Women Innovators in Food and Farming

Amy sits down with Toni Bucci. AG and Biotech Leader with a Passion for Feeding the World Sustainably.

In this episode, host Amy Wu welcomes Connie Bowen, the founding general partner at Farmhand Ventures. Connie shares her journey from growing up in New Jersey with family ties to farming in Iowa to her current role in ag tech investment. With a background in engineering and a passion for food, she discusses her early experiences in agriculture, including her work with food computers and her time at the Yield Lab, an ag tech accelerator. Connie emphasizes the importance of integrating human labor with technology to create a more resilient agricultural future. The conversation delves into the challenges facing ag tech today, particularly regarding labor shortages and the need for innovative solutions. Connie highlights her investment strategy at Farmhand Ventures, focusing on early-stage companies that address labor issues in agriculture. She also discusses her collaboration with the University of California Ag and Natural Resources, which aims to develop sustainable solutions for California growers. The episode concludes with insights on the current state of ag tech funding and the importance of diversity in the industry, particularly for women in venture capital.

Amy sits down with the Department of Agriculture for California to discuss her day-to-day work there, her backstory, and what she loves the most about the job.

In this episode of Women Innovators in Food & Farming, Amy Wu sits down with Maddie Mitchell, investment principal at Tenacious Ventures and a plant scientist turned agri-food tech investor. Maddie shares her journey from researching novel biotech crops at Cambridge to backing deep-tech startups shaping the future of sustainable agriculture. She talks about the rise of AI-enabled breeding technologies, robotics adoption on farms, Australia’s unique role as a testbed for climate-resilient ag innovation, and how Tenacious Ventures supports diverse founders pushing the sector forward. It’s a thoughtful, wide-ranging look at the science, strategy, and passion behind building a more sustainable and food-secure future.

Join Amy Wu as she chats with Lindsey Lusher Shute, CEO of Farm Generations, and Elizabeth Vaughan, and Elizabeth Vaughan of Community Alliance with Family Farmers, as they discuss bringing innovation through ag tech to small farmers.

Amy talks with Julia Streuli about bringing blue spirulina to the market.

Hubba Khatoon connects food innovators at the Canadian Food Innovation Network

A videographer shares her adventures kelp farming on the Pacific Northwest’s Vachon Islands

Agtech helps an almond grower in California’s Central Valley.

A young researcher shares her passion for uncovering new foods that can help feed the world.

How To Feed The World with Wendy Ulrich of Radical Agronomics

Born in Thailand, Ponsi is the CEO & Director of Inari, the SEEDesign™ company using predictive design and advanced multiplex gene editing to unlock the full potential of seed. She earned her undergraduate degree in electrical engineering, focusing on fiber optics. Realizing that she wanted to work more closely with people, she earned an MBA at Cornell University and then joined McKinsey & Company.

A scientist and entrepreneur shares her journey starting Pheronym, an agbio company that provides eco-friendly pest control.

The Story Behind Caulipower with Gail Becker

Women Innovators in Food and Farming - Teaser