkey in the country. Becky Joniskan, president of the Indiana State Poultry Association, joins this week to share more about Indiana’s turkey production and the innovation making it possible.
Becky talks all things poultry in Indiana – ranging from key innovators like Miller Poultry and Maple Leaf Farms – to the well-informed at-home farmer with a smaller flock. She also dives into turkey’s growing presence in many forms (deli meats, sausage links and more) on your grocery store shelves, With poultry demand on the rise, where are the opportunities for innovators to disrupt the industry? Becky talks nutrition, genetics and environment as spaces ripe for new discoveries and how poultry farmers approach adoption of new innovations. She talks about the critical role of Indiana corn and soybeans to poultry farmers’ success and what’s ahead for the industry.
Network perks include free co-working space and steep discounts
Starting a new business, service or product is a daunting task, but inventors, innovators and founders have long been described as courageous, audacious and brave. Less often acknowledged and rarely addressed are other attributes these trailblazers share: loneliness, brutal stress and even fear.
In Indiana, that lack of attention on the psychological price of entrepreneurship stops today with the launch of the Indiana Founders Network, an organization supported by TechPoint but led by members.
“No Indiana organization focused on the tech sector has coached more startups than TechPoint’s leadership and venture support teams,” said TechPoint President and CEO Ting Gootee. “And as we discussed how best to execute on new strategies designed to further strengthen Indiana’s digital innovation economy, we realized we couldn’t fully do that if we don’t address the long-ignored reality that founders need more personal support. We also realized there’s no organization better positioned to do this than TechPoint.”
Part of the stress founders experience results from the fact that they are forging new ground and don’t want to get beat by a competitor, so they are hesitant to ask for help. They’re also incredibly busy trying to raise capital, deal with legal and regulatory issues as they work to get their product to market.
Gootee described the Network as a critical need based on thousands of conversations with founders had by her and by the TechPoint team in their current and former positions.
Prior to joining TechPoint, Gootee helped found Elevate Ventures and spent 11 years there in leadership, driving its growth into one of the most prolific investors in the nation. Chelsea Linder, TechPoint’s vice president of innovation and entrepreneurship, spent seven years in leadership roles at gener8tor, where she worked directly with more than 200 founders and coached thousands more across the country. Dennis Trinkle, senior vice president, talent, strategy, and partnership, is the author and editor of 18 books and more than 75 articles on entrepreneurship, technology, leadership, teaching and learning and co-developer of an award-wining videogame on the entrepreneurial process—Fireworks: The Entrepreneurship Experience. Roger Shuman, director of venture engagement, has spent nearly seven years at TechPoint supporting startups and scaleups and connecting them to capital. Together, this is one of the most experienced teams working with founders in Indiana.
Linder said a key element of the Network is that it will be led by its members.
“TechPoint will be the convenor, but we’re just buying the snacks and bringing entrepreneurs to the table,” Linder said. “The members will tell us what they need and want, and we’ll bring in the experts in those areas. Some meetings will be ideal for everyone; others might address a specific need of only a certain segment. Our hope is that the group will forge relationships and create their own individual safety nets in addition to the one we’re developing.”
The Network is open to founders who can support each other, access information and resources necessary to move their businesses forward and build relationships with people facing similar challenges. Targeted sectors include advanced manufacturing and logistics, agbiosciences, life sciences and healthcare, and technology. In addition to peer support, the long-term vision is to also open doors for Indiana founders to TechPoint’s membership, partners and corporate networks, including the Indiana CIO Network.
TechPoint will organize regular gatherings where founders can build peer relationships and share their personal experiences and insights with the group. Members can network across sectors, giving founders a non-competitive and safe environment to build relationships and learn from each other.
Participants will enjoy access to a free, 10-day co-working pass at the 16 Tech Innovation District, the Network’s exclusive coworking space provider for Central Indiana. 16 Tech members will have free access to the network. Additional perks include up to 90 percent off the cost of Hub Spot software and other discounts.
“One of the unspoken truths of innovation-driven entrepreneurship is the public pressure to say that everything is going great. Belief is the pre-condition for making a vision reality, yet this leads to tremendous stress and pressure felt by founders,” said Emily Krueger, president and CEO of 16 Tech Community Corporation, the non-profit responsible for the 16 Tech Innovation District in downtown Indianapolis. “Places like 16 Tech and programs like the Indiana Founders Network are designed to provide support to navigate the resource challenges and personal stress of entrepreneurship.”
The Network is open to startup founders, those with an idea but who haven’t yet moved forward with it and those who want to become a co-founder. It is not a space for investors or vendors. It offers connections to other entrepreneurs, access to members-only events, small peer group conversations and meetups, visibility through a membership directory, discounts to other ecosystem events and services, eligibility to be considered to pitch at TechPoint Pitch Nights and access to education, coaching and mentors via the TechPoint Venture Support platform.
In addition to business activities, TechPoint will appoint a Founders Network Leadership Council from among Network members to ensure the organization is driven by founders first. Membership in the council will be a two-year commitment and by application only. Sponsorship opportunities will be available for non-founders. The network’s founding sponsors are Ice Miller and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. TechPoint members can join the network at no cost. Others can join for $105 per year. Learn more about the Network here.
