S9E116 Cody Journell / Vegg, Inc. - Revolutionizing Vertical Farming & Supporting Local Farmers

Are you keen to discover the future of farming? Unveil the revolutionary world of vertical farming with our esteemed guest, Cody Journell, founder and CEO of Vegg, Inc. Cody, with his vast knowledge and innovative approach to Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), is pioneering a fresh perspective on how we perceive agriculture. This episode takes you on a thrilling journey into the heart of Vegg, Inc., where old school buildings transform into thriving vertical farms.

Step inside the unique landscape of vertical farming as we discuss how Vegg, Inc. is changing the game with their comprehensive guidance on infrastructure development, leasing options, and revenue models. We delve into their budding relationships with regional feed hubs and how these alliances might revolutionize local farming. We also reflect on the GAP Summit and the challenges small and medium-sized farmers face. Hear directly from Cody as he offers a glimpse into his leadership journey and how he is preparing his team for an industry that is in perpetual motion.

Lastly, we try to break down the intricacies of vertical farming for the everyday individual and understand the role it plays in preserving our farmlands. We evaluate how consumer habits need to change for vertical farming to be more widely accepted and discuss how the US could potentially halt the alarming loss of thousands of acres of farmland per day. Be inspired by the potential of Vegg, Inc.'s projects that aim to provide education and workforce development in rural areas. Tune in for an enlightening conversation that might just reshape your understanding of agriculture and its future.

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Key Takeaways

05:44 - Real Estate and Problem-Solving

10:05 - Historic Tax Credits and Building Challenges

15:36 - Scaling Vegg

24:15 - Journey as CEO and Team Growth

29:05 - Vegg's Potential Locally and Nationally

33:47 - Concept of Vertical Farming and Messaging

38:53 - The Viability of Vertical Farming Careers

Tweetable Quotes

"We're losing I think we're losing somewhere around 2,000 acres of farmland in the US per day to redevelopment. So that's 700 plus thousand a year that we're losing. Populations increasing, consumer preferences are changing. They want more food, which we have less land, and they want it grown in an environmentally friendly manner. So how are we going to solve that problem? In walks, vertical farming and CEA."

"We had a family farm that was passed down through generations and generations and it's just it's not something that kids are growing up and doing now."

"One of my favorite things about real estate is the fact that it is 100% what problems you can solve, whether you're successful or not. So whether it's even a transaction that you're helping someone out with, or it's a building that you're looking at to develop, or there's some zoning requirements that you have to work around, it's always a problem that's being solved and you know you solve big problems and you know big profits follow."

Resources Mentioned

Cody's Website - https://www.vegginc.com/

Cody's Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cody-journell-8677602b

Cody's Email - [email protected]

Cody's Instagram - https://instagram.com/codyjournell

Virginia Tech - https://www.vt.edu/

Cultivatd - https://cultivatd.com/

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences - https://www.cals.vt.edu/

GAP Summit - https://globalbiotechrevolution.com/events/gapsummit-2020

Connect With Us

VFP LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/verticalfarmingpodcast

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

VFP Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/direct/inbox/

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

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Sponsor Links

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Cultivatd’s Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/cultivatdco/

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Mentioned in this episode:

2025 Precision Ag Report by iGrowNews

2025 Precision Ag Report

2025 Precision Ag Report by iGrowNews

2025 Precision Ag Report