Vendor applications due Feb. 17; parade participant deadline is March 1

[LEXINGTON, Ky.] – Everyone is a “little Irish” on St. Patrick’s Day, and the best way to celebrate Irish culture is at the Alltech Lexington St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival, which returns to downtown Lexington on Saturday, March 11.

Father Norman Fischer will kick off the celebration at 10:45 a.m. at Henry A. Tandy Centennial Plaza (formerly the Fifth Third Pavilion) with the traditional “blessing of the keg” from Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co. The day will include a festive lineup of Irish entertainment, food and crafts – including headliner Tuatha Dea, a progressive Americana band with an Appalachian/Celtic vibe. Also performing: Liam’s Fancy and William Sutherland Reid Pipes and Drums, and local Irish dancers from Bluegrass Ceili Academy, Lexington Irish Dancers and McTeggart Irish Dancers.

The parade begins at 1 p.m. and goes down Main Street from Midland Avenue to Mill Street. This year’s grand marshals are Dr. Frank and Catherina McDonnell, Dublin natives who have lived in Lexington for 35 years. The McDonnells have made substantial contributions to the Lexington community, donating both time and money to local organizations and helping those in need.

“We’re very much looking forward to bringing the parade and festival back to the streets of downtown this year,” said Megan Moloney, Bluegrass Irish Society president and parade chair.

There is still time to participate as a vendor or parade participant. Applications can be found online at lexingtonstpatsparade.org/parade/forms/. Vendor applications are due by Feb. 17; parade unit entry forms are due March 1.

The Alltech Lexington St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival is Lexington’s longest-running civic event. Sponsored by Alltech and the Bluegrass Irish Society, the parade and festival are produced by the Lexington Division of Parks and Recreation with community support from local businesses and cultural organizations. Alltech has sponsored the parade since its inception.

The parade celebrated its 40^th anniversary in 2019, the last time the full event was held in person. The festival was canceled in 2020 and 2021 because of COVID-19. Inclement weather led to the festival being rescheduled and moved in 2022 to Moondance Amphitheater, where Alltech cofounder Mrs. Deirdre Lyons was honored for her dedication to the event and her many civic accomplishments.

“The Lexington St. Patrick’s Day Festival and Parade is a lovely celebration of Irish culture,” Mrs. Lyons said. “We are proud to have sponsored it since the beginning.”

The Bluegrass Irish Society formed in 1980 to celebrate and maintain interest in Irish culture. One of its first events was the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The parade gained instant credibility when then Gov. John Y. Brown and first lady Phyllis George Brown cosponsored it and arranged to have Ed McMahon from the Johnny Carson Show to serve as the first grand marshal.

The group aims to connect Irish and Kentucky culture and provide a focal point in the region for those interested in Ireland and its traditions.

“The Irish have long been involved in the history and culture of Kentucky,” the group says on its website. “Listen to the fiddlers in Eastern Kentucky or the clog dancers and you will hear the refrains of Irish jigs and reels. Kentuckians have long shared, among other things, their love for horses, music and bourbon whiskey-making with the Irish."

Alltech cofounder Mrs. Deirdre Lyons served as grand marshal for the 2022 parade and festivities, which were held at Moondance Amphitheatre in Lexington.

Alltech is proud to continue to partner in the Women in Food & Agriculture (WFA) Mentorship Program. Applications are now open for new mentors of any gender and for female mentees from across the global food and agriculture sector. Now in its third year, the free-to-join program matches applicants based on their preferences, which can include gender of mentor, areas of expertise, language and industry sector, and offers opportunities for women in food and agriculture to develop meaningful industry connections.

“Over the past few years, all of us have come to more deeply value the power of human connection,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “A commitment to the growth and development of another person unleashes energy, inspires ideas and empowers both individuals to have a greater impact. We view our involvement in the Women in Food & Agriculture mentorship program as an investment not only in the lives of women but in the future of agriculture as the industry most integral to the nourishment and vitality of our planet.”

Findings from the annual WFA survey and ongoing feedback from all levels of the food and agriculture sector consistently suggest that a hurdle to greater success for women in the global agri-food industry is a lack of mentorship opportunities. To tackle this issue, WFA launched its Mentorship Program. In partnership with Alltech in 2022, the initiative grew with 320 industry representatives matched across two cohorts. Now in 2023, the program will be open for applicants year-round with two matching sessions taking place to help even more women in food and agriculture progress their careers. The initiative has supported a variety of people around the world from CEOs of agribusinesses to small-scale farmers, from academics to ag-tech professionals, with sector representatives paired with mentors that complement their professional objectives.

