In the final episode of Tech to Table – Growing Cleveland’s Future, host Anthony Gillespie sits down with three industry leaders to explore how Cleveland can scale up local food production, accelerate technology adoption, and build a more resilient and equitable food system for all.
Guests include Kevin Mackey, founder and director of the Urban Farming Initiative, transforming vacant spaces into thriving community food hubs; India Johnson, founder of UAVistas LLC, using drones and data science to advance conservation and STEM education; and Matt Keri, Senior Development Finance Analyst for Cuyahoga County, working at the intersection of economic development, innovation, and community impact.
Together, they share insights on the future of food-tech in Cleveland — from circular food networks and controlled-environment agriculture to aerial data collection and catalytic investments that strengthen neighborhoods.
Episode 4: Tech on the Ground – Community Voices
In this episode of Tech to Table – Growing Cleveland’s Future, we take the conversation from the lab to the neighborhood. Host Anthony Gillespie sits down with two community leaders who are putting agricultural technology to work every day in Cleveland’s urban farms.
Hear from Trey Williams, founder of Hood Honey, who’s building community resilience through beekeeping, pollinator education, and grassroots sustainability efforts in Mount Pleasant. Then, meet Sara Continenza, founder and executive director of Food Strong, whose nonprofit is transforming vacant lots into thriving gardens, operating a mobile farm stand, and advancing food equity across Northeast Ohio.
Together, Trey and Sara share how innovation and community leadership intersect — showing that technology in the hands of local changemakers can strengthen food systems, empower neighborhoods, and shape a healthier, more sustainable future for Cleveland.
In this episode of Tech to Table – Growing Cleveland’s Future, we turn our focus to technology in action. Host Anthony Gillespie of Parallax Advanced Research and the Ohio Aerospace Institute introduces listeners to the cutting-edge tools and pilot projects transforming how Cleveland’s urban farmers grow food — making operations more efficient, sustainable, and equitable.
Our featured guest is Brad Chedister, Founder, Director, and Chairman of LANDWERX Innovation Platform, a national agricultural innovation hub and partner in the Precision Urban Agriculture initiative. LANDWERX is pioneering new ways to accelerate solutions for agriculture, land, and food security by connecting local farmers with national networks, advanced technologies, and cross-sector expertise.
With a career rooted in high-level innovation leadership — from Department of Defense R&D to ecosystem building for Special Operations — Brad shares insights on how LANDWERX is bridging the gap between national security innovation and local food system resilience. Together, Anthony and Brad discuss how collaborative problem-solving and technology demonstrations are shaping the future of urban farming in Cleveland and beyond.
Listeners will gain a front-row seat to the tech demonstrations fueling the Precision Urban Agriculture initiative, and see how these projects are laying the groundwork for a stronger, more resilient, and more connected food system.
In this episode of Tech to Table – Growing Cleveland’s Future, we step outside city limits to learn from Ohio’s broader urban and community farming network. Host Anthony Gillespie of Parallax Advanced Research and the Ohio Aerospace Institute spotlights the work of Central State University’s Agriculture and Natural Resources team, an inspiring example of how communities across the state are building resilient food systems, supporting local growers, and leveraging innovation to strengthen their future.
Joining Anthony are two leaders shaping this movement: Dr. Alcinda “Cindy” Folck, Associate Extension Administrator and Program Leader of Agriculture and Natural Resources at CSU Extension, and Marc Amante, Interim Program Leader and Extension Educator for Southwest Ohio. Together, they share how CSU Extension is working with underserved and underrepresented populations, advancing sustainable practices, and nurturing the next generation of growers.
Dr. Folck brings more than 30 years of experience in Ohio agriculture, from livestock and soil conservation to statewide extension programming. Marc Amante, a farmer and educator with a background in agroecology and nonprofit food access, combines hands-on farming knowledge with a passion for helping others launch and sustain their own operations.
Through their stories, listeners will gain insight into Ohio’s deep agricultural legacy, the vital role of education and outreach in shaping community resilience, and the lessons Cleveland can learn from its neighbors. This episode plants seeds of collaboration, showing how local and statewide efforts can come together to grow stronger, healthier, and more equitable food systems.
Welcome to Tech to Table – Growing Cleveland’s Future, a five-part podcast series exploring how innovation is reshaping urban farming in our city. Hosted at Cleveland State University, the series shines a light on the Precision Urban Agriculture initiative, led by the Ohio Aerospace Institute in partnership with Parallax Advanced Research, with support from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (award 6SONANB24D146).
This opening episode, Planting the Future, introduces listeners to the vision and impact of the initiative. Host Anthony Gillespie, Director of Strategic and Technology-Based Partnerships and the Technology Transfer Office at Parallax/OAI, brings more than three decades of experience in technology transfer and commercialization across government, academia, and industry. As program director of the Urban Agriculture Initiative, he guides us through the project’s mission to connect Cleveland’s farmers, technologists, and community leaders, while showcasing how advanced tools and collaborative approaches can transform local food systems.
Joining Anthony is Dr. Stephanie Brooks, the inaugural dean of Cleveland State University’s College of Health. A licensed clinical social worker and marriage and family therapist, Dr. Brooks is a nationally recognized leader in health equity, integrated care, and workforce development. Her career reflects a commitment to eliminating disparities, promoting inclusive education, and advancing community-based solutions. Together, Anthony and Dr. Brooks discuss how urban agriculture intersects with public health, workforce opportunities, and the future resilience of Cleveland’s neighborhoods.
Through this conversation, listeners will gain an inside look at how Precision Urban Agriculture not only tackles food security but also creates pathways for innovation, health equity, and community empowerment. It’s the beginning of a series that celebrates Cleveland’s agricultural past, highlights today’s technological breakthroughs, and looks ahead to a more resilient and sustainable food future.