The U.S. Economic Policy Institute estimates there are 2.4 million ag jobs in the United States and Purdue University believes that 40% of ag jobs – new jobs – go unfilled. One entrepreneur is turning to the power of digital to transform ag labor. Scott Prince, CEO of Croft, gives us perspective on the current labor market and what he’s solving for using agtech. We get into:
The complexity and challenges of the ag labor market – from seasonality to workforce shortages
How the Department of Labor’s H-2A program is designed to help farmers overcome labor challenges, but the administrative hurdles they face in the process
What the process looks like for farmers to participate in the H-2A program and why Croft was developed as a streamlined solution
Identifying this as a critical need to automate for the farmer
What Scott is hearing from customers using the platform
What’s ahead for Croft – hint: it includes expanding their analytical intensity capacity
Vivici becomes the first customer at Liberation Labs’ Richmond, Indiana plant for commercial scale production volumes of Vivitein™ BLG, a dairy protein
Liberation Labs today announced a manufacturing partnership with Dutch ingredients startup Vivici. Liberation Labs will produce Vivici’s flagship ingredient, Vivitein™ BLG, at its Richmond, Indiana facility when commercial production begins in 2026.
The New Standard of Protein, Vivitein™ BLG is a dairy protein (beta-lactoglobulin) produced through precision fermentation enabling B2B customers to launch disruptive, differentiated and better overall products to consumers in the US market. These include clear water-based protein drinks with innovative flavors, clean protein powders with superior muscle-building performance and rapid absorption and vegan-friendly protein bars with luscious chewy textures.
“Vivici is a perfect reference case for our facility – a company seeking cost-effective and sustainable manufacturing of a novel protein ingredient that unlocks a range of other healthy and innovative products,” said Mark Warner, founder and CEO of Liberation Labs. “We love what Vivici is doing and will be proud to play a role in their success.”
Liberation Labs is in the late stages of constructing its first commercial-scale, purpose-built, precision fermentation biomanufacturing facility with a capacity of 600,000 liters and a fully dedicated downstream process (DSP). The plant will produce a range of bio-based materials, including building block ingredients for food, chemicals and other industrial products at a scale and cost that will fill a pressing need among both new and established consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies and other industrial manufacturers.
“As awareness of the important role protein plays in supporting active lifestyles continues to grow, American consumers are demanding higher quality and greater quantities of protein in their diets.” said Stephan van Sint Fiet, CEO of Vivici. “Our partnership with Liberation Labs expands our European manufacturing capabilities, providing US customers with increased supply security for Vivitein™ BLG.”
Indiana Governor Mike Braun today issued a proclamation declaring May 5-9 Small Business Week in Indiana, celebrating the impact Hoosier entrepreneurs and small businesses have on the state’s economy and communities. Indiana is home to more than 569,500 small businesses that support more than 1.2 million Hoosier jobs.
“As a long-time entrepreneur and business owner, recognizing this week as Small Business Week in Indiana is a celebration I value firsthand,” said Gov. Braun. “Indiana’s entrepreneurs and small business owners work tirelessly day in and day out and have had a tremendous impact on the state’s economy as well as the neighborhoods and people around them. We are excited to recognize the commitment of not only these seven small businesses, but of all our Hoosier innovators that are setting the stage for a better future for Indiana.”
Under Gov. Braun’s leadership, Indiana is focused on cultivating a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem. The state has been named No. 2 in the U.S. for starting a business by Forbes (2024) and was ranked as the No. 11 emerging entrepreneurial ecosystem in the U.S. in the latest Global Startup Ecosystem Report from Startup Genome. In June, Indiana will host 2025 Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC 2025), serving as only the second U.S. destination to host the event since the inaugural convention in 2009.
“Small Business Week in Indiana is the perfect time to honor the contributions of our countless Hoosier entrepreneurs and small businesses and to showcase our commitment to accelerating Main Street innovation and entrepreneurship,” said Secretary of Commerce David J. Adams. “The seven businesses being recognized this week exemplify the spirit and the impact of Indiana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, providing critical services for residents and contributing to the health and vibrancy of their surrounding neighborhoods.”
