Amy, tell us about your one of the best and rewarding memories as a women journalist?
Winning the grant from the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) at the end of 2016 was a milestone in my career. It was the first grant that I had applied for and received, and it afforded me the opportunity to create my first documentary--until then I was mostly a print journalist. Most importantly it launched From Farms to Incubators, an award-winning short documentary that tells the stories of women innovators and entrepreneurs in the growing space of agtech. The documentary and subsequent written profiles shed light on a story that was previously untold—here was a new generation of women creating innovations to help tackle farming challenges.

What made you think of starting a wonderful journey with Farms to Incubators?
I didn’t think or plan this, it came to me. In 2016 I was sent to Salinas Valley to write about local government for the Salinas Californian. In the Salinas Valley agriculture is a $9 billion industry and 80% of the leafy greens that we eat in the U.S. are produced there. This opportunity opened my eyes to agriculture, an industry that was at the time completely new to me. I grew up in the suburbs of New York and did not come from a farming family. I never stepped foot on a working farm until I was into my 30s. I observed that there were not a lot of women leaders in agriculture, especially women of color. When the city started developing the agtech economy and launched at agtech business center (the Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology), I began asking how many minority women entrepreneurs in agtech are there? I received radio silence but I believe the women existed and their stories existed so I persisted until I unearthed the women and their stories.

Tell us briefly – what is Farms to Incubators? Why you think it is so important?
From Farms to Incubators is media/events initiative that connects, elevates, and inspires women in agrifoodtech through our various storytelling efforts that amplify the voices and contributions of leaders and entrepreneurs in the industry. Our growing community provides education, training and mentorship for women working in agrifoodtech. We are inspiring the next generation of agrifoodtech leaders to consider careers in this sector, especially those interested in environmental and social justice. The work involves the following: celebrating women leaders and entrepreneurs in agtech- one story at a time. Building upon our award-winning documentary and book we will continue showcasing women innovators in food, farming and agrifoodtech with a focus on women of color.We focus on Education: Training, mentorship, and workshops. Community: Building one of the most comprehensive directories of women in agrifood.

What are your thoughts on- women, young women leaders, farmers, Ag Tech and change makers at a time when climate change is impacting the world?
Women innovators and entrepreneurs in agtech are tremendous changemakers when it comes to providing the solutions to farmers who face mounting challenges under the realities of climate change. The obvious challenges include land and water management—the West is becoming more and more dry and the East is becoming more and more wet. There is an ongoing labor shortage as fieldworkers age out with future generations not replacing them. AI, blockchain, robotics, sensors, aerial drone imaging, are some solutions.

As a journalist what do you think- media can make a difference in rethinking agriculture and women’s leadership roles in ending global poverty and hunger at a time climate change is challenging everyone?
Storytelling and specifically journalism plays a critical role in communicating the importance of agriculture to the general public. Farming has never been considered sexy but we all eat. The pandemic really helped to shed light on the importance of how our food is grown and who grows it. In telling the stories of the people working in the fields, the packing houses and in this fast-growing sector called agtech, the public gains a further understanding and appreciation as to how important it is to be kind to our land, environment, and to support local farmers. I choose to focus on writing about women leaders and innovators in agtech because I also want to send out a message to youth (especially young women) that agriculture is much more than tractors and overalls, it offers a wealth of career opportunity in finance, investment, research, marketing and data. If you are a young woman studying or with background in science, technology, engineering and math, there are so many opportunities in food and farming. The sky is the limit.

AmyWu is the Creator & Chief Content Director of From Farms to Incubators, a multimedia platform that uses documentary, video, photography and the written word to tell the stories of women leaders and innovators in agtech. It has a mission of highlighting women in food, farming, and farmtech, especially women of color. From Farms to Incubators includes a documentary and abook that spotlights women leaders in ag and agtech. The initiative was awarded grants from the International Center for Journalists and International Women’s Media Foundation's Howard G. Buffett Fund. In 2020 Amy was named on Worth magazine’s “Groundbreakers 2020 list of 50 Women Changing the World” list. She was also a recipient of the Women in Agribusiness Demeter Award of Excellence. In 2019 Amy was named by Food Tank as one of “15 Inspiring Women Leading in the AgTech Sector.” She serves as an Entrepreneurship Advisor for the Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy’s Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute. Amy also spent over two decades as an investigative reporter at media outlets including the USA Today Network where she reported on agriculture and agtech for The Salinas Californian. She’s also worked at Time magazine, The Deal and contributed to The New York Times, The Huffington Post and The Wall Street Journal. 10-6-22