Agbioscience is the only economy that touches every person on the planet. Over the past four decades, we’ve seen massive transformation, innovation and acceleration of output in this economy. Today we are joined by a leader who has had a front row seat to it all. Jay Hulbert, CEO of Ag Alumni Seed, joins us ahead of his retirement to talk:
Seeing the world and the globalization of agriculture in his career
Biotechnology as a step-function change to revolutionizing the row crop world through improved genetics
His perspective on the future of gene editing in agriculture and what’s on the horizon
Jay’s support of entrepreneurs and the importance of their flexibility to make business models work long-term
His extensive background in specialty crop and some of the market intelligence that has paved the way for new products we see in produce today
The job that needs to be done as he sees it – or more like, the resources that likely need to be shifted toward climate resilient crops
Initial Focus Will Be on the Cabinetry, Furniture, Wall Paper and Engineered Wood Markets
BioBond Adhesives, Inc. (“BioBond”), a leader in sustainable and cost-effective, high-performance materials, today announced the launch of itsBioAdhere groundbreaking line of bio-based adhesives for the Cabinetry, Furniture, Wall Paper and Engineered Wood markets. Theseinnovative adhesives are derived from plant-based materials and have achieved USDA BioPreferred certification. They offer a new standard in cost-performance, contain zero microplastics, and have no odor compared to conventional solvent-based adhesives.
“We are up ending the adhesives industry with the introduction of these game-changing bio-based adhesives for the Cabinetry, Furniture, Wall Paper and Engineered Wood markets,” said Marc McConnaughey, CEO of BioBond. “Our team has worked tirelessly to develop a solution that not only meets demanding price and performance requirements but also brings a level of sustainability yet to be achieved in the adhesives market.”
Greg Piche, Vice President of Products, noted that BioBond’s BioAdhere bio-based adhesives offer a compelling array of benefits including unmatched performance, enhanced safety with no odors, a sustainable solution with zero microplastics, and costs similar to solvent-based solutions. We are introducing today our BioAdhere SUP250 for Engineered Wood applications, our BioAdhere SWoA250, a superior wood adhesive for the Cabinetry and Furniture industries, our BioAdhere SWaA250 for the Wallpaper industry, and our BioAdhere SUP250 for select Engineered Wood applications that requires no priming and has no solvent odors. ( Trademarks Pending )
“Our goal is to revolutionize the adhesives industry. We are excited about this first step in that direction,” added Brad Boelkins, Vice President of Business Development, Adhesives. “By combining cost effectiveness and superior performance that is safer and healthier to apply with zero microplastics and no odors, we are providing contractors and builders of Cabinetry, Furniture, Wall Paper and Engineered Wood, as well as end customers with a more sustainable solution.” BioBond will be demonstrating its bio-based protective coatings and adhesives at this year’s NAHB-IBS International Builders Show in Las Vegas on Feb 25-27th, 2025.
BioBond’s products are manufactured in the USA in USDA rural-qualified zip codes, helping to create living-wage jobs in rural America. BioBond is funded by the Generation Food Rural Partners Fund (“GFRP”), a part of Big Idea Ventures (“BIV”), which invests in the best food technology, AgriTech and Material companies globally. The products are now available to Cabinetry, Furniture, Wall Paper Engineered Wood manufacturers and contractors. BioBond intends to serve global markets from its Indiana R&D and Headquarters.
New data from USDA shares that net cash farm income decreased roughly 3.5% from 2023 into 2024 and we’re looking at inflation adjusted numbers. But here’s the piece of the silver lining that may be untold: that number – net cash farm income – is still above average when we look at the last 20 years from USDA data. This week, Natasha Cox, Senior Vice President of Farm Credit Mid-America, joins us to help make sense of the numbers, what it means to producers and to the broader agbioscience economy. We get into:
The macro perspective on the health of farm balance sheets across the Midwest
Big trends that she’s looking at from a financial health standpoint of farms and agribusinesses
Consolidation – from both the farmer and innovator perspective – as a factor in the economic system of agriculture in the US
New investments being made on farm or within agribusinesses to better connect to the end market of food is health
Natasha’s perspective as a farmer and how she prioritizes where to place her bets for her operations
The criticality of surrounding yourself with good partners, knowing your options when it comes to strategic planning and investments and asking the right questions for your operations or business
The innovation she’s most excited about in 2025
BioBond Continues to Grow Its IP Portfolio to Commercialize Sustainable Adhesives and Coating Solutions
BioBond Adhesives, Inc. (“BioBond” or the “Company”), the second portfolio company launched by Big Idea Ventures’ Generation Food Rural Partners I, LP (GFRP) Fund, has
executed a license agreement with the Purdue Innovates Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC) to advance certain technologies that have the potential to enable the Company to pursue its goal to usher in a new era with biodegradable adhesives and coatings alternatives for packaging of all types used in the consumer products industry.
