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Devin: What is your superpower?
Mark: Being able to get to near expert level on practically anything very quickly.
Smallholder farmers are facing unprecedented challenges. With 97% of farm income concentrated in just 3% of farms, the remaining 97% struggle to make ends meet, often forcing the next generation to leave farming altogether. Mark Smith, CEO and Co-Founder of Carbon Country, is working to reverse this trend with a groundbreaking vision that combines renewable energy, sustainable farming practices, and economic innovation.
Mark’s approach centers on agrivoltaics, a system of integrating solar panels with farming. “The idea behind Carbon Country is to transform the economics and sustainability of smallholder farms by adding agrovoltaics, which is a fancy word for solar above farming,” Mark explained. By installing solar panels over grazing land and using regenerative practices like rotational sheep grazing, Carbon Country creates a dual-purpose solution that enhances both energy production and soil health.
The potential doesn’t stop there. Mark is pioneering carbon removal practices, including biochar production and “wood vaulting,” a process developed by a University of Maryland professor. “We’re building the first large-scale biochar facility in Maryland,” Mark said. These initiatives not only sequester carbon but also improve soil quality, making farms more productive and sustainable.
To further amplify the economic viability, Mark has integrated energy storage and Bitcoin mining into the model. “We’re putting battery storage and Bitcoin mining together, creating an ecosystem with our panels,” he said. By arbitraging peak and non-peak power prices, Carbon Country maximizes revenue while helping stabilize the energy grid.
Currently, Carbon Country is raising capital through a regulation crowdfunding campaign on Vicinity Capital. This innovative platform connects investors with high-impact projects, providing opportunities to support sustainable solutions like Mark’s.
Mark’s work is more than a business—it’s a mission to ensure smallholder farms remain productive for future generations. “Our goal is to make these farms legacy assets,” he said, “doing important things for both the economy and the environment.”
If you want to learn more or invest in this inspiring initiative, visit Carbon Country’s crowdfunding page and join the movement to reshape agriculture and energy for a better future.
tl;dr:
Mark Smith shares how agrivoltaics can transform smallholder farms by combining solar panels with farming.
Carbon Country integrates biochar production and carbon storage to improve soil health and sequester carbon.
Renewable energy, Bitcoin mining, and storage create economic opportunities for struggling smallholder farmers.
Mark explains his superpower of rapid learning and offers advice for mastering new fields.
This episode highlights Carbon Country’s crowdfunding campaign to support sustainable farming and energy solutions.
How to Develop Rapid Learning As a Superpower
Mark Smith’s superpower is his ability to quickly master new fields of knowledge. “I think my superpower really is being able to get to near expert level on practically anything very quickly,” he said. This remarkable skill has allowed him to tackle challenges in diverse areas such as recycling, water filtration, and now agrivoltaics. Mark credits his success to curiosity, humility, and a willingness to dedicate time to learning and experimentation.
Illustrative Story:
Mark shared an example of how his rapid learning ability transformed an idea into reality. Initially exploring abandoned mining sites for solar projects, he discovered that ranches were a better fit. By asking questions about land use and grazing practices, he realized he could integrate rotational grazing and biochar production with solar installations. Through research and conversations with experts, he developed a model that improves soil health, sequesters carbon, and generates renewable energy—all while supporting smallholder farmers.
Tips for Developing This Superpower:
Be Curious: Read extensively and watch content to understand the basics of new fields.
Seek Advice: Approach experts with humility and ask thoughtful questions.
Experiment: Start small and learn by doing, even if it means making mistakes.
Stay Open: Embrace being a beginner and remain receptive to unexpected insights.
By following Mark’s example and advice, you can make rapid learning a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.
Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!
Guest Profile
Mark Smith (he/him):
CEO and Co-Founder, Carbon Country, LLC
About Carbon Country, LLC: We are transforming the economics and sustainability of smallholder farms by adding agrivoltaics and carbon removal.
Website: carboncountry.us
Other URL: marketplace.vicinityventures.co/offers/106
Biographical Information: Mark Smith, is CEO and Co-Founder of Carbon Country. Previous to starting this venture, he served for 12 years as the Director of Government Affairs of Clorox, where he helped create BRITA’s municipal water business. Before joining Clorox, Mark led Claren Power, a waste to energy developer focused on the sugar cane sector in Brazil. Mark also formally served as the Managing Director of Western Hemisphere Affairs at the US Chamber of Commerce. He holds a BA in Government from the College of William & Mary and an MBA from Georgetown.
LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/in/mark-smith-72178b5
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