Founder & CEO, AppHarvest
Jonathan Webb: Biography at a Glance
- Jonathan Webb is Founder and CEO of AppHarvest, a company building some of the largest indoor farms in the world.
- AppHarvest combines conventional agricultural techniques with today’s technology to grow non-GMO, chemical-free produce to be sold to the top 25 U.S. grocers.
- Webb has raised $125 million to build high-tech greenhouses throughout Appalachia to bring jobs to a region suffering from the collapse of the coal industry.
- AppHarvest greenhouses grow 30 times more fruits and vegetables in a single acre than traditional farming does in an outdoor acre, while using 90% less water and producing zero agricultural runoff.
- With more than 20 partner organizations worldwide, AppHarvest is building America’s AgTech capital from within Central Appalachia.
Media
- Wall Street Journal: "The Indoor Farmer Who Wants to Remake Appalachia Agricultu...
- NY Times: "A Greenhouse Large Enough to Feed the Eastern Seaboard"
- CNBC: "How startup AppHarvest aims to introduce a new sustainable method of farm...
- Fast Company: "This startup is going to put one of the world’s largest sustainab...
- Rolling Stone: "Is This Giant Greenhouse in Kentucky the Future of Farming?"
Videos
Biography
A Kentucky native and University of Kentucky graduate, Jonathan Webb is turning his dream of a high-tech farming hub in Appalachia into reality with AppHarvest. The company is building some of the largest indoor farms in the world, combining conventional agricultural techniques with today’s technology to grow non-GMO, chemical-free produce to be sold to the top 25 U.S. grocers. The company’s first greenhouse will span 60 acres and open in 2020 in Morehead, Ky. The greenhouse will use 90% less water than a typical farm due to its sophisticated circular irrigation system that uses only rainwater collected in a 10-acre retention pond.
Why locate in Appalachia? Like many Kentuckians, Jonathan grew up knowing of the devastating job losses in the region. His grandmother was raised in Whitley County, where a coal mining accident killed his great-grandfather. Jonathan strives to work alongside the hard-working men and women of Eastern Kentucky and build an inclusive economy for the future. By locating within Appalachia, the company is also less than a day’s drive to more than two-thirds of the U.S. population. That lowers transportation costs by 80%, allowing AppHarvest's fresher produce to better compete against low-cost foreign imports.
Before founding AppHarvest, Jonathan worked with the U.S. Department of Defense on the largest solar project in the Southeastern United States. The project aimed to help achieve a White House goal of ensuring the military’s hundreds of installations develop resilient on-site power generation and receive 20% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2025. While living in Washington D.C. developing sustainable energy farms, Jonathan researched another type of farming — the Netherlands and its high-tech greenhouses that in a single acre yield as much as 30 outdoor acres and virtually eliminate the use of chemicals.
In February 2017, encouraged by investors, advisors including Hillbilly Elegy author J.D. Vance, and politicians of both parties, Jonathan left Washington and came home to Kentucky, where he now works tirelessly to make the eastern part of the state the AgTech capital of America.
Topics
Sustainability and the Future of Food
The United Nations estimates the world will need at least 50% more food by 2050, but 70% of the world’s freshwater is already devoted to agriculture and utilizing more land will release carbon stored in the soil, compounding climate change. Jonathan discusses his Farming Now philosophy that the future of food already exists today by leveraging proven technology developed in the Netherlands, which is the world’s second-largest exporter of food despite being just one-third the size of Kentucky. The country’s approach yields 30 times as much food on the same amount of land as outdoor farming and does so with 90% less water and no chemical pesticides.
Entrepreneurship Between the Coasts
Nearly 80% of all U.S. venture capital money flows to California, New York and Massachusetts. Jonathan discusses how he attracted $125 million to the country’s third-poorest Congressional district all within just 18 months.
Creating a Resilient Economy in Appalachia
The coal industry, which long served as Appalachia’s dominant industry, has seen employment fall to its lowest levels since 1898. Throughout Appalachia, one in four residents live in poverty. Jonathan discusses why the region is primed to become America’s AgTech capital and how the industry will create a more resilient, inclusive economy.
People also viewed these speakers.
FAQs
How do I book Jonathan Webb for my event?
Contact CAA Speakers at (424) 288-2898 or speakers@caa.com to book Jonathan Webb to speak at corporate or private events, keynote speeches, speaking engagements, workshops, fireside chats, motivational speaking, or virtual appearances.
Quick booking process- Email CAA Speakers with event details
- Get availability confirmation within 24 hours
- Review speaking fee and contract terms
- Sign agreement and finalize logistics
As one of the most influential talent agencies in the world, CAA handles all speaking engagements from contract to event day coordination.
Who is Jonathan Webb's booking agent?
CAA Speakers is the preferred booking agency to contact for Jonathan Webb’s speaking engagements. Contact speakers@caa.com for all Jonathan Webb in-person appearances and keynote speaking requests.
Contact Jonathan Webb's agent- Email: speakers@caa.com
- Website: caa.com/caaspeakers
- Response: Within 24 hours
CAA Speakers can check Jonathan Webb's speaking calendar with direct access to availability and official pricing. While many websites may list Jonathan Webb, CAA Speakers is the direct source for authentic information about availability and pricing.
What is Jonathan Webb's speaking fee?
