Episode 134 Joel Weber

Joel Weber is a driven entrepreneur known for his perseverance, adaptability, and ability to anticipate industry shifts before they happen. Raised on a family farm in Manitoba, Joel developed an early work ethic baling hay, repairing equipment, and learning firsthand the value of resilience and problem-solving. Neurodivergent and proudly ADHD, Joel leverages hyperfocus, pattern recognition, and relentless curiosity as competitive advantages in business. With a strong foundation in vocational drafting and engineering, he began his career at SAMSON Engineering, where he advanced from junior CAD technician to Computer Aided Design Manager. There, he led multidisciplinary project teams and worked on large-scale commercial, industrial, and civil developments across Western Canada. Joel later returned to his agricultural roots, building a commercial hay and straw operation that serviced customers across Canada and the United States. After a life-altering tractor accident ended his conventional farming career, he pivoted — transforming adversity into innovation. In 2017, Joel founded Fresh Forage Farms Ltd., a vertical farming company that has achieved consistent annual growth of 130–150%. Under his leadership, the company supplies microgreens, edible flowers, and specialty crops to major grocery chains including Loblaws, Sobeys, Save-On-Foods, CO-OP, and premium restaurants. Joel built the company from the ground up — overseeing production systems, regulatory compliance, packaging, business strategy, and team development. His passion for environmental solutions led him to found Lakewater Nutrient Capture Ltd. in 2024, focused on addressing phosphorus pollution in Lake Winnipeg. The company has completed advanced startup programming through North Forge, filed Canadian and U.S. patents for its filtration technology, and won the Audience Choice Award at the 2024 MEIA Cleantech Conference Green Dragons’ Lair Pitch Competition. Joel is actively collaborating with industry leaders, Indigenous communities, and policymakers to bring scalable water remediation solutions to market. Known for his ability to solve complex problems with practical, engineered solutions, Joel thrives in high-pressure environments and excels at building resilient, adaptable businesses. Whether in agriculture, engineering, or cleantech innovation, he approaches every challenge with strategic vision and relentless execution.More