Conant to chair Growcentia’s board

LOVELAND — Richard Conant, co-founder of Loveland-based company Growcentia Inc., was elected chairman of the board of directors of the ag-science company.

Conant is also the department head of the Ecosystem Science and Sustainability Department at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. Growcentia produces microbial and natural soil and plant health solutions. 

“As chairman of Growcentia, I will guide and apply our innovative research into how specific combinations of microbes work symbiotically with soil nutrients to produce healthier plants, benefiting horticulturalists and agriculturalists worldwide,” Conant said in a written statement.  . “I am privileged and honored to take on this role during a critical time for our planet. Growers need to improve plant health and yields while minimizing the environmental impacts of agriculture — and our solutions ultimately support healthy, vigorous plant growth.”

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Conant has an undergraduate degree in environmental biology and a doctorate in botany; he has worked at CSU for nearly 25 years. He has published more than 100 scientific papers that have been cited more than 16,000 times. His interest in development of higher-quality and more sustainable food for more people worldwide resulted in his co-founding of Growcentia. Two other microbiologists joined him in forming the company, which produces Mammoth and Mammoth Garden product lines.

Growcentia, which was founded in Fort Collins, opened its new headquarters in Loveland in May. The 30,000-square-foot facility features a research and development laboratory, two microbiological fermentation manufacturing bays, a blending manufacturing bay, an indoor plant trial and experimentation station, and office space.

“Richard has been an integral part of the establishment and continued growth of Growcentia over the past seven years, leading our efforts to reduce synthetics and chemicals from the plant growth process and harness the power of natural solutions,” Scott Wiley, CEO of Growcentia, said in a press statement. “He has successfully led research to enhance our technology, which helps growers cultivate healthier crops and produce more nutritious food while regenerating soil health. At Growcentia, we change the way the world grows by reducing the reliance upon conventional fertilizers and minimizing the environmental and ecological impacts of farming. I am confident that Richard will continue to push the organization’s science- and tech-based innovation.”

Conant replaces another Growcentia co-founder, Matthew Wallenstein, as chairman. Wallenstein has stepped down from his role at Growcentia and is now the chief soil scientist at Syngenta Group.