Benjamin Feagin Jr., CEO of Hydroponics Social Enterprise, AgriTech North
Thu May 29 2025
S2 E8 AGRITECH NORTH
The final episode of Season 2 of the Frontier Entrepreneurship Podcast brings us to Dryden in Northwestern Ontario where we meet Benjamin Feagin Jr., Co-Founder & CEO of a social enterprise that is tackling the challenge of food security through advancements in hydroponics. Ben introduces us to AgriTech North and challenges our assumptions about organic food systems, sustainability and workforce development, and how indoor agriculture should be tackled in rural and remote communities. In conversation with Frontier co-hosts Braden Kemp (Fundspoke) and Tracy Morningstar (CCIB), Ben explains why we should decentralize R&D infrastructure, while carefully timing and managing strategic investments in innovation.
References
On CEA- Controlled Environment Agriculture (UNDP)
Canadian Organic Standards (Government of Canada)
Canada Organic vs. USDA Organic – The Organic Council of Ontario
City of Dryden, Ontario, Canada
Grand Council - Treaty 3 and The Northwestern Ontario Métis Community.
Acknowledgments
The Executive Producer of the Frontier Entrepreneurship Podcast is Robert Washburn. Special thanks to Daniela Scoppa, Heather Cannings and John Hayden. This project is made possible with the support of FedDev Ontario and the Government of Canada.
For more information on our podcast, including co-host biographies, click here.
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The Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB) builds bridges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, businesses and communities through diverse programming, providing tools, training, network building, major awards, and national events.
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S2 E8 AGRITECH NORTH The final episode of Season 2 of the Frontier Entrepreneurship Podcast brings us to Dryden in Northwestern Ontario where we meet Benjamin Feagin Jr., Co-Founder & CEO of a social enterprise that is tackling the challenge of food security through advancements in hydroponics. Ben introduces us to AgriTech North and challenges our assumptions about organic food systems, sustainability and workforce development, and how indoor agriculture should be tackled in rural and remote communities. In conversation with Frontier co-hosts Braden Kemp (Fundspoke) and Tracy Morningstar (CCIB), Ben explains why we should decentralize R&D infrastructure, while carefully timing and managing strategic investments in innovation. References On CEA- Controlled Environment Agriculture (UNDP) Canadian Organic Standards (Government of Canada) Canada Organic vs. USDA Organic – The Organic Council of Ontario City of Dryden, Ontario, Canada Grand Council - Treaty 3 and The Northwestern Ontario Métis Community. Acknowledgments The Executive Producer of the Frontier Entrepreneurship Podcast is Robert Washburn. Special thanks to Daniela Scoppa, Heather Cannings and John Hayden. This project is made possible with the support of FedDev Ontario and the Government of Canada. For more information on our podcast, including co-host biographies, click here. Today’s Advertisement The Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB) builds bridges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, businesses and communities through diverse programming, providing tools, training, network building, major awards, and national events.