This week AgLaunch gathered in Keene, NH with other partners in the Radically Rural™ biotech (RRb) network for the Radically Rural Summit. The RRb network connects entrepreneur support organizations from across the country to share assets, expertise and resources to support rural biotech entrepreneurs and grow the rural biotech sector. Founding members spoke about building this new sector during the Radically Rural Summit. Pictured (left to right): Emalee Hall and Susan Ruhlin (Dirigo Labs), Alison Chisolm (Hannah Grimes Center), Andy Tucker (Ohio University Innovation Lab), Stephanie Tofighi (New Mexico Bioscience Authority).

Check out this great feature on our portfolio company, Grain Weevil, and how they are harnessing robotics to enhance grain bin safety in order to protect farmers. They take their mission of "no boots in the grain" seriously! Read more about their innovation here: https://ow.ly/qAvL50TrXlB

Did you catch this recent article in Little Rock Soiree about AgLaunch Farmer Hallie Shoffner and her work on the board of the Arkansas Foodbank? We're proud to work with innovative farmers like Hallie who care deeply about feeding their communities and growing diverse, nutrient-dense crops! https://lnkd.in/etQdGTHZ

Join AgLaunch and AgVentures Alliance in the next webinar from the AgTech Innovation Connection Series. On October 8th at 10am CT, we will be welcoming Lesa Mitchell, General Manager at High Alpha Innovation. Lesa will lead a panel discussion on "How to Manage a Board". She will be joined by entrepreneurs and companies focused on board management. We hope you can join us! Register here: https://ow.ly/iwnz50Toq59.

Our portfolio company, Global Neighbor, is making waves with their innovative retrofit kit for combine harvesters. Check out how their cutting-edge light treatment technology is revolutionizing weed seed elimination in this feature by Future Farming! https://lnkd.in/e2b2cwW9

Have you heard about the Business Builder Subaward Grant Program? This brand-new, regional funding opportunity is made available by USDA through the Heartland Regional Food Business Center and will provide financial assistance through Business Builder (BB) Subawards of $5,000 to $50,000 each to support projects focused on meeting regional needs and increasing capacity among food and farm businesses working toward expansion in local and regional food markets. Eligible to apply are small food and farm businesses or nonprofit organizations either located in or serving the five-state Heartland Center region (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Nebraska) and/or nine counties in northwest Arkansas (Benton, Carrol, Boone, Washington, Madison, Newton, Crawford, Franklin, Johnson). The Heartland Center is one of 12 USDA Regional Food Business Centers in the country. Centers are tasked with building food supply chain resilience through development support for small, mid-size, and diverse food and farm businesses. BB Subawards will go to projects predominantly aimed at starting or expanding food businesses in the region through value-added opportunities, diversification of on-farm activities, expansion of and/or access to new markets, and/or innovations to generate income. BB Subawards will provide food and farm businesses with the capital needed to launch and expand their businesses while they work to build income streams or identify needed investors. The Heartland Center anticipates three rounds of funding for a total of $11.15 million, or ~$3.72 million each round. Applications due: October 15, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time Anticipated award date: 90 days after applications due Maximum award: $50,000 Minimum award: $5,000 Duration: Projects should be completed within 12 months of award date. Please click the link for more details and applicant resources! https://lnkd.in/gjuiZ4mB

The latest article from AgLaunch President, Pete Nelson, discusses the use of artificial intelligence in agriculture. Have you had success implementing AI tools on the farm? #aginnovation #agtech https://lnkd.in/exszurPF

Congratulations to Debra Lockard, AgLaunch Farmer Network member and owner of Lockard's Produce, who was recognized today in Nashville with the TSU Small Farmer Award for Alternative Enterprises based on her solar powered specialty crop production and management system. We are so proud to partner with some of the most innovative and brilliant minds in the industry! #agtech #agtechinnovation

The AgLaunch team continues its field day showcase next week in Sikeston, MO! Join us on Monday, Sept. 9th from 8-10am for the first Sikeston AgriPark Field Day featuring farm tours and programs about agtech. We're excited about the work and partnership happening in the Bootheel! #aginnovation #missouriagriculture