AgriNovus Indiana-commissioned study benchmarks state’s global competitiveness, defines three priority opportunities for the future
AgriNovus Indiana, an initiative to grow the agbioscience economy, released new research today that found Indiana’s agbioscience sector contributes $69.6 billion to the state’s economy and identified forces expected to shape its global competitiveness.
Conducted by RTI International, the study entitled Accelerate 2050: A Vision for Indiana Agbioscience, identified the state’s relative economic performance across food, animal health, plant science, agtech and production agriculture and defined priority opportunities to position Indiana’s agbioscience economy for differentiated growth amid future uncertainty.
“Agbioscience is a critical contributor to economic growth and is connected to every person on the planet given it centers on food,” said Mitch Frazier, president and CEO of AgriNovus Indiana. “This new research not only defines the present economic strength in Indiana, it creates a framework to measure comparative growth and establishes focus to inspire the next chapter of innovation across food, animal health, plant science, agtech and agriculture.”
According to the study, Indiana’s priority opportunities include:
Farmer-Focused Innovation –development of a multi-faceted entrepreneurial support system for Indiana farmers that recognizes their central role in agrifood innovation and implementation.
Food is Health – innovation at the intersection of plant, animal, human and environmental health that recognizes food as the nexus to fuel both economic growth and improved health outcomes.
BioInnovation – establish Indiana as a premier destination for bio-innovators and manufacturers to research, commercialize and scale biotechnology processes, platforms and products.
Informed by the expertise of the AgriNovus’ board of directors, the study couples the discipline of strategic foresight with economic and market analysis to characterize the current state of Indiana’s agbioscience economy and creates a vision with prioritized opportunities.
“The global agbioscience economy is on the precipice of significant change and while you cannot predict the future, you can create it,” said Amanda Rose, agri-food systems lead at RTI International. “This report reflects the energized commitment of AgriNovus’ diverse stakeholders to mobilize available resources and seize new opportunities aligned with their shared vision of the future.”
Indiana’s agbioscience economy generates $22.7 billion in gross domestic product (GDP) – a total comparable in size to auto manufacturing or construction, which each generate $22 billion in gross domestic product; and
Indiana maintains a position of global leadership in the following agbioscience platforms: agricultural production, plant science and crop protection and animal health and nutrition.
The full study, Accelerate 2050: A Vision for Indiana Agbioscience, is available at here.
Interested in learning more? Join AgriNovus at QUADRANT in Indianapolis on Wednesday, July 17 for a more in-depth discussion of this research, what differentiates Indiana and how we will need to adapt to stay competitive in the future. More details and registration for this free event are here.
Beck’s and Indiana AgriNews today announce the start of their search for the 28th Indiana Farm Family of the Year.
For nearly three decades, Beck’s and Indiana AgriNews have celebrated the dedication and achievements of an outstanding Indiana farm family, spotlighting their exceptional contributions to agriculture and their community. This prestigious award aims to highlight the pivotal role farm families play in shaping our agricultural landscape and enriching rural life.
“Family farms are the lifeblood of the agriculture industry and the backbone of rural communities,” stated Scott Beck, president of Beck’s. “This award honors a family that exemplifies unwavering commitment and service to both.”
“As a family-owned agricultural business, AgriNews deeply values the crucial role of farm families. We aim to shine a light on their remarkable contributions, both in agriculture and within their communities, while expressing our gratitude to one extraordinary family,” said James Henry, Indiana AgriNews executive editor. “It is our privilege to present this award and celebrate the 28th Indiana Farm Family of the Year.”
To nominate a family, click here.
Nominations will open on July 15, 2024. The deadline to submit nominations is October 15, 2024. The family will be recognized at the Indiana Farm Bureau State Convention in December 2024 and the Purdue Fish Fry in February 2025.
Capital and science – two key ingredients that are shaping the future of the agbioscience economy. Dr. Jaleh Daie, Managing Partner of Aurora Equity, joins us today to talk about the state of risk capital in agbioscience, the round trip we’ve taken in the last six years and how it compares to other areas of investment.
