When it comes to innovation in agriculture and food technology, BioSTL is helping shape the future, and people like Joey Jedlicka, our AgriFood Innovation Director, are helping lead the charge. Joey brings together farmers, startups, and cutting-edge ideas to strengthen St. Louis’ position as a global hub for AgriFood innovation.
We sat down with Joey to talk about his work, what drives him, and why he believes the St. Louis region is the place to be for anyone looking to change the future of food.
A Day in the Life of an AgriFood Innovation Director
Q: Can you walk us through what your role involves?
As part of BioSTL’s Global AgriFood team, I get to merge my technical background with my passion for agriculture. I help evaluate and support startups through our various initiatives, one of which is ReACH.
We also work closely with our Early Adopter Grower Innovation Community network, which is a group of forward-thinking farmers who are excited and eager to test new technologies and products on their farms. My role is to connect startups with these growers so they can get real-world feedback and field data. It’s all about collaboration, helping startups refine their innovations while giving farmers a front-row seat to the future of agriculture.
Building the AgTech Ecosystem in St. Louis
Q: What do you wish more people understood about your work or about BioSTL’s mission in general?
I wish more people realized just how special St. Louis is when it comes to AgTech. This region has become a premier global hub for innovation in the agrifood sector. We have deep roots here, major corporations, strong commodity groups, and a network of nonprofits like BioSTL that exist to support and connect these innovators.
Every startup’s journey is unique, and our approach reflects that. At BioSTL, we meet the startup where they are and help them take the next step in their journey.
A Hometown Connection
Q: Can you share an example of a success story or a memorable moment from your time here?
One of the most rewarding experiences has been connecting innovators with farmers in my hometown of Jerseyville, Illinois. As a scientist, I love seeing and analyzing data. Seeing that data come to life in real-world applications, especially in the place I grew up, is something special.
I think it’s important that these technologies not only succeed globally but also make a real impact here in the St. Louis area, where the roots of innovation run deep.
Roots in the Soil—and in Entrepreneurship
Q: What inspired you to pursue this field? What drew you to the AgTech world?
My connection to agriculture started early. My dad grew up on a farm, and while he moved away from the farm, he kept that green thumb alive and passed it down to me. Growing up, we had a large garden in our backyard. I loved growing pumpkins and decorative Indian corn.
Then I got a little bit of the business and entrepreneurial itch when we would sell these items at the local apple orchards or farmers markets. This experience led me to pursue a graduate degree in plant breeding and later to BioSTL, where I now get to support a portfolio of startup companies doing groundbreaking work in AgTech.
Why BioSTL?
Q: What excites you most about working at BioSTL?
I find BioSTL’s mission very rewarding. BioSTL exists to support innovation across the St. Louis region. In my previous roles, I worked within corporations developing new products to commercialize. Now, instead of focusing on one company’s products, I get to help multiple startups and innovators grow.
It’s incredibly fulfilling to guide these entrepreneurs as they take their technology from concept to market. Every success story feels like a shared win for the entire community.
Beyond the Lab: A Love for Adventure
Q: What’s something that might surprise us to learn about you?
I’ve always enjoyed traveling and exploring new places. From climbing partway up the Giza pyramids while I spent a summer in Egypt working on a soil science project, to watching a solar eclipse over the Andes Mountains in Argentina. These days, travel looks a little different. It’s more about Disney cruises and family adventures with my wife and our two young kids. But the curiosity that drives me hasn’t changed one bit.