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Kalera Acquires Customised Seed Developer Vindara For Vertical Farming
Following the acquisition, Vindara will become a fully-owned subsidiary of Kalera and will operate out of Kalera’s headquarters in Orlando, Florida.
US vertical farming company Kalera has announced the acquisition of Vindara, a S2G Ventures portfolio company which breeds plant varieties specifically designed for use in vertical indoor environments.
Founded in 2018, Vindara develops customised, non-GMO seeds for use in high-tech vertical indoor farm environments, as well as other controlled environmental agriculture farming methods.
Based in North Carolina, the company uses genomics, machine learning and computational biology along with traditional breeding methods to meet the market need for produce that is non-GMO, nutritious and high-yielding.
Following the acquisition, Vindara will become a fully-owned subsidiary of Kalera and will operate out of Kalera’s headquarters in Orlando, Florida.
Kalera says Vindara will significantly increase the output from its current and future facilities by reducing the plant grow cycle and providing higher yields.
According to the press release, Vindara’s breeding process shortens development time from the usual 5-7 years to just 12-18 months, resulting in increased output and optimising yield and profitability.
Together, the companies say they are better positioned to offer differentiated products – expanding beyond leafy greens to include high yield basil, spinach and strawberries – and have improved ability to optimise colour, texture, flavour and nutrient profile.
“While advances in technology such as lighting, robotics, sensors, and planting substrates are all improving grower economics, seeds developed specifically for indoor farming have been a ‘missing link’ to vertical farming achieving its full potential,” said Daniel Malechuk, CEO of Kalera.
“Together with Vindara, we are ushering in a new era of agricultural advancements that will increase production yields and produce unique crop varieties customised for the needs of our discerning customers around the globe,” he added.
The deal will see Jade Stinson continue in her existing role as co-founder and president of Vindara. “With Kalera’s commitment to R&D and improving the yield, variety and characteristics of its produce, we will be able to better leverage our ability to develop customised seeds for indoor growers faster than any other seed provider,” she said.
The transaction will reportedly enable Vindara to accelerate and expand its seed research and development programmes.
Our Best Chance To Stop Vilsack From Leading USDA!
While serving as USDA Secretary under President Obama, Mr. Vilsack supported chemically-dependent industrial agriculture that resulted in millions more pounds of pesticides released into the environment, contaminating our water and soils and harming human health and wildlife
President Joe Biden has nominated former Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to return as head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This would be a huge step backwards in our urgent need to support agricultural systems that mitigate the ongoing climate crisis while protecting public health and the environment. But the Senate hasn’t confirmed Vilsack for the role yet, so we still have a chance to stop this regressive appointment by writing our senators.
Tell Biden’s transition team: Oppose Tom Vilsack as USDA Secretary!
While serving as USDA Secretary under President Obama, Mr. Vilsack supported chemically-dependent industrial agriculture that resulted in millions more pounds of pesticides released into the environment, contaminating our water and soils and harming human health and wildlife.
The beef industry supports Vilsack’s nomination and it’s easy to see why. Vilsack put meatpacking profits over worker and food safety when he implemented a new poultry inspection system that led to plants running faster line speeds with fewer independent inspectors. The last time he took on this role, the meat industry grew larger and more concentrated, further exacerbating the climate crisis. We can’t afford to make the same mistake in 2021.
Help us ensure USDA moves forwards, not backwards!
We know that “bigger IS NOT better” when it comes to agriculture! We can grow more food with fewer chemicals by investing in small and medium-sized, diversified farms.
That won’t happen with Vilsack — an avid supporter of the expansion of genetically engineered crops, the majority of which are designed for one purpose: to withstand being sprayed with more pesticides. In fact, Vilsack is such an aggressive supporter of genetic engineering, the Biotechnology Industry Organization named him Governor of the Year twice.
Vilsack’s appointment would also continue the “revolving door” relationship between chemical industry employees and government officials. Since leaving USDA, Vilsack has represented corporate dairies and other major food corporations. To avoid conflict of interest, we cannot continue to put executives of mega-corporations in top government positions — especially when those mega-corporations are also mega-polluters.
