# Monsanto: The Pesticide That "Feeds the World" (Part 4)

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Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-history-of-fresh-produce-6999611/monsanto-the-pesticide-that-feeds-the-world-part-4.md
Podcast: [The History of Fresh Produce](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-history-of-fresh-produce-6999611)
Published: 2026-05-12T04:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://hfp.captivate.fm
Audio file: https://op3.dev/e/episodes.captivate.fm/episode/fafd89d2-36d4-448b-954e-af1fe0ca6ddd.mp3
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Duration seconds: 2753

## Resource

What was Roundup, the herbicide born from a soap crisis in a radioactive Idaho slag heap, that became the most widely used weed-killer in human history — and how did the shy, introverted chemist who discovered it almost by accident set in motion a transformation of global agriculture more radical than anything since the plough? Why did a company drowning in Agent Orange lawsuits and Superfund sites stake its entire future on a single molecule — and how did that gamble lead, step by step, to the most audacious business strategy in the history of farming: owning not just the chemical, but the biology of the crop itself? Join John and Patrick for the fourth episode of their Monsanto series — the phosphate mines of Idaho, the patent cliff, the genetically modified seed, and the ultimate expression of John Queeny's founding insight — in an age when the most powerful thing a company could own was no longer a factory, but a strand of DNA... ---------- In Sponsorship with J&K Fresh. The customs broker who is your fruit and veggies’ personal bodyguard. Learn more here ! ----------- Join the History of Fresh Produce Club for ad-free listening, bonus episodes, book discounts and access to an exclusive chatroom community. Support us! Share this episode with your friends Give a 5-star rating Write a review ----------- Subscribe to our biweekly newsletter here for extra stories related to recent episodes, book recommendations, a sneak peek of upcoming episodes and more. ----------- Instagram, TikTok, Threads: @historyoffreshproduce Email: historyoffreshproduce@gmail.com

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