PETER NELSON

Principal, BioDimensions Inc.

Peter is a Principal at BioDimensions Inc., a company dedicated to facilitating the creation of the new bioeconomy. BioDimensions is involved in a wide spectrum of opportunities including regional strategic planning, crop diversity research, new relationships with farmers and the deployment of green technology with industrial partners. A major focus is promoting the dynamic opportunity for new synergies between rural and urban development that will generate new green jobs while simultaneously addressing global environmental issues.

Among current projects, BioDimensions is partnering with Memphis Bioworks Foundation, a Memphis-based nonprofit, to develop a regional strategic plan for the bioeconomy, which encompasses 98 counties in five states. BioDimensions is also helping to develop new supply chains of renewable ingredients for a Fortune 500 chemical company,  and is serving as an advisor to Arkansas-based Infinite Enzymes and Ontario-based Stemergy.

Peter earned a degree in creative writing from the University of Memphis and regularly writes articles on topics related to technology, sustainability and community development. He is frequently featured in articles and interviews including recently on Smart City Radio, Delta Farm Press and the Memphis Commercial Appeal. His diverse speaking engagements range from the Gandhi-King Conference on Peacemaking in Memphis to the World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology in Montreal.

Peter’s career in agricultural-based technology began in 1996, and he has been active in farm policy and the development of regional initiatives since that time. He frequently collaborates with Tennessee State University, an 1890 land grant university, is active in community development projects, and has completed two short-term assignments in Khartoum, Sudan, where he assisted a small newspaper and taught English and agriculture.