Iowa Promotes Its Strengths in Agriculture, Food and Bioscience Innovation
Iowa, in the central United States, is promoting its agricultural output, university research and investment as drivers of agtech innovation. The push follows seed company Vylor's move to Johnston, Iowa.
Iowa is being positioned as a hub for agriculture, food and bioscience innovation in the US Midwest. The occasion is last month's relocation of seed company Vylor, a spinout from agricultural group Corteva, to Johnston, Iowa. Pioneer, a brand in Vylor's seed genetics portfolio, has operated from Johnston for more than a century.
Production strengths
Iowa leads the United States in corn, pork and egg production, and ranks in the top 10 for soybeans, beef, turkey, milk and wind energy. Twenty-nine of the 100 largest food manufacturers and processors operate in the state, along with five global animal health brands.
Todd Frazier, chair of the America's Cultivation Corridor board and Vylor's vice president of US marketing, says a farm field or livestock barn is a short drive away anywhere in the state. That lets companies and entrepreneurs test new technologies directly with producers.
Research and support for founders
Iowa State University's undergraduate agricultural engineering program ranks first nationally, and its entrepreneurship program ranks ninth among 300 universities. University president David Cook says nearly one in five jobs in Iowa is linked to agriculture. The university runs several research facilities, including the BioCentury Research Farm and the Digital Ag Innovation Lab. The University of Iowa's Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing adds biotechnology capacity.
RuralSTAMINA, backed by a $15 million National Science Foundation investment, brings together more than 70 partners across Iowa and Nebraska. BioMADE plans a biomanufacturing facility at Iowa State's BioCentury Research Farm.
Early-stage companies can turn to Ag Startup Engine and BioConnect Iowa. The Iowa State University Research Park covers more than 550 acres and offers over 1 million square feet of workspace in 16 buildings.
A recent report named Iowa the Midwest's leading state for agtech investment from 2021 through 2025, with more than 70 deals worth over $245 million.