With Jaleh’s rich background in education and focus on science, what unique opportunities have been created for her? She talks doing good for humanity, trailblazing for women in science and seeing innovation through a scientific lens. Jaleh talks investment in agtech being in the “early innings” and big trends getting a lot of traction – including biologicals, gene editing and artificial intelligence (AI).
Jaleh gets into digital and its potential to transform agriculture – from the farmgate to the dinner plate – and the opportunities to innovate in a tightening farm economy. She stresses the importance of understanding the needs of farmers and her excitement surrounding upstream innovation to create better margins and profitability for farmers around the world.
Annual gala moves to notable venue and will be held in February
TechPoint, the industry-led growth initiative for Indiana’s digital innovation economy, today announced its annual Mira Awards gala will be held Thursday, February 27, 2025, at The Palladium in Carmel. The event known as “the Oscars of Indiana Tech,” has traditionally been held in April in Indianapolis.
“Elevating Indiana’s digital innovation industry is one of our key community-building strategies,” said TechPoint President and CEO Ting Gootee. “The Mira Awards gala is a proven platform to engage stakeholders across talent and innovation, across all tech-driven sectors and across all regions in Indiana.”
The 2024 Mira Awards had record-breaking participation of nearly 2,000 stakeholders.
“We were intentional in engaging audiences new to Mira, such as educators, early-in-career professionals and students,” Gootee said. “The resulting energy and excitement made for an extraordinary celebration.”
For the first time in Mira history, three student groups – representing Crispus Attucks High School, Indiana University Indianapolis and Ball State University – performed at the gala. Even more brand-aligned performance opportunities are expected to be available at the 2025 gala at The Palladium. Entertainment could include solo or group vocalists, dancers or musician groups. Groups interested in performing at the 2025 event should indicate interest here.
Gootee said planning for next year’s gala is already well underway and will build upon the 2024 show, with red-carpet highlights, pre-show and post-show networking, and celebration opportunities. Sponsors will be able to take advantage of balcony seating and related branding inside Palladium. Organizations interested in sponsorship can obtain more details here. Stakeholders will also have the option to host their own private parties in and around the Palladium
“Mira is sold out every year, and capacity at the Palladium is only 1,500,” Gootee said. “Because of continually increasing demand, we expect the gala to be sold out well ahead of the event date.”
Submission for Mira Awards will be open far earlier than ever before. Gootee said both the submission and adjudication process will be streamlined but the rigorous judging itself will remain. More details on those elements will be forthcoming soon.
In the 25-year history of TechPoint’s Mira Awards, thousands of Indiana digital innovation companies have sought the annual recognition. Only 329 Mira Awards have been presented. Learn more about the Mira Awards and stay up to date on the 2025 awards submission process here.
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Bacteriophage treatment reduces APEC in treated chickens
Purdue University researchers in the College of Agriculture are developing patent-pending, antibiotic-free treatments for avian pathogenic E. coli, or APEC.
Paul Ebner and his team have developed a bacteriophage treatment that effectively reduces colonization of APEC in treated chickens. The treatment contains multiple bacteriophages, which are viruses that infect and replicate only on bacterial cells.
Ebner is interim head and a professor in the Department of Animal Sciences. He said the goal of the project was to create technologies that could reduce the use of antibiotics in animals raised for food in low- and middle-income countries.
“APEC is often controlled through antibiotics, but the continued emergence of antibiotic resistance has led several countries and regions to prohibit many types of previously approved antibiotic uses in poultry production,” Ebner said. “We believe that the use of our treatment, along with good flock management, can significantly reduce the need for antibiotics in maintaining bird health.”
Ebner disclosed the bacteriophage APEC treatments to the Purdue Innovates Office of Technology Commercialization, which has applied for a patent from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to protect the intellectual property.
The Purdue APEC treatment
Ebner’s team isolated seven bacteriophages that showed activity against the most prevalent APEC variants.