“We are very pleased to again have Alltech supporting the 2023 WFA Mentorship Program,” said Elisabeth Mork-Eidem, global chair of WFA. “Mentorship is vital in supporting women across food and agriculture in developing their careers, we’ve had very positive feedback from both mentors and mentees. Many of our mentors joined the initiative as a selfless act of support for equality in our sector, but realized they got as much out of the experience as the mentees. This is such an exciting opportunity to learn about yourself, develop your skills and support an important initiative that is working to improve diversity, equality and inclusion in the food and agriculture industry.”

For those interested in taking part in the 2023 Mentorship Program, WFA is looking for mentors of any gender who have at least one year of experience in the food and ag sector. During matching, WFA will ensure all mentors have more work experience than mentees, so this should not be a barrier to mentors applying. Potential mentees should be women working in the food and ag industry who would benefit from help, guidance and support from a senior sector representative.

Alltech believes that inclusion cultivates creativity, drives innovation and is essential to the company’s purpose of Working Together for a Planet of Plenty^TM. In 2019, Alltech selected Gender Equality as one of the nine United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to which the company committed to advancing.

Applications are open now for the Women in Food & Agriculture (WFA) Mentorship Program, supported by Alltech. For more information and to apply to be a mentor or mentee, visit https://wfa-initiative.com/mentorship-program/.

[LEXINGTON, Ky.] – Alltech is transforming its annual Alltech ONE Conference (ONE) in 2023 into a series of international events that will invite collaboration on the greatest challenges facing the agri-food industry. Instead of welcoming the world to Alltech’s home in Lexington, Kentucky, as it has for the past 38 years, the Alltech ONE World Tour will bring the ideas and inspiration of the ONE Conference to communities throughout the world.

Stops are planned in Brazil, Canada, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, the Middle East the Philippines, Singapore, Spain, the United States and Vietnam, providing the opportunity for more people than ever to experience the power of ONE and to hear from experts on trending topics in the agriculture industry. Additional stops are expected to be announced in 2023.

“As our customers and partners continue to face many challenges and uncertainties, we determined that 2023 would be dedicated to meeting them in their market,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO. “This special edition of the ONE will endeavor to deliver global expertise to locally relevant issues. In the midst of economic and political uncertainties that fuel regionalization, this ONE reflects the responsibility we have as a global company to be a connector of people and ideas, ever advancing our purpose of Working Together for a Planet of Plenty.”

While Alltech looks forward to bringing the international conference home to Kentucky in 2024, the 2023 ONE World Tour is a unique opportunity to discuss the future of agriculture with stakeholders all over the world, offering both a global and local perspective for attendees. It will unite changemakers and thought leaders in unique forums to discuss the future, examining regional and local market trends in agriculture, business, health and nutrition.

Alltech will release more details about its international tour stops and event dates in the coming weeks. Visit one.alltech.com for more information and to subscribe to notifications on tour updates.

[LEXINGTON, Ky.] – The Christmas spirit is alive and well at the Kentucky Horse Park, where two longtime holiday events offer up the brightest sights and sounds of the season.

Set against a backdrop of beautiful Christmas décor, Alltech’s annual Celebration of Song features performances of traditional carols and popular Christmas music by the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre and winners of the Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition. The free concert is set for Dec. 11 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Celebration of Song has been Alltech’s annual holiday gift to the community since 2006. Alltech founder Dr. Pearse Lyons was inspired to share the holiday spirit through song after experiencing a community Christmas festival while traveling in Brazil, said his wife, Mrs. Deirdre Lyons, Alltech co-founder and director of corporate image, design and construction.

“Pearse always really loved to sing,” Mrs. Lyons said. “He wanted to have this free event to share the joy of the season with everyone. Every year, Celebration of Song gets more wonderful. It’s a beautiful event that we’ve been proud to sponsor for our community.”

The concert was held at the Square in downtown Lexington for many years, but it moved last year to Alltech Arena, which offers more space and free parking.

“We’re excited to celebrate the holidays with our community and with UK Opera Theatre, with whom we partner on several events, including our Vocal Scholarship Competition,” Mrs. Lyons said. This collaboration has enabled more than 180 UK students to pursue their operatic ambitions and receive an education in the arts.

