Don Wingate Of Schneider Electric: Urban Farming and Community Supported Agriculture; Why It’s Important and Why You Should Get Involved

An Interview With Martita Mestey

… Inflation is a severe problem for our country. It is eating away at savings, stifling economic growth and causing hard choices for families. People can help ease food costs by planning modest vegetable gardens in their back yard or on a patio. Community gardens are springing up. But in my opinion, larger scale indoor farms are a better answer to help solve foundational problems in the food chain. Leveraging infrastructure investments now will help blunt the burn of inflation.

The recent growth of Urban Farming and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) has been a modern revolution in the agriculture sector. What exactly are the benefits of Urban and Community Farming? How is this better for the environment or our health? What are the drawbacks? How can one get involved? To address these questions, we are talking to leaders of Urban and Community Agriculture who can share insights based on their experience. As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Don Wingate. Don is the Vice President of Sales, Strategic Customers & Solutions at Schneider Electric.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your “backstory”? What led you to this particular career path?

I always knew I was interested in selling and business development. Providing new technology and ways to better manage business was a passion. I have career stints at Oracle, General Electric and Cap Gemini and Telvent, which brought me to Schneider Electric through an acquisition.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began this fascinating career?

When I started with Schneider Electric, my focus was primarily leading a team focused on strategic utility accounts. Helping to modernize the grid was satisfying, but the big trend was moving to a more decentralized grid. Having the opportunity to now help transform our energy landscape to a more sustainable and resilient ecosystem is life changing.

You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?

Three traits that have helped me — and I would encourage others to embrace — are embrace change, follow your convictions and be open to diversity. Embracing change is fundamental. There have been times with management changes and reorganizations occur and it can be daunting. Yet I have found that rather than push back, diving in to learn and support will most often bring rewards and success.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

Early in my career, a manager offered up a suggestion to “don’t let the highs and lows dominate you”. Staying the course and following our convictions with a calm approach can win the day.

Can you share something about your work that makes you most proud? Is there a particular story or incident that you found most uplifting?

Work and family are always linked. My career has taken me on several journeys but has also allowed me to support my family. I have a long and wonderful marriage and two grown daughters I am extremely proud of. Without family support, I would never have received the success I have made in my career and in turn I have been able to raise a family and provide for them.

Ok super. Let’s now shift to the main part of our discussion about Urban Farming and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). Let’s begin with a basic definition so that all of us are on the same page. Can you help explain to our readers what Urban Farming and Community Supported Agriculture is?

Urban Farming and community supported agriculture is a significant trend that will transform food sources as we know it. Construction of vertical farms that are placed in urban areas with both water and energy efficient technology will provide healthy, cost effective and fresh options in an equitable manner.

Can you help articulate a few reasons why Urban Farming and Community Supported Agriculture is better for the environment?

Water and sustainable energy are two foundational components. Vertical farming generally uses 95–97% less water than conventional farming. Additionally, modern indoor farms use solar and carbon capture technologies to reduce fossil fuels/plastics and have less product waste. The result is improved nourishment, higher yields, and better flavor with no resources going to waste.

By backing solar generation with a microgrid plus battery storage, indoor farming systems can capture and store energy to run independently from the grid. Farms can continue to run during a power outage or natural disaster, and can even share excess energy back with the local community to keep the power on during an outage.

Can you help articulate a few reasons why Urban Farming and Community Supported Agriculture is better for our health?

When you can have a greater degree of control over the environmental conditions you have better produce. Farm to Table means less spoilage, longer shelf life, better taste, and availability. Cross country transportation costs can be removed with the added benefit of using less harmful environmental fuels. Also, urban farming can start to address the problem of food deserts in disadvantaged communities.

Keeping “Law of Unintended Consequences” in mind, can you see any potential drawbacks about Urban Farming and Community Supported Agriculture that people should think more deeply about? What can be done to address that?

Change, new technologies and different approaches that need both time and money. Investments are needed and sometimes chasing “shiny objects” can backfire. Community support and engagement is needed, government support and programs can be helpful, and picking the right partners with experience and commitment should be top of mind.

Where should someone start if they would like to “get into” urban farming?

Research libraries and the internet for companies involved and programs that can help. Talk to organizations that have been early adopters. Look to the investment community to help. Understand the products and solutions available to create a more sustainable farming system.

Low to no budget? Look to energy-as-a-service and microgrid-as-a-service business models that can eliminate up front costs and pass them on to a service provider.

Not sure what you need to consider? Look at the pioneers, like Fifth Season, who have achieved sustainable farming systems already — learn from their journey.

Want to innovate? Research what’s being done today vs. how it should be done tomorrow. Consider vertical farming for a smaller footprint and higher yield.

How does inflation affect Urban Farming? What steps have you taken to keep costs down?

Inflation is a severe problem for our country. It is eating away at savings, stifling economic growth and causing hard choices for families. People can help ease food costs by planning modest vegetable gardens in their back yard or on a patio. Community gardens are springing up. But in my opinion, larger scale indoor farms are a better answer to help solve foundational problems in the food chain. Leveraging infrastructure investments now will help blunt the burn of inflation.

Can you please share your “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Got Involved With Urban Farming and Community Supported Agriculture”? If you can, please share a story or example for each.

Here are 5 things people have said — that have since been debunked!

• “It can’t be done” — Look to companies like Fifth Season and Robotany for examples. It CAN be done.
• “It costs too much to start” — New business models (think EaaS: Energy as a Service) are emerging to transfer upfront capital costs to predictable operating costs.
• “You’re dreaming” — Yes, people dream, and people also act on inspiration to get results.
• “Indoor farming products will not taste good” — Locally grown and sourced food tastes better and has a longer shelf life.
• “There is too much competition to introduce new products into grocery stores” — Whole Foods, as just one example, embraces locally grown brands.

Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 😊

Elon Musk — The wealthiest person in the world who is a visionary in electrification and sustainability should be all over the concept of more sustainable food sources and reducing food deserts in urban areas.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

Connect on LinkedIn.

Thank you for these fantastic insights. We greatly appreciate the time you spent on this.