Thruline Thursday 15: Farming the Hard Way: Power, Water, Chemicals, and What Comes Next

​US farmers are operating inside increasingly tight constraints. Control over land, water access, chemical inputs, pricing, and distribution has steadily shifted away from those working the soil and toward large systems they rarely influence.

​This session explores the real pressures facing US farmers today. From dependency on chemical inputs and water scarcity to consolidation of power across agricultural supply chains. We’ll look at how these dynamics affect farm viability, decision-making, and long-term resilience.

​Heading into 2026, those pressures become more immediate. Input costs continue to swing, water access is tightening in key regions, financing is more cautious, and margins leave little room for error. Farmers and innovators are responding by adjusting how inputs are used, how soil and water are managed, and how much exposure they carry to brittle supply chains.

​We’ll also discuss regenerative agriculture as a practical response to these conditions as a set of practices that can reduce dependency, restore soil and water systems, and return a measure of control to farmers themselves.

​This is a grounded conversation for people who want to understand what’s actually happening in US agriculture. and what pathways are emerging in response. Join us!

​​About Thruline Thursday

​Over the past few months, we've convened bold thinkers and doers across 10 high-impact digital sessions—bringing together over 200 industry experts, founders, CEOs, investors, and mission-driven leaders across the climate and innovation space.

​These monthly, 60-minute conversations go deep into the work of changemakers advancing climate action, infrastructure innovation, equity, and circular solutions.

​Designed to spark curiosity and fuel transformation, each episode reaches a growing, values-aligned audience eager to engage.

​What makes this different? Here's the Run of Show:

​​​30 Minutes - each expert explains current tips, trends and best practices that matter for you today

​​​30 Minutes - recap & Ask Me Anything session (AMA)— where you get the chance to ask direct questions, discuss real challenges, and leave with practical insights tailored to needs and interests.

​​​If you’re serious about making smart moves while creating impact, this is where you need to be.

​​​ABOUT THE HOST

​​​​PHIL DILLARD is the Founder & CEO of Thruline Networks, an impact investing and advisory firm focused on ClimateTech, Circular Economy, and Regenerative Economy solutions. A former naval officer and manufacturing executive, Phil brings a systems-thinking lens to business strategy, capital access, and sustainable growth. He’s also the host of Thruline to the 4th Sector, a podcast spotlighting mission-driven companies redefining capitalism. With a deep belief in business as a force for good, Phil works with founders and investors to grow companies that deliver both profit and impact.

​​​​ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

• ​Geoff Chapin

  • ​CEO | Carbonwave

  • ​Geoff Chapin is the CEO of Carbonwave, a company developing regenerative biomaterials from seaweed. He brings experience in environmental finance and public management and serves on the boards of PRIME Coalition and E2, contributing to climate solutions that align economic and environmental goals.

• ​​Julia Sunderland

  • ​​Founder & CEO | Rootstock

  • ​Julia founded Rootstock to strengthen local food systems in the SF Bay Area, working directly with farmers to shorten supply chains and improve farm economics. She brings 20 years of experience building mission-driven businesses, including global leadership roles at Google, and now focuses on climate and nature-based entrepreneurship with an emphasis on regenerative regional economies.

• ​Zoe Samuel

  • ​Venture Partner | Starshot Capital

  • ​Zoe Samuel is a Venture Partner at Starshot Capital, investing in early-stage climate startups. She previously worked at Google, where she co-created Anthropocene, Alphabet’s largest internal climate solutions community, supporting projects such as Project Sunroof and the Agricultural Understanding Platform. Zoe also led circularity and climate programs for gTech at Google and serves on the board of Work on Climate.