In many ways, 2023 was an extremely challenging year for agricultural companies raising capital. A spike in interest rates provided risk-free alternatives for investors who might normally allocate into the space, while banks and other lending institutions significantly tightened credit availability. Early stage companies struggled with runway and raising bridge rounds. Though economic headwinds remain, we’re optimistic that 2024 will see an uptick in funding for several areas.
Read moreRepairing America’s Rangelands While Restoring Bison Herds
Majestic and powerful animals, the bison remains one of the most admirable symbols of the American West. These icons have roamed our prairies and rangelands for thousands of years. Once in numbers reaching into the tens of millions, bison became the life-source for Native Americans who utilized every part of the animal. However, Westward Expansion brought European Americans to the areas occupied by Native American tribes in the 1800s and soon the U.S. Army sought to remove these tribes by removing their main food source: bison. By the late 1880s, the great herds of bison that once dominated the landscape were nearly gone. Now, herds are being restored through conservation efforts with more livestock producers joining the movement.
Read moreFour Agriculture Investment Trends To Watch in 2023
Each year, we spend some time researching the latest trends in agriculture and food production that we believe will gain the most attention and traction with investors. Despite some slow down in the economy, we anticipate that 2023 will be another strong year for investments in agriculture across all segments. Below are a few areas we see as attractive to investors wishing to diversify their portfolios in agriculture.
Read moreHow Biodiverse Soil Can Diversify Your Portfolio
Integrity of the land is a vital aspect of agriculture. Farmers and ranchers strive to ensure the longevity of their resources. Oftentimes, this means helping restore soil ecosystems or making repairs to a disturbed landscape. This is where revegetation comes in. A regenerative practice, revegetation is used throughout areas that have seen damage due to urbanization, invasive weed species, mining, or other degradation like drought, flooding, or erosion. Revegetation is bringing biodiversity back to native soils, and here’s how it can also bring diversity to your portfolio.
Read moreTop Five Agricultural Investments to Consider in 2021
With the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers are incredibly conscious of the origins of their food, including how, where, and by whom it is produced; perhaps more now than ever before. Consumers’ diets are changing, as they are unsurprisingly eating at home more due shelter-in orders and remote working as well as being more aware of what they are putting into their bodies. Similarly, public interest in climate change and other environmental issues, especially related to agriculture, has shown no decline. Based on these trends and discussions with our investors, we have developed the top five agricultural trends to watch for in 2021.
Read more4 Reasons to Invest in Regenerative Agriculture
As agriculturalists and scientists seek solutions to the growing demand for sustainable agriculture products, many look to regenerative agriculture. Regenerative agriculture is a practice that involves enhancing the natural resource base and environment, while still producing sufficient amounts of high-quality food and being financially viable and safe for farmers and their communities. Regenerative cropping and farming practices aim to rebuild organic soil matter, resulting in a variety of environmental benefits, including improved soil biodiversity and reduced climate change. Regenerative agriculture also improves the sanitation of water and has proved to be a financially sound practice for farmers worldwide. The closed-loop system is thought to reduce humans’ impact on the environment and reverse damage.
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