BioBond is licensing multiple patent applications in the novel biomaterials space from the OTC, one of the most comprehensive technology transfer programs among leading research universities in the U.S. Marc McConnaughey, CEO of BioBond, stated, “Petroleum-based adhesives and coatings are a major source of VOCs and microplastics and are in need of innovative solutions which reduce our day-to-day exposure. I am pleased and excited to partner with Purdue in bringing these needed technologies to the market.”
“Working with truly innovative professors and inventors allows GFRP to create new companies in the difficult areas of agriculture, materials and food. In addition to supporting the commercialization of IP, the Fund places these new companies in rural America, creating living-wage jobs in underrepresented regions,” said Frank Klemens, managing director of the GFRP Fund. “Many of these professors are at Purdue and locating BioBond in a rural area in Indiana near the university was a win-win for the GFRP fund and for rural America. GFRP looks forward to a long, fruitful relationship with Purdue’s team of professional innovators for many years to come.”
“It has been great working with the Generation Food Rural Partners Fund. We are excited to work with BioBond in advancing the field of sustainable packaging to help solve some important global challenges,” said Brooke Beier, senior vice president of Purdue Innovates. “This license is further proof that industry and academia can work together to advance technologies to improve people’s lives around the world.”
The year 2025 is poised to be an interesting one for agbioscience. Venture capital inflows from 2023 to 2024 are roughly flat according to Crop Life, the production cost of corn and soybeans remains roughly in line or slightly below market price and the turbulence around global trade and what tariffs could mean leave an uncertain operating market for what could be ahead. Joining us today is Hoosier Ag Today president, Eric Pfeiffer, to make sense of what’s ahead. We get into:
The current perspective of the farmer, their natural optimism and knowing the challenges that lie ahead for 2025.
Trends he’s noticing that are operational changes to drive net farm income – particularly biologicals – and why that’s challenging.
Property tax reform as a major topic in the Indiana General Assembly and making this issue relatable to the general public – because it does impact them at the end of the day.
The biofuels tax credit bill in the Indiana General Assembly and its potential economic impact and jobs to the state of Indiana (not to mention better burning, more sustainable fuel).
On a federal level – trade wars – and tariffs potential impact, good or bad, on farmers.
Farmers needing certainty on The Farm Bill to make plans for the future – it does not appear to be a priority at the moment.
TerraForce, the cutting-edge ag-tech company revolutionizing specialty crop production with AI-driven robotics, proudly announces the successful completion of an oversubscribed $375,000 fundraising round. The overwhelming investor interest highlights the urgent need for innovative solutions in agriculture and underscores the confidence in TerraForce’s mission to empower farmers through service and technology.
Solving the Farm Labor Crisis with an Immediate ROI
Founded in 2024 by Michial J. Jacob, P.E., a farmer-turned-entrepreneur, TerraForce is solving one of the most pressing challenges in modern agriculture: the worsening labor shortage. Prior to founding TerraForce, Mike led and eventually exited Veritas Engineering Group, a high-growth engineering firm he founded in 2015, demonstrating his ability to scale while meeting customer demands. TerraForce leverages his engineering expertise, agricultural background, and business acumen to provide a safer and cost-effective alternative to unpredictable seasonal farm labor.
“This oversubscribed round and presales of our recurring services serve as a powerful validation of our vision to reshape the future of farming,” said Mike Jacob, Founder and CEO of TerraForce. “Farmers are seeking reliable, efficient, and data-driven solutions to their labor and productivity challenges, and this funding accelerates our development and expands our impact. With our MVP set to launch for the 2025 harvest season, we will transform the way large fruits are produced and will deliver an immediate return for the growers that partner with us.”
Competitive Edge & Future Growth
Unlike traditional manual harvesting, which is labor-intensive, inconsistent, and costly, TerraForce’s autonomous AI-powered robotic systems operate 24/7 with superior precision, grading accuracy, and predictive analytics. By eliminating human handling, TerraForce also reduces contamination risks and compliance burdens, making its technology an ideal solution for modern agricultural operations.
