About Me
My name is Richard Belcher, PhD
I am a BioAg specialist with over a decade of hands-on experience in microbial product development, formulation science, and field deployment. My career has focused on bridging the gap between R&D and real-world application—turning innovative biological concepts into scalable, grower-ready solutions. I’ve led and supported successful product development programs across fermentation, stabilization, and compatibility testing pipelines to ensure biologicals perform reliably under commercial agricultural conditions. Through BioAg Insights LLC, I now help AgTech companies accelerate product development, troubleshoot technical challenges, and bring sustainable technologies to market with confidence.
My Mission
Delivering BioAg products with effective microbial titers—from handoff to application—developed for seamless integration into farming operations and providing impactful results.
My Services
-
Microbial Product Development
-
Formulation Science Support
-
Design of Experiments
-
Data Review / Slide Development
-
Product Specifications
-
Stage-Gated Planning
-
Application Development Optimization
-
Field Deployment Guidance
-
Market Exploration
-
Lab Design Services
Who I Work With
I collaborate with early-stage AgTech startups bringing biological or biologically-derived concepts to market. Whether your product is pre-trial or has completed initial trials, but not yet launched, I help accelerate its path to commercialization.
My Approach to Product Development
The lifecycle of a BioAg product is tailored around a crop’s growing season. Each stage—from lab-based formulation to field application—focuses on refining the concept through iterative testing and insights. Field trial results feed back into development, with the ultimate goal of achieving launch readiness for real-world use.
As a BioAg product moves through its lifecycle toward a targeted planting date, setting realistic and measurable milestones is key. I help teams establish stage-gated development plans that align with R&D workflows—ensuring timelines are achievable and balanced with available bandwidth and resources.
Within each stage of the product lifecycle, well-designed experiments are critical to generating meaningful insights. With nearly 15 years of R&D experience in both academic and industry settings, I can swiftly design and adapt experiments that balance in-house capabilities with field-level utility.
Formulation Development
Successful formulation development for BioAg products requires biologicals to be compatible with existing crop applied chemistries, physically stable in package, and maintaining effective titers 'til time of planting. I bring hands-on experience tackling these challenges to ensure products perform reliably from lab to field.
Application Development
A critical, but often overlooked, step in BioAg product success is ensuring seamless integration into real-world farming operations. I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate directly with farmers, equipment manufacturers, and sales reps to optimize biological applications for compatibility with existing systems—supporting performance without disrupting routine practices.
Lab Design and Buildout
With experience building and managing seven laboratory spaces, I specialize in designing labs that are functional, safe, and morale-boosting. From interpreting blueprints to coordinating contractors and facility teams, I ensure every detail—from casework and utilities to equipment and inventory—is aligned with workflow efficiency and ergonomic design.
