Best Christopher Weis Podcasts (2024)

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250! Mastering CEA Profitability in 2024 w. Charlie Hall 47:38

3h ago47:38

47:38

CropTalk has made it to episode 250! In this week's special episode, guest host Adam Greenberg of IUNU navigates a compelling discussion with Charlie Hall, esteemed professor at Texas A&M in person at this year's Cultivate tradeshow. Topics include optimizing economic strategies, enhancing profitability, and the broader economics impacting CEA. Cha…

1
249. Insights and Strategies for Design and Build Efficiency w. Jeff Lair 24:12

1d ago24:12

24:12

Jeff Lair, Director of Architecture and Engineering at DAG, joins us to discuss insights and strategies for achieving design and build efficiency in Controlled Environment Agriculture. We explore the importance of optimizing processes, balancing cost and operational efficiency, and Jeff offers expert perspectives and forecasts on the evolving lands…

1
248. Bridging the Gap between Horticulture and Hospitality w. Jack Maruna 33:47

22d ago33:47

33:47

Jack Maruna, co-founder of Local Grow, joins us to discuss how his startup is helping restaurants and the hospitality industry embrace the benefits of growing their own local produce. In this episode, we explore the marketing advantages of on-site cultivation, hear insights on how to best speak “chef”, and delve into Jack's predictions for the futu…

1
246. Mobile Robotics Automation in Indoor Farming w. Christopher Weis Thomasen 26:21

2M ago26:21

26:21

Christopher Weis Thomasen is the CEO of Seasony. With an innovative use of the scissor lift, Christopher and his team are developing technology to help vertical farms adopt more mobile robotics. In this episode of CropTalk, Christopher and I discuss the potential benefits of utilizing mobile robotics for crop monitoring, the recent changes in the f…

1
Kirk Freudenburg: The Cinematic Art of Virgil's World 40:22

3M ago40:22

40:22

Yale classicist Kirk Freudenburg discusses the epic poems of the ancient world. From the Iliad to the Aeneid.By Sebastian Wetherbee

1
245. A Social Impact Apporach to CEA w. Nona Yehia 38:56

3M ago38:56

38:56

In the vertical farming industry, Nona Yehia stands as a beacon of innovation and social impact. As the Co-Founder and CEO of Vertical Harvest, she spearheads a mission-driven initiative to revolutionize agriculture through vertical farming. In this week’s episode of CropTalk #KyleTalksAgtech we delve into the remarkable journey of Nona and her tea…

1
244. The importance of Emotional Intelligence in Horticulture w. Paige Franks 38:12

4M ago38:12

38:12

Paige Franks, a Senior Executive Search Advisor at BEST Human Capital & Advisory Group, is an expert on the power of Emotional Intelligence (EI). Recently, she published an insightful article on the crucial role of EI in the horticulture industry. In this weeks episode of CropTalk, Paige and I delve into the current recruitment challenges faced by …

1
243. An Optimistic Approach to Vertical Farming w. Paul Gauthier 50:57

4M ago50:57

50:57

Paul Gauthier is the Professor of Controlled Environment Agriculture at The University of Queensland in Australia. With a wealth of experience, including founding the Princeton Vertical Farming Project and contributing to Bowery Farming, Paul offers invaluable insights into the industry. Together, we delve into the crucial role of academic collabor…

1
Gino Caspari: Exploration on the Eurasian Steppe and Beyond 38:05

4M ago38:05

38:05

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Gino Caspari, an Explorers Club fellow and expert in the archaeology of the ancient Eurasian Steppe. Gino uses satellite imagery, LiDAR, and other forms of remote sensing paired with ambitious field surveys to discover new ancient sites. Check him out on Instagram @ginocaspari…

1
242. Preventing Future Bankruptcies in CEA w. Adam Bergman 37:16

5M ago37:16

37:16

Adam Begman, as the Global Head of AgTech Investment Banking at Citi, possesses unparalleled expertise in AgTech investment. With a proven track record and extensive experience, Adam delivers invaluable insights and pragmatic approaches to drive your business toward prosperity. Drawing from successful case studies in Controlled Environment Agricult…

