The Future of Crop Protection Starts 10 Years Ahead: with Tony Klemm & Tom Meade | Ep. 115

What if the biggest decisions shaping your farm today are actually being made a decade in advance?In this episode of the AgCulture Podcast, Paul sits down with Tony Klemm (CEO) and Tom Meade (Chief Science Officer) from Enko Chem at the World AgriTech Summit to explore how the next generation of crop protection is being built.Unlike most of agriculture, where decisions are made season to season, Enko is working on problems that don’t fully exist yet — identifying future pest, disease, and resistance challenges and developing solutions years before they reach the farm gate. Using advanced discovery technologies adapted from the pharmaceutical industry, they are rethinking how new chemistries are identified, tested, and brought to market.This conversation dives into the shift happening in crop protection — from legacy molecules and slowing innovation pipelines to a new model built on collaboration, precision application, and more sustainable, highly targeted solutions.If you want to understand where chemistry, regulation, and farm productivity are heading — and what tools will be in your toolbox 10 years from now — this is a conversation worth paying attention to.Listen to the episode now!MEET THE GUESTSTony KlemmTony Klemm is the CEO of Enko Chem, Inc. with over 30 years of experience in agricultural biotechnology. Prior to joining Enko in 2025, he served as VP of Global Business Development and Licensing at Corteva Agriscience, where he led strategic growth and innovation in the Seeds Business Unit. Tony has held leadership roles at Dow AgroSciences and DowDuPont and has extensive experience in global negotiations, partnerships, and commercialization strategies. He holds an Executive MBA in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University and a Bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University.Tom Meade, Ph.D.Tom Meade is Chief Science Officer at Enko Chem and has more than 30 years of experience in crop protection and trait discovery. He began his career at Mycogen and later held leadership roles at Dow AgroSciences, where he led global traits discovery. Tom has authored multiple scientific publications and holds 27 U.S. patents. He earned his Ph.D. in Entomology from UC Riverside.ABOUT THE PODCASTDiscover the world of agriculture with the "Ag Culture Podcast". This podcast will be a gateway for those passionate about agriculture to explore its global perspectives and innovative practices.Join Paul as he shares his experiences in the agricultural industry, his travels and encounters with important figures around the world.Available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.Subscribe at http://www.agculturepodcast.com and keep an eye out for future episodes, bringing insights and stories from the vibrant world of agriculture.