After the concert, attendees can double down on Christmas fun by heading over to the Kentucky Horse Park campground to view the Southern Lights Holiday Festival, a dazzling three-mile display of over a million twinkling lights. This year also marks the return of its Holiday Village, which features photos with Santa Claus, model trains, a petting zoo and more. Southern Lights, now in its 29^th year, opens nightly at 5:30 p.m. from Nov. 25 through Dec. 31 – excluding Christmas Day.

Tickets for Southern Lights can be purchased online or at the campground. Learn more about Southern Lights at SouthernLightsKY.com.

A commitment to sustainability is more than just a responsible decision. It can also serve as a platform to showcase the time and resources an industry has invested in their efforts to cultivate change. Pig producers, farming operations, businesses and academics alike understand that without a plan to future-proof pork production, the availability of a safe and sustainable food system will wane. What role can pig farmers play to make sure this doesn’t happen?

The National Pork Board is continuing to set new sustainability goals to help ensure the future of pork production. Ashley McDonald, interim vice president of sustainability, shared more about those goals and how farmers can get on board during a virtual presentation at Alltech’s 2022 ONE Conference.

U.S. pork is part of the solution

The U.S. pork industry is working to establish itself as the sustainable protein, McDonald said. The industry’s sustainability success starts from the ground up and continues through production. The U.S. pork industry is only responsible for 0.4% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, according to the U.S. Pork Industry 2021 Sustainability Report, released by The National Pork Board1. Pork producers have worked steadily to become more environmentally friendly, reducing the industry’s carbon footprint by 7.7% over the last 50 years2, according to data from The National Pork Board and the University of Arkansas.

With an extremely low impact on the environment due to the utilization of space and resources effectively, McDonald said this points directly towards a correlation effect of improved soil health. Being a steward of the land is important for pig producers, so the fact that these aspects go hand in hand only attributes further to the fact that sustainability is embedded in agriculture. U.S. pork producers utilize these avenues of successfully tending to their operations, efficiently using less physical land, water and feedstuffs, to provide a lean, quality, and affordable protein. Being diligent in the way that this protein is raised displays the importance of sustainable thinking and pig welfare.

What is sustainability to the U.S. pork industry?

As a leader in this space and a representative of many pork producers across the U.S., the National Pork Board has used its platform to amplify its “We Care Ethical Principles,” Which McDonald said are cornerstones of continuous growth:

• Food Safety
• Animal Well-being
• Public Health
• Environment
• Our People
• Our Community

By creating space for advancement within the industry, the National Pork Board truly values McDonald’s shared idea of “doing what’s right for pigs, people, and the planet,” ideas which have not only remained on paper. Pork producers took action and found ways to make measurable improvements. By utilizing less land, less water and less energy, and emitting fewer carbon emissions, it is clear that the pork industry values sustainable pig farming and being good stewards of the environment. 

The National Pork Board’s ethics principles are implemented daily by pig farmers who truly believe in their solid guidance. Dale Stevermer, a pig farmer and industry representative, believes that “The We Care ethical principles I practice on my fifth-generation farm address the environmental impact of raising pigs. Documenting and measuring this impact is important to demonstrate my farm’s sustainability role to those who purchase, process and, ultimately, consume pork.”

Actions following the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

“Pig farmers got together and decided that they really wanted to contribute to and develop goals and metrics that were truly credible and important to people not only here, but around the world,” McDonald said. The National Pork Board aided in facilitating this idea to establish goals and metrics that build credibility for the industry. Those within the space understand how important these topics are for production, but for them to be accepted by the greater public, a better line of communication was needed to share this exciting information. The National Pork Board commissioned Ernst & Young alongside the Pork Checkoff to launch a producer-led goal-setting process, including an assessment of key market drivers, a prioritization of social issues, an identification of ambition surrounding sustainability and a draft of specific goals.

It was crucial that these goals and metrics were fully supported and existed alongside the set principles already established. Pork producers wanted to be known for being champions of this space at the global level, as well in our own backyard. The We Care Ethical Principles line up closely with 15 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations, showcasing the fact that producers here in the U.S. strive to prioritize similar concepts with those around the globe.

