Certis Biologicals is a leading manufacturer and distributor of biological pesticides and biological crop production products including insect growth regulators, insecticidal soaps and baits, bio fungicides servicing the agriculture, turf, greenhouse, home, and garden markets.
You stepped into the role of President & CEO at Certis Biologicals in September. Where did your passion for agriculture and food first originate, and what is the greatest change you’ve observed in the agricultural industry since then?
My interest in agriculture started in the mid-90s while living in Iowa. I came from an academic and scientific background but quickly realized that I was driven to see how science could be applied practically for the greater good so I transitioned from my hardcore scientific career and pursued an MBA at Iowa State University, which has strong roots in agriculture and chemistry. I joined Becker Underwood as a chemist, focusing on formulations for agricultural uses, particularly seed coatings working across US, Canada, the UK, France, South Africa, Australia, Brazil, and Argentina—key agricultural regions producing food, fiber, and fuel. This global exposure solidified my passion for agriculture.
The most significant change has been the technological advancements aimed at achieving more efficient and sustainable crop production—not just for row crops, but also fruits, vegetables, berries, and nuts. There's been progress in classical chemistry and more sustainable solutions like biological inputs, which started gaining traction in the early 2000s. Biologicals provide new tools and modes of action to combat resistance to pests and diseases, which has become a major issue with the overuse of traditional chemistries.
Certis has a robust portfolio of over 40 products. Can you walk us through some of the innovations that excite you the most and their applications?
Certis has a strong history in agricultural biologicals, serving both organic and conventional practices. Our goal has always been to provide tools that add agronomic value by controlling pests and diseases, enhancing field performance, and improving crop quality. Biologicals are also complementary to traditional chemistries, acting as rotation partners or co-applications in integrated programs. Crop quality primarily relates to controlling pests and diseases to help growers produce higher yields and healthier crops. For example, our products enable better resistance management, improving the performance and overall quality of crops like fruits, vegetables, and nuts.
One product I’m particularly excited about is Convergence™, an EPA-registered biofungicide for row crops. It tackles tough soil-borne fungal and bacterial diseases when applied in-furrow and provides multiple modes of action. Its robust formulation offers flexibility, making it compatible with existing fungicide and herbicide programs. The active microbe in Convergence produces biochemicals like surfactin and iturin, which disrupt bacterial and fungal membranes while boosting plants’ immune systems. It also enhances crop fertility, increasing nutrient uptake and root-shoot weight.
Certis has a global footprint. Where do you see the core demand coming from as you look ahead to 2025?
The demand is driven by a combination of factors. From an agronomic standpoint, resistance management is key. When traditional chemistries are overused, pests and diseases develop resistance, reducing efficacy. Biological inputs, with their diverse modes of action, are critical tools to address this challenge. On the consumer side, there’s increasing demand for sustainable farming practices. Consumers want to know their food is produced responsibly, and biological inputs play a major role in meeting these expectations.
The demand for agricultural input products is truly global. The Americas—North and South—are significant regions, but Europe, Asia, and other markets are equally important. For example, we have a joint venture in India, which strengthens our presence in Asia. At Certis, we leverage our technology across multiple regions, developing products for one market and then evaluating their value in others. This approach allows us to maximize efficiencies and meet growers’ needs worldwide. It’s a borderless effort because the challenges and opportunities in agriculture are universal.
What challenges does this explosion in demand for biologicals present for the industry?
One of the key challenges, or rather opportunities, is keeping up with the growing demand. Certis is well-positioned for this, as we are vertically integrated with multiple manufacturing facilities in the US and a joint venture in India. Our R&D team and field development experts work closely to ensure we meet customer needs consistently and efficiently.
From a regulatory perspective, the Americas are relatively progressive. The US, Canada, Argentina, and Brazil have effective frameworks for biological products. Europe, however, presents more challenges with its complex and often inefficient regulatory processes. I hope that these hurdles don’t discourage innovation, as growers worldwide need access to these tools to meet their production challenges. Some of our products help growers meet stringent export regulations by reducing residues and ensuring food safety. This value-add makes it easier for growers to distribute their products across international borders efficiently.
As you look to the future, what technological advancements are you most excited about, particularly within Certis’ portfolio?
We are in collaboration with our sister company Certis Belchim, which recently introduced Toltek®, the first biological fungicide designed to combat Take-All disease in cereals across Europe. This groundbreaking seed treatment addresses a critical need, providing effective control and management of a devastating disease that affects nearly half of Europe's cereal-growing areas.Toltek® has also received prestigious recognition, earning the Gold Medal in the Bernard Blum Award for Biocontrol Product of the Year. This highlights Toltek®’s exceptional innovation, efficacy, and impact in advancing sustainable agricultural solutions. One of our recent innovations is Convergence, which I mentioned earlier. Its unique active microbe produces biochemicals that control bacterial and fungal diseases while boosting plant immunity and crop fertility. This innovation highlights how biologicals can complement traditional crop protection tools.
We also recently acquired two products—Howler® EVO and Theia®—which are exciting additions to our biofungicide portfolio. Theia is a broad-spectrum fungicide with multiple modes of action against foliar and soil-borne diseases. It activates the plant’s natural defenses and has a residue tolerance exemption from the US EPA, which ensures food safety and promotes efficient exports. Howler EVO complements Theia by targeting key diseases with a similarly broad spectrum. Together, these products enhance our ability to support both conventional and organic growers.
