S11E146 Jacob Savageau/FarmBox Foods - Mission-Driven Growth is Empowering Communities

Are you curious about the challenges and triumphs of building a business in the vertical farming industry? Join me as I sit down with Jacob, the Co-founder of FarmBox Foods, who shares his journey from firefighting to entrepreneurship. With a background in building companies and a passion for mission-driven work, Jake offers a unique perspective on the indoor farming space.

In our conversation, Jacob delves into the origins of FarmBox Foods, highlighting the company's evolution from an idea for shipping container homes to a thriving business in vertical farming. He discusses the development of their key products, including the Vertical Hydroponic Farm and the Gourmet Mushroom Farm, and the lessons learned along the way. Jacob’s insights into the importance of adaptability and learning from mistakes provide valuable takeaways for anyone interested in entrepreneurship.

We also explore the impact of COVID-19 on FarmBox Foods, the company's approach to team building, and the significance of mission-driven work. Jacob’s shares stories of how their products have made a difference in communities, from providing fresh food to creating educational opportunities. His reflections on the indoor farming industry and the importance of collaboration offer a thought-provoking look at the future of sustainable agriculture.

If you're eager to learn more about the innovative world of vertical farming and the inspiring journey of FarmBox Foods, click to listen to the full episode.

Discover how Jacob and his team are making a difference, one container at a time.

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Key Takeaways

05:34 Entrepreneurial beginnings and firefighting

10:09 Transition to solar and business influences

15:34 Founding FarmBox and initial challenges

20:46 Impact of COVID-19 on business operations

26:00 Product offerings and market focus

31:07 Mission-driven approach and community impact

36:33 Industry insights and future outlook for FarmBox

Tweetable Quotes

"We started FarmBox in late 2017... we didn't know anything about the industry, we didn't know anything about what we were doing. We just kind of jumped into it and figured it out."

"There's a lot of problems in the world and I think there's a lot of smart people that can solve those problems, but they need to solve them. So if we can be part of the solution, which we're not the solution, you know, we're just this little piece of it, I think that's powerful."

"I think our food system is broken... people need to start understanding, you know, if we don't change it, like if we don't start changing what we're putting in our bodies, it's going to be really bad."

Resources Mentioned

Website - https://farmboxfoods.com

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-savageau-0b99a5193/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/farmboxfoods/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@farmboxfoods

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VFP Twitter - https://twitter.com/VerticalFarmPod

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VFP Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VerticalFarmPod

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Mentioned in this episode:

2025 Precision Ag Report by iGrowNews

2025 Precision Ag Report

CEA Summit East 2024

CEA Summit East 2024

2025 Precision Ag Report by iGrowNews

2025 Precision Ag Report