A database for sustainability goals and metrics was launched to pull information for producers regarding their own operations in an On-Farm Sustainability Report, providing:

• Analysis regarding their work in conservation practices,
• Donations,
• Service hours,
• Manure utilization, and
• Environmental impact of their operation and other metrics.

This creates a U.S. Pork Industry Sustainability Report to help answer questions about pork production and producers’ sustainability commitment. Understanding the true significance of this reporting system is crucial.

“The real power of the Your-Farm Sustainability Reports is the ability to aggregate the data and show the climate-positive impacts of using swine manure to raise crops,” Stevermer said. “Third-party verification through SEC (Sustainable Environmental Consultants) also supports the industry’s aspiration to produce the leading sustainable protein. Using sound data will guide pork producers as we set benchmarks and create improvement goals that will change the narrative around animal production.”

By acknowledging how imperative it is to pork producers that things are done the right way, pig farmers are raising the bar for animal agriculture in this space.

A commitment to doing what is right

Sharing the sustainability work being done in the industry allows pork producers to continue to shine the light on its commitment to people, pigs and the planet. Pork producers must continue to drive conversations and engagement using the real, on-farm data made available through the On-Farm Sustainability Report, McDonald said. Reporting progress and quantifying the substantial, continual progress toward sustainability displays how much pork producers want to improve the world we live in.

View the most recent sustainability report from the National Pork Board here:

https://www.porkcares.org/

I want to learn more about nutrition for my pig herd.

During the 2022 Ag Media Summit (AMS), held in Raleigh, North Carolina, on July 16–20, agricultural communications students were honored for their excellence, professionalism and leadership. The Livestock Publications Council (LPC) Student Award Program, sponsored by Alltech, provides travel scholarships for four students to attend AMS. This year’s finalists were Lydia Johnson, Iowa State University; Faye Smith, Kansas State University; Lindsey Okuley, The Ohio State University; and Sydney Garrett, Kansas State University.

Following a competitive application and interview process, Lydia Johnson from Iowa State University was awarded the LPC Forrest Bassford Student Award. She is a junior and currently serves as the President of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Student Council and Sr. Director of Communications in Student Government.

“Receiving an award that recognizes Mr. Bassford’s contributions to the agricultural communications field is truly an honor,” Johnson said. “I am incredibly grateful to have so many supportive role models, mentors, professors, friends and family that constantly push me to be a better version of myself.”

Johnson is an active member of the National Agri-Marketing Association, Sigma Alpha Professional Agricultural Sorority and the National Association of Farm Broadcasters. She also spends her time as an agricultural communications peer mentor and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Ambassador. In addition to her involvement on campus, Johnson is a communications student worker for the Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative. She has completed internships with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, National FFA Organization and “The Big Show” on Newsradio 1040 WHO.

“Alltech is proud to support the next generation of agricultural communicators as the ambassadors and voice of our industry,” Jenn Norrie, Alltech’s communications manager for North America and Europe, said. “As media platforms evolve, these young leaders are playing an instrumental role in sharing stories of farmers and ranchers and helping to educate the urban population on where and who their food comes from.”

The Forrest Bassford Student Award was established in 1992 to honor Bassford’s contributions to the Livestock Publications Council and passion for supporting young people in the agricultural communications field. To learn more about this award and past recipients, click here.

-Ends-

Contact: press@alltech.com

Jenn Norrie

Communications Manager, North America and Europe

jnorrie@alltech.com; 1-403-863-8547

Photo Download: https://creative.alltech.com/share/4E7AA9C6-8B10-423C-92EC695B7DE04E7B/

Photo Caption: Iowa State University’s Lydia Johnson is the recipient of the 2022 Livestock Publications Council Forrest Bassford Student Award.

Photo Download: https://creative.alltech.com/share/DD96D48F-D549-4B3C-805C2049B7C90A68/

Photo Caption: The 2022 Livestock Publications Council Student Award Program travel scholarship award winners (right to left): Sydney Garrett, Kansas State University; Faye Smith, Kansas State University; and Lindsey Okuley, The Ohio State University with Jenn Norrie, Alltech communications manager for North America and Europe, during the Ag Media Summit, held in in Raleigh, North Carolina on July 16-20, 2022.

About Alltech:

Founded in 1980 by Irish entrepreneur and scientist Dr. Pearse Lyons, Alltech delivers smarter, more sustainable solutions for agriculture. Our products improve the health and performance of plants and animals, resulting in better nutrition for consumers and a decreased environmental impact.