“Taken together, they lysed 90% of the APEC strains we tested,” Ebner said. “When given to chickens, the treatment results in significant reductions of APEC in the treated chickens’ lungs and ceca. Additionally, the treatments do not negatively impact growth or performance, and the birds do not develop an immune response to the phages.”
Ebner and his team used a microencapsulation process to allow oral delivery of the treatment. The microencapsulation protects the bacteriophages from the harsh environments of the gastrointestinal tract, including low pH levels and digestive enzymes, and allows more viable bacteriophages to reach the sites of infection.
The prototypes were developed for use in Pakistan and other low- and middle-income countries, but they have much wider applications. Ebner and Nicole Olynk Widmar, interim head and a professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics, conducted a willingness-to-pay study in Pakistan.
“The results showed consumers will pay premiums for chicken produced with bacteriophages instead of antibiotics,” Ebner said. “Additionally, we are working to identify barriers to adoption among poultry producers and animal health professionals.”
Industry partners interested in developing the compounds or commercializing them for the marketplace should contact Abhijit Karve, director of business development and licensing, [email protected], about track code 70146.
Ebner’s research is possible through financial support from the U.K. government’s Department of Health and Social Care, the Global AMR Innovation Fund and the International Development Research Centre in Ottawa, Canada.
The implementation grant was made possible by the Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs (“Tech Hubs”) program created by the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, which was co-authored by Indiana’s U.S. Senator Todd Young. Out of a pool of nearly 380 applicants, ARI’s application for Heartland BioWorks was one of just 31 to win a Tech Hub designation in October 2023, allowing it to participate in the second-round competition to receive a funding award. Of the 31 designated hubs, Heartland BioWorks was one of only twelve to win implementation funding.
“This grant validates Governor Holcomb’s vision for creating an economy of the future, and confirms what our ecosystem has known for a long time—that Indiana is a global pioneer in biotech production,” said ARI CEO Dave Roberts. “Heartland BioWorks is securing America’s biotech future, and this funding will provide critical support to accelerate workforce development and remove barriers for entrepreneurs bringing new biotech products to market.”
The award, the exact amount of which will be finalized in coming months, will be leveraged to support projects that are:
Attracting and connecting workers, including those historically excluded from the innovation workforce, to good jobs;
Establishing a formal network to provide navigation resources, mentorship, and greater access to facilities and venture capital funding to help innovators successfully scale and launch their bioproducts in the region;
Constructing BioWorks HQ, a hands-on biomanufacturing training facility for diverse participants to effectively enter the workforce and for current employees to upskill—and for innovators to test and demonstrate their biotech innovations;
Implementing a grant program to help early-stage innovators surmount cost barriers to accessing these product development facilities, keeping biotech inventions and supply in the U.S.; and
Developing training pathways, leveraging curricula from Indiana’s higher education institutions and other globally recognized training programs to prepare participants for high-quality jobs in biomanufacturing operator and lab technician roles once the BioWorks HQ is constructed.
Heartland BioWorks, a consortium led by ARI, brings together key stakeholders from industry, academia, government, and nonprofit sectors to ensure that bioproducts invented in America are also made in the US. Members include major companies like Eli Lilly, Elanco, Corteva, INCOG, and Roche, as well as academic institutions such as Indiana University, Purdue University, the University of Notre Dame, and Ivy Tech Community College. Centered in the Indianapolis metropolitan area, Heartland BioWorks will leverage Indiana’s unparalleled collection of resources and capabilities to secure the nation’s biomanufacturing future
“When I worked to enact the CHIPS and Science Act two years ago, I knew Indiana was well-positioned to seize on the law’s historic opportunities to lead our country on technology areas important to global competitiveness,” Young said in a news release. “That potential continues to become a reality for Hoosiers. Today Heartland BioWorks was one of only 12 Tech Hubs across the country to receive a funding award. From leveraging existing resources and expertise in Indiana on life sciences and manufacturing to constructing a new headquarters for workforce training to helping early-stage innovative companies bridge the ‘valley of death’, Heartland BioWorks is going to solidify Indiana’s place on the global map as the preeminent location for biotech innovation and manufacturing.” – U.S. Senator Todd Young
“Indiana’s new Tech Hub designation has opened our state up to a next level of opportunities,” said Gov. Eric Holcomb. “Now that we have been awarded nearly $51 million to support the implementation, it’s full steam ahead in workforce development and building the specific talent pipelines to support the exact type of innovative business growth and entrepreneurship we want.”
