Growth and Strain

Dow, GreenLight, Freight Farms, Planet Farms, ams OSRAM, VegPro and other companies navigate divestitures, innovations, closures, partnerships, and new growth opportunities this week.

Author

Sepehr Achard
May 02, 2025

Welcome to this week’s AgTech Digest!

As the AgTech landscape continues to evolve, this week’s edition covers several important developments from across the industry. In crop protection, Dow streamlines its portfolio while GreenLight Biosciences advances RNA herbicides. In greenhouse technology, we report on legal disputes, strategic partnerships, and new infrastructure. Vertical farming faces mixed signals, with Freight Farms closing its doors and Planet Farms securing major backing for expansion in Europe.

Plus — insights on regenerative agriculture in our featured interview, new funding rounds in ag biotech, and a packed calendar of upcoming industry events.

This Week’s Highlights Include:

Estimated Reading Time: 6 - 7 minutes

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CROP PROTECTION
Plant Science Highlights: Divesture, RNA Herbicide Milestone & More!

Dow sells Telone™ soil fumigant to TriCal Soil Solutions for $121M

  • Dow divests Telone™ to focus on core downstream markets.

  • TriCal plans targeted investments to grow the product line.

  • Deal reflects Dow’s "best-owner mindset" strategy.

GreenLight Biosciences advances RNA-based herbicide for resistant weeds

  • RNA platform targets horseweed in soybeans with minimal environmental impact.

  • Successful greenhouse and field trials completed.

  • Commercialization preparation underway following trial results.

Jord BioScience reports strong soybean yield gains from microbial inputs

  • Two-year trials show up to 3.1 bushels/acre yield increase.

  • Microbial leads integrated into standard seed treatments.

  • Success driven by data analytics and microbial interaction insights.

Rainbow Crops secures PINC investment to develop climate-resilient crops

  • Funding to scale Trait Foundry™ AI-powered breeding platform.

  • Focus on improving drought tolerance, heat resilience, and input efficiency.

  • Supports Paulig’s sustainable food system goals.

THIS WEEK’S EDITORIAL
Vertical Farming for Cosmetics: Opportunities, Technical Needs, Crop Fragility, Economic Considerations, and Limitations

As beauty brands face mounting pressure to source ingredients sustainably and transparently, a new solution is growing — indoors. Vertical farming, once reserved for leafy greens, is now entering the cosmetics supply chain, offering year-round, high-quality harvests of medicinal and aromatic plants.

In this exclusive deep dive, we explore how leading brands like Ulé, Molton Brown, and DSM-Firmenich are already integrating vertically farmed botanicals like tulsi, centella, patchouli, and saffron into skincare and fragrance products.

GREENHOUSE & HORTICULTURE
Greenhouse Updates: Lawsuit, Partnership & a New Glass Greenhouse In Quebec!

ams OSRAM files patent lawsuit against Nature Fresh Farms USA

  • Lawsuit alleges unauthorized use of ams OSRAM’s hyper-red LED technology.

  • Case involves seven U.S. patents tied to high-efficiency horticultural lighting.

  • The 660nm LED architecture is critical for controlled environment agriculture.

  • ams OSRAM may pursue additional legal actions internationally.

DENSO and Delphy partner on smart horticulture solutions

  • Signed MoU to co-develop integrated, data-driven greenhouse systems.

  • DENSO to provide environmental control and robotics expertise.

  • Delphy’s QMS platform will integrate crop data for optimized production.

  • Full system integration targeted by 2030 to ensure stable yields.

VegPro opens $135M Vermax glass greenhouse in Quebec

  • New 5.2-hectare facility ensures year-round local leafy green production.

  • Features include water recirculation, rain/snow collection, and energy optimization.

  • Partnership with Harnois Greenhouses integrates patented technologies.

  • Supports Quebec’s food sovereignty and emission reduction goals.

THIS WEEK’S INTERVIEW
Thomas Gent on Regenerative Ag: Tradition, Innovation, and the Future of UK Agriculture

  • Early shift to regenerative agriculture: Thomas Gent’s family began transitioning in 2008, prompted by declining soil health and economic viability.

  • Core principles of Gentle Farming: Focuses on improving soil health, reducing inputs, and creating space for nature.

  • Agreena and carbon markets: Thomas Gent highlights the role of Agreena in helping farmers monetise sustainable practices through carbon credits.

  • Machinery innovation from necessity: Facing a lack of suitable equipment, Thomas Gent’s family created their own direct drill technology, now patented and sold globally.

  • Call for farmer-led narrative: Gent urges farmers to take control of the sustainability conversation rather than letting it be shaped by retailers or regulators.

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VERTICAL FARMING
Vertical Farming Updates: High Profile Bankruptcy & Joint Venture

Freight Farms ceases operations amid industry challenges

  • Freight Farms officially shut down on April 30, 2025, following financial strain.

  • Closure impacts farmhand® software, support services, and local operations.

  • Follows failed merger with Agrinam Acquisition Corp. and layoffs earlier this year.

  • Reflects broader AgTech sector challenges: high costs, profitability hurdles, and shifting investor sentiment.

Planet Farms and Swiss Life Asset Managers launch €200M CEA partnership

  • Strategic partnership targets large-scale vertical farming infrastructure in Europe.

  • Swiss Life Asset Managers commits up to €125M; Planet Farms brings tech and expertise.

  • Projects include Italy’s Cirimido facility and new sites in the UK and Scandinavia.

  • Partnership aims to meet rising demand for local, sustainable produce.

OTHER NEWS
Other Updates: Funding Round, A New Private Credit Fund & More!

  • Growers Edge announces the first close of a new financing round led by S2G Investments, Cibus Capital, and Lowercarbon Capital. Other participants include Otter Creek, iSelect Fund, and Jeff Ubben, founder of ValueAct Capital.

  • Moolec Science entered into a Business Combination Agreement with Bioceres Group, Nutrecon, and Gentle Technologies Corp. The transaction will create an expanded organization focused on molecular farming, biological agriculture, and biotech manufacturing.

  • Hoofprint Biome secured a $15 million Series A round to accelerate commercialization of its methane-reducing feed additive for cattle. Investors include SOSV, Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund, Breakthrough Energy Fellows, and Alexandria Venture Investments.

  • Harvest Returns has launched its second Private Credit Fund, building on the success of its 2023 fund. The fund enables accredited investors to earn regular income by lending directly to U.S. farmers and agribusinesses.

  • Innov8.ag acquires 2nd Sight Bioscience, enhancing its end-to-end data ecosystem for specialty crop growers and agribusinesses. The acquisition integrates labor, yield tracking, and produce traceability with agronomic and yield forecasting solutions.

  • Boomitra has completed its first issuance of soil organic carbon (SOC) removal credits via the URVARA Project, supporting over 6,000 smallholder farmers. The URVARA Project is the first in India verified under the Social Carbon regenerative land management methodology.

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