1
241. Unlocking Success Through Transparency and Calibration w. Carl Gupton 28:34

6M ago28:34

28:34

Carl Gupton, CEO of Greenswell Growers, a leafy greens producer nestled outside Richmond, Virginia, brings a refreshing blend of humility and transparency to the forefront of agricultural innovation. Join us on this episode of CropTalk as Carl shares invaluable lessons gleaned from his expanding operation, offering insightful strategies for success…

1
240. CEA Mastery and Industry Branding Challenges w. Melanie Yelton 28:00

6M ago28:00

28:00

Melanie Yelton, the founder of Grow Big CEA Consultants, brings a wealth of expertise cultivated through her impactful roles at Lumigrow and Plenty, with a strong emphasis on Research and Plant Science. In this episode of CropTalk, Melanie and I delve into our shared dedication to advancing local produce, explore the transformative journey to maste…

1
239. Maximizing Production Efficiency within CEA Leafy Greens w. Devon Robinson 43:00

7M ago43:00

43:00

Devon Robinson is a leafy greens consultant focused on production efficiency and operation excellence. From his experience working at Springworks farm and Little Leaf Farms, Devon is helping growers perfect their grow operations. On this episode of CropTalk #KyleTalksAgtech Devon and I discuss the importance of cross-training your departments to en…

1
238. Defining "Data" and preparing for the AI revolution in CEA w. Anthony Younan 23:59

7M ago23:59

23:59

Anthony Younan is the vertical market head of Food & Beverage at Siemens. On this episode of CropTalk #KyleTalksAgtech, Anthony and I delve into the critical role of data collection and its pivotal role in fueling AI and the evolution of CEA. With a strong emphasis on grower precision and the immense potential AI holds for the advancement of growin…

1
237. People, Plan and Plants w. Jim Pantaleo 47:49

8M ago47:49

47:49

Jim Pantaleo is the Industry Ambassador for the AI Institute for Next Gen Food Systems. With extensive experience in CEA through roles at Urban Produce, Oasis Biotech and Indoor Ag Con, Jim has a plethora of experience to share with the industry. In this episode of CropTalk #KyleTalksAgtech, Jim and I delve into the crux of industry dynamics, empha…

1
236. An Economics driven approach to CEA w. Daniel Plant 45:54

9M ago45:54

45:54

In this episode of CropTalk #Kyletalksagtech, I chat with Daniel Plant, President of Plant Dynamics, an Economics-driven executive in Controlled Environment Agriculture. We explore his data-focused approach, discussing the importance of backing claims with clear data as Dan offers insights into the future of the industry, and the significance of 'f…

1
235. The End of CEA 1.0 w. Curt Meltzer 32:10

9M ago32:10

32:10

Curt Meltzer, founder of Curt Meltzer CEA Consulting, is a distinguished professional with a remarkable journey. With a wealth of experience as the former CEO of Kentucky Fresh Harvest and a background as an attorney, Curt brings a diverse and experienced perspective to controlled environment agriculture. In this episode of CropTalk #KyleTalksAgtec…

1
Wei-Cheng Lin: Stories of a Sacred Mountain in Medieval China 44:20

9M ago44:20

44:20

Art historian Dr. Wei-Cheng Lin and I discuss the arrival of Buddhism in ancient and early medieval China. We track the emergence of a major sacred site called Mount Wutai, discuss the symbolism of the mountains in Chinese history, and much more.By Sebastian Wetherbee

1
234. Energy Optimizing the CEA Industry w. Gretchen Schimelpfenig 44:00

10M ago44:00

44:00

Gretchen Schimelpfenig is the Senior Energy Engineer at Energy Resources Integration, LLC and the Executive Director of GLASE. On this episode of CropTalk #KyleTalksAgTech Gretchen and I discuss the importance of energy optimization, utilizing the available resources to maximize your efficiencies and some of the key strategies to overcome the colle…

1
Morag Kersel: Looters, Tourists, and Archaeologists in the Holy Land 41:21

10M ago41:21

41:21

Dr. Morag Kersel and I discuss the ethics of archaeology, including the challenges posed by looting, the illegal antiquities trade, and the curation crisis. We focus on these issues in Israel, Jordan, and Palestine, through the lens of Dr. Kersel's archaeological and ethnographic research.By Sebastian Wetherbee

