This document discusses ways to enhance entrepreneurship and innovation in the food and agriculture sector. It notes challenges like population growth, diminishing resources, and climate change that create a need for entrepreneurship. However, agriculture students and STEM students often do not see themselves as entrepreneurs or connect their fields with agriculture. The document suggests reframing perceptions by highlighting sustainability, providing examples, and facilitating peer connections. It also recommends leveraging student interests through hands-on learning, mentoring, and networking to engage more students in entrepreneurship and innovation for agriculture.

1. Calling all Agripreneurs:
Enhancing entrepreneurship & innovation in
the food & agriculture space
Mark Gagnon and Joel Bolton

2. The need for E&I in agriculture
Population and
consumption
Diminishing resource
base
Inefficiencies
Energy
Climate change
Conflict over resources

3. Perception is the Problem
Ag students: we don’t think of ourselves
as…
Entrepreneurs
STEM students: agriculture?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMpZ0TGjbWE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zfqw8nhUwA

4. Perhaps it’s in the name
Agriculture & Terms
Dairy husbandry, agronomy, horticulture, forestry, etc.
Farm, crops, livestock = production agriculture
Shifts
food, ecosystems, genetics, renewable materials and
energy, local foods, organic, etc.

5. Perhaps it’s the Perception of
entrepreneur
Business person with suit & tie
Speak a different language
City lifestyle
Disconnect from natural
environment
Little appreciation for farming &
agricultural activities
IP Business model

6. Agriculture research scope at Penn State*
Ag Biological Engineering Animal Science Food Science
• Poultry • Food Safety/Pathogens
• Biosolid Systems
• Reproductive Physiology • Food Processes
• Ag Safety and Health
• Cattle Health • Food Ingredients
• Bioproducts-Cellulose
• Dairy Nutrition • Food Choices and Human
• Biofuels
• Avian Genetics Health
Entomology Plant Pathology Plant Science
• Integrated Pest Management • Turf Grass
• Turf Grass Diseases
• Malaria Research • Weed Management
• Fruit Vegetable
• Honey Bee Research • Root Systems
Diseases/Pathogens
• Insect Plant Interactions • Fruit/Vegetable Crops
• Fungi/Mushrooms
• Forest Pest Mitigation • Ornamentals/Horticulture
Veterinary Biological Ecosystem Science & Agricultural Economics
Science Management Sociology & Education
• Food System Economics &
• Avian Virology • Soil Science Sociology
• Johne’s Disease • Forest Ecology & Management • Community Development
• Infectious Disease • Fisheries Science • Sustainability in Food &
• Genetic Disease • Wildlife science Agriculture
• Entrepreneurship & Innovation
in Food and Agriculture
Department
*Based upon the author’s scan of topics at Penn State not intended to be all Key -- Capabilities
inclusive.

7. Levers to engage AgSci students
Don’t open with society’s notion of the entrepreneur
Connect on a more substantial level
Provide examples in communication to shift mindset
Facilitate peer-to-peer dialogue
Make it fun… entrepreneurs LOVE what they do

8. Levers to encourage STEM students
to innovate in agriculture
Open STEM students’ eyes
It’s not just "plows & cows”
Demonstrate tangible ties
Food, bio-energy, water, health & bio-materials
Discuss projects that impact the lives of real people
Foster peer-to-peer connections
Highlight the interplay of technology and agriculture

9. The BIG Hook- Sustainability
Providing for humanity today
and… tomorrow
Feeding the world, providing
clean water
Renewable energy and
materials
Improving the human
conditions
Fortifying natural and human ecosystems
http://agsci.psu.edu/futurestudents/careers/in-the-media/video-agriculture-degrees-the-hot-ticket-for-job-growth

10. Student Stories
Awareness
Hands-on experience
Mentoring
Networking
Skills on demand
Encouragement