A new scientific review paper published this month provides important insights into the current knowledge base of rumen methanogens – the microorganisms that produce methane as a byproduct of their metabolism in the rumen, or stomach, of ruminants like cattle and sheep – and the gaps that exist in the field. Deep understanding of how methane is produced in the rumen is critical to reducing livestock’s greenhouse gas emissions while simultaneously increasing their productivity through improvement of energy intake from feed. In this groundbreaking paper titled “Evolving Understanding of Rumen Methanogen Ecophysiology” (htps://bit.ly/47wruTZ) published in Frontiers in Microbiology as part of The Methane Moment research topic, the authors call for more research in the diversity, physiology, and metabolism of rumen methanogens.
As the number one agricultural source of greenhouse gases worldwide, ruminants like cattle produce methane as part of their normal digestive process. Currently, this type of methane production contributes approximately 4 percent of total emissions annually, with a single bovine belching about 220 pounds of methane. It also accounts for a loss of 2 to 12 percent of the energy provided by the feed for cattle, as methane, that could otherwise be used to produce meat and milk through microbial fermentation process in the rumen.
BiomEdit’s Director of Microbial Discovery Research and one of the lead authors, Dr. Dwi Susanti, believes additional research in this area is urgently needed: “Providing scientists and innovators more detailed information on the ecophysiology and diversity of methanogens in the rumen gives the scientific community the best chance of developing solutions to help livestock producers mitigate methane emissions and increase productivity to feed a growing population.”
“Gaining the most robust understanding of rumen methanogens is key to bringing the best solutions possible for livestock, the producer and the planet,” said Aaron Schacht, CEO of BiomEdit. “This publication is not just informative – it is eye-opening for anyone curious about the biology of methane emission in livestock production. By enhancing our understanding of the microbial ecosystem in the rumen of livestock, we are better equipped to unlock significant innovation.”
Methanogens have been studied for more than 80 years, underpinning the science of the methane-reducing solutions we see today, which provide varying outcomes. They are difficult to study in vitro and are the only microorganisms known to produce methane in anaerobic environments. Consequently, the information on their physiological properties remains mostly inferred from non-rumen, often human, and environmental settings.
One of the key challenges is that rumen methanogens are very difficult to grow in culture. This has limited the ability to study their physiology and metabolism in detail. However, the authors of the paper point to recent advances in culture-independent approaches, such as high-throughput omics technologies that enable the simultaneous analysis of large amounts of biological data, as beginning to fill this gap.
The researchers also highlight the importance of understanding the interactions between rumen methanogens and other microbes in the rumen. The rumen is a complex ecosystem that is home to a wide variety of microorganisms, including bacteria, archaea, fungi, and protozoa. These microorganisms work together to break down the feed that the animal eats producing beneficial nutrients for the animal. This community has evolved over 50 million years, exhibiting resilience and adaptability to environmental changes, which makes modulating this system very challenging and complex. Recent advancements in DNA sequencing and data analysis have made it much easier to identify the members of this ecosystem and predict how they interact to affect digestion and methane production.
Several important research areas to fill the above-mentioned gaps were noted in the paper by the researchers. These include:
Developing new methods for isolating and studying rumen methanogens, as well as understanding the molecular basis of hydrogen utilization and methane formation in the rumen. Currently, only about 23% of rumen microbes can be grown in the lab.
Expanding research on methanogens and microbial community in the rumens of underrepresented agriculturally important animals such as buffalo, yak, and goat, and of ruminants from the low- and middle-income countries.
Generating more reference genomes of rumen methanogens for more comprehensive studies, including well-annotated genomes, metagenome-assembled genome (MAG) sequences, and conducting studies that account for the diet, spatial location, and developmental stage of the animal.
Information about the different substrates that rumen methanogens use to make methane, such as methanol and methylamine, as well as the role of enzymes and how they are regulated. One area of research that has been overlooked is the use of formate by methanogens. Formate is a byproduct of fermentation and may be an important substrate for methane production.
Investigating the metabolism of methanogens that colonize the gut of the pre-ruminant phase in young animals.
The use of additional omics approaches, such as metatranscriptomics and metaproteomics, to study the metabolism of rumen methanogens in more detail.
Researchers on the paper included:
Bela Haifa Khairunisa – Microbial Discovery Research team at BiomEdit
Christian Heryakusuma – Genetics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology – Department of Biochemistry at Virginia Tech University
Kelechi Ike – Department of Biology, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Biswarup Mukhopadhyay – Genetics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology – Department of Biochemistry and the Carilion School of Medicine at Virginia Tech University
Dwi Susanti – Microbial Discovery Research team at BiomEdit
Link to the paper: https://bit.ly/47wruTZ
Parvovirus – a potentially deadly disease in puppies – has been called the world’s most common canine infectious disease. The viral infection is one that has long been battled through a preemptive vaccine regimen and treated by managing the clinical signs of the infection. However, a new innovation from Indiana-based animal health giant Elanco is transforming canine care through science. This week, we are joined by Elanco veterinarian and veterinarian technical marketer, Dr. Jennifer Miller, to talk about the newly approved monoclonal antibody treatment for canine parvovirus.