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233. Automating the Greenhouse Leafy Greens Industry w. Patrik Borenius 58:21

10M ago58:21

58:21

Patrik Borenius is the CEO of Green Automation Americas. On this episode of CropTalk #KyleTaksAgTech I speak with Patrik about the future of leafy greens greenhouse production, some of the challenges vertical farms are facing, and how we can best evolve in an ever-changing industry.By Kyle Barnett

1
232. The Power of Patience in CEA w. Erin Livesey-Becks 36:33

10M ago36:33

36:33

With a wealth of industry experience ranging from Gotham Greens to Vertical Future, Erin Livesey-Becks is dedicated to the future of CEA through her newly launched consultancy, Gist. On this episode of CropTalk #KyleTalksAgtech Erin and I have an honest conversation about how we can collectively improve by staying true to our promises, setting real…

1
Brian Bauer: At the Edge of the Wari Empire 40:29

11M ago40:29

40:29

In this episode, Dr. Bauer tells me about his work studying a remote outpost of the Wari Empire, an enigmatic civilization that preceded the Inca in Andean prehistory. We discuss imperial expansion, social hierarchy, burials, and more.By Sebastian Wetherbee

1
231. Overcoming Challenges through Scale, Genetics & Teamwork w. Matt Lingard 36:42

11M ago36:42

36:42

Matt Lingard is the Senior Vice President of Agriculture and Science at BrightFarms. On this episode of CropTalk #KyleTalksAgtech I speak with Matt about some of the key challenges CEA leafy green growers are experiencing, his strategies for overcoming obstacles, and how we are in the business of people as much as we are in the business of plants.…

1
David Paradis: War and Honor in Medieval England 1:10:12

11M ago1:10:12

1:10:12

In this episode, David Paradis joins me to discuss the legacies of early medieval feuding and honor cultures. We examine how those forces shaped England, and Europe more broadly, across the middle ages.By Sebastian Wetherbee

1
230. Distribution Mastery & Unifying CEA w. Craig Carlson 41:27

11M ago41:27

41:27

Craig Carlson is the CEO of Carlson Produce Consulting, where he is supporting the growth of high-performance products and services within the fresh produce supply chain. Craig has had extensive experience working with giants such as Walmart and US Foods, now with a consultative focus on large scale CEA endeavors. In this episode of CropTalk #KyleT…

1
229. Cultivar Trialing for Continuous Growth w. Stephanie Cruz 20:19

12M ago20:19

20:19

Stephanie Cruz is the R&D Lead Crop Specialist at 80 Acres. From her initial aspirations of managing an independent organic farm to her newfound passion for data and technology, Stephanie is at the forefront of driving progress in maximizing value through her endeavors in experimenting with a diverse array of Cultivars. In this episode of CropTalk …

1
228. USA Regional Development of CEA w. Andrew Brooks 44:15

1y ago44:15

44:15

Andrew Brooks is the Business Development Manager for the Southeastern USA at Priva. A South Carolina native, Andrew is passionate about CEA and developing the southeast, one state at a time. In this episode of CropTalk #KyleTalksAgtech Andrew and I discuss the separating factor that leads some states to be leading the CEA charge while others are s…

1
227. CEA Technology & Input validation through Research Institutes w. Elliott Kellner 45:29

1y ago45:29

45:29

Elliott Kellner is the Director of Commercial Innovation at Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. On this episode of CropTalk #KyleTalksAgtech I speak with Elliott about the viability of using research institutions to prove the value of your technology, fertilizer, or substrate. Topics include the development of seed genetics to further the indoor …

1
226. Creating the most Efficient Vertical Farm w. Tyler Baras 50:19

1y ago50:19

50:19

Tyler Baras is the Chief Science Officer and Co-Founder of Area 2 Farms, a CSA vertical farm serving the greater D.C metro area. On this episode of CropTalk #KyleTalksAgtech. Tyler sheds light on the secrets behind his farm's exceptional efficiency, shares his insights on recent industry closures within the vertical farming realm, and offers his pr…

