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A NOTE FROM OUR CHAIRMAN
Since taking the helm on February 19, Cultivation Corridor® Executive Director Billi Hunt has already begun the work of driving the Corridor to the next level. Her strategy? Take the Corridor out to the community through “grassroots” outreach with the goals of furthering the Cultivation Corridor brand and expanding the industry.
Perhaps you’ve already met with Billi during the IowaBio 2018 Partnering For Growth Biotech Innovation Showcase and Forum, or have seen her promoting Iowa’s great assets at other agbioscience, biotechnology or economic development functions. Look for Billi at the 2018 Prometheus Awards — where the Corridor is pleased for the opportunity to sponsor and present the Iowa Agricultural Technology Company of the Year award in recognition of innovation and industry leadership in the agtech sector.
I would like to formally welcome Billi as she embarks on her new role and offer my personal thanks to all of you for your continued support as we charge ahead building momentum as a premier agbioscience region.
Gage A. Kent
Chairman
Des Moines Selected as Venue for 2019 BIO World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology
The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) announced the selection of Des Moines, Iowa, as the location for the 2019 BIO World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology. The event will be held July 8-11, 2019 and it will host industry executives, investors, policy makers and academics from around the world and will feature the BIO One-on-One Partnering™ system. Read the full press release here.
Progress Update: Iowa AgriTech Accelerator's FarrPro
Get caught up with FarrPro to hear how it plans to revolutionize the swine industry
Last year, the Corridor saw the completion of the first cohort for the Iowa AgriTech Accelerator and with it, FarrPro entered the Iowa animal health industry. Their goal? Reduce piglet mortality in farrowing facilities by producing an improved method for piglet heating. Sounds simple enough, yet execution can be difficult.
Learn more about the fledgling company's plans to scale and execute here.
Ag-based Startups Receive IEDA Innovation Funding Support
Ag-based companies Accelerated Ag Technologies (AAT) and SwineTech, Inc. were two of seven startups to receive innovation funding in the latest round of awards from the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA). Loans received were from the Iowa Innovation Acceleration and the Demonstration Funds.
Iowa State University Professor, Manjit Misra, Recognized for Contributions to Agriculture
Iowa State's Manjit Misra, Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering and Director of the Seed Science Center, has received recognition for his contributions to global food security and international agricultural service.
Recently, Misra was named the 2018 Sukup Global Food Security Award recipient and honored with the Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Outstanding Achievement in International Agriculture award.
Get to Know Bob Riley...
Billi Hunt presents Bob Riley with the Cultivation Corridor Iowa Biotech Leadership Award
A leader in Iowa's agriculture industry for more than 40 years
In the Cultivation Corridor, innovation is in our DNA, and it’s undoubtedly in CEO of the Riley Resource Group Bob Riley's as well. Riley is a standout figure in Iowa’s biotech and bioeconomy industries and a leader in building companies built on science-based solutions using biology-based technology.
Read more about his accomplishments and receiving the Cultivation Corridor Iowa Biotech Leadership Award here.
Startup Stories DSM to Feature Megan Vollstedt
Executive Director of the Iowa AgriTech Accelerator, Megan Vollstedt, will be the featured guest for the April 18 live recording of the Startup Stories DSM Podcast. Join the live studio audience!
- Iowa State's Plant Sciences Institute has named nine faculty to the second cohort of PSI Scholars. Funding received enables the scholars to build upon their existing strong funding and publication track records to enhance Iowa State’s research prominence in the plant sciences.
- Billi presented the 2018 Cultivation Corridor Iowa Biotech Leadership Award to Robert (Bob) G. Riley Jr. The award was given during the Iowa Biotechnology Association (IowaBio) Partnering For Growth Biotech Innovation Showcase and Forum.
- On March 6, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue administered the oath of office to Bill Northey at the Annual Iowa Ag Leaders Dinner. Northey will serve as the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Service (FFAS) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
- Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Deputy Secretary Mike Naig was named the new Iowa Secretary of Agriculture by Gov. Kim Reynolds.
- On February 26, it was announced that Des Moines is selected by The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) for the 2019 BIO World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology. The event will take place in July of 2019.
- Iowa's Number 1! The U.S. News and World Report ranked Iowa the #1 state!
- In February, the Agriculture Division of DowDuPont™ announced its new name: Corteva. The intended company is expected to spin-off by June 1, 2019.
Charles E. Sukup has been elected into the National Academy of Engineering (NAE)!
Sukup's Award-winning Grain Reclaimer was featured in the January/February special issue of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) magazine Resource: Engineering & Technology for a Sustainable World.
