On The Upswing this week, host Jeff Sherman explored innovation in food access, lessons from a tech tour of Phoenix, co-working, and the future of communities.
First up, Sherman welcomed Michael Hostad, executive vice president of impact partnerships at Fork Farms, an agriculture technology company focused on expanding access to fresh, healthy food through its indoor hydroponic Flex Farm systems. Hostad explained how their mission-driven model combines technology, education, and community partnerships, and how school districts are using these systems on-site to turn classrooms and cafeterias into living labs for healthy eating. Asked what platform he’d like to see the 2026 Wisconsin governor’s race tackle, he pointed to healthy food access as a nonpartisan issue that cuts across education, health, and economic opportunity.
Sherman also welcomed back longtime Upswing guest Steve Glynn, the “Chief Milwaukee Officer” at Experience Milwaukee and former operator of the Wantable Café, located in Milwaukee’s first Innovation District, Walker’s Point. Glynn shared what he learned transforming the café into more of a co-working and community hub for creators and remote workers, and offered insights on where co-working and tech-enabled spaces are headed in Milwaukee. Drawing from a recent trip and tour of Phoenix, he contrasted startup culture and workspace experimentation there with opportunities in Milwaukee, and highlighted how the Milwaukee Brewers use performance technology at American Family Fields of Phoenix to track players’ movements and development.
Jeff and Steve closed by discussing return-to-office mandates and why a meaningful “return to local”—supporting neighborhood spaces, local businesses, and community-centric work—is where the real impact lies.
The Upswing is presented by Horicon Bank.