1
Adrian Chase: Mapping Ancient Maya Cities 59:06

1y ago59:06

59:06

In this episode, Dr. Adrian Chase takes us on a deep dive into the process of mapping and understanding ancient Maya cities, how the Maya shaped the natural world around them, and how studying ancient urbanism can enrich our understanding of modern cities.By Sebastian Wetherbee

1
225. Developing Fully Integrated CEA Facilities w. Kris Nightengale 43:55

1y ago43:55

43:55

In this episode of #KyleTalksAgtech, I have the pleasure of chatting with Kris Nightengale, the VP of Sales at AdeptAg. We delve into the captivating story behind the company's origins, where a group of seasoned players in the horticulture field came together. Kris sheds light on the hidden complexities of the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CE…

1
224. Giving CEA equipment a Second Life w. Chris Lange 18:12

1y ago18:12

18:12

Chris Lange is the founder of Second Bloom Auctions, a platform that aims to provide used equipment from greenhouses and vertical farms to the CEA community. In this episode of CropTalk's #KyleTalksAgtech, we explore the inception of this platform and discuss how the sale of such equipment can contribute to the community's success and sustainabilit…

1
223. PART 2: Developing Resilience in CEA w. Chris Cerveny 29:41

1y ago29:41

29:41

Get ready for an inspiring episode of CropTalk, where I continue my conversation with Chris Cerveny about the power of personal and professional resilience. In part two, we explore how a life-altering experience such as a house fire can change our perspectives and the importance of living a value-driven existence. Tune in to gain valuable insights …

1
222. PART 1: Developing Resilience in CEA w. Chris Cerveny 39:05

1+ y ago39:05

39:05

With a wealth of experience at some of the industry's most prominent companies, including Scott's and Hawthorne, as well as expertise in vertical farming through his work at Fifth Season, Chris Cerveny is a true master of his craft. In the first installment of a special two-part episode, I had the privilege of sitting down with Chris to discuss the…

1
221. Leveraging Conventional Agriculture Experience to Improve Controlled Environment Agriculture w. Everett Hendrixon 44:23

1+ y ago44:23

44:23

The better we understand our current food system and how we got here, the better we can improve upon it, according to Everett Hendrixon of Tergo Consultants & Eco Supply. On this episode of CropTalk, Everett and I discuss the power of disruption through a nuanced understanding of the horticulture industry at various levels, Stories of conventional …

1
Catherine Kearns: Unearthing Iron Age Cyprus 39:25

1+ y ago39:25

39:25

A fascinating conversation on one of the lesser-known regions in the ancient Mediterranean. Dr. Kearns talks about her fieldwork studying archaic Cyprus. We talk about the rural landscapes of the Iron Age world, and why it's important to look beyond palaces and temples to the countryside, where most of the ancients lived their lives.…

1
220. Bridging the Gap between Academia & Commercial Growers w. Karla Garcia 34:29

1+ y ago34:29

34:29

Karla is working to bridge the gap between academia research and direct commercial grower implementation. On this episode of CropTalk #KyleTalksAgtech I speak with Karla Garcia, Founder and Director of Microgreens FLN & Technical Service Specialist at Hort Americas, all about the importance of cross-pollination between universities and commercial g…

1
McKenna Litynski: The Tales Bones Tell 36:29

1+ y ago36:29

36:29

A discussion on squeezing every possible bit of data from ancient bones. Learn how archaeologists analyze bone artifacts using cutting-edge paleoproteomics, spatial and statistical analyses, experimental archaeology, and more!By Sebastian Wetherbee

1
Christopher Milan: The Manchay Culture of Ancient Peru 46:59

1+ y ago46:59

46:59

How did civilization emerge on the Peruvian coast? Who were the Manchay? How did Amazonian civilization influence the coast, and what role did Shamanism play in Andean prehistory?By Sebastian Wetherbee

1
219. The Importance of Civil Engineering in Greenhouse Site Selection & Planning w. Nick Long 36:32

