Ames, IA– The third session in the 2025 Graduate Program Seed Technology and Business’ (STB) free webinar series took a deep dive into the future of sustainable agriculture by highlighting how regenerative practices, biotech innovation, and supply chain partnerships are transforming how we grow, process, and deliver food.
Titled “Regenerative Agriculture, Low Carbon Products, & a Better Bean,” the May 21 session featured Scott Raubenstine, Vice President of Agricultural Services at Perdue AgriBusiness, and Han Chen, Co-Founder and CEO of ZeaKal. Together, they shared how their organizations are collaborating to bring forward more sustainable, profitable, and nutritious food products to the consumer.
“Sustainability is a team sport,” said Raubenstine, emphasizing that every partner in the supply chain, from farmer to processor to consumer, must have a seat at the table. Raubenstine outlined a vertically integrated supply chain model, which enables full traceability and measurable impact across stages of grain production, feed processing, animal care, and food packaging. He explained how regenerative agriculture practices, circular systems, and biodiesel-fueled logistics are helping Perdue meet science-based carbon reduction targets.
Chen introduced PhotoSeed, ZeaKal’s breakthrough trait technology that enhances photosynthesis, allowing soybeans and corn to capture more carbon and increase both oil and protein content without additional land or inputs. “Animals can’t eat yield,” Chen noted. “What matters is nutritional and processing value or what we call productivity as sustainability.”
Together, Perdue and ZeaKal, are working to develop EarthSmart Low Carbon Chicken, a new product line expected to launch in 2025–2026 that incorporates sustainable feed, renewable energy, and reduced packaging to support a more sustainable food system. “We’re reorienting agriculture to be driven by market pull, not just supply push,” said Chen. “It’s about aligning incentives so that everyone—especially farmers—benefits.”
The STB webinar series continues to bring timely, real-world insights to students, alumni, and professionals in seed science and agribusiness. For more information or to access recordings, visit www.seedgrad.iastate.edu. Be sure to register for next week’s final webinar:
Ag Market Outlook for 2025 and Beyond
Wednesday, May 28 at 12:00 noon CSDT
Dr. Chad Hart, Iowa State University
Dive into the data with an ag economist’s look at inflation, trade, policy, and profit potential for the year ahead.
You can register at: