Ag Is for People: Rethinking the Future of Farming With Connie Bowen

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.