August News From America's Cultivation Corridor

NOTE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Billi Hunt, Executive Director, America’s Cultivation Corridor

It has been a busy few weeks at America’s Cultivation Corridor. We had a great time at the Iowa State Fair talking to farmers and leaders about the innovations happening in every corner of the state, and even had time to work as a guest chef at the Iowa Pork tent. And, we’re looking forward to seeing farmers and ag professionals from nearly every state and around the world at Farm Progress Show this week.

Events like the Envision Iowa Think Tank, ISU Startup Factory Launch, Rabo AgriFinance Sustainability Academy and visits with Maple Leaf Ventures, representatives of the Australian Consulate and the Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program are a great reminder that the world comes to Iowa to learn, connect, innovate and grow.

As summer wraps up and we move toward fall, we are excited to launch the first Next Gen Innovation Impact Study with eight top-notch students from Iowa State University, and looking forward to the third cohort of Cultivo. Follow America’s Cultivation Corridor on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram for more news and to keep track of everything happening across the state.

Billi Hunt

Executive Director,

America’s Cultivation Corridor

INNOVATION PROFILE

ANITA NORIAN, GW NUTRITION

As Iowa’s startup ecosystem continues to grow, new ideas and innovations are leading to new products and even new companies. A great example is GW Nutrition, a company formed in 2020 to develop and commercialize technology created by Slater-based startup Gross-Wen Technologies.

In this month’s Innovation Profile, GW Nutrition President Anita Norian shares the company’s technology and work to improve the sensory attributes of alternative proteins.

READ INNOVATION PROFILE

AMERICA'S CULTIVATION CORRIDOR LAUNCHES NEXT GEN INNOVATION IMPACT STUDY

We are excited to announce the Next Gen Innovation Impact Study program created by America’s Cultivation Corridor in partnership with Start Something College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University. Through the semester-long program, the inaugural class of Innovation Interns will learn from Iowa’s agriculture and research leaders about innovative technologies, programs, research and practices that have the potential to significantly elevate agricultural sustainability and food system resilience in our state and around the world.

The program launched on Aug. 25 with an event for the new interns featuring Dr. Daniel Robison, Dean of the ISU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; Cory Reed, President, Worldwide Agriculture & Turf Division, Production & Precision Ag for Deere and Company, and Chairman of Board of Directors for America’s Cultivation Corridor; and Julie Kenney, Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture. Watch our social media and newsletters for updates on interns and their work!

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM AND INTERNS

WHY IOWA?

FIVE QUESTIONS WITH DR. DANIEL ROBISON,

IOWA STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND LIFE SCIENCES

Dr. Daniel Robison has served as the Endowed Dean’s Chair of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University since January 2019. He also serves as director of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station.

In this month’s Why Iowa? profile, he highlights why he was interested in the role at Iowa State, why he’s excited about the present and future of the College, and the role that Iowa State plays in strengthening the state’s communities.

READ WHY IOWA? PROFILE

ICYMI

Sabanto has raised $17 million in Series A funding for its work to scale its autonomous solutions.
Winners of the 16^th annual John Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial John Venture Competition were announced, including Continuum Ag, Farm Story Meats, and honorable mention to Farmers Risk.
Cargill announced a $50 million expansion of its plant in Webster City to begin making corn syrup for the first time.
Genvax Technologies has secured $6.5 million in series seed funding from an investor coalition led by United Animal Health.
Cedar Rapids nonprofit NewBoCo is launching a Community Partners Pilot Program to strengthen innovation ecosystems and close gaps in entrepreneurship resources in Iowa communities.
Growers Edge introduced Crop Plan 2.0 platform to deliver its warranty-backed agronomic crop plans for the ag industry.
Indoor farm Nebullam has rebranded as Clayton Farms and is expanding to the Twin Cities.