We don’t need to wait and see what Vilsack will do as USDA Secretary. We already know. He had eight years to put farmers, workers, and the environment ahead of food industry profits, but he chose not to.
In the midst of our climate crisis, we need a USDA Secretary who will make U.S. agriculture sustainable and resilient. That’s not Tom Vilsack.
Tell Biden’s transition team: Vilsack
is not what our country needs right now!
Thank you for everything you do,
Jaydee Hanson
Policy Director
Center for Food Safety
Innovative Aquaponics Company Achieves a Greener World’s First Non-GMO Certification For Salmon
Superior Fresh, an industry-leading aquaponics facility specializing in organic leafy greens and Atlantic salmon, is the first company to offer salmon Certified Non-GMO by A Greener World
HIXTON, WI –Superior Fresh, an industry-leading aquaponics facility specializing in organic leafy greens and Atlantic salmon, is the first company to offer salmon Certified Non-GMO by A Greener World. The company’s flagship facility is the largest of its kind, practicing ecologically sound water conservation and native prairie restoration in a closed-loop, zero-discharge system.
Developed at the request of farmers and consumers seeking a meaningful non-GMO label, Certified Non-GMO by AGW guarantees food is produced without the use of genetically modified feed, supplements or ingredients, and comes from animals raised according to higher animal welfare standards using sustainable agriculture methods. On salmon, the Certified Non-GMO by AGW label includes A Greener World’s Salmon Welfare Certified standards, incorporating the UK RSPCA’s respected higher welfare salmon standards. Certified Non-GMO by AGW has meaningful prohibitions on GMO contamination (see comparison chart here for more details), and ensures that at no point in the growing, processing or manufacturing of the product will GMOs enter the system.
Superior Fresh’s announcement follows FDA’s recent controversial approval of genetically modified salmon for human consumption–despite significant opposition from consumer advocates, fishing groups, public health officials and native communities. As public concern for the labeling of GMOs (genetically modified organisms, also known as GE, or genetically engineered) continues to grow, the market for non-GMO products is surging 17% annually and expected to reach 1.1 billion USD by 2023, according to industry analyst, Technavio. Consumers seek out non-GMO products for a variety of reasons, including environmental sustainability, health, corporate consolidation and transparency. A lack of clear labeling around GMOs means that consumers must actively seek out Certified Non-GMO products to avoid them.
Superior Fresh President Brandon Gottsacker says,
“The fish production systems at Superior Fresh are designed and managed using technology that maintains clean water, giving our salmon the opportunity to live in a stress-free environment. It is our duty to make sure our fish have great welfare, leading to the best quality fish for the consumer. In the absence of a USDA Organic standard for seafood, we chose to obtain the AGW certifications for Salmon Welfare and GMO-Free to assure our customers that we meet their standards.”
AGW Executive Director Andrew Gunther says,
“We work with some of the most forward-thinking food producers on the planet, and the team at Superior Fresh is no exception. Wild fisheries are under significant threat–through habitat destruction, industrially abusive production practices, and now genetically modified salmon. Stewardship-based approaches like that of Superior Fresh are essential solutions if we are to meet our current needs without impacting wild ecosystems while we work to rebuild them. This has been an inspiring project and we are thrilled to support the work of independent, sustainable aquaculturists in this sphere.”
ABOUT A GREENER WORLD
A Greener World (AGW) identifies, audits, certifies and promotes practical, sustainable farming systems by supporting farmers and ranchers and informing consumers. AGW’s growing family of trusted certifications includes Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW, Certified Grassfed by AGW and Certified Non-GMO by AGW. Each program is designed to have positive and measurable impacts on the environment, society and animals, and to encourage truly sustainable farming practices. AGW’s standards and procedures are robust and transparent and achievable.
A nonprofilt funded by public donations and membership, A Greener World offers a range of resources to help people make informed food choices, including an Online Directory of certified farms and products and Food Labels Exposed–a definitive guide to food label claims (available in print and online). For more information visit agreenerworld.org.