This week, the state of Indiana is recognizing seven Hoosier small businesses that have worked with the Indiana Small Business Development Center (SBDC), a program of the state’s Commerce Office, to start, grow or pivot their small businesses. These awards, presented in conjunction with the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) National Small Business Week, honor the entrepreneurs’ and small businesses’ achievements and contributions to grow Indiana’s economy and strengthen communities across the state.
The 2025 honorees are:
Community Impact Small Business of the Year: Latimer Animal Hospital (New Albany)
Latimer Animal Hospital, founded by Dr. Matthew S. Latimer, provides compassionate pet care through services like preventative care, surgery and advanced diagnostics. Beyond veterinary work, Latimer Animal Hospital partners with nonprofits to support pet owners and the local community. The company recently broke ground on a new facility, enabling it to continue to grow as a cornerstone of pet care in the community.
Startup Small Business of the Year: Elite Primary Care and Wellness (New Albany)
Founded by Jessica McCartin, a family nurse practitioner with over 14 years of clinical experience, Elite Primary Care and Wellness Clinic was created to make healthcare more personal, effective, and empowering. Jessica blends the best of traditional medicine with functional, nutritional, and lifestyle-based approaches to deliver care that truly supports whole-body wellness. From routine check-ups and chronic condition management to preventative care and optimized wellness strategies, her direct primary care model is designed to help everyone feel their best—without the stress and limitations of the traditional system.
Rural Small Business of the Year: 51 Bridges CrossFit (Rockville)
51 Bridges CrossFit in Rockville is more than a gym – it’s a community inspiring health and wellness. After transforming their own lives through CrossFit, Jennifer and Mike Pendleton founded 51 Bridges CrossFit to help others do the same. The facility offers inclusive programs for all fitness levels, emphasizing functional movements and high-intensity workouts.
Innovative Small Business of the Year: EarthWise (Valparaiso)
Co-founded by Scott and Annmarie Severson, EarthWise is a leading consulting firm specializing in sustainable environmental solutions for the dairy, municipal and industrial sectors. Its innovative Thriva system transforms dairy cow manure into high-nitrogen organic fertilizer helping clients lower manure handling costs while promoting environmental compliance.
Family-Owned Small Business of the Year: WF Meyers (Bedford)
Established in 1888, WF Meyers has been a trusted name in the stone-cutting industry for over 130 years. Alex Barnes and his family specialize in custom diamond tooling to help clients maximize efficiency and precision. WF Meyers recently invested in new production technology, replacing equipment that was 25 years old while reducing energy consumption by 70% in the process.
Main Street Small Business of the Year: Fernando’s (Indianapolis)
Cristiano and Elizabeth Rodrigues opened the first Fernando’s Mexican and Brazilian Cuisine location in Indianapolis in 2023. Since then, the business has flourished, leading the pair to expand to a second location. The menu features authentic dishes crafted with passion, showcasing the rich culinary traditions of both cultures.
Small Business of the Year: The Root (New Albany)
The Root is a vibrant coworking hub that fosters productivity, collaboration and community growth. Founded by Brigid and Mark Morrissey, the building offers flexible workstations, meeting rooms, event spaces and more. Actively involved in the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, The Root’s impact is felt across the community through the many workshops, events and mentorship opportunities it offers
To learn more about the many resources available to Indiana entrepreneurs and small businesses, visit iedc.in.gov/entrepreneurship.