“Indiana’s designation as a regional tech hub for biotechnology and biomanufacturing is a significant step forward for our robust and diverse life sciences sector. Thanks to the innovative and collaborative work being led by Heartland BioWorks, we’ve unlocked approximately $51 million in federal funding that will further bolster our efforts to solidify Indiana as a global destination for developing and producing life-changing solutions. This funding will better arm public and private industry leaders with the tools needed to innovate new technologies, launch new businesses and train tomorrow’s biomanufacturing leaders, generating significant growth for the state’s economy while solving 21st century challenges for people around the world.” – David Rosenberg, Indiana Secretary of Commerce
“As the state’s flagship university, IU is deeply committed to elevating the great state of Indiana,” said IU President Pamela Whitten. “Serving as a partner in the Heartland BioWorks Hub enables us to meet this goal by contributing our expertise and resources to support the growth of the biotech sector and the development of talent pipelines. We are proud to be part of a vibrant community that fosters collaboration, entrepreneurship, and economic growth, and we look forward to seeing the impact of this funding on our state and region.”
“Through our outstanding faculty and students in One Health, Purdue University is excited to be part of the winning team in this critical national competition. Along with the Microelectronic Commons Hub and Hydrogen Hub wins, the BioWork Regional Tech Hub is another important dimension of ARI and partners like Purdue executing for the success of the CHIPS Act for our state and our country.” – Mung Chiang, Purdue University President
“Indiana is the nation’s leader in pharmaceutical exports and is poised to extend this leadership, given its robust ecosystem of leading biomanufacturers and educational institutions. This grant will catalyze Indiana’s ability to provide the skilled, diverse biomanufacturing workforce this country needs to make critical medicines for patients.” – Vince Wong, President & CEO of BioCrossroads
“This catalytic investment will fuel Indiana’s economy by accelerating biotechnology in Central Indiana, creating a ripple effect throughout the whole state,” said José Padilla, president of Valparaiso University. “Equitable biotech workforce training and commercialization is essential, and we are proud to continue our support and involvement in this effort.”
“Today’s announcement is a testament to the collaboration and forward-thinking of Indiana’s innovation ecosystem,” said Emily Krueger, president & CEO of 16 Tech Community Corporation, the non-profit manager of the 16 Tech Innovation District located in downtown Indianapolis. “16 Tech is proud to collaborate with the Heartland Bio Works to accelerate our state’s economic impact and to grow our biotech industry and workforce.”
“Evonik is proud to be part of the Heartland BioWorks consortium that was awarded the implementation grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Regional Technology and Innovation Hub program. We encourage and actively participate in BioWorks’ efforts to develop the future workforce for the biomanufacturing sector, support biotech startups, and modernize biopharma manufacturing.” – Daniel Fricker, Site Manager, Evonik Tippecanoe Laboratories
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has projected to move from hype to help in 2024, generated by a shift in the global economy. There are tech companies taking that ambition and turning it into a reality and one of them joins us today. Dustin Sapp, CEO of Traction Ag, addresses farm accounting through technology, the sophistication of farming operations and how little of that innovation has hit farmers’ back offices.
How do farmers actually manage their books? Dustin says it’s a patchwork of solutions that take lots of time, spreadsheets and occasional uncertainty – something Traction Ag is well positioned to solve. He also gets into the vote of confidence from investors of late, all centered around the idea of improving the economic prosperity of farmers. Dustin also talks about their approach to responsible growth and building something that lasts so that farmers count on it as a trusted source for years to come.