With this fresh capital infusion, TerraForce is accelerating its go-to-market strategy, expanding its engineering team, and further refining its capabilities. The company will continue to innovate, ensuring that farmers gain access to the most advanced, efficient, and profitable harvesting solutions available today.
Ingredion Incorporated (NYSE: INGR), a leading global provider of ingredient solutions for food, beverage and industrial applications, announced investments of more than $100 million to increase efficiency, modernize equipment and also install an energy cogeneration system at its Indianapolis facility.
This project will expand Ingredion’s capabilities for delivering texture innovations to growing end markets while bolstering the economic viability and sustainability of the Indianapolis plant. Furthermore, by upgrading its energy infrastructure, Ingredion will improve operational efficiency and reliability while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
“As Ingredion has driven volume growth for texture solutions over the past several quarters, these investments will expand our capacity and support future customer growth,” said Valdirene Evans, senior vice president and president, global texture solutions at Ingredion. “Additionally, these investments will enable the Indianapolis plant to continue to lead in supplying the highest quality and most innovative specialty starch-based texturizers for global customers.”
“These investments are a win-win as it helps us modernize and improve our agility in delivering Texture & Healthful Solutions for our customers while also increasing our energy efficiency and improving our cost competitiveness,” said Eric Seip, senior vice president, global operations, and chief supply chain officer.
The project is expected to be completed in the second half of 2026.
Making a difference in the world – it’s nearly a universal desire for all of us. But where do you fit in? And how best to you make an impact? One college student is making that impact and blazing their trail. Cameron Weber, a biology major at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and a Field Atlas Ambassador, joins us today to talk their path to agbioscience, including:
Talking to two kinds of people – those that grew up on the farm and those who stumbled into it and are happy they did. Cameron is in the latter
Wanting to originally be a doctor until getting connected with Field Atlas at a career fair and learning more about agbioscience.
Finding a new path and forging your way forward as a college student
Their six-month internship with Corteva Agriscience as a greenhouse assistant in Puerto Rico
Field Atlas Ambassadors – what do they do? And what has Cameron’s experience been like in their five semesters with the team?
Cameron’s advice for companies searching for young talent (hint: it’s not ping pong tables in the breakroom and pizza on Fridays)
Working on their thesis as they wrap up their time at Rose-Hulman
Cameron’s plans headed into graduation this spring – pssssss – they’re currently looking for a job…
Brings total deployable capital raised to date to $125 million and will enable completion of first biomanufacturing plant in Richmond, Indiana
Liberation Labs has closed a convertible note with $31.5 million in new capital, which, combined with $19 million of insider bridge notes raised during 2024, brings the total raised in its $75 million convertible note round to $50.5 million. The round included new capital from NEOM Investment Fund (NIF), Galloway Limited and Meach Cove Capital, as well as from existing funders, including Agronomics, New Agrarian Capital and Siddhi Capital. The new capital will enable the completion of construction of Liberation Labs’ first biomanufacturing plant in Richmond, Indiana.
“The strong support from both existing and new investors is validation of our team, technology and go-to-market strategy,” said Mark Warner, founder and CEO of Liberation Labs. “We look forward to completing construction of our facility, starting up operations in 2025 and filling a crucial supply gap for biomanufacturing in the U.S. market.”
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.
“Liberation Labs is developing state-of-the-art fermentation infrastructure to transform the world’s existing fermentation capacity,” said Jim Mellon, Director of Agronomics. “This will help build a future where precision fermentation proteins reach the industrial scale needed to meet growing demand in the US and across the world. This novel approach has never previously been attempted. The completion of this significant funding raise showcases the consistent and growing demand from startups, large multinational corporations, and governments alike and is testament to the strength and successful execution of the team led by Mark Warner.”
Combined with other public sector awards and loan guarantees, Liberation Labs has raised a total of $125.5 million in deployable capital. The new funding brings the total private capital raised to $71.5 million. In addition, Liberation Labs has secured equipment financing of $30 million and a U.S. Department of Agriculture Loan Guarantee of $25 million. The company also received a $1.39 million award from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to conduct a detailed feasibility study (engineering and market analysis) for the addition of a full flexible-use, commercial-scale 4,000,000-liter bioindustrial manufacturing facility adjacent to its flagship facility.
Upon successful completion of the Prototype Assessment and Planning phase, Liberation Labs may be selected to proceed to the Prototype Build phase, which would provide up to $100 million for building new facilities or expanding current facilities for bioindustrial manufacturing.