The American Farm Bureau estimates that roughly 40% of US farmland is either rented of leased. It’s a reality that creates a labyrinth of contracts and agreements between farmers and landowners that the two have to navigate together. One entrepreneur is turning to the power of software to transform that challenge into an opportunity that makes that relationship a little easier to navigate. Shashi Raghunandan, CEO of Oaken, joins us to talk the complex web between landowners and farm operators. We get into:
The existing challenge between landowners and farmers, especially as farms grow to significant acreage
Oaken as a platform not only manage multiple contracts for large acre farms but to also manage the unique specifics of each individual deal
How the migration to cloud-based technologies like Oaken balance in an industry like agriculture that is largely relationship-based
The feedback farmer customers are giving on the Oaken platform thus far
Shashi’s background in payments and financial services and how it paved the way to him connecting with Purdue DIAL Ventures and eventually leading Oaken
What to expect from Oaken in the next 12-18 months
The USDA calls biosecurity the cornerstone of animal livestock production and it’s one that’s taken center stage of late as farmers have battled disease. Dr. Kelli Werling, Director of Animal Health Programs at the Indiana Board of Animal Health, joins to talk biosecurity, how farmers are protecting the farm and how the spread of disease among animal production is ultimately impacting consumers. We get into:
The current state of biosecurity across the Midwest, avian flu’s impact three years into its reign and how farmers are working to attempt further spread on their operations
Consumer pressure being felt by avian flu and how egg prices are being impacted
The migration of the disease from birds to other species – from cattle to cats – and why it’s happening
As a regulatory body, IBOAH balancing the heightened state of alert, practicality of science and emotion
Where Kelli sees new innovations emerging on farms to combat the spread of disease
The best defense to avian flu – is a good offense
What IBOAH sees ahead with disease pressure and their call to action for farmers and industry alike
With 2.4 million U.S. agriculture jobs to fill each year and an unemployment rate that still remains below 5%, leaders in agbioscience and farmers are facing a challenge. Like the rest of the economy, they’re in a battle for talent. One unique ally in agriculture is the cooperative system, a collective buying group and service provider network that’s serving American farmers. Phil Brewer, Vice President of Strategy at Keystone Cooperative, joins us to talk about the evolution of the cooperative from what it was – to what it is. We get into:
Keystone Cooperative’s footprint across Indiana, Kentucky and Michigan and the health of farmers heading into planting season
The evolution of the cooperative system over the last two decades – from service provider to business partner
How the farmer-led model of a cooperative ultimately drives adoption of new innovation and fills gaps for its members on their operations
Areas where Keystone needs to move quicker and capture market opportunities to deliver value to farmers
How they approach working with small companies and early-stage, venture-backed innovators
Headwall Photonics and GRYFN, a pioneer in multi-modal sensing solutions, have entered into a strategic partnership to streamline hyperspectral data collection and processing. This collaboration enhances accessibility and precision for industries such as agriculture, natural resources, environmental monitoring, and defense.
A faster path toward application insight boosts adoption of powerful technology
Headwall Photonics, a global leader in hyperspectral imaging technology, and GRYFN, a pioneer in multi-modal sensing solutions, have entered into a strategic partnership to streamline hyperspectral data collection and processing. This collaboration enhances accessibility and precision for industries such as agriculture, natural resources, environmental monitoring, and defense.
By integrating Headwall’s high-performance hyperspectral imaging systems with GRYFN’s advanced software and calibration technologies, this partnership delivers a complete, easy-to-use solution for research-grade remote sensing. Customers benefit from a seamless workflow that simplifies data acquisition, processing, and analysis while maintaining the highest levels of accuracy and reliability.
“This partnership unites two industry leaders to provide a complete airborne sensing solution,” said David Blair, VP/GM of Remote Sensing at Headwall. “By combining our hyperspectral imaging technology with GRYFN’s software and calibration capabilities, we’re making it easier than ever for customers to collect and process high-quality data for real-time decision-making.”
Matt Bechdol, CEO of GRYFN, added, “Our collaboration with Headwall has been years in the making. With increasing demand for hyperspectral data that is both high-quality and easy to use, our integrated approach ensures that customers get the best of both worlds—precision hardware and intuitive software that maximizes their return on investment.”
As part of the agreement, Headwall will offer the GRYFN Processing Tool, an intuitive software solution that integrates UAV-based hyperspectral, LiDAR, and GNSS data. This tool streamlines job management, automates workflows, and enables efficient multi-modal data processing. Additionally, GRYFN’s geometric calibration technology eliminates the need for ground control points by specifying sensor parameters, optical characteristics, and platform positioning, ensuring unmatched precision for multi-temporal analytics.
Headwall will be exhibiting in Booth 1523 at SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing, a premier annual event for researchers and commercial practitioners of remote-sensing technology, April 13-17, 2025 in Florida.
