Community and Innovation in Global AgTech - Show #132

Andrew Jason is Director of Ecosystems at Grand Farm in Fargo, North Dakota, which describes itself as “a collaborative network of growers, corporations, startups, educators, researchers, government, and investors working together to solve problems in agriculture through AgTech and innovation.” Gone are the days when farming was synonymous with the image of a forlorn couple, pitchfork in hand, à la Grant Wood's American Gothic.

In this episode, Jason explains how AI and innovation has inundated the farming industry as much as it has every other, spurring advancements in international agriculture, especially when it comes to sustainability, data collection, and the use of drones and robotics to increase efficiency and production. 

Farming is also near and dear to the host, Wendy Pease, whose father was a professor of international agriculture at Penn State in the 1970s. Then, “high tech” meant setting up a computer to monitor her father’s potato research storage facility at Black Moshannon State Park in Pennsylvania. If the temperature dropped, for example, the computer called him at home to alert him. Late one night, Wendy sleepily received a phone call from an old-fashioned computer voice saying: “There is a power outage at the Potato Storage area,” which she found amazing! 

Grand Farm sees vast potential in connecting global communities to share ideas and technologies, with the aim of advancing agriculture production. Of late, Andrew has seen a lot of development in AgTech out of Brazil, Ukraine, Europe, Australia, and Japan. In fact, Grand Farm recently announced a partnership with Fukaya City, Japan, whose Deep Valley Initiative is an AgTech thought leader. The collaboration marks a major step toward an international approach to innovation in agriculture.  

Every partnership comes with its challenges, and Andrew shares the ones he’s discovered that are particular to international connections: 

1. Cultural balancing act: Integrating local cultural needs with Grand Farm's global vision proved tricky. It's a common tension in multinational ventures, yet it can be managed by enabling cross-functional teams to work together. 
2. Navigating time zones: Communication across time differences requires flexibility. Andrew often connects with Japanese partners around 10 p.m. Fargo time, after his kids are in bed. While they've explored asynchronous options like video messages and chat, sometimes a real-time conversation is necessary. 
3. Patience in partnership building: The Japanese collaboration took years to finalize. While there's often pressure for quick results in the US, many cultures prioritize building relationships and trust over time. 
4. Bridging language gaps: In-country contacts helped set up interpreters to facilitate communication. Andrew notes the importance of employing professional interpreters and translators, especially in Japan and other Asian countries. 
5. Finding support: It can be hard to know where to start. The North Dakota Trade Office provided invaluable advice and international introductions. Andrew recommends tapping into your local trade experts for guidance and other free resources. 

Learn more about Grand Farm and their initiatives by listening to the full episode. And click here to donate to this worthy organization. 

 

Links: 

https://grandfarm.com/calendar/ 

Website: https://grandfarm.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grand-farm/ 

 

Connect with Wendy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendypease/ 

Connect with Jason - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-jason-09755161/ 

Music: Fiddle-De-Dee by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com