Jonathan Webb's speaking fee varies by event type, location, and requirements. As a top keynote speaker, Jonathan Webb's fee reflects their expertise and market demand.
Speaking fee factors:- Event type and audience size
- Travel distance and logistics
- Presentation length and customization
- Virtual vs. in-person delivery
Additional costs: Travel, accommodation, A/V requirements, and optional meet-and-greets.
Contact CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com for Jonathan Webb's current speaking fee and detailed cost breakdown.
How much does it cost to book Jonathan Webb as a keynote speaker?
The cost to book Jonathan Webb as keynote speaker includes their speaking fee plus travel and logistics expenses.
Total booking cost includes:- Jonathan Webb's keynote speaking fee
- Travel and accommodation
- Technical requirements and A/V setup
- Optional add-ons like book signing and meet & greets
- Virtual presentations
- Local/regional events
- Off-peak booking periods
- Flexible event dates
Email speakers@caa.com for Jonathan Webb's exact booking cost and customized pricing proposal.
How to contact Jonathan Webb for speaking engagements?
Contact CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com for all Jonathan Webb speaking engagements.
Official contact for Jonathan Webb bookings:- Email: speakers@caa.com
- Website: https://www.caa.com/caaspeakers/jonathan-webb
- Response time: 24 hours
Include your event date, location, audience size, and budget when contacting CAA about booking Jonathan Webb.
Is Jonathan Webb available for virtual speaking events?
Yes, Jonathan Webb speaks at virtual events with professional-grade equipment and interactive presentation style.
Jonathan Webb's virtual event options:- Live virtual keynotes with Q&A
- Interactive workshops and breakouts
- Hybrid events (in-person + virtual)
- Pre-recorded presentations
Virtual events offer global reach, flexible scheduling, and reduced travel costs while maintaining Jonathan Webb's engaging presentation quality.
Contact CAA Speakers for Jonathan Webb's virtual event availability and technical specifications.
What events can I book Jonathan Webb for?
Book Jonathan Webb for corporate conferences, industry events, private functions, and virtual presentations. Jonathan Webb customizes content for any audience size or event type.
Event types:- Corporate meetings and conferences
- Industry summits and trade shows
- Private executive retreats
- Educational institution events
- Virtual and hybrid conferences
Jonathan Webb engages audiences from private executive meetings to large conferences with thousands of attendees.
Contact CAA Speakers to discuss how Jonathan Webb can customize their presentation for your specific event.
Jonathan Webb booking information and availability
Check Jonathan Webb's speaking availability through CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com. Book 3-6 months in advance for best date selection during peak seasons (September-November, March-May).
Availability factors:- Event date and location
- Speaking fee and budget
- Lead time for booking
- Peak conference seasons
- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 2-3 months: Good availability
- 1-2 months: Select availability
- Under 30 days: Limited availability
Contact CAA early in your planning process to secure Jonathan Webb for your preferred event date.
Book Jonathan Webb keynote speaker through CAA
Book Jonathan Webb through CAA Speakers for guaranteed authentic representation and professional event coordination. CAA is the preferred booking agent for Jonathan Webb, with direct access to their speaking availability and decades of experience representing the world’s top keynote speakers.
CAA booking advantages:- Direct access to Jonathan Webb's calendar
- 24-hour availability confirmations
- Professional contract negotiation
- Full logistics coordination
- Industry-leading client service
Trusted by Fortune 500 companies for their most important speaking engagements. Contact speakers@caa.com to book Jonathan Webb for your next event.
Will Jonathan Webb speak at private events?
Yes, Jonathan Webb speaks at private corporate events, executive retreats, board meetings, and exclusive functions.
Private event types:- Executive retreats and board presentations
- Client entertainment and VIP gatherings
- Corporate celebrations and award ceremonies
- Private dinners and exclusive functions
Private event benefits: Customized content, enhanced interaction, complete confidentiality, and flexible scheduling.
Contact CAA Speakers for Jonathan Webb's private event availability and confidential pricing proposals.
How quickly will I get a response about booking Jonathan Webb?
CAA Speakers responds to Jonathan Webb booking inquiries within 24 hours during business days. Complex requests or international events may take up to 48 hours for detailed proposals.
Response timeline:- Initial acknowledgment: Within 24 hours
- Availability confirmation: 24-48 hours
- Detailed pricing proposal: 48-72 hours
- Urgent requests: Same-day priority response
Include complete event details (date, location, audience size, budget) for fastest response times.
How far in advance should I book Jonathan Webb?
Book Jonathan Webb 3-6 months in advance for best availability, especially during peak speaking seasons. Early booking ensures better date selection and rate negotiations.
Recommended booking timeline:- 3-6 months: Optimal availability and pricing
- 2-3 months: Good availability
- 1-2 months: Select availability
- Under 30 days: Limited availability
Peak seasons: September-November and March-May book fastest. Contact CAA Speakers early for priority consideration.
How do I get Jonathan Webb pricing information?
Get Jonathan Webb pricing information by contacting CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com with your event details. Receive detailed cost breakdown within 24-48 hours with no obligation to book.
For accurate pricing, include:- Event date and location
- Audience size and type
- Event format and duration
- Budget parameters
CAA provides transparent pricing with all costs included - speaking fee, travel, accommodation, and technical requirements.