Two central Ohio-based institutions, Nationwide and Ohio State University, are collaborating to encourage the development of new solutions to help the agricultural ecosystem, while better understanding, managing and mitigating climate risk.

The new AgTech Innovation Hub was announced at this year’s Ohio Farm Science Review with the focus being on helping the agricultural industry meet the ever-changing concerns of its stakeholders with a variety of tools, resources, skill sets and funding platforms.

Nationwide is pledging up to $2 million in initial funding to identify and execute initiatives for the Innovation Hub and plans to provide additional funding and resources in the future.

“Transitioning to a green economy, climate change — these are long-view issues that won’t be fixed overnight," said Kirt Walker, Nationwide’s CEO. “Agriculture is a part of Nationwide’s DNA, and we believe it’s important to invest in resources that pave the way for a vibrant and robust food supply chain. This innovation hub will be an incubator for those groundbreaking ideas. We are proud to partner with our colleagues and experts at Ohio State and to provide the funding to support this exciting and important work.”

According to a recent report by the EPA, climate change could make it more difficult to grow crops, raise animals and catch fish in the same ways and same places as have been done in the past. Changes in the frequency and severity of droughts and floods brought on by climate volatility are real threats to farmers, ranchers and the world.

Innovative solutions

“This partnership will build on the collaborative that Nationwide and the Nationwide Foundation already have with the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences and Ohio State University,” said Cathann A. Kress, Ohio State’s vice president for agricultural administration and dean of CFAES. “It will challenge our students and faculty to bring innovative solutions to the table to tackle the grand challenges we face regarding the nexus of ecosystem sustainability, food security and viable production agriculture.”

The hub will promote applied research, technology transfer, the exchange of knowledge and experience, and transdisciplinary innovation in support of agricultural technology. Programs in scope may include early-stage entrepreneurs, mature companies or producers developing new or value-added products or manufacturing processes, collaborations across institutions or industries, or those seeking new solutions to supply chain or other challenges in the food and agricultural ecosystems.

“The agricultural industry is on the front lines of the climate change battle. Not only are farmers significantly impacted by the negative impacts of greenhouse gas emissions, they also can — and must — play a key role in reducing them,” Ohio State President Kristina M. Johnson said. “From carbon sequestration to adopting new technologies to further green farming practices, this partnership will help establish best practices to safeguard both our food supply and our environment for future generations. Our thanks to Nationwide for helping make this possible.”

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