1+ y ago36:32

36:32

So you want to start a greenhouse but don’t know where to begin? According to Nick Long of Livic Civil, one of your first steps should be contacting a Civil Engineer. On this episode of CropTalk #KyleTalksAtech Nick and I discuss the importance of contacting a Site & Civil Engineer as early as possible to avoid headaches down the road, the crazy wo…

1
218. Growing Produce on Campus for on Campus Dining w. Daniel Wells & Glenn Loughridge 44:31

1+ y ago44:31

44:31

Daniel Wells and Glenn Loughridge are on a mission at Auburn University. Not only to empower students to learn about cultivation but to understand best practices when speaking to buyers such as chefs. Topics on this episode of CropTalk #KyleTalksAgtech include the power of local produce and its impact on flavor, the potential for culinary / CEA hub…

1
217. Food System Myths and Misconceptions w. Christopher Grallert 43:56

1+ y ago43:56

43:56

Christopher Grallert is the president of Green City Growers and believes we must respect conventional farming and farmers, dispel myths about our food system, and work together not to keep reinventing the wheel or “inventing the whistle”. Topics include creating more circular economies within the food system, the power of local, safe food, and how …

1
216. Leveling Up your CEA Operation w. Luis Trujillo 40:16

1+ y ago40:16

40:16

“People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing” -Dale Carnegie On this week's episode of CropTalk #KyleTalksAgtech I speak with Luis Trujillo, President of Hoogendoorn America. Topics include the power of user-friendly tools for the success of your CEA grow operation, making work fun and "like a video game" to attract the next g…

1
215. Combating Food Deserts through CEA w. Alaric Overbey 33:22

1+ y ago33:22

33:22

In this week's episode of CropTalk #KyleTalksAgtech I speak with Alaric Overbey, Chief Farming Officer at GreenSideUp.FARM in Las Vegas. Using small-scale indoor farming & vertical farming systems, Alaric and his team are working to combat the food desert issue. Topics in our discussion include the importance of educating the community (teach a man…

1
214. The Power of Highly Automated Greenhouse Leafy Greens Production w. Gus Brennan 37:02

1+ y ago37:02

37:02

Gus Brennan is a graduate of Cornell University with extensive experience within multiple avenues of CEA, including OnePointOne (vertical farming), Holistic Industries (Indoor Farming Cannabis), and now Greenswell Growers (Greenhouse leafy greens) using a Green Automation grow system with assistance from Crop King. Through these experiences, Gus in…

1
213. An Unbiased Perspective on Vertical Farming Through Numerous Interviews w. Thea-Isabella Otto 31:53

1+ y ago31:53

31:53

Is vertical farming the end all be all for controlled environment agriculture and crop production? The short answer: No. But IT IS another addition to the grower's toolbox. On this week's episode of CropTalk #KyleTalksAgtech I speak with Thea-Isabella Otto, who works with the Association of Vertical Farming along with being a vertical farm research…

1
212. Looking Back to Move Forward: Lessons Learned from Blue Thumb Farms w. Allison Driskill 36:13

1+ y ago36:13

36:13

In this episode of CropTalk #KyleTalksAgtech I speak with Allison Driskill of Signify about her past experience running Blue Thumb Farms, which closed its doors in 2021. In this incredibly honest and brave conversation, Allison talks about the lessons she learned from her experience, changes she would of make in the planning stages of the business,…

1
211. Successful Water Management and Water Movement for Hydroponics w. Tim Reusch 38:24

1+ y ago38:24

38:24

Happy New Year! CropTalk #KyleTalksAgtech has some exciting plans for 2023 and even more exciting guests on the roster. Starting the year off, I speak with Tim Reusch of DRAMM all about the ins and outs of successful water management and movement within a hydroponics CEA facility. Key topics include the challenges and solutions for excessive water …

1
210. Figuring out the Planning Phase of Vertical Farms w. Mario Gatineau 46:57

1+ y ago46:57

46:57

We often speak about the challenges of operating a vertical farm but what about everything leading up to your first harvest? On this episode of CropTalk #KyleTalksAgtech I speak with Mario Gatineau, CEO of Potager Farms about his journey leading him to start down the path of vertical farming, the challenges and lessons he experienced during the ong…

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