July 21, 2022

On Thursday, July 21, 2022 Croatan Institute released a new report called Investing in Regenerative Agriculture Infrastructure Across Value Chains detailing the importance of supporting small-to-mid-scale, mission-aligned infrastructure to process, transport, and market regenerative food products. The report was generously supported by Paul and June Rossetti. You can download a copy of the report here.

This report identifies finance opportunities and pathways to build resilient value chains for regenerative farms. The authors examined over 100 regenerative agriculture infrastructure businesses based in the United States and interviewed 34 capital providers, regenerative business owners, and technical assistance practitioners. The report outlines the lessons learned for investing in infrastructure that works with the unique needs of regenerative agricultural enterprises. The aim is to encourage greater investment in infrastructure, which will expand regional and profitable regenerative markets.

Croatan Institute is also hosting a corresponding Croatan Conversation on August 4, 2022, to discuss some of the report’s findings with a panel of experts. Discussion topics will include financing the specific regenerative agriculture infrastructure businesses’ specific needs, implementing innovative capital solutions, and where financing gaps exist. Register for the event here.

Panelists will share their experiences as well as pathways forward for capital providers to better serve regenerative agriculture infrastructure enterprises while helping capital seekers understand how to better package their investment opportunities.

Panelists include:

• David LeZaks, Senior Fellow, Croatan Institute
• Calla Rose Ostrander, Natural and Working Lands Climate Change Coordinator, California Natural Resources Agency
• Esther Park, CEO, Ciénega Capital
• Janice St. Onge, President, Flexible Capital Fund