We are a global leader in the animal health industry, producing specialty ingredients, premix supplements, feed and complete feed. Strengthened by more than 40 years of scientific research, we carry forward a legacy of innovation and a unique culture that views challenges through an entrepreneurial lens.

Our more than 5,000 talented team members worldwide share our vision for a Planet of Plenty™. We believe agriculture has the greatest potential to shape the future of our planet, but it will take all of us working together, led by science, technology and a shared will to make a difference.

Alltech is a private, family-owned company, which allows us to adapt quickly to our customers’ needs and maintain focus on advanced innovation. Headquartered just outside of Lexington, Kentucky, USA, Alltech has a strong presence in all regions of the world. For more information, visit alltech.com, or join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

As Alltech president and CEO Dr. Mark Lyons closed the 2022 Alltech ONE Conference following powerful presentations led by Alltech Humanitarian Award winners Mick Ebeling and Erik Weihenmayer, he invited the audience to consider a great deal about all that had been discussed. 

“We’ve been talking a little bit about some of the problems threatening global stability,” he said. “High inflation, the energy crisis, food poverty and the climate crisis [are all top of mind]. [And as Alltech ruminant research director Dr. Vaughn Holder reminded us], we have not just one now, but [rather] two very important jobs: nourishing people and preserving our planet. 

“We have the science that is showing us the way, but we also know [what to do] intrinsically,” Lyons continued. “It’s something that’s within us. Let’s not let negativity [and perceived barriers] suppress our inner truths.” 

A good thing 

Lyons went on to point out that we should take heart in Mick Ebeling’s message of doing at least a little bit of good for others each day.  

“[Doing good is good.] It’s good for our business. It’s good for our brand. It’s good for recruiting, and it’s good for retention,” he said. “[Think about it]. What is the number-one challenge in your business? People. It was before the pandemic, and it is even more so today.”  

Lyons has a point. According to a recent survey conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers, the so-called “great resignation” isn’t over: “Higher pay, more job fulfillment and wanting to be ‘truly themselves’ at work are the [key] factors pushing workers to change jobs.”

It would appear that the answer to this modern-day dilemma might be simpler than we may have originally thought. 

A transformative opportunity 

Lyons went on to note, “This is an opportunity for transformation. What a gift [we’ve been given: the ability] to work together to create a planet the way we want to see it. 

“We can have profitable businesses while solving the world’s biggest problems,” he continued. “There is so much more agriculture can do.”  

He’s not wrong. As studies have shown, we capture more carbon in the soil with animals on the land than we would without them. That’s information that the average person is likely unaware of, and “that’s the power that you [in agriculture] have. Tell the story,” Lyons urged the audience. 

“As my father [the late Dr. Pearse Lyons] liked to say, ‘Don’t get it right. Get it going’ — much to the remiss of many perfectionists, including [my mother],” Lyons continued. “But he was right! It’s not about perfectionism, it’s about progress. If we change the lens and the way we look at things, we can change the way we think.” 

The power of anti-goals 

Before you enlist Google’s help in discovering what anti-goals are, I’ll save you the trouble: Anti-goals are a concept developed by Tiny Capital co-founder Andrew Wilkinson. They’re about things you don't want to happen or the person you don’t want to be a year from now. So, essentially, instead of envisioning positive outcomes surrounding potentially hard-to-attain goals, you think about all the things you don’t want to happen and what actions you can take to avoid these potential challenges.  

So, consider: What things do you not want to happen? What outcome would make achieving your goal hardly worth it? How do you avoid that? This is an example of inverted thinking. It’s much easier to solve a problem backwards than it is forward, and anti-goals are designed to help you assess potential barriers before you encounter them. 

Camp or climb? 

In closing, Lyons remarked, “Every great ascent begins with a vision. Are we okay here? Are we going to be complacent? Shall we camp? Or will we climb?” 

He encouraged the audience to give those around them the courage to achieve great things and to work toward a Planet of Plenty™. 

“[Before we part, I’d like to ask] you to do a [few] things,” Lyons said. “[The first is to] think of that one person you can help, as Mick [Ebeling] challenged us to do. [The second is to] think of one collaboration [you can set into motion] — someone you can work with who can help you achieve your ambitions. And [finally, I would encourage you to] think of someone you could bring [to the Alltech ONE Conference] next year.”  

You never know. These few simple tasks could transform your life, that of another — or both. See you on the ascent. 

To register for access to on-demand content and more from the Alltech ONE Conference, visit one.alltech.com.

The Alltech ONE Conference (ONE) wrapped up today in Lexington, Kentucky, after a robust agenda of in-person and virtual activities and presentations. ONE welcomed nearly 2,000 international delegates in person, with an additional 5,000 participating virtually. Now in its 38th year, this world-class event brought inspiring keynote speakers and more than 100 industry leaders to the stage, sharing valuable insights in live workshops and focus tracks and uncovering the challenges and opportunities in agriculture, business, health and wellness, and professional development.

“We must unify and take action, today, for the future of agriculture and our planet,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “Together, we have the collective courage and impact to work together for a Planet of Plenty™.”

Lyons was joined on the ONE Mainstage for the closing session by Mick Ebeling, founder and CEO of Not Impossible Labs, and world-class blind adventurer Erik Weihenmayer.  

Ebeling was recently named by Fortune Magazine as one of the Top 50 World’s Greatest Leaders. He is a recipient of the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian of the Year Award and is listed as one of the world’s most influential creative people by The Creativity 50s. Ebeling has sparked a movement of pragmatic, inspirational innovation, and as a career producer and filmmaker, he harvests the power of technology and storytelling to change the world.

“What we do is, we start by telling the story of one person,” said Ebeling. “And then, telling the story of that one person, that’s what scales us to help many people.”

Despite losing his vision at age 14, Weihenmayer is an accomplished climber, paraglider, skier and kayaker who never allows blindness to interfere with his passion for pursuing an exhilarating and fulfilling life. In 2001, he became the first blind person in history to reach the summit of Mount Everest. In 2008, he completed his quest to climb the Seven Summits, the highest mountains on each continent. Additionally, he has ascended dozens of major peaks, rock walls and ice climbs around the planet, including the first blind ascent of the 3,000-foot Nose of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park and the ascent of a rarely climbed 3,000-foot frozen waterfall in Nepal.

“We could all stand on this stage and talk about our accomplishments, but what doesn’t get talked about enough are our struggles,” said Weihenmayer.

During the closing session, Lyons presented the Alltech Humanitarian Award, an award that is bestowed annually to someone of strong character who uses their platform to positively influence and inspire those around them, to both Ebeling and Weihenmayer.

“We are pleased to present friends and first-time double Alltech Humanitarian Awards to Mick Ebeling and Erik Weihenmayer at the Alltech ONE Conference,” said Lyons.

Previous award winners have included Muhammad Ali, Steve Wozniak, Bear Grylls and late Alltech founder and Mark’s father, Dr. Pearse Lyons.

As Lyons closed, he noted a mantra often repeated by his father.

“‘Don’t get it right. Get it going,’ … And he was right! It’s not about perfectionism, it’s about progress. If we change the lens and the way we look at things, we can change the way we think.”

The Alltech ONE Conference returns May 21–23, 2023. For more information, visit one.alltech.com.

True to form, blind mountaineer Erik Weihenmayer began his presentation at the Alltech ONE Conference by explaining that he had only recently gotten back from climbing Cotopaxi, one of the signature peaks of Ecuador. He had undertaken this adventure to support a climber with a broken back who was reaching 18,000 feet via a sled and a team of people all dedicated to helping him achieve his goal.

Weihenmayer admitted that while the result of this trip was uplifting and inspirational, the process and path of getting there were literally exhausting.

“Accomplishments are fun to talk about,” Weihenmayer said. “What I think doesn’t get talked about enough, though, is the struggle. Because for me, [honestly], it's been a struggle to live this life.”

Weihenmayer is no stranger to overcoming obstacles. He began losing his vision at the age of 14 due to a disorder called retinoschisis, but that never stopped him from achieving his goals. He followed a passion for wrestling in high school, going on to represent his home state of Connecticut at the national level. He also discovered a love of rock climbing, which has led him down an exciting and awe-inspiring road — one that has seen him reach the peak of the highest summits on all seven continents, and much more.

What he has learned from his life and accomplishments is that overcoming challenges is all about the approach. How we see and perceive these obstacles determines how we work through or past them.

Camper or climber?

Weihenmayer told the audience that while writing his second book, “The Adversity Advantage,” he learned that there are three types of people: quitters, campers and climbers. Deciding not to dwell on the quitters, he explained that campers are the people who start out with hope, optimism and excitement, but somewhere along the way, they stop. This can be due to fear of the unknown, a lack of confidence after making mistakes, cynicism toward the world or simply exhaustion from constantly running into life’s many barriers.

Climbers, on the other hand, are the rare group that never stops going, growing and evolving. They are always moving forward onto the next adventure, challenge and idea, no matter what the world throws at them or the setbacks they endure. The question, however, is this: How do we continue to climb when it is so much easier — and makes so much more sense — to camp?

Weihenmayer explained that his own personal journey to becoming a climber began when he first began to lose his vision. When his sense of sight was all but gone, he used what little he had left to watch television. It was then that he learned about Terry Fox, an amputee with a prosthetic leg who ran across Canada. Weihenmayer realized that what drove Fox was a light inside of him, a passion that fed off of the frustrations and challenges of life. From this point on, Weihenmayer decided to stop focusing on everything he had lost and chose instead to look inward, discover his own light and emerge as a stronger and better person.

“I was tired of building walls around myself and protecting myself from loss,” he explained. “I wanted to break out of that prison partly constructed by my own fears.”

This led to Weihenmayer learning rock climbing. But while he says that this path has proven to be exhilarating and exciting, he admits that there is an aspect that still scares him: the reach.

The reach is the trust we must put into the unknown in order to keep moving onward. It allows us to take advantage of an immense number of possibilities that are never seen. However, Weihenmayer also admitted that when we reach, we bring adversity into our lives, and while it may be easier to avoid reaching, it is only by facing this adversity that we can achieve greatness.

Weihenmayer continued by giving examples of people he has met who not only face their adversities but use them in incredible ways. He calls them alchemists.

“What these alchemists do, I think, is different,” Weihenmayer explained. “They figured out how to seize hold of that storm of adversity that swirls around us to harness its energy and use that energy to propel themselves forward to places they would have never gone to in any other way.”

Lava Falls

Unfortunately, Weihenmayer explained that even when we have everything in the right place — the drive to succeed, the preparation for the task and a team backing us up the whole way — things still do not always go to plan. This was something he found as he tried to kayak through the Grand Canyon and, namely, the Lava Falls rapids.

Weihenmayer explained that everything had been prepared. He had trained for months with his team. They had developed a communication system that would enable him to easily navigate the course. However, on the day they attempted Lava Falls, everything went wrong, and he ended up overturned from his kayak, swimming blind through the rapids.

However, Weihenmayer said that he could not let this failure stop him, and that when we get knocked back, we all need to lean in, tap into the light inside us and try again. For Weihenmayer, this meant another — this time successful — attempt at the rapids, but for us all, it can mean the difference between achieving our dreams and never knowing what could have been.

“It is not one step that makes a path on the Earth,” he said, quoting Henry David Thoreau. “Nor is it one thought that makes a pathway in the mind. Instead, we step again and again and again towards those thoughts we wish to dominate our lives.”

To register for access to on-demand content and more from the Alltech ONE Conference, visit one.alltech.com.

For evergreen optimists like Mick Ebeling, barriers, though perhaps initially intimidating, are only meant to be overcome, as soon as possible — the sooner, the better. Ebeling’s company, Not Impossible Labs, was born of necessity out of a chance meeting with the family of a locally renowned street artist known as Tempt One.

The start of something amazing

Tempt was suffering from the debilitating effects of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and had lost the ability to move any part of his body aside from his eyes. His family was desperate for the chance to effectively communicate with him again.

When Ebeling learned of this, he asked them why Tempt didn’t have a speech-generating device (SGD) like the one used by theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking. Tempt’s brother informed him that owning such a device was only a possibility if you were wealthy (they weren’t) or had excellent insurance (they didn’t).

So, Ebeling — a successful video producer and entrepreneur — offered to buy Tempt an SGD. Naturally, the family was thrilled, and Ebeling, admittedly a bit caught up in the moment, told them he would also figure out a way for Tempt to draw again.

Although they were elated, Ebeling was initially worried he had overpromised. Despite this, he began to set things into motion, inviting a proclaimed team of “misfit geniuses and mad scientists” from around the world to live in his home while they worked on a solution, and the EyeWriter was born. It was truly life-changing, giving Tempt the ability to draw for the first time in seven years.