What is parvovirus, how is it caused and what were the treatment options before Elanco’s breakthrough monoclonal antibody? Dr. Miller talks about its severity, its commonality and why this innovation was so critical for puppy owners. She also gets into the years it takes to bring innovation to market and the rewarding feeling of watching it save lives in clinics across the country.
How does this become the next wave of innovation at Elanco? Dr. Miller talks about the transferable opportunities to other animals and to human health. She also gets into the collaborative spirit working to advance the innovation ecosystem and what she sees as the future of animal health.
Approximately 6% of the U.S. population are veterans – those who have served in the U.S. military. Leaders who have donned the uniform have gone on to serve in roles that are now shaping the future of the food and agbioscience economy. Today’s guest is doing just that. W US Army COL (retired) Mark Purdy joins us to talk about his journey through the military and into agbioscience, what Aimpoint does and how he sees food and agriculture innovating for the future.
What exactly is wargaming and how can it impact agriculture? Mark talks about its nexus of art and science, understanding the industry better today – and tomorrow. Geopolitical tension continues to spread across different parts of the globe. How will uncertainty drive innovation? Marks lays out our opportunities, science creating new efficiencies and asking a really important question: who are the farmers of the future? And what will they require of us?
Today, Mayor Joe Yochum joined officials from The Pantheon and the Knox County Indiana Economic Development Corporation to announce the launch of AgroRenew LLC, a processing facility that will repurpose food waste from Knox County’s thriving watermelon, cantaloupe, and pumpkin industry into eco-friendly bioplastics.
With plans to break ground in early 2024, the company has secured land in Knox County’s Industrial Park at the intersection of US 41 and Elkorn Road. AgroRenew plans to invest $83 million by 2026 to build out the facility in 4 phases. Once all phases are completed, the 196,000 sq. ft. facility will span 20 acres and employ nearly 250 people.
Six months ago, Brian Southern – a business advisor and successful entrepreneur – was introduced to local farmers and agricultural leaders by Nichole Like, CEO at The Pantheon business incubator and co-working space. From those conversations, he learned about Knox County’s illustrious reputation as one of the nation’s primary watermelon production hubs, and the substantial amounts of organic waste generated annually. AgroRenew’s innovative bioplastics manufacturing plant will harness this local resource, ingeniously transforming watermelon waste into biodegradable and sustainable bioplastics. This pioneering endeavor aligns seamlessly with AgroRenew’s mission to reduce the environmental impact of plastic production and create a circular economy model.
“Our journey from concept to realization has been a remarkable testament to the power of innovation and collaboration at The Pantheon. With our cutting-edge processing plant, we aim to not only redefine the plastics industry but also contribute significantly to the local economy while prioritizing environmental sustainability,” says Southern.
AgroRenew’s initial target crops are watermelon, cantaloupe, and pumpkin waste, totaling 100 million pounds per season. Broken down into 4 phases, the processing facility will span 5 acres to complete Phase I with a need for a total 20 acres for projected growth. At a later date, the company plans to establish a Bioplastics Innovation Center next to the processing facility. This 16,000 sq. ft. research facility will sit on 21 acres of experimental crop development; AgroRenew expects to hire an additional 22 science and engineering jobs.
“The establishment of AgroRenew’s bioplastics manufacturing plant is expected to generate numerous benefits for Knox County and its residents, including the creation of new job opportunities, economic growth, and reduced environmental impact,” says Chris Pfaff, CEO of the Knox County Indiana Economic Development. “As the company prepares to break ground and commence construction, anticipation is building for the positive transformation that this venture will bring to the region – jobs, growth, and inspiration for future startups at The Pantheon.”
The Pantheon business incubator and innovation theatre is a renovated 1920s-styletheatre with over 15,000 sq. ft. of working space located in the heart of downtown Vincennes. The facility includes open working spaces, private offices, conference rooms, a kitchen, and event space.
“The Pantheon offers no-cost business advising services to the public for a variety of business needs – startup ideation and de-risking, training and referrals, legal help, funding, certifications, pitch competitions, and a library of cultivated tools to help small businesses thrive in Knox County,” says Nichole Like, CEO at The Pantheon.
“The Pantheon deserves 100% of the credit. If it weren’t for the connections I made while networking with locals and the reliable support given from their leaders, myidea wouldn’t have had the resources to flourish to what it is today,” says Katie Southern, AgroRenew’s Chief Science Officer. “The many partnerships we’ve formed and collaborations made to ensure prosperous economic growth, we owe to The Pantheon.”
AgroRenew is actively collaborating with local authorities, environmental organizations, and community stakeholders to ensure a seamless and sustainable integration of their bioplastics manufacturing facility. The company is committed to adhering to the highest environmental standards, fostering a sense of responsibility towards the local ecosystem and global environment.