ABOUT SUPERIOR FRESH
Superior Fresh brings together a one-of-a kind sustainable ecosystem that combines the world’s most advanced aquaculture and hydroponic growing techniques. By using the cleanest water and mimicking the natural environment, we provide an ideal and safe growing environment for our fish. Our Atlantic salmon receive only the best care and animal husbandry–they never receive any hormones or antibiotics, and they’re fed a sustainable, organic diet. We’re delivering an unparalleled eating experience with the most premium fish. For more information and availability visit superiorfresh.com.
Three Must-Hear Speakers At Organic & Non-GMO Forum - October 29-30, 2019
Key speakers at this year’s fifth annual Organic & Non-GMO Forum, here at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis on October 29-30, will address the ever-growing plant-protein solutions arising in the sector, and provide a view inside the decisions that led the world’s largest brewery to work directly with farmers in establishing its first organic product
MINNEAPOLIS, September 23, 2019 – Key speakers at this year’s fifth annual Organic & Non-GMO Forum, here at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis on October 29-30, will address the ever-growing plant-protein solutions arising in the sector, and provide a view inside the decisions that led the world’s largest brewery to work directly with farmers in establishing its first organic product.
Keynote speaker Tyler Lorenzen – CEO of PURIS, the largest pea protein production company in North America – will share the story of the 35-year journey of PURIS, from its humble beginnings as a soybean processor to becoming one of the leading suppliers of plant-based food ingredients, and a critical supplier to this expanding market. So critical in fact that it received just this month a $75 million investment from Cargill. The funding will be used to more than double production at PURIS’ existing 200,000 square-foot facility in Dawson, Minnesota.
"This is more than a pea protein facility. This is the future of food,” said Lorenzen in a press release. “The Dawson facility will not only support PURIS farmers in the U.S. with a crop that regenerates their land and that is sustainable because it provides soil health advantages, but will also support the growing demand for great-tasting plant-based products in the marketplace. This investment will grant PURIS the ability to support more food companies, more farmers and more consumers faster.”
PURIS’ path to success included the creation and scaling of an end-to-end system of sustainable plant-based foods and ingredients grown and processed in the USA, which Lorenzen will outline in his keynote address at the Organic & Non-GMO Forum: “Seeding and Scaling the Plant-Based Food Future.”
Supporting Transitional Producers: Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold’s Contract for Change
Jess Newman of Anheuser-Busch
In this session, executives from Anheuser-Busch – Azania Andrews, vice president of marketing for Michelob ULTRA, and Jess Newman, director of U.S. agronomy for Anheuser-Busch – will share the how and why of the company’s launch of its USDA certified organic light lager, the first in the nation from a national beer brand.
Andrews and Newman will discuss the market drivers for the new beer, Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold, introduced in 2018, and their newly-launched “Contract for Change” initiative put in place to support farmers’ transitioning to growing organic barley.
Azania Andrews of Anheuser-Busch
“There aren’t any light beers from mainstream brewers offering an organic product,” Andrews told Men’s Health in an interview. “We wanted to make a light beer for those who prioritize eating and shopping organic.”
Hear more from these speakers, and the previously announced keynote speaker David Vetter, a trailblazing organic farmer from Nebraska and subject of the documentary “Dreaming of a Vetter World” at the Organic & Non-GMO Forum. Register at ongforum.com and follow us @ONGForum. See also the full agenda and list of attending companies.
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The Organic & Non-GMO Forum is hosted by HighQuest Group, a north-of-Boston, Mass.-based strategic advisory, conference, and media company serving corporations, financial investors and governments across the global food and agribusiness value chains. highquestgroup.com
VIEDO: Interview With Two Partners At True Leaf Market
For almost forty years, True Leaf Market Seed Company has proudly offered the best non-GMO seeds on the market
Wheat Grass Business Turns Into A Seed Company
Interview with two partners at True Leaf Market, and a behind the scenes of a live photoshoot with Jordan.
About True Leaf Market:
Website: https://www.trueleafmarket.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trueleafmar...
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/trueleafmarket
Twitter: https://twitter.com/trueleafmarket
For almost forty years, True Leaf Market Seed Company has proudly offered the best non-GMO seeds on the market. All seeds are not equal and you can count on us for super-premium quality. We love hearing from our customers that report improved vigor and health from growing their own sprouts, wheatgrass, microgreens, and fruits and vegetables.