S4E41: Craig Hurlbert - Going Slow To Go Fast

Episode Summary

Join Harry Duran, host of Vertical Farming Podcast, as he welcomes to the show, co- founder & co-CEO at Local Bounti, Craig Hurlbert. Local Bounti is an organization that strives to deliver the freshest, locally grown produce in your neighborhood. Local Bounti sustainably grows fresh greens and herbs 365 days a year in their greenhouses, using 90% less water and 90% less land than conventional agriculture.

Today, Harry and Craig talk about Craig’s extensive background in energy, from his time at General Electric (GE) to the origins of Local Bounti. Craig discusses the recent extreme weather and climate and how it has impacted the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) industry. Craig shares his views on leadership and why he chooses to lead through a centralized vision and goal. Finally, Craig speaks to the work Local Bounti is doing to support the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and why he’s rooting for all of his competitors in the CEA industry.

Episode Sponsor

CULTIVATD

Freight Farms

Key Takeaways

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• 01:14 – Harry welcomes to the show Craig Hurlbert, who joins the show to discuss his background in energy and the challenges we’re facing with the recent extreme weather and climate
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• 10:12 – Mentors that shaped Craig’s career trajectory
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• 14:45 – How Craig met his fellow co-founder, Travis Joyner and how their partnership has evolved
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• 18:21 – Leading through foresight and vision
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• 19:34 – Local Bounti’s origin story
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• 25:10 – Key factors in scaling a business
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• 28:53 – Working remotely vs. working in the office
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• 32:12 – Lessons Craig learned throughout his journey at Local Bounti
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• 35:52 – Supporting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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• 40:20 – Multiple winners in the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) industry
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• 46:12 – Never too high, never too low
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• 47:33 – Something Craig has changed his mind about recently
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• 50:42 – Harry thanks Craig for joining the show and let’s listeners know where they can learn more about Local Bounti and connect with Craig
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Tweetable Quotes

“Our desire to move more rapidly into renewable energy has cut out a bunch of what I would call ‘reliable 24/7/365 power supplies’ that are less renewable but more reliable. And that has created some challenges for the different grid systems across the United States.” (05:40) (Craig)

“I think when you approach every room you walk into in this manner – park your ego at the door, walk in, roll up your sleeves, we’re all peers, let’s move things forward – I think things work better.” (18:03) (Craig)

“Without unit economics, you don’t have a business.” (21:56) (Craig)

“I don’t like people who dabble. I don’t like dabbling. I think dabbling is the enemy of progress.” (24:45) (Craig)

“It’s important for the listeners to hear, as well, that there will be multiple winners in the CEA space. It’s not Local Bounti or nothing. We’re rooting for all of our competitors and really rooting for the while industry.” (40:20) (Craig)

Links Mentioned

Craig’s LinkedIn

Local Bounti Website

Local Bounti LinkedIn

Local Bounti YouTube Channel

Local Bounti Facebook

Local Bounti Pinterest

Sponsor Info:

Cultivatd Website

Cultivatd Instagram

Cultivatd’s Twitter

Cultivatd’s Facebook

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Mentioned in this episode:

2025 Precision Ag Report by iGrowNews

2025 Precision Ag Report

2025 Precision Ag Report by iGrowNews

2025 Precision Ag Report