Pierre’s logs

80+ minutes long presentation, with audio

Designers have traditionally focused on enhancing the look and functionality of products.  Recently, they have begun using design tools to tackle more complex problems, such as finding ways to provide low-cost healthcare throughout the world.  Businesses were first to embrace this new approach—called design thinking—now nonprofits are beginning to adopt it too.

Some standouts for me from the conference [Agriculture 2.0] (in order of appearance not importance!)

Tod Murphy from Vermont’s Farmer’s Diner. He talked about working with farmers and creating a business that was successful and practical. Love that his diner serves the farmers he buys products from.

Carol Kramer LeBlanc, from US Department of Agriculture where she serves as the director of Sustainable Development. Her talk was interesting because she outlined all the new programs available to farmers. Cannot wait to see the impact of these new programs in our rural communities!

Diana Endicott from Good Natured Farms a cooperative of 18 family farms in Kansas and Missouri. Very inspiring woman and organization. Great model for farmers getting together to save rural communities.

Craig Wichner who founded Vital Farmland, LP which invests in farmland and turns it into organic/sustainable farms. Would love to talk to him about all the farmland we have in upstate New York!

Pam Marrone, from Marrone Biopesticides an organic pesticide alternative manufacturer. Very impressed with her presentation, frankly a lot of the talk went over my head but from what I gathered she is a one-woman scientific powerhouse that has been creating patented biopesticides. Seems like there is a lot of exciting stuff that is and will be coming out of her company. Very cool.

Melina Shannon-DiPietro from Yale Sustainable Food Projects who spoke about the energy and commitment of today’s college student. Very inspiring and true, young people want to change the world with their minds and bodies. Cannot wait to see the energy these young people bring to farming and food in America!

Entrepreneurs, farmers, scientists, academics, government officials, heads of investment funds focused on alternative agriculture - a ‘who’s who’ of the rapidly growing sustainable agriculture industry – met in New York for this all-day event. 

Agriculture 2.0^TM is the starting point for the next stage of growth in sustainable agriculture – bringing together top-tier capital sources, business leaders and innovators. 

It's the first time I hear about Agriculture 2.0 !
2.0 is an amazing trend ! I am currently attending the Paris 2.0 conference here in Paris !

What about World 2.0 ?!

The new currencies reflect a changing landscape for scarcity, what any currency is based on.

In a time where information is abundant, there needs to be a new definition of what's becoming scarce: attention, trust, reputation.

The centralized currency was developed by monarchs in the 12th and 13th century to prevent peer-to-peer transactions.

The real dividend, he says, is diversity: In an era of industrial agriculture, where millions of acres are planted with the same variety of corn and millions of pigs are bred to be genetically similar, small local farms are the ultimate hedge fund. They preserve heirloom seeds and quirky breeds; strengthen the soil with organic nutrients; create local markets that connect producer directly to consumer.