Dr. Poornima Parameswaran is the President and Co-Founder of Trace Genomics. Trace Genomics is a company that based its business around mapping living soil, analyzing its microbial content, and helping growers maximize yield potential without sacrificing sustainability. Poornima’s goal is to build the world’s most massive actionable body of soil intelligence, allowing even ordinary farmers to have access to expert information on what’s underground. Poornima earned her Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology at Stanford University School of Medicine, her entrepreneurial skills at Stanford University Graduate School of Business, and her Bachelor’s degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology at The University of Texas at Austin.   Poornima joins me today to discuss how Trace Genomics seeks to improve farm yield and sustainability through genetic testing for soil. She shares the benefits of knowing which microbes are dominant in a particular farmland. She also explains how their analytics engine works, their process, and what a typical scenario using their technology would be like.       “There are two sides of the coin when you’re looking at what is causing production losses above ground.” - Dr. Poornima Parameswaran         This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast:   The questions farmers have before submitting soil samples. Diseases that can be prevented by genetic testing for soil Knowing when it is a soil health issue instead of a disease problem. Developing food in the perspective of sustainability and not just increased yields. How they know which microbes are important for the soil. The challenges that are top of mind to growers regarding soil health. The action steps they can take based on the data they gathered from growers. Variability of microbe samples in similar soil samples. How they reconcile the difference between gene presence and gene expression. Why they don't have that many companies as competition.       Connect with Dr. Poornima Parameswaran:   Trace Genomics         This episode is sponsored by Indigo Ag   What if surviving a drought began with just a microbe? What could accessing 10,000 buyers do for your agriculture business? Indigo Ag helps farmers improve profitability, environmental sustainability, and consumer health by working with growers to reimagine every aspect of the agriculture industry - from soil to sale.   To learn more about Indigo Ag and their mission to improve the environment and agriculture industry, visit IndigoAg.com/Questions   Indigo. From questions… we grow.     We Are a Part of a Bigger Family!    The Future of Agriculture Podcast is now part of the Farm and Rural Ag Network. Listen to more ag-related podcasts by subscribing on iTunes or on the Farm and Rural Ag Network Website today.      Join the Conversation! To get your most pressing ag questions answered and share your perspective on various topics we’ve discussed on the Future of Agriculture podcast, head over to SpeakPipe.com/FutureofAg and leave a recorded message!   Share the Ag-Love!    Thanks for joining us on the Future of Agriculture Podcast – your spot for valuable information, content, and interviews with industry leaders throughout the agricultural space! If you enjoyed this week’s episode, please subscribe on iTunes and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share it with your friends on your favorite social media spots!    Learn more about AgGrad by visiting:  Future of Agriculture Website AgGrad Website AgGrad on Twitter  AgGrad on Facebook  AgGrad on LinkedIn  AgGrad on Instagram