344 | Rethinking Agriculture as a Climate Solution with Carlos Parea

Carlos Perea is the CEO & Co-founder of Terra Vera, a company dedicated to making it easier for farmers to grow valuable crops without the use of synthetic pesticides that are often linked to major environmental damage and health issues in your food. Their solutions are people, plant, pollinator and planet friendly and can unlock significant profitability. Carlos is particularly excited about the work they are doing to help save honeybees.

This episode is sponsored by the coaching company of the host, Paul Zelizer. Consider a Strategy Session if you can use support growing your impact business.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

Agriculture as a Climate Solution: Interview Transcript with Carlos Perea

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You can read the full transcript of this episode here



Key Topics on Agriculture as a Climate Solution with Carlos Perea

  • From Mold Killer to Bee Saver:

    • Carlos Perea’s entrepreneurial journey started with a solution for molds and mildew but pivoted to saving honeybee colonies from devastating varroa mites.

    • Field tests in collaboration with UC Davis proved their product's efficacy in killing varroa mites without harming bees.

  • The Importance of Bees:

    • Bees are crucial for pollination and food production, making it essential to address threats like climate change, pesticides, and varroa mites.

    • Carlos underscores the unsustainable nature of current farming practices and the dire need to bridge the gap between organic produce demand and supply.

  • Entrepreneurial Insights:

    • Carlos’ transition from technology and semiconductor industries to sustainable agriculture shows the strength of adaptability and perseverance.

    • Key lessons include the value of forming a quality team, attracting value-driven investors, and focusing on high-value opportunities to eventually scale and diversify.

  • Challenges and Innovations:

    • The episode delves into the challenges of organic farming, economic issues, and the broader implications for climate change.

    • Terra Vera’s technology offers promising solutions by reducing the use of synthetic pesticides and providing safe, sustainable pest control options that benefit the environment.

    • Terra Vera’s technology as innovation that turns agriculture into a climate solution.

  • Upcoming Ventures:

    • Terra Vera is gearing up to introduce their products to the beekeeping market soon and is also looking at expanding into other high-value crops like wine grapes.


Paul Zelizer