Ebeling and his team quickly made plans to open-source the technology associated with the EyeWriter, initially thinking that they’d simply go back to their regular lives afterward. But then, something incredible happened: Time Magazine named the EyeWriter a Top 50 invention of 2010. The Museum of Modern Art asked to put it on display. Award after award started coming in. And Ebeling realized that he could do more to help others in need.

Commit, then figure it out

Ebeling is on a mission to provide “technology for the sake of humanity.” His mantra? “Commit, then figure it out.” Working with a unique team of innovative thinkers, doers and creators, Ebeling’s Not Impossible Labs designs devices to better the world by giving accessibility to everyone.

Driven by the belief that “impossible is a fallacy,” Ebeling began to seek out other ways to help the disabled. And so, Project Daniel — initiated by the story of a 12-year-old Sudanese boy who lost his arms to amputation following a bombing near the field where he was tending his family’s animals — came to life.

Worried about being a burden to his family, young Daniel sadly admitted he would rather be dead than alive without arms. Upon hearing this story, Ebeling, who had a 12-year-old son of his own, realized that he had to solve this problem. So, the Not Impossible team set to work and, just a short while later, flew to an active war zone in Sudan, armed with 3D printers, laptops, spools of duct tape and more — all with the goal of building Daniel some arms.

This concept had been hatched on July 11, and just four months later, Daniel was able to feed himself for the first time in two years.

The Not Impossible team went on to create the first prosthetics laboratories powered by 3D printers. Most prosthetic arms cost around $15,000; Daniel’s cost $100. As Time Magazine said, “It’s hard to imagine any other technology doing more to make the world a better place.”

Enlightened capitalism

Ebeling reached out to Intel to ask for funding to keep Project Daniel going. They agreed and provided a modest amount in comparison to what they’d spent on other marketing and branding projects.

And yet, the thing that ended up doing the most for the company was that little investment in doing good. This led Ebeling to realize that doing good is — quite simply — good. It’s good for companies. It’s good for branding. It’s good for growth — and it’s a great business strategy.

The thing is that people want to make a difference. They want to do more. As Ebeling pointed out, “What have we learned in the last two years? It’s reminded us that life is fragile and that we could disappear, just like that.”

Many are re-evaluating their priorities and are seeking ways to make an impact in their local communities and beyond. So, Ebeling challenged the audience to consider what they could do for others.

“Will you help create advantages?” he asked.  “[Because the reality is] when the world benefits, your business benefits. Everybody benefits. This is how you create [meaningful] change. This is [known as] enlightened capitalism.”

Tackling future absurdities

Since the inception of the EyeWriter and Project Daniel, the Not Impossible team has gone on to design several other astounding inventions that have changed the lives of many, including — but not limited to — a blind skateboarder, a group of deaf music lovers and a former pioneering avant-garde jazz pianist afflicted by the debilitating tremors associated with Parkinson’s disease.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ebeling began to think about how big a problem food insecurity is, even in affluent countries like the United States.

“[Over] 50 million Americans struggle daily to put food on the table,” he noted. “One in five kids in America struggles with food insecurity. This is absurd. Why are people going hungry? This makes no sense. We are a wealthy country. We have plenty of food. [I realized] this is a supply chain issue.”

So, what happened next? You (probably) guessed it. The Not Impossible team created a solution known as Bento, a platform designed to connect people with readily accessible, nutritious, pre-paid meals from nearby restaurants in a stigma-free manner, all through discreet text messaging. And Time Magazine once again recognized Not Impossible on their best inventions list, making it the only company to ever win that award twice.

The why behind the try

As Ebeling closed, he remarked, “So, why do we do this? Why do we pull this stuff off? Because we shouldn’t! We don’t have the degrees or the credentials or the diplomas. There is nothing in who we are that drives us to do this aside from beautiful, limitless naivete. We simply didn’t get the memo that we weren’t supposed to be able to do this or pull this off.”

“What are you going to do with the blessing of your life?” he continued. “You won the lottery! Are you going to keep it to yourself? Or are you going to try to make this world a little bit better in the short, brief amount of time that you’re here? The one question I want to ask you to consider as you go back to your lives later this week is, ‘Who is your one? Who is the one person in your life that, if you think about it, you could help? Who is your Daniel?’”

This. This is how we can work together to make the world a better place. So, don’t wait. Start now. As Not Impossible has proven many times over, even a little effort backed by a passionate purpose can go a long, long way.

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