Episodes
Aug. 26, 2025
AURI - Ag Innovation News Podcast - Protein Navigator
In this episode of the Ag Innovation News podcast, we delve into the groundbreaking Protein Navigator service, a collaborative initiative powered by AURI and MBOLD. Join us as we explore how this service is set to revolutionize protein sustainability by connecting global stakeholders with Minnesota's rich agricultural ecosystem. Discover the strategic insights and innovative approaches that aim to enhance protein production while maintaining environmental balance.
Aug. 13, 2025
Exploring Benefits of Hemp
In this episode of the Ag Innovation News podcast, Harold Stanislawski, AURI’s Business and Industry Development Director and Dean Davolis, owner and founder of DJR Architecture, discuss the many benefits of hemp in building and infrastructure.
Aug. 10, 2025
AURI - Ag Innovation News Podcast - Exploring Benefits of Hemp
Harold Stanislawski, AURI’s Business and Industry Development Director and Dean Davolis, owner and founder of DJR Architecture, discuss the many benefits of hemp in building and infrastructure.
July 23, 2025
A Storied Career at Hormel Foods, SPAM, and More!
In this episode. Jeff Grev, former Vice President of Legislative Affairs at Hormel Foods, chats about SPAM and food trends, offers advice to food entrepreneurs, and shares how AURI’s work benefits the food and agricultural industries in Minnesota and beyond.
July 9, 2025
Exploring Minnnesota's Grass Seed Industry
In this episode, Brent Benike, General Manager at Northern Excellence Seed, LLC, discusses the nuances of the grass seed industry in Northern Minnesota and how the company works with local growers.
June 25, 2025
Is an Anaerobic Digester Right for Your Farm?
In this episode of the Ag Innovation News podcast, Brad Matuska, AURI's Business Development Director of Biomass Feedstocks, discusses AURI's new Biogas Report and potential anaerobic digestion opportunities in Minnesota.
June 4, 2025
How Sugar Beets Can Help Displace Single-Use Plastic
In this episode, CelluComp North America President Chris Plotz discusses how the company's value-added ag innovations are helping to remove single-use plastics from waste streams, and the opening of its first facility in the United States.
May 21, 2025
Bridging the Gap Between Rural and Urban Agriculture
In this episode, the Minnesota Farm Bureau's Director of Communications, Rachel Reisig, discusses the organization's responsibility of representing around 31,000 farm families and provides a recap of its new Urban Ag Conference and initiative.
May 7, 2025
The State of Ag in Minnesota
In this episode, Sam Ziegler, a farmer and Director of GreenSeam, discusses surprising revelations of the organization's annual State of Ag in Minnesota Report. The report delves into the pulse of Minnesota's rural ag communities and identifies areas of concern, opportunities, and more.
April 16, 2025
Investing in Value-Added Ag Innovation
In this episode, David Kolsrud, a farmer and CEO of DAK Renewable Energy, discusses value-added agriculture, investing in innovative initiatives, and the importance of collaboration and networking in the ag industry.
April 2, 2025
Is A2 Milk the Future?
In this episode, Market Research Analyst Sanchez Philocles discusses a new report from the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) on the increasing popularity of A2 milk. He also discusses the differences between conventional and A2 milk and what producers can expect if they decide to convert.
March 19, 2025
Joint Venture Aims to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions Using QIRA®
In this episode of the Ag Innovation News podcast, Jon Veldhouse, CEO of Qore LLC, discusses QIRA®, a joint venture with Cargill and HELM to replace fossil-based chemicals with biobased intermediates in materials and products such as athletic wear, vehicle bags, and more.
March 5, 2025
The Wonders of the Elderberry
In this episode, Chris Patton, the Founder and President of the Midwest Elderberry Cooperative, highlights the benefits of the elderberry crop, its use in value-added products, and why farmers may want to switch over to growing it.
Feb. 19, 2025
Rejuvenating Roof Shingles with Soybean Oil
In this episode, associates from Roof Maxx, RoofRestor, and the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council discuss the emerging market for soy roof rejuvenates. They talk about the need for the product, how it works, and ways homeowners can go about utilizing it.
Feb. 5, 2025
Strengthening Minnesota's Food Supply Chain Via the RFSI Program
In this episode, Kaylee Thornley (Grant Administrator, Agricultural Marketing & Development Division) and Mike Zastoupil (Food Systems Specialist) from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), chat about the projects funded by one-time federal dollars as part of the American Rescue Plan Act. They also highlight additional grant opportunities available to businesses and entrepreneurs through the RFSI Program and MDA.
Jan. 22, 2025
Looking Back at 2024
In this episode, AURI Executive Director Shannon Schlecht and AURI Board Chair Federico Tripodi chat about new lab facilities, Ag Innovator of the Year, a collaboration with the USDA-Ag Marketing Service, and more.
Dec. 31, 2024
Brewing and Distilling with Kernza Perennial Grain
In this episode, AURI's Business Development Director of Novel Supply Chains, Alexandra Ostlund, and Juan Medina Bielski, Malting Scientist at RahrBSG, discuss the challenges and opportunities of brewing and distilling with Kernza® perennial grain.
Dec. 4, 2024
Business Benchmarking
In this episode, Connie Lindstrom, Senior Biofuels Analyst at Christianson Benchmarking, chats about providing benchmarking services to businesses and partnering with the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) and the United States Department of Agriculture on a Benchmarking Report for meat processors.
Nov. 20, 2024
A Preview of AURI's 2024 Minnesota Renewable Energy Roundtable
In this episode of AURI's podcast, Francesco Aimone (CEO of Induction Food Systems) and Luca Zullo (AURI's Senior Director of Science & Technology) discuss the need for energy efficiency and efficient heating systems, which is also the topic of AURI’s upcoming Minnesota Renewable Energy Roundtable.
Nov. 6, 2024
Market Research Spotlights
In this episode of the Ag Innovation News podcast, AURI's Market Research Analyst Sanchez Philocles discusses trends, gaps, and opportunities for processors and producers in sectors of the Minnesota agriculture industry. Philocles offers insight into the wool, meat, and small-dairy industries in the state and his thoughts on leading this ongoing research.
Oct. 16, 2024
Meet AVA
In this episode of AURI's podcast, Jason Robinson, Business Development Director-Food at the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI), chats about AURI's new virtual assistant, AVA, providing 24/7 access to the knowledge and expertise of AURI's Food Team.
Oct. 3, 2024
Food | Ag | Ideas Week 2024
In this episode of AURI\'s podcast, Allison Hohn, Executive Director of Naturally Minnesota, provides a preview of Food | Ag | Ideas Week 2024. She also chats about Grow North\'s transition to Naturally MN and supporting Minnesota\'s food and ag ecosystem.
Sept. 18, 2024
What's Up with Cold Storage in Minnesota?
In this episode, Kim Nesvig, Project and Resource Manager at the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI), and Mike Reiber, Founder/CEO of Axiom, discuss the findings of AURI's Cold Storage Report, including access, geographical availability, suitability, the state of existing facilities, and more.
Sept. 4, 2024
Climate Change Opportunities for Value-Added Agriculture
In this episode, Ariel Kagan, Climate and Working Lands Program Director at the Minnesota Farmers Union discusses her work supporting farmers and producers, the importance of the Farm Bill, and AURI's Fall Webinar Series on Climate Change Opportunities for Value-Added Agriculture.