In a tough time for innovators trying to fundraise, what is Traction Ag doing different? Dustin stresses the importance of demonstrating value, telling your story well and the vision you have for your business. How will AI create more help at the farmgate? Dustin talks about AI not being a hero for bad solutions and how his tech background has paved the way to the opportunities he’s had to date.
Biologicals – the broad category of ag input products derived from living organisms – have experienced significant growth in terms of adoption and investment. An analysis of Pitchbook data reveals there have been more than 6,000 deals in the global ag biotech market over the past decade. One of those companies driving growth is Biodyne USA. This week, we are joined by their National Director of Agronomy, Bodie Kitchel, to talk Biologicals vs. Biostimulants and what’s driving growth in the space.
For Bodie, everyone’s “why” looks a little different when it comes to the adoption of biologicals and farm economics are certainly a piece of that. He gets into the farmer mindset around adopting innovation to leverage net farm income and Biodyne being an education company to help farmers learn where their dollar has the most value. Bodie also talks about needing economic impact right away but also balancing that belief with the value of economic impact in years two, three, four and five.
With his experience in ag retail, how has Bodie seen innovation evolve? He talks about positioning, investment and companies being afraid of the unknown. Looking ahead, Bodie talks about that fear being outweighed by the urgency around innovating – and Biodyne USA doing it with speed.
Second facility opening in 2027 will support family farmers, create new jobs and is a critical part of brand’s journey to achieve at least $1 billion in annual net revenue by 2027
Vital Farms (Nasdaq: VITL), a Certified B Corporation that offers a range of ethically produced foods nationwide, today has announced plans to expand its resilient supply chain with a second world-class egg washing and packing facility located in Seymour, Indiana. The 72-acre future home of Egg Central Station (ECS) Seymour will build upon key successes from the brand’s first facility in Springfield, Missouri. The new facility will enable Vital Farms to continue growing its pasture-raised egg business, create 150+ jobs for the Seymour community in its first phase, and is expected to help generate over $350 million in additional revenue for the brand as we push to our 2027 target of $1 billion in company revenues.
Putting down roots in Seymour for Vital Farms’ second facility allows the brand to continue to expand its strong network of more than 300 family farms to support new farm development within a day’s drive of the new facility. Vital Farms expects this new facility, in its first phase, will support approximately 165 family farmers producing the leading U.S. brand of pasture-raised eggs by retail dollar sales.
“This is an exciting milestone for Vital Farms. We continue to invest in our robust and resilient supply chain to expand our network of family farmers and continue our mission to bring ethical food to the table,” said Russell Diez-Canseco, President and CEO, Vital Farms. “We are grateful for the outpouring of support we’ve received from the City of Seymour, Jackson County Industrial Development Corporation and Indiana Economic Development Corporation, and we look forward to deepening our relationship and building an even stronger connection to Southern Indiana and its surrounding communities in the years ahead.”
“Indiana boasts a rich tradition of agriculture – one that continues to grow and evolve thanks to the vision and commitment of companies like Vital Farms,” said Ann Lathrop, chief strategy officer at the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). “This investment will not only result in increased economic activity – bolstering a statewide ecosystem that generates $4.6 billion in annual exports – but it will support Hoosier farmers, accelerate rural development and support continued quality of place enhancements in Seymour and the surrounding south central region for years to come.”
ECS Seymour will build upon the foundational key learnings and successes from Vital Farms’ award-winning egg washing and packing facility in Springfield, MO, Egg Central Station, which opened in 2017 and whose expansion achieved LEED® Gold Certification in 2024. The facility will feature similar environmental stewardship goals incorporated into the site plans, in addition to a flow-through design to improve safety and efficiency of the overall operation. Similar to its operation in Springfield, ECS Seymour will utilize industry-leading automation for processing equipment to improve overall production efficiency and quality, and will employ a world-class crew to lead the way in bringing this new facility to life.
ECS Seymour is expected to break ground mid-2025 and be fully operational